Start a new holiday tradition with an authentic, outdoor German Christmas Market Featuring Unique European and Handcrafted Items, Delicious Food & Beverages, Free Trolley Rides on Weekends Fridays 5-8pm Saturday & Sunday 12-6pm. Reindeer on Nov. 30th and Dec. 1st 12-4pm. Petting Zoo Dec. 7, 8, 21. 22 from 1pm-4pm.

Little Elf Workshop Little artists ages 5-9 years old will create a beautiful artistic gift for someone special on their list at this fun drop-and-shop event!
Take a little time for yourself, grownups, while the littles enjoy some art time with Jacoby Arts Center. They'll make a fun gift to bring home for someone on their list while you spend time shopping at Milton (or elsewhere!) or enjoy spending some quiet time at Maeva's Coffee. $10 per participant

What better place to visit Santa than the Yanda Cabin! Enjoy a cookie, get a picture with Santa, and listen to live holiday music. This is a FREE event so we encourage guests to bring a non-perishable donation to the Glen-Ed Pantry. We hope you can join us!

Who is scheduled to arrive at Pete's Hometown Grocery on Dec 6th at 5pm? Santa & Mrs Claus. We encourage you to join us in welcoming them! Feel free to take pictures on Sunday 2-4 PM.

Join us for a fun Elf Interactive Moviefor the whole family! Not your average movie viewing! Enjoy interactive activities throughout the movie. Popcorn, water, and treats will be served. This event is completely free to the community! Doors open at 2:30pm at Trailhead Church 131 Hillsboro Ave.

Join us for a free Christmas recitalat Worden Methodist Church 103 S Lincoln St. Refreshments to follow. Brad is a superb pianist.

Gingerbread Workshop ‘Tis the season to be jolly and decorate gingerbread houses! Families are invited to spend time together building and decorating their own gingerbread house out of graham crackers, frosting, and an assortment of sweets & treats! Please register each child who will be participating. Registration for this event will be open from December 1, 2024 @ 9:00am to December 8, 2024 @ 1:00pm.

Join us for our Bethalto Spirit’s Victorian Christmas Walk Participate, volunteer or just stroll and enjoy. Want to be a part of it?

Join us for our Old Fashioned Christmas. We'll have cookies, a hot chocolate bar, crafts for kids, rides through town to see Christmas lights, and a visit from the big man himself, Santa. You don't have to be a resident of Hartford or need a library card.

Have you already bought your Christmas gifts but still need to wrap them! Roxana Public Library can help! Save the date for the Christmas Gift Wrapping Party! Drop in to wrap your gifts! No need to register! We will have a supply of wrapping paper, gift boxes, tape & scissors. All you need to bring are the gifts! Monday, December 2 10am-7:30pm. Monday, December 9 10am-4pm. Saturday, December 14 10am-2pm. Monday, December 16 10am-7:30pm. Monday, December 23 10am-7:30pm

Have you already bought your Christmas gifts but still need to wrap them! Roxana Public Library can help! Save the date for the Christmas Gift Wrapping Party! Drop in to wrap your gifts! No need to register! We will have a supply of wrapping paper, gift boxes, tape & scissors. All you need to bring are the gifts! Monday, December 2 10am-7:30pm. Monday, December 9 10am-4pm. Saturday, December 14 10am-2pm. Monday, December 16 10am-7:30pm. Monday, December 23 10am-7:30pm

Spread some Christmas cheer by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the Sievers Equipment Toy Drive, and while you’re here, enjoy a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Children of all ages are welcome to get their picture with Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Help make the Christmas Season bright this year for those in need and create lasting holiday memories with Santa.

Stop by the library to get your photo taken with The Grinch! This is a free event for families from any community. Bring your camera or cell phone to snap a photo!Monday, December 9 | 6-7:30pm | Wood River Public Library

Join us at Nickel Plate station to await Santa’s arrival. Santa Claus will visit the Nickel Plate Station to visit with children every Tuesday between November 30 and December 17. 600 Troy Road Edwardsville, IL 62025

Come join us for our Santa at Serra will have BOTH Santa and The GRINCH who will be ready to take pictures with you! This is a free community event and will be open to the whole community. Take a walk through our Winter Wonderland and come see all the crafts, games, and candy we will have to offers and go home with a free picture with Santa. If you can, please bring a new/unwrapped toy for our Toy Drive. We will be donated all toys to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. We are honored to be doing this drive for the 5th year this year!

Come out with your family and play Bingo to win prizes and have some food. Sign-up starts on November 18 and ends on December 2. You must be signed up to play! You don't have to be a resident of Hartford or have a library card.

Join us for a Holiday themed group run! Wear your Christmas pajamas down the sidewalks of town and show your Holiday spirit! Everyone adventurous enough to wear Holiday pj's will be entered into the raffle to WIN a great prize from RunWell! After the run, we'll enjoy hot cocoa at RunWell. This is a FREE community event. Bring a friend or make a new one! We hope to see you! Remember to wear a headlight or carry a flashlight. Note: Streets are open to traffic. Wear reflective gear and carry a light. You are responsible for your own safety. Run at your own risk.

Ol' St. Nick is coming to Green Mount Road Again! He will be here to say hello before he sets off on Christmas Night! Santa will be set up in the customer lounge, ready to hear all of your Christmas wishes! The H.O.G Chapter will also be wrapping gifts for donations! Be sure to bring the family/pup by for your FREE picture with Santa! Green Mount Road Harley-Davidson 1560 N. Green Mount Rd.

Bring your furry friends to Allstate Insurance's office on December 14th from 11 AM - 2 PM for a festive Furry Photo with Santa himself. In exchange for a donation of your choice to Partners 4 Pets, you'll capture a holiday memory you won't want to miss! Last year was a hit, and we're thrilled to do it all again—bigger, jollier, and even more festive!

Our YMCA Winter Arts Day is coming up at Meyer Center! A FREE event with Free dance, music, and martial arts classes and baloon animals. It features all sorts of art related activities. Student Artwork Will Be Displayed, There Will Be Several Different Dance & Theatre Performances, Along With Much More! We Look Forward To Seeing You All There!

Get ready for the ultimate holiday showdown! This year at Santa Fest the magic of the season meets a little bit of mischief is BACK! Santa (Red) and The Grinch (Green) are bringing their holiday spirit (and a touch of friendly rivalry) to Bobby's! FREE Photos: Parents, bring your cameras or phones to snap festive pictures with Santa and The Grinch — no charge! Kids Night: Treat your little ones to delicious frozen custard and cheer on their favorite holiday character. Will they join Team Santa or side with Team Grinch? When: Sunday, December 15th from 5-7 PM. Where: Bobby's Frozen Custard, Maryville, IL. It's Red vs. Green and a great night to make some holiday memories. Whose team are you on?

Come check out a special drama of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", presented by the kids of Awana at Calvary. FREE Admission! At Calvary Baptist Church 1422 Washington Ave.

Join us at Nickel Plate station to await Santa’s arrival. Santa Claus will visit the Nickel Plate Station to visit with children every Tuesday between November 30 and December 17. 600 Troy Road Edwardsville, IL 62025

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus at Revity Credit Union 3970 Maryville Rd. for a FREE picture with Mr & Mrs Claus!

Nothing says winter fun quite likeHoliday Skate! This fun-filled event includes a skate with Santa Claus, plus opportunities to write a letter to Santa, take some fun holiday photos, let the little ones shop for gifts, enjoy hot cocoa, and watch a holiday-themed ice skating performance. More details to come!

Santa’s in the Bakery December 23rd! Stop in 3-6:30pm to get a picture with Santa and special treats at Neighbor's Bakeshop!

Santa's Mailbox

is at Maryville Community Library! Starting November 18th, pick up a blank letter to Santa. Bring your completed letter back by December 7th and pick up a reply from Santa's elf on December 14th!

Calling all kiddos! We have a direct line to Santa. Have the littles write a letter, add your email address and receive a special surprise letter back. When you bring in your letter put it in Santa’s MailBox

at Neighbors Bakeshop and receive a special Christmas TREAT from our bakery elves. We will draw one letter a week that will win a special prize, we will post on Facebook.

Our Letters to Santa gift registry

is out! Kids can look around the store, try out the toys, and make a list of what they love. Then friends and family can shop easily knowing they will pick the perfect gifts! Shop local first this year! We have so many awesome new products coming in the store every day. We try very hard to match or beat Amazon's prices and we carry many things that you cannot find online!

Wintertime sparkles atthe Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

The drive through display has over one million lights depicting the Journey to Bethlehem. The Visitor’s Center has a quilt raffle, decorated trees, and a Lego display. Additional activities include camel & pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Families can enjoy discounts on these activities on Military Mondays and Family Tuesdays. Visitor Center open 10 am -9 pm and Tree Display open noon – 9 pm. Outdoor Light Display: 5-9 p.m. nightly (Other exhibits are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas & New Year’s Day but lights are still on.) Free for light display although donations are welcome. Free plush animal with donation of $17 or more. Lego Display is $5 for anyone ages 4 and up. Camel rides are $8. Carriage rides are also available for additional charge. Family nights on Tuesdays include discounts on activities.

Rock Springs Park

More than 4 million lights are on view at this drive through display at Rock Springs Park. View cascading waterfalls of lights and lighted trees and displays. Alton is also home to some beautiful old homes and worth a drive through the historic districts to see the grand homes in full Christmas decorations. 2116 College Ave. The popular walk-thru night will be back on Monday, Nov. 28 from 6 – 9pm. No vehicles allowed. Suggested donation is $7 per car or $1 per person for vehicles with 10 people or more. Admission for the walk through night is $1 per person. Nov. 24 through Dec. 27. Monday through Friday the lights will be on from 6-9 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday the lights will be on from 5-9 p.m.

Bethalto Arboretum

Enjoy a half mile walking path through lighted trees and decorated cottages to the sounds of live Christmas music. Step into a winter wonderland at the heart of Bethalto! Our Christmas Village brings the holiday spirit to life with sparkling lights, charming decorations, and a cozy, festive atmosphere for all ages. Stroll through the magical lighted display from Central Park through the Bethalto Arboretum, support local artisans with unique holiday crafts, and indulge in seasonal treats that are sure to warm your heart (and taste buds!). Plus, bring the little ones to visit Santa Claus himself—he’s ready to hear all their holiday wishes! Whether you're making this a new family tradition or returning for more holiday magic, Bethalto Christmas Village is a joyful, free holiday event you won't want to miss. Bundle up, grab your loved ones, and make your way to Bethalto Village Park for a season filled with warmth, cheer, and festive fun!

Highland Square

Beautifully decorated lights, trees, and small homes with window displays. Don't forget to support local business with a stop at the Lory Theater to pick up kettle corn and frozen custard to go. Monday through Friday 6:00pm to 8:00pm Saturday 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 4pm Sunday 1:00pm to 4:00pm

WonderLight's Christmas (Madison)

5-10PM
World Wide Technology Raceway at 700 Raceway Blvd
Christmas lights with music. See shooting stars, giant Christmas trees, and tunnels of light. $30.00 per car (up to 7 passengers), Children Age 3 & Under: FREE! 5:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. World Wide Technology Raceway at 1905 Collinsville Road in Fairmont City

9 Barbaretto Lane (Maryville)

Displays nightly from 4:30pm-10:30pm through January 1st.
The 50,000 light show is synced to 9 different songs including traditional and contemporary music.

376 Macon Court

Roll your windows down to hear the music. A fun mixture of home made charm and new technology. We like the arches over the driveway, and the candy canes lining the sidewalk. There are lots of characters your kids will have fun finding and naming. Plus the home made sleigh, and mice, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus. We love how they used the side of their house as a canvas for a big greeting and floating baubles. Santa is in the upstairs window! 4:30-11 PM on week nights, 11:45 on weekends.

621 Somerset Lane

5-11 PM This home has been transformed! Get out and walk around the display for the best views, but watch for cords and hold kids hands. There is a Sweet Shop, a Ski Lodge, Santa’s Living Room, a Toy Shoppe, Church and Clock Shop. There’s even a big red sleigh where you can take photos! Please bring some non-perishable food items to leave in the can for a food donation to the O’Town Food Pantry.

Lights on Grandview


Broadcasting on 90.5 Twinkle FM. Turn off headlights and avoid neighbor’s driveways. Donations are accepted and matched for Metro East Humane Society. Donation box is by radio sign.
5-10pm
2036 Grandview Drive

Troy Toyland (Troy)

Spans eight lawns and is synchronized to music on 98.7FM. Many decorations are handmade. Donations go to St. Louis Children’s.
Sun.-Thurs. 5-10pm & Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm.
119 Pebblebrook Lane

Christmas Eve Luminaries

Every year on Christmas Eve the Middletown neighborhood is illuminated by the soft glow of luminaries. If you are new to the area it is quite a site to see! We invite you to drive around and look at the holiday spirit it brings to the neighborhood! This is the perfect excuse to get out and drive or walk around the neighborhood! Captains generally put luminaries out on Christmas Eve around 4:30 PM-11:30pm.



Billie’s Kids Christmas (Granite City)

Provides Christmas to 150-200 children. Each child receives 2 gifts, coat, gloves, hat, blanket, and other goodies. Each family receives food, essentials, and a family game. Wish List are loaded to registry at Target. Gifts from registry ship direct.

Children's Home and Aide (Many Sites)

Has quite a few families who haven’t been sponsored.

Elf Express

Help children in need and make their Christmas special. Pair with needy children as Christmas Elves. If you need help or want to be an elf send a message. Elves can decide whether they would like to drop off gifts with sponsored family or stay anonymous.

Hamel Giving Tree (Hamel)

Provides a place at Hamel Village Hall for donated gifts to be picked up and dropped off. Drop toys into the box, volunteers will then collect, wrap, and place the gifts at the Tree.

Mid-Town Moms (Alton)

Helps children in shelters with Christmas toys. Local shelters and outreach programs provide the first name, age, gender and birthdate of the child in need. A gift is delivered to the director of the shelter and given to the child.

  • Forrest Homes park (Alton)
  • By the pool/elementary school
  • Between primary school maintenance sheds
  • Van Preter Park
  • Haskell Park

  • Behind Collinsville High School
  • Kahok Hill
  • Glidden park off Lebanon Road on the left side, close to the bus garage.
  • Woodland park
  • Jefferson school
  • Small hill by the water tower and log cabin off 162 by Bethany Park subdivision

  • Miner park in Glen Carbon
  • In front of Rendleman Hall at SIUE
  • DO NOT SLED AT Leon Corlew Park (hill is a cemetary site)

  • The Levy
  • cheatuea Island where the old chain of rocks Bridge is that you can walk. As soon as you cross the first bridge over the canal, there is a big sledding spot to the left.

  • Highland Country Club (Highland)
  • Lindendale Park (Highland)

  • Behind Triad High School
  • By the senior center has a nice little hill

  • Kutter Park (Cottage Hills)
  • Behind the soccer complex/skate park (Wood River)
  • St Ellen Mine Park behind the Aldi (O'Fallon)
  • Pleasant Ridge Park (Fairview Heights)
  • Lindendale park (Maryville)
  • Hidden Valley (Eureka)
  • Art hill in forest park (STL)
  • Suson Park (STL)
  • Crestwood Park (STL)
  • Deer Creek Park (Maplewood)
  • Sioux Passage Park (Florissant)
  • Blanchette Park (St. Charles)
  • Legacy Park (Cottleville)
  • Faust Park (Chesterfield)
  • Queeny Park (Ballwin)
  • Bluebird Park (Ellisville)

Jingle Hike Challenge

Bells are tied to trees in 12 parks throughout southwestern Illinois from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Participants are asked to visit as many parks as they can, take a selfie with the bell, and submit the photo evidence using the QR code or link on the tag or map. #JingleHike. You can register for a fee to receive a shirt and a chance to win prizes. Anyone is welcome to find the jingle bells, but you will only be entered to win prizes if you are registered.

Fill a water balloon and add a few drops of food coloring. Let them freeze (either outside or in the freezer). Once frozen, pop the balloon and you’re left with a beautiful ice globe in the color of your choice. Take them outside to decorate or play.

Discover with water while spending some time in nature! Attach yarn to small water bottles filled with different colored water and let it drip down the yarn to created mixed color masterpieces. Hang the bottles in an easy to reach place and enjoy observing as the icicles grow!

Freeze water in different ice cube trays and tupperware. Add a few drops of food coloring. Leave them outside to freeze. Pop them out of their containers and get building with colored ice blocks!

Maple syrup snow candy is made with pure maple syrup and snow! First, carefully heat the syrup before pouring it hot into the snow to solidify. Adult supervision and necessary.

One simple recipe is to take sweetened condensed milk, and combine with clean snow. For a bit more excitement, combine 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 8 cups clean snow. Add food coloring, sprinkles, and fruit as your heart desires!

Give kids aluminum foil, tissues, popsicle sticks, paperclips, pencils, silverware, or other household items. Allow them to plan, design, and engineer a skier that can stand on skis and make it down a ski slope. Gets kids thinking about physics, engineering, elements, and design.