InstaQuest (IQ)

Event Dates
November 15 - December 18

DOWNTOWN MADISON, WI - For the 2020 Holiday season, Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) brings back InstaQuest (IQ); your way to virtually explore Downtown Madison!

The IQ Holiday Edition will be a celebration of winter and the start of the holiday season in downtown Madison.

IQ is a fun way to explore downtown Madison and along the way, you can win prizes, learn more about downtown and you’ll find great deals at participating businesses.

Get in the holiday spirit, explore downtown Madison, and maybe even get your holiday gift shopping done early with IQ: Holiday!

You can follow along in the Facebook Event here.
You can find us on Instagram as Visit Downtown Madison .


Competitors
All Madison area community members are encouraged to join in the fun and compete!

You can sign up and join in the fun at any time before the competition closes at NOON on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH.
InstaQuest contestants (IQuesters) can register individually or as teams. Teams can be as large as four people.
To sign up as a competitor, please click here.
To view the rules for competitors, please click here.


Challenges
Challenges are designed with social distancing and safety in mind - competitiors will be able to complete challenges from home or in person downtown as specificed by challenges. You'll be able to win wether you're at home or downtown!

Challenges will be posted here at NOON on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH.
Surprise and pop-up challenges will be posted here and in the Facebook event as they are available to competitors.

  1. They're your spot for design-focused gifts for your home or on the go (a little something for everyone). They want you to take a pick- you can score points virtually OR in-person! To get these points you can either 1. Get a selfie under the mistletoe hung from their door. OR 2. You can share one of their existing posts that's got something on your holiday gifts wishlist! Either way, it only counts if you tag us AND @shopmadmod in the pic!! You can earn 5 points for either the virtual or in-person challenge!
  2. This locally owned business has been serving the Madison community since 1894!!! Stop by to get a selfie with Bucky! They've got the Jump Around Bucky statue from the 2018 'Bucky on Parade' public art showcase! Only counts if you tag us AND @universitybookstore in the pic!! This is an in-person challenge worth 5 points!
  3. Get a selfie with our new mural at the top of State! #maskupmadison Only counts if you tag us AND the artist in the pic!! Search the mural to find out who the awesome creator of this piece is - trust us, you'll want to follow her! This challenge is worth 10 points!!!!!
  4. Curating all your bath, grooming, and beauty needs for 48 years - they want to see what's on YOUR wishlist. They want you to take a pick- you can score points virtually OR in-person! To get these points you can either 1. Stop in store and snag a selfie with a gift set you'd love to be gifted with at the holidays! OR 2. You can share a photo of a gift set you'd love from their website as a part of your holiday gifts wish list! Either way, it only counts if you tag us AND @thesoapopera in the pic!! You can earn 5 points for either the virtual or in-person challenge!
  5. Madison's home for the arts from 1928 when the Capitol Theater first opened its doors, all the way to today in their beautifully expanded space as Overture Center for the Arts. They believe in the power of the arts to nurture our souls, bring us together, and inspire our community's future and they want you to share how the arts have helped you through the pandemic (#overture, #intermission). Have you watched performances online? Have you been watching your favorite movies? Are you filling your days with music? Are you joining virtual dance classes? Show us with a pic! PLUS - we'll give you an extra five points if you participate in #voiceyourheart by sharing your submission to their online gallery of community submitted songs, signs, spoken word, poetry, essays, reflections, photos, doodles, and drawings all about where your heart is right now.Only counts if you tag us AND @overturecenter in the pic!! This virtual challenge is worth 5 points!!
  6. This free museum first opened in it's currently location in 2006, following 105 years of presenting exhibitions and education programs in borrowed and refurbished spaces. They're your guide to modern and contemporary art, creating a space where you can learn, reflect, and be inspired. They want you to explore their new exhibition 'Full Circle', which has a lot of unusual artworks. Follow them on social media where they'll post images of some of the pieces, then try to find them in the exhibition and post selfies with the artwork! Only counts if you tag us AND @mmocamadison in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  7. Scooping up over 50 different flavors of locally made, super-premium ice cream - this sweet space wants you to get a selfie with a giant cow found only on State St! Only counts if you tag us AND @chocolateshoppeicecream in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  8. Since 1901, they've been telling and preserving the stories of Wisconsin's brave women and men who have served in the US military from the Civil War through to today. Visit MadisonCemeteryTours.com. Take the virtual tour of Forest Hill Cemetery and learn about Madison and Wisconsin history, watch living history vignettes, view objects and photos from the museum collection. Lucky you, they're got a CONTEST: find Old Abe somewhere on the tour. Tell us where you find him at the end of your tour and enter a drawing to win an Old Abe plushie. To get points for IQ, share a photo and the story of a veteran in your family! Only counts if you tag us AND @wisvetsmuseum in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 5 points!
  9. They're a locally (and woman) owned gift shop celebrating 30 years on State St with unique gifts for everyone in your life! They want you to take a pick- you can score points virtually OR in-person! To get these points you can either 1. Get a photo with Buddy the Elf and your favorite of their Old World Christmas Ornaments! OR 2. You can share one of their existing posts that's got something on your holiday gifts wishlist! Either way, it only counts if you tag us AND @littleluxuriesmadison in the pic!! You can earn 5 points for either the virtual or in-person challenge!
  10. Head to the place making gyros and tzatziki sauce in house on State St for nearly 50 years for this one! When you're there, snap a selfie with Baaathena! Make sure you, Baaathena, and the Parthenon Gyros logo are all in the photo! Only counts if you tag us AND @parthenongyros in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  11. Share a Downtown memory with us! Downtown Madison is a fun place for everyone and we know you love to enjoy it year round - so share a fun memory of a day you spent downtown! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  12. Show us how YOU celebrate the holidays of lights! Winter is full of beautiful celebrations lighting up the darkest time of the year and we want to know which one's you celebrate! Especially if it's multiple! The Madison community is full of wonderful traditions from all around the world! Show us YOUR festival of lights, YOUR winter holiday! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! #diwali #christmas #yule #wintersolstice #sadeh #chaharshanbehsuri #hanukkah #kwanzaa #saintluciasday #lasposadas #panchaganapati #yalda #krampusnacht #koliada #dongzhi #hogmanay #bodhiday This online challenge is worth 10 points!!!
  13. How do you decorate for the holiday season? Show us YOUR light display! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  14. This special shop features goods designed exclusively in house and works by over 100 local and indie artists. They want you to get a pic of their gorgeous card catalogue. Make sure you've got your favorite drawer of either washi tape or small paper goods open in the pic! We wanna see what you love/inspires you! Only counts if you tag us AND @anthology230 in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!!
  15. Serving up pizza by the slice for 19 years - they're your spot for unique pizzas! Vist Ian's Pizza on the top of State St, and snap a photo of their pizza line, filled with over 20 delicious and unique pizzas, and tell us which one's your favorite! Only counts if you tag us AND @ianspizzamadison in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  16. Serving you a variety of fresh savory or sweet pasties at the top of State St since 1976! Stop in and take a pic holding a pasty (natural hand warmer) with the Capitol Building in the background! Adding mittens makes the pic super cute! Only counts if you tag us AND @teddywedgers in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  17. They're Madison's best escape room experience with four well thought out games to challenge your wit and teamwork to solve your way out! Snap a pic with something orange and themed around one of their escape rooms (see their website)! Only counts if you tag us AND @escapethis in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 5 points!
  18. They're Madison's longest running jewelry store- serving you and your family since 1933 and they've been proudly giving back to the community ever since. They want to hear from YOU! Tell your Goodman's story! Share a pic of a piece of jewelry from Goodman's and tell the story behind the piece -think something gifted to you of someone you know! Don't have a Goodman's story? Share a piece of theirs you'd love to be the spark of your Goodman's story! Only counts if you tag us AND @goodmans_jewelers in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 5 points!!
  19. Share a photo from one of our great events you've attended in the past! Bet you went to one of our Wine Walks! OR did you see a movie in the park with us? What about our series YOUR Lunchtime Live and Live & Local? Maybe your little one joined us for crafting fun at the top of State? Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!
  20. We LOVE when you bring your animal friends with to @madisonnightmarket !!!! We get so many great pics of dogs having fun, and we've even spotted someone with a cat and another person with a lizard at the market before! Share a pic of YOUR animal friend (bonus 5 points if it was taken at one of our markets)! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!
  21. What's your perfect day downtown? Take us on a photo tour of what you'd do on a fun day spent in downtown! (Example: a photo from the top of the Capitol dome, a photo of a meal you want to get, a photo of a store you'd love to stop in at, a photo of a drink you'd love to share with someone, and maybe a photo of a snack you'd love to get - but all downtown!) Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  22. Get artsy with your photography! Create a special picture of one of our light displays exploring angles, filters, exposure, or something else! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 10 points!
  23. Take a stroll downtown to see all our lights and snap a selfie with your walking buddy at your favorite display! Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 10 points!!
  24. Snap a selfie with a moose head in this 3rd generation family owned outdoor lifestyle shop! They've been downtown since 1972!! Only counts if you tag us AND @fontanasports in the pic!! We'd also accept a selfie with that hardworking team of sled dogs… This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!
  25. They're your spot for handcrafted one of a kind gifts and jewelry - stop in to get a pic of their Resting in hand chair! Only counts if you tag us AND @artgeckostate in the pic!! This in-person challenge is worth 5 points!!
  26. Throwback! Share a photo from one of our Madison Night Market! They make summer incredibly fun! Only counts if you tag us and @madisonnightmarket in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  27. Show us something you bought at one of our Madison Night Market - whether it was delicious food, a piece of clothing, jewelry…. we know you found great stuff with our vendors! Only counts if you tag us and @madisonnightmarket in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!
  28. Throwback! Share a photo from our Winter Madison Night Market! WMNM is a great kickoff to the holiday season! Only counts if you tag us and the @madisonnightmarket in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  29. Show us how YOU celebrate the winter season! Not everyone likes the cold and snow but some people really do! How do you enjoy winter? Only counts if you tag us in the pic!! #celebratewinter This online challenge is worth 10 points!!
  30. In 2019 we teamed up with 12 community partners to decorate 13 tree displays on State St and around the capitol square. Our community partners are local Nonprofits and they choose decorations themed around the work they do. We want YOU to create a tree design (either on an actual tree of any kind or a drawing/collage) for a local Nonprofit you love and tell us about them! Only counts if you tag us AND the Nonprofit in the pic!! This online challenge is worth 10 points!!

Thank you!
Thanks to all the competitors and participating businesses for getting into the holiday spirit with us and having some scavenger hunting fun!

2020 Schedule

  • Registration Open Now!
  • Challenges Announced at NOON on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH.
  • Competition Ends at NOON on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH.
  • Winner Announced on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH.