Now through November, MML Insurance is partnering with GCHS Class of 1970 for Toys for Tots. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or money donation into the agency, and you will be entered in our drawing for a $25 Gas Card. We’re at 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City and are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Questions? Call us at (618) 8761705. Please help us make a happy Christmas for the kids!
The Annual Way of Lights, Nov. 18th Dec. 30th, 5 9pm, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville. Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Find out more by visiting: www.snows.org/wayoflights
Dueling Pianos, Nov. 18th, 7pm, Tri Township Activity Center, Troy. Gather your friends and come join us for a night of fun! Doors open at 6pm. Entertainment starts at 7pm. Bring your own food and drinks (adult beverages are allowed). All proceeds benefit the THS & TMS Athletic Programs.
Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square, Nov. 18th, 6 7pm, Lincoln Douglas Square, Alton. Events will begin with the arrival of Santa Claus at 6:00. The free festivities including caroling, cookies and hot cocoa will continue until 6:45 when Mayor David Goins flips the lights on the beautiful tree. The Salvation Army will be kicking off their red kettle Tree of Lights campaign at the event. The public is encouraged to bring a non perishable food donation. Between the hours of 5:30 7:30, free trolley transportation will be provided between Lincoln-Douglas Square and the corner of 3rd & Belle Street. There will also be free horse and carriage rides departing from the corner of 3rd & Belle Streets from 7:00-9:00!
29th Annual Lebanon Victorian Holiday, Nov. 19th, 10am 8pm, DowntownLebanon. Join us on the brick street to kick off the holiday season. Caroling, shopping, live performances, photos with Santa, carriage rides, parade, lamplighter ceremony, and food trucks. For updates, followfacebook.com/LebanonVictorianHoliday.
Miracle on N. 2nd Street, Nov. 20th, 10am 2pm, The Ink House, Edwardsville. “Miracle on N 2nd Street ,“ an event geared towards shopping small and smart for the holiday season. A one stop shopping experience that will offer the community a wide variety of unique gifts and services for everyone on your shopping list! Sponsored by Boheme Boutique. Follow their Facebook page for updates!
Holiday Sip & Shop, Nov. 20th, 10am 3pm, The Olde Wicks Factory, Highland. Don't wait until the last minute to get your Christmas shopping started. Come spend the day at The Olde Wicks Factory. We will have 100+ vendors and crafters set up to shop. There will be 3 cash bars open to grab a drink to sip on while you shop. Food trucks will be onsite for lunch as well.
13th Annual Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k, Nov. 24th, 8:30am, SIUE Campus. The Edwardsville Turkey Trot has become a family tradition for many locals and families traveling to the area for the holiday. Regularly exceeding 1,200 participants, reaching 1,600 in 2019, the Turkey Trot is one of the largest if not the largest 5k in the region. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Edwardsville/EdwardsvilleTurkeyTrot.
Belleville Santa Parade, Nov. 25th, 11am 12pm, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Join us in downtown Belleville for the annual Santa Parade, hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville. Welcome Santa to town and to his house on the Public Square during the largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois. This festive parade includes floats, marching bands, dance groups, and more!
41st Annual Art & Fall Craft Show at the Belle Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center, Nov. 25th 27th, Belle Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center. This event will feature over 400 exhibitors of jewelry, wearable art, florals, fall and Christmas decor, antiques, pottery, furniture, and MORE! Fri. 25th 3 8pm, Sat. 26th 10am 4pm, Sun. 27th 1 4pm. See website for more info, bcfairgrounds.net/event/fall craft show 2.
Belleville Santa Parade, Nov. 25th, 11am 12pm, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Join us in downtown Belleville for the annual Santa Parade, hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville. Welcome Santa to town and to his house on the Public Square during the largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois. This festive parade includes floats, marching bands, dance groups, and more!
41st Annual Art & Fall Craft Show at the Belle Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center, Nov. 25th 27th, Belle Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center. This event will feature over 400 exhibitors of jewelry, wearable art, florals, fall and Christmas decor, antiques, pottery, furniture, and MORE! Fri. 25th 3 8pm, Sat. 26th 10am 4pm, Sun. 27th 1 4pm. See website for more info, bcfairgrounds.net/event/fall craft show 2.
Highland Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Nov. 25th, 6:30pm, Highland Square. Join us for the Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade! Our theme this year is Candyland Christmas. The parade will begin at the Highland Elementary School traveling west on Lindenthal, turning north on Washington Street and then ending at the Downtown Square for the lighting ceremony.
2022 Belleville Christkindlmarkt, Open Day Nov. 25th, 9am, Belleville’s Public Square. Christkindlmarkt is an open air German Christmas Market on Belleville's Public Square. Opening day festivities include welcoming Santa during the annual Santa Parade, free horse drawn trolley rides until 8:30pm and the lighting of the fountain. The market continues through Dec. 23rd. Admission is FREE! For more info and schedule of events, go to bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.
Boonies Farm Christmas Winter Fun Holiday Lights, Nov. 25th Dec. 18th, 5 9pm, Boonies Farm, Worden. Come experience the 2nd Annual Boonies Farm Christmas event. Our farm is being transformed with Christmas lights and holiday magic to bring you a “Merry & Bright” experience featuring activities for all ages, treats, and photo ops to make memories that will last a lifetime! Online tickets $11.00; At Gate $15.00, 2 years and under: free. For more info about activities and to buy tickets, go to booniesfarm.com/christmas
2022 Christmas Lighted Parade, Nov. 25th, 7pm, Millstadt. Bundle up and help us celebrate the start of the Christmas Season! The parade starts at Frontier Park (behind Subway) with the lighting of the Village Christmas Tree at 7pm, proceeds down West Washington and ends at the VFW. Interested in participated in the parade? Contact Patti French at (618)660 4255. Tentative Rain Date Saturday, November 26th.
Christmas Wonderland 2022, Begins Nov. 25th, Rock Spring Park, Alton. Visitors can drive through the park to view more than 4 million lights decorating the park! This year the popular Enchanted Forest where visitors vote on their favorite decorated tree returns to the park, as do visits with Santa Claus! Take your own free photos with Santa! There will be a walkthrough night Nov. 28th for anyone who wants to brave the cold and get an up close and personal view of the holiday light show. Christmas Wonderland is open the day after Thanksgiving through late December. Visit the twinkling lights from 6 9pm Monday Friday or 5 9pm on Saturday & Sunday. The suggested donation is $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people.
Cookie Crumb Trail, Nov. 26th, 10am 3pm, Highland Square. Pick up your Cookie Crumb Trail map at Kloss Furniture between 10 a.m. and noon and get started shopping! Each Cookie Trail Sponsor business will have a cookie for participants to sample and a recipe card to take home. The Cookie Trail Sponsor will then check off their business name on the map and once ALL are checked, turn in your map by 3 p.m. to the Gazebo at the Downtown Square and be entered in a drawing in which 2 lucky winners will each receive a $50 Chamber Gift Certificate that can be used at many local businesses! This event is FREE, and the first 100 participants receive a canvas tote (one tote per family).
Santa Arriving on a Fire Truck, Nov. 26th, 12:30pm, Edwardsville Children’s Museum. Santa will be arriving at the Nickel Plate Station at 1PM in a fire truck! Beginning at 12:30, we will have crafts and hot cocoa while we wait for his arrival. Our Into the Arctic exhibit will be open as well, featuring our new igloo! This event is free thanks to our generous sponsor, First Community Credit Union.
Bethalto Spirit Christmas Parade, Nov. 26th, 4pm, Bethalto. Come be a part of another great beginning to the Christmas season: the first annual Bethalto Spirit Christmas Parade. Everyone is invited to line Erwin Plegge Blvd. from Roselawn Memory Gardens to Central Park on Saturday, November 26th as the parade steps off at 4 p.m. and journeys towards Bethalto Spirit Christmas Village. Upon arrival, Santa Claus will head to the Gazebo and throw the switch to kick off this year’s multi weekend event.
Village Winter Market in Maryville, Nov. 26th, 4-7pm, Fireman’s Park. Local artisans, sweet treats, Christmas music, food and festive drinks take over Fireman's Park! Take pictures and enjoy a treat from Santa 5 7pm. This free outdoor event will get everyone in the Holiday Spirit and support #smallbusinesssaturday!
Christmas Candlelight Tours, Nov. 26th, 5 8pm, 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville. Step back in time at the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House as they usher in the holiday season during the annual Christmas Candlelight Tours, on November 26 from 5 8 pm. The historic home will be aglow in candlelight and bedecked in early 19th century decorations as visitors are immersed in a truly interactive historical experience. Tickets must be purchased online (www.stephensonhouse.org) in advance for a specific time. The first tour starts at 5p.m. with the last tour at 8p.m. Cost per person is $10.
2022 Illuminated Holiday Parade, Nov. 26th, 6pm, O’Fallon. Parade steps off at Parkview and 7th, proceeds up S. Lincoln and turns right onto State St. Santa will arrive at Bike Surgeon after the parade. He will be available for pictures and will have an ornament gift for each of the kids. Join us in the O'Fallon Station Building for crafts and treats, all free.
12th Annual Borderline Christmas Show | TOYS FOR TOTS, Nov. 26th, 6 11pm, Wood River VFW Hall. Doors open at 5pm, with free food from G'villon Family BBQ and LIVE MUSIC will start at 6pm. Entertainment Line Up: Billy Hurst, Number 4 Combo, Tommy Karlas and Borderline. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door... OR, bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get in FREE!!! This event includes Free food (until gone), multiple live bands, 50/50, raffles, and more. This is a 21+ ONLY event. 100% of the money and toys raised at this event will stay LOCAL to help kids in need in our area.
Jammies & Jingles At Edwardsville Children's Museum, Dec. 2nd, 6 8pm. ECM invites you to celebrate the holiday season with us! Families are encouraged to wear their jammies and enjoy listening to Christmas music while the kids make Christmas tree pinecones, mold dough into indoor snowmen, play a tree trimming game, and visit with Santa! $8 members/$10 non members. Purchase tickets at edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org/event/jammies and jingles.
Swansea Fire Department Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 2nd, 7-9pm, Swansea. Parade will begin at Wolf Branch Middle School and travel up Old Caseyville to Baron Drive to Heatherwood, to Green Haven, to Big Bend, to Twin Lake and end at the fire house. There will be pictures with Santa, Bounce houses and refreshments. Interested in participating please email Jack Korves at: jkorves@swanseail.org. Rain date will be December 4th.
2022 Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 2nd, 6:30pm, Mascoutah. The parade will assemble at First and Church Streets. It will proceed west on Church and then proceed south on 4th to Main where it will turn east on Main Street and turn north on Lebanon. The parade will then proceed west on Church back to St. John’s.
2022 Gingerbread Run, Dec. 3rd, Belleville. Kids Dash (100 yd): 8am, Gingerbread 5k run/walk: 8:30am. Sign up by Nov. 9th to be guaranteed a shirt size. Sign up at bit.ly/3SuAi5P
Winter Market Downtown Edwardsville, Dec. 3rd, 9am 1pm, Downtown Edwardsville.Winter market will feature artisans, baked goods, crafters, locally grown items, and unique boutique gifts and products from our neighborhood and the surrounding communities. For more info, go to cityofedwardsville.com/618/Downtown in December.
TriadStrong Winter RUNderland 5k, Dec. 3rd, Fun Run 8:30am, 5k 9am, Silver Creek Elementary School, Troy. Professional chip timing by Final Lap Racing. 5k entry fee is $25 ($35 after 11/25), Fun Run is $15. Register at bit.ly/3SEapkb.
Mr. & Mrs. Claus At South Roxana Village Hall, Dec. 3rd, 10am 1pm, South Roxana Village Hall. Bring the family to take pictures with Santa Claus and his wife at South Roxana Village Hall! Village Hall will also be offering face painting and have treat bags for visiting kiddos. Don't forget to bring your camera!
Winter Wonderland Festival, Dec. 3rd, 1 5pm, Civic Park, Granite City. Elf Walk 1 5pm: Follow the clues left for you by Santa’s elves and see if you can find where they’re hiding. Stop by the holiday headquarters in Civic Park for your book of clues and be sure to enter the Ugly Sweater Contest. Mistletoe Market 1 5pm: Stop the Township Hall for lots of vendors. Candy Cane Parade begins at 2:30pm. The parade begins at GCHS ending at Civic Park. Pictures with Santa directly after the parade until 5pm at the Granite City Cinema. $10 per photo, pets welcome.
Holiday Open House, Dec. 3rd, 1pm, Glen Carbon Library. Join us for a holiday celebration at the Library! Get a caricature done of your family, visit with therapy dogs, make some crafts, decorate cookies, and of course, meet Santa himself! Register your family for a timeslot to meet Santa and spend the rest of your time enjoying the festivities! Registration required at glencarbonlibrary.org.
Annual "Christmas
Collins House" and
, Dec. 3rd, 5:30 8pm, Uptown Collinsville. Event will include an evening Holiday light up parade through the Uptown area of Collinsville and end with festivities at the historical Collins House. The Event will include a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and various family friendly activities.
City Of Edwardsville Tree Lighting Ceremony 2022, Dec. 3rd, 6pm, EdwardsvilleCity Park. Come see the 2nd annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in EdwardsvilleCity Park December 3 at 6pm! There will be Christmas carolers and s'mores at the event and hot cocoa from 222 Artisan Bakery. The tree lighting ceremony is at 7pm.
Dashin’ Thru The Lights 5k Fun Run/Walk, Dec. 3rd, 6:30pm, Roxana Park. Registration for Dashin' Thru The Lights is now opened! To guarantee a shirt, pre registrationmust be complete by Sunday, Nov. 20th. The deadline to register for the run is Thursday, Dec. 1st (No Shirt Guaranteed). Register at the Rox Arena (8 4:30pm, Mon Fri) or online at signupville.com/Roxana. For additional questions, call 618 254 7485.
ABOB Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair, Dec. 3rd & 4th, Alton High School. Save the date for a fun weekend of holiday shopping at the 33rd annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair. Sat. Dec. 3rd, 9am 4pm, $3.00 admission. Sun., Dec. 4th, 10am 3pm, $2.00 admission. Kids 12 and under are free. Strollers are not recommended. For more info go to abob.net or contact abobcraftfair@gmail.com or (618)474 6996.
Santa is Coming to Glen Carbon/Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 3rd, and 4th. Santa has traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a fire truck! Join us as Santa travels down S. Main St on Sat. Dec 3rd at 7pm during the lighted Christmas Parade, and then hosts a party at Fire Station #1. There will be refreshments, arts and crafts, bounce house and more! Then on Sun. Dec. 4th, Santa will be at the Cabin for pictures, ornament making and cookies!
CEO Winter Festival, Dec. 3rd, 2 6pm, Silver Creek Elementary. To start off the holiday season on December 3rd, the Collinsville Triad Maryville CEO Winter Festival and Dodgeball Tournament will take place. There will be numerous seasonal activities including cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, and lots of games! We will also have Chick Fil A and pizza for sale, along with a concession stand. This event will offer an opportunity for our community to connect with our CEO program and it will provide a fun experience for all age groups!
Annual Candy Cane Parade 2022, Dec. 3rd, 2:30pm, Granite City. Parade will kick off at Granite City High School Parking Lot to State Street to Madison Avenue to Niedringhaus Avenue to Civic Park. Participant and Sponsorship Forms available at gcacf.org/candycaneparade
JingleJam III to Benefit Collinsville Food Pantry Holiday Drive, Dec. 3rd, 7:15 9:30pm, Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, Collinsville. Five local musical acts are teaming up for JingleJam III at Herald Square. Event benefits the Collinsville Food Pantry’s annual holiday drive. Performers include Curt Copeland, Steve and Rhonda Evans, 10 String Dream, Scott Marlin, and Merge V. There’s no admission charge, but a suggested donation of $10 and/or a new, unwrapped toy.
29th Annual Festival of Trees, Dec. 7th, 6 10pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The 40,000 square foot event space transforms into a holiday winter wonderland with beautifully decorated live & artificial trees, gorgeous wreaths, and unique home décor. Guests enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction for trees and decorations, live entertainment by Erin Bode, and catering by Catering by Bella Milano. For more info and tickets, go to festivaloftrees.info
Elf Christmas Party, Dec. 7th, 6:30pm, Maryville Community Center. Santa’s Elves are coming to host a Christmas party! Join us to decorate cookies, dance to Christmas carols, and stuff your own reindeer plushie. One of Santa’s Elves will even visit to tell us a story! Sign up begins Nov. 7th. $5 per child due at registration.
Christmas Rox Party, Dec. 8th, 5:30 7:30pm, Rox Arena, Roxana. Everyone is invited to the Christmas Rox Party! We will have a live reindeer, a visit from Santa, a sing along dance party with Celia, Christmas Cookies and Christmas crafts! Don't forget to bring your camera for some great photos with Santa and the reindeer! No residency requirements or registration required! Question? Stop by Roxana Library or call 618 254 6713.
Elf Workshop, Dec. 9th and 11th, R.P. Lumber Center, Edwardsville. Kids love to make presents to give to their loved ones. Well now they can! Parents can drop off their child for a two hour period so they can create some holiday cheer. Friday, Nov. 9th 6 8pm. Nov. 11th, Noon to 5pm. Register at secure.rec1.com/IL/edwardsville il/catalog. There will also be a Santa’s Secret Shop where children can have a private shopping experience with an Elf guide while adults wait in the lobby. Together they will “wrap” each gift and meet the parent back at the door.
Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station Winter Market, Dec. 10th, 3:30 7:30pm, 212 E. 1st St, O’Fallon. Winter Market is back with 50+ artisan and food vendors, live music, food trucks and carriage rides! Expect a mix of farmers market vendors with meats, cheeses, coffee, bread and prepared foods as well as a much larger selection of artisans. Carriage reservations can be made at bit.ly/3ylkoTg.
Crawlin' Around The Christmas Tree Holiday Pub Crawl 2022, Dec. 10th, 4 6pm, Downtown Edwardsville. Don your ugliest sweater, Santa suit, holiday inspired costume or onesie and crawl, walk or run to the local bars participating in our inaugural “Crawlin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Pub Crawl! All proceeds will be donated to Edwardsville Neighbors, a local nonprofit that assists families in need. All Christmas crawlers, with purchase of a $25 ticket, will receive a can coolie, light up Christmas necklace, and access to specials at participating bars. Get your tickets at rem.ax/xmascrawl. Order your tix by Nov. 28 to guarantee a swag bag!
Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Party, Dec. 11th, Granite City Township Hall. Tickets on sale now through Dec. 4th . $13 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Doors open at 11:30am. Catered meal at 12:30pm. Enjoy Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis, 1:30pm. Dancing with the Vince K Band, 2:45 4:15pm. There will also be attendance prizes, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. For more info, call (618)877 4373.
Christmas Craft Fair, Dec. 17th, 9am 3pm, Collinsville High School. This craft fair we will have vendors, food, vintage items, pictures with Santa, raffle prizes, face painting and a lot more. For more info, email Jkelly@cusd.kahoks.org
Winter Market 2022, Dec. 17th & 18th, 10am 4pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. Winter Market is a holiday shopping experience for you and your family! Shop & Stroll 30,000 square feet of one of kind gifts, handmade crafts, boutique items, kid crafts & activities, family fun for everyone! Admission and parking are free.
