Alternating Currents is almost here, bringing four days of music, film, comedy, art, culture and creativity to Downtown Davenport, Downtown Rock Island and Downtown Bettendorf from August 13-16. With more than 230 events, representing 600+ individual artists and creatives, 50+ venues and absolutely no admission cost, it's easy to fill your schedule with headline performances and popular attractions. But some of the festival's most memorable moments happen when you discover so

The 2026 Alternating Currents Artist Merch Series showcases exclusive designs created by talented local artists, with proceeds from each sale going directly back to the artist who created the work. This inaugural collection highlights artists whose work helps shape the spirit of Alternating Currents while celebrating the creativity that makes our community unique. Merchandise featuring this year's designs is available through the AC Web Store: https://alternatingcurrents.mysh

4 days | 3 downtowns | 230+ events | 600+ individual artists & creatives | FREE 230+ performances, screenings and experiences scheduled throughout the festival 200+ acts, artists, films and creative projects featured in the official festival lineup 600+ individual artists and creatives represented across music, comedy, film, visual art, makers and other disciplines 60+ makers, art vendors and interactive artists 50+ venues activated across three downtowns, including 40+ small

Get the know the talented creatives selected to help capture and share the magic of Alternating Currents across all four days of the festival. We're so excited to showcase the festival experience through their lens. Amber Dale Hometown: East Moline, IL Facebook: Amber Dale Photography Instagram: @amberdale.photo Bio: Amber is an interdisciplinary artist and arts educator. They teach computer art classes at Black Hawk and lead various art workshops including solargraphy, cyano

Every year, Alternating Currents transforms the Quad Cities into a canvas, not only through music, film, comedy, and performance but through large-scale public art. Once complete, these murals will become part of the Quad Cities' growing collection of public art, creating new landmarks for residents and visitors to enjoy. This year's muralists include internationally recognized artists, regional favorites, and hometown talent. Throughout the festival, you'll have the unique

Special partnership celebrates 100 years of Dog Chow with free performances and family-friendly experiences in Downtown Davenport Alternating Currents and Purina are partnering to bring Purina's Incredible Dog Team to Downtown Davenport this August in celebration of Dog Chow's 100th anniversary and Purina's nearly century-long connection to the Quad Cities. Purina's Incredible Dog Team will perform three free, high-energy shows during the 2026 Alternating Currents festival on

For Michael Mehuys, Alternating Currents began with a simple invitation. When the festival first launched 9 years ago, friends and fellow film enthusiasts Josh Ford and Harry Walker asked him to serve as a film judge for the newly created Alternating Currents Short Film Festival. For the first few years, Mehuys watched and evaluated submissions, never imagining he would eventually take over the entire program. When Ford and Walker moved away from the QC, they approached Mehuy

"I love Alternating Currents; it's my favorite event of the year in the Quad Cities,” says Kate Dale, co-founder of Hive Event Consulting. Dale works with Hive partner Jason Gilliland to help bring the festival's music programming to life. Together, they book artists, coordinate production logistics and serve as a crucial link between performers, venues and the Downtown Davenport Partnership. Dale says Alternating Currents is one of the most organized festivals she has ever w

Festival welcomes Emily Winter's One Liner Madness, partners with ComedySportz Quad Cities and expands a weekend of stand-up, improv and unforgettable live experiences Alternating Currents is bringing an exciting mix of stand-up, improv and one-of-a-kind comedy experiences to the Quad Cities with the announcement of its 2026 comedy programming for the festival held August 13-16 in Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. With a lineup of comedians from across the Midwe

Think March Madness, but with jokes instead of basketball. Created and hosted by comedian Emily Winter, One-Liner Madness pits 64 comedians against each other in a bracket-style comedy showdown. Contestants face off one joke at a time, with audience voting determining who advances through the bracket. Whether you're a seasoned comic or trying stand-up for the first time, we're looking for funny people with great one-liners. Winner receives a trophy, cash prize, and eternal br

Join the Alternating Currents Creative Crew, a collaborative opportunity for photographers, content creators and festival ambassadors to showcase their work, connect with fellow creatives and help tell the story of the festival. Whether you're capturing professional photos or sharing your experience on social media, you'll play an important role in documenting one of the Quad Cities' most creative weekends. Application Deadline: Friday, July 10 If selected, you will be notifi

In just 8 weeks, August 13 -16, Alternating Currents will bring over 200 performances to our downtown Quad Cities. From music and comedy to art and film, it’s an immersive cultural experience unique to our region. And when we say it’s a downtown adventure – we mean it.

Calling all artists, illustrators and designers! Alternating Currents is seeking up to three artists to contribute original designs to the official 2026 merchandise collection. Selected artists will receive an honorarium, earn royalties on merchandise sales and have their work featured as part of the festival's official merchandise lineup. Selected artwork will be featured on limited-edition festival apparel and sold online and during the festival. This is an opportunity to s

Independent films from across the country will show free screening at The Last Picture House August 13–16 The Alternating Currents Film Fest has announced its 2026 Official Selections, featuring a diverse lineup of 28 independent original films spanning drama, horror, comedy, experimental and feature categories. Free screenings will take place at The Last Picture House in Downtown Davenport during Alternating Currents August 13-16, 2026. The Last Picture House, co-founded

Alternating Currents (AC) and Quad City Arts are now accepting qualifications from artists for the 2026 Alternating Currents Mural Fest, a public art initiative bringing new large-scale murals to downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. Selected artists or artist teams will receive a $5,000 stipend to create original murals throughout the Quad Cities. Murals will be installed between August 10–17, 2026. Artists will be matched with one of several mural locations throug

Free multi-city Quad Cities festival returns August 13–16 with performances across more than 50 venues and public spaces Alternating Currents has officially released the first wave of musical artists for the 2026 festival, offering an early look at the performers set to energize Downtown Davenport, Rock Island and Bettendorf August 13–16. This initial drop features more than 65 artists spanning indie rock, punk, hip hop, funk, blues, jazz, metal and genre-bending experiment

Alternating Currents is seeking property owners in downtown Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island interested in donating wall space for the 2026 Alternating Currents Mural Fest. Each year, Alternating Currents brings large-scale public art to downtown spaces, transforming blank walls into vibrant murals created by professional artists. If you have an empty, visible wall that could become a lasting piece of public art, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Apply to donate a wall:...

Alternating Currents is back for another year of discovery, creativity and downtown energy. We’re officially opening applications for venues interested in being part of the 2026 festival, happening August 13–16, 2026. Every year, AC transforms downtown Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island into a walkable celebration of music, film, comedy and visual art. More than 40 venues come alive with hundreds of performances, bringing thousands of people through our downtown districts

Submissions are open for Alternating Currents 2026! We’re looking for musicians, comedians, visual artists, muralists, filmmakers and performers who bring creativity and energy to downtown Davenport, Rock Island, and Bettendorf. Alternating Currents will take place August 13–16, 2026. Applications are open through December 31, 2025, and it’s completely free to apply. Accepted artists receive paid opportunities to perform or exhibit during the festival. Apply here -->...

The story of the Quad Cities is one of creativity, resilience and community pride. Nowhere is that more visible than during Alternating...