Head to The River's Edge and join the fun for themed public skate sessions! 

The River's Edge | 700 W River Drive
All ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult over 18)
Admission: $6 (plus tax) | Skate Rental: $3.50
*Swiftie Skate admission: $13 (plus tax) - includes skate rental

Monster Mash Glow Skate
Saturday, October 25 | 2-4PM
Get ready for a monster-themed skating event! Join us at River’s Edge for a spooktacular night filled with creepy beats, fun treats, and eerie crafts with the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities. Skates on dressed in your best skate-friendly costumes and ready to groove to undead tunes with your favorite monsters. Don’t miss the Monster Mash Glow Skate during public skating, glowing party lights, and plenty of frightful fun. Dress up, bring your spooky spirit, and join us if you dare!

Swiftie Skate
Saturday, December 13 | 5-7PM | Admission is $13 per person
*Please note, this is a specialty skate outside of normal public skate sessions.
Calling all the Swifties! Grab your groupies and have your own Eras Tour on the ice. We are in our skating era. All Taylor! All Night! Get your pic with Taylor. Play Taylor Swift lyric trivia. With a playlist catering to Taylor Swift fans, our session is designed to keep everyone moving and grooving. From beginners to seasoned skaters, our rink is open to all. Elevate your evening with a bracelet making and the perfect soundtrack. Enjoy two hours of skating with other Swifties with the uninterrupted best songs the iconic performer has to offer. The concessions will be offering a Swiftie Special inspired basket based on Taylor's favorites.

Skate with Santa
Saturday, December 20 | 2-4PM
Grab your favorite holiday attire or ugly holiday sweater and your ice skates to head over to The River's Edge  to Skate with Santa! Off ice you can enjoy fun holiday crafts with the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities, tasty treats from Concessions, or snap a selfie at the holiday backdrop in the lobby!

Noon Year's Eve Glow Skate
Wednesday, December 31 | 11AM-1PM
Are you ready to party like it’s 2026? Can’t stay up ‘til midnight? We've got you covered! Countdown to Noon with a ball drop, face painting and noisemakers. Enjoy crafts and activities for all ages too with the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities. Don’t miss this family tradition as you ring in the New Year. Ring in the NOON Year with glow skating under the party lights! Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday attire.

New in 2025! Join Davenport Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Humane Society of Scott County for a series of FREE fun, family events for dog owners!

Centennial Dog Park | 315 S Marquette St
All Ages

Tails and Trails Club
Saturday, May 17 - Saturday, December 13
Are you and your dog up for the challenge? Join the club the Tails & Trails Club with the goal of completing as many miles on the Davenport Trails as you can before we meet again at the Santa Paws Walk in December.
Visit The River's Edge to enroll in the Tails & Trails Club or register online.

Howl-o-Ween in the Park
Saturday, October 4 | 12-2PM
Calling all dogs to our first Howl-o-ween in the Park and Vendor Showcase where you can browse, learn, and play. Local pet related businesses will be showcasing their goods and services (and offering a few freebies and coupons) for pets and owners alike to enjoy plenty of fun activities including pet grooming, professional photos, paw painting, toy crafts making, treat making, food (including some dog friendly snacks), and drinks during the Howl-o-ween in the Park. Informational booths, vendors, and animal rescue organizations will be on hand also to give away free goodies as well as encourage better health and the wellbeing of our pup population. Don’t forget to dress up your pup for the costume contest!!

Santa Paws Walk
Saturday, December 13 | 12-2PM
*Please note, this event takes place at Credit Island Park
The Santa Paws Walk is a pet-friendly non-competitive walk allowing you and your canine to stroll around Credit Island Park. Event includes but not limited to a fun pet contest, photos of your pet and family with Santa, a raffle, great photo opportunities and great vendors.

Those who participated in the Tails & Trails Club with a goal of completing at least 20 walks will receive a certificate of completion and an opportunity to win additional prizes.

New in 2025! Explore Davenport and surrounding area recreation trails with FREE, fun events open to all ages to get you moving.

Witches & Warlocks Ride (NEW!)
Sunday, October 5 | 9AM-12PM | Davenport Riverfront Recreation Trails
Get ready for a spellbinding day of fun at the Witches & Warlocks Ride! Join us as we pedal along the Riverfront Recreation Trail in downtown Davenport on Sunday, October 5 from 9a.m. to noon. This enchanting event takes place along the Mississippi River, where participants will don their most creative witch and warlock costumes while riding their brooms - err, bicycles- along the picturesque riverfront.
Join fellow bike enthusiasts for a fun-filled day of pedaling, laughter, and Halloween spirit. Decorate your ride and embrace the festive atmosphere as you explore the scenic route along Davenport. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, this event promises to be a delightful experience for all ages. Don’t miss out on this magical celebration—mark your calendar and prepare for a wickedly good time! No registration required.

Trunk, Treat & Trail (NEW!) 
Saturday, October 18 | 2-5PM | Davenport Riverfront Recreation Trails
Get ready for a thrilling good time at the Trunk, Treat & Trail event! Local government along with organizations, churches, and other groups will be providing a safe and fun event for children to collect treats as they walk along the Riverfront Recreation Trail between Centennial and LeClaire Parks in Davenport. Join us for a spooktacularly safe trick-or-treating experience, activities, and more. Gather with other hobgoblins, ghosts, pirates and princesses from 2-5p.m. on Saturday, October 18. Whether you're a seasoned trick-r-treater or new to the hunt, this event promises to be a delightful experience for all ages. Put on your costumes and haunt your way the Mississippi River, as laughter and fun fill the air. Let your inner monster shine, with colorful costumes on that will leave you howling with delight.
Don’t miss out on this frightfully fantastic opportunity, where the only thing scarier than the tricks is the amount of fun you’ll have. Dress as one of your favorite monsters! Help us Monster up our riverfront. Don’t miss out on this magical celebration—mark your calendar and prepare for a wickedly good time! No registration required.

Join us for seasonal holiday lights display at Fejervary Learning Center! This year's show will be BIGGER and BRIGHTER than ever before! Shows last approximately 15 minutes with a new show starting every 30 minutes beginning at 5:00 p.m.; the last show starts at 9:30 p.m. This is a park and watch event, not a drive or walk-through event.

Fejervary Learning Center | 1800 West 12th Street
Everyday: Saturday, 11/29 - Sunday, 01/04
5PM-9:30PM (last show begins at 9:30 p.m.)

Directions: Enter on West 12th Street and follow the directional signs. Attendees may park at the listed locations. Accessible parking is labeled and located directly across from the learning center. Exit by following the loop around the west side of the learning center.

Radio broadcast: Tune-in to  FM 107.5 to sync with the holiday lights music broadcast.

Warning: This show may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.

The annual holiday spectacular featuring countless poinsettias, a multitude of lights, and extended Saturday evening hours.

Beginning Saturday, 11/29 through Sunday, 01/11 (closed Mondays) | Self-guided tour through park and Conservatory.

**PLEASE NOTE: The Conservatory will be closed every day, 11/10-11/28 for set up of Poinsettia and Lights display.

Holiday Conservatory Hours:
Normal Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Special Extended Evening Hours: Saturdays, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13 and 12/20 | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Early Closures: Wednesday, 12/24 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: Thursday, 12/25 and Thursday, 1/1

Admission:
Admission is free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Vander Veer Botanical Park itself, is open daily from sunrise until one half-hour after sunset. Vehicle entrances are off Central Park Avenue.