What’s Happening: Local events for Dec. 17-23

Concerts

• “Jingle Bell Rock” Dinner Show — 6:30 p.m. dinner; 7:30 p.m. show Friday, World Shooting Complex, Seasons Event Center, Sparta. Presented by The Gathering Place Off Broadway. Featuring Lucky Old Sons, four-piece piano-driven band doing Christmas tunes along with/ ’50s and ’60s rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly music. Cost: show only $20 at the door; $35 dinner show (includes buffet meal), $45 VIP tickets (includes buffet meal) in advance. Tickets (check for availability): 618-965-3726, 618-967-9926.
• Music in New Memphis — 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Friday, and Saturday, Sit “N” Bull Saloon, 31 S. Mill St., New Memphis. Free. L8R Days on Friday; Just Another Band on Saturday.
• Memorial Show — 5 p.m. Saturday, Pitchers Sports Pub, 104 W. Main St., Belleville. Live show in memory of Jeremy Mordini, Ben “Ob” Krausz, Devon Elbe. Music by The Buc Band, Zack Gibbons, Monkh and Band, Parlor Knights, Brother Lee and the Leather Jackals, and Tonight at Seven. No cover, all ages are welcome.
• Millstadt Christmas Concert — 7 p.m. Sunday, Zion Evangelical Church, 117 W. White St., Millstadt. Music by Millstadt Community Choir.
• St. Paul Music Ministry — 3 p.m. Sunday, St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville. St. Paul Music Ministry Christmas Concert. Featuring St. Paul Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Glory Ringers and Chorale Ensembles.
• Troy Christmas Concert — 6 p.m. Sunday, Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Featuring Chancel Choir, Praise Ringers and the Children’s Choir. Information: 618-667-6241 or troyumc.org.
• “Gloria” — 9 a.m. Sunday, Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. “Gloria” by Vivaldi featuringUnion United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir accompanied by the Manuel Ramos-Catherine Lehr family string quartet. Christmas tea will follow the service.

Dances

• Dixie Dudes and Dance Band — 8 p.m. Friday, Jacoby Arts Center, 627 East Broadway, Alton. Traditional Dixieland music. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission: $10 per ticket. Cash bar, with food provided by Spoon Baking Co. Information: 618-462-5222.
• Square Dance — 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Caseyville Township Building, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Dandy Dancers’ Christmas dance. Kate Garrison calling. Information: Sue Larsh, 630-841-4156.

Events

• Holiday Train Display — through Saturday, Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Road (Illinois 143), Edwardsville. Presented by the Don Take Family of Don’s G-Scale Trains. Hours: Monday-Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Free will offerings to Mooseheart will be accepted but not necessary. Games and prizes for kids.
• Belleville Christkindlmarkt — through Dec. 23, northeast corner of the Public Square, Belleville. 30 Vendors featuring treasures and treats from around the world. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Admission free. Free entertainment in heated Fest Tent on Friday and Saturday. Music by The Philosophers, 7-9 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, visit with reindeer Prancer and Sven, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Masterworks Children’s Choruses, 2 p.m.; Vibraphone, 3-5 p.m.; Dynamic Combo, 7-9 p.m. On Sunday, visit with reindeer, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; St. Matthew United Methodist Church Choir, 5:30 p.m.
• Belleville Santa’s House — 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-5 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-2:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday; noon-5 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas Eve. Presented by Optimist Club of Belleville.
• Gingerbread Walk — through Jan. 3, in shop windows along Main Street in downtown Belleville. View the winners in the annual Gingerbread Contest, and all the other entrants.
• Winter Wonderland of Lights — 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 31, Horner Park, Lebanon. Thousands of lights, animated musical display, life-size Navitity, Victorian village, donations accepted. Sponsored by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.
• Way of Lights — through Jan. 1, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod, Belleville. Dive through more than 1 million white lights along a 1.5-mile route depicting the Journey to Bethlehem; camel, donkey, pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn. Carriage rides ($65 per person; $100 for 6-person carriage); reservations, 636-549-4610. Visitors Center: Puppet show, souvenir photos, Christmas tree display, community music performances, wreath display and silent auction. Guild Center (admission $7 adults, $5 children 4 and up): Lego Display and Lego children’s playroom. Family discounts on Tuesday nights.
• Santa House at City Park — 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Edwardsville’s City Park. No charge to tell Santa your holiday wishes.
• Downtown in December — through Wednesday, downtown Edwardsville. Featuring caroling, sidewalk sales, artisans, crafters, Santa house, elves workshop, holiday art contest.
• Santa in Highland — through Dec. 24, Square in downtown Highland. Hours: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, and Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.-noon on Christmas Eve.
• Visit With Santa — 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; 6-8 p.m. Friday and Monday through Wednesday, Mel Price Park, 200 Caseyville Ave., Swansea. Each child will receive a gift from Santa and can choose an ornament from Santa’s Christmas tree to take home. Picture with Santa, $5 donation.
• Coulterville’s Christmas Walk — nightly through Dec. 27, downtown Coulterville. Free. Half-mile walk through a display of a million lights and 400 Christmas figurines, featuting a walk through Candyland game. Free refreshments and activities from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 15 animated displays including Santa’s Playland. Check out the Miniature Ceramic Christmas Village (more than 300 pieces), grab a snack or make a craft at the North pole, enjoy free refreshments around the bonfire.
• Alton Christmas Wonderland — 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, through Dec. 27, Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. 2.5 million lights adorning trees and lighting displays throughout the park. Carriage rides cost: $30 first person; $5 each additional person. Reservations: Call 217-242-1104. General admission $7 cars, small vans; $1 per person vehicles, holding more than 10 people.
• Diva Night — 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Downtown Belleville. Ugly Holiday sweater night. Registration at Ben’s Crafts and Floral, 112 E. Main St., Belleville; after party at Margarita’s, 117 E. Main St., Belleville. Diva night is full of prizes, deals, discounts and fun. Cost: $5 per Diva.
• Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette — 8:30 a.m. Friday, Pere Marquette State Park, 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton. Reservations required. A short video presentation followed by a drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Dress warmly and have a full tank of gas. Information/reservations: 918-786-3323.
• “White Christmas” — 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville. Screening of movie comes with a free goodie bag with special props to use during the movie. Christmas movie trivia starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 seniors and students under 18.
• Christmas Shopping and Dining — extended business hours, Friday, downtown Maeystown. The businesses of historic Maeystown will be extending their business hours to accommodate those shoppers looking for unique food and gifts in a leisurely and quiet atmosphere. Maeystown General Store, the Sweet Shoppe, Georgia Mae’s Antiques for shoppers and Vici’s Front Porch and Tea Garden with appetizers and desserts by candlelight. Reservations are recommended. Carriage rides with extended hours 4-8:30 p.m. Information: 618-539-3665 or 618-580-5875.
• Kids Christmas Workshop — 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Free. Featuring music, puppets, refreshments. Kids can make gingerbread houses and Christmas tree ornaments. RSVP at troyumc.org. or call 618-667-6241.
• Star Wars Party — 3 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville Memorial Library Center, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville. Come for fun in a galaxy far, far away (the children’s floor). Make Star Wars-themed crafts, enjoy spacy stories, Jedi training. Costumes encouraged. Free. Seats limited. Register: 618-344-1112, online at www.collinsvillelibrary.org.
• Santa at Edison’s — 8-11 a.m. (breakfast with Santa) Saturday, Edison’t Entertainment Complex, 2477 S. State Route 157, Edwardsville. Cost: $15, pancake breakfast, photo with Santa, three hours of unlimited bowling, laser tag, arcade, per guest. Breakfast only, $10 plus tax per guest. RSVP: www.edisonsfun.com. Free photos with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Toys for Tots donations will be collected through Dec. 17.
• P1 Winter Warm Up — noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Fairview Memorial VFW Post 8677, 5825 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights. Presented by The Power of One Project. Free coats, gloves, scarves, hats, socks. Free soup, coffee and cocoa. Live music. Stocking Creation Station. Free photos with Santa.
• Visit with Santa — 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Monroe County Welcome Center, Columbia. Kids receive letter from Santa, photo opportunity, crafts and refreshments.
• Winter Solstice — 7 a.m. Sunday, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Woodhenge, Collinsville Road, Collinsville. See the dawn break over Woodhenge, a calendar of posts arranged to line up with sunrise on the shortest day of the year. Woodhenge stands about 1 mile west of the site’s Interpretive Center. Out of respect for Native American beliefs, no rituals or ceremonies will be held at the free event. An archaeologist will explain the discovery, form and function of Woodhenge while awaiting dawn.
• Cheerleading Competition — 10 a.m. Sunday, Edwardsville High School, 6161 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville. Doors open at 8 a.m. Almost all competitive cheerleading squads from the middle school level through the high school level belong to the ICCA in Illinois. This regional competition is a qualifier for the Illinois State Cheerleading Championship held at Prairie State Convention Center in Springfield on Jan. 9-10.

Exhibits

• Dennis DeToye — through Jan. 1, Edwardsville Arts Center, 6165 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville. Free. In loving memory of Dennis DeToye who was an active board member of the Edwardsville Art Center, several of his paintings will be displayed and for sale. Also, the EAC has its annual holiday show with one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts, jewelry, glass ornaments, tea cups and more.

Food

• Aviston Fish & Chicken Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton St., Aviston. Eat in or carry out. 618-228-7311.
• Caseyville Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, Caseyville VFW Post 1117, 415 N. Long, Caseyville. Fish plates, desserts, sandwiches, burgers and more.
• Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Collinsville VFW Post 5691, 1234 Vandalia, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out. Cod, catfish fillets, Tilapia, sides.
• Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. North Atlantic cod, whole catfish, Cajun cut-ups, crab cakes, sides, desserts. Information: 618-345-2508.
• Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Illinois 157, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out. Fried/baked cod, catfish, sides. Senior plate starting at $4.99. 618-345-1492.
• Columbia Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, Columbia American Legion, 375 E. Locust St., Columbia. Farm raised catfish fillets, cut up cod, shrimp, hot dogs, hush puppies (sandwich or plates with 2 sides). Eat in or carry out.
• Fairview Heights Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road. Walton’s Fish Fry. Serving jack salmon and wild-caught grilled salmon. Homemade desserts. Carryouts: 618-632-5222.
• Highland Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Eat in or carry out. 618-654-6367.
• Mascoutah Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Dine in or carry out. 618-566-2288.
• Millstadt Fish Fry — 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-8 p.m. Friday, Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt.
• O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Sponsored by KC and Ladies Auxiliary. Cod and bluegill, burgers, hotdogs, sides. Eat in or carry out. 618-632-6229.
• O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St., O’Fallon. Sponsored by Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 and Ladies Auxiliary. Fried and grilled fish and chicken, homemade sides and desserts. Children’s menu. To-go orders delivered to car. 618-624-2651.
• O’Fallon Fish & Chicken Fry — 5-8 p.m. every Friday, O’Fallon American Legion, 109 N. Penn, O’Fallon. Carryouts available. 618-632-8879.
• Okawville Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Eat in or carry out. 618-243-6545.
• Scott VFW Fish Fry — 5-9 p.m. Friday, Scott VFW Post 4183, Belleville. Carryouts available. Order ahead: 618-746-9801. DJ, 8-1 p.m.
• Scottish Rite Fish Fry — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville. By the pound, plate, sandwich. 618-235-3350.
• Shiloh Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Sponsored by Eagles No. 545. Cod, Walleye, shrimp, chicken strip plates. Eat in or carry out. 618-624-5412.
• Swansea Fish Fry — 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Swansea Fish Stand, 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, shrimp. 618-222-7171.
• Troy VFW Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Troy VFW Post 976 and Ladies Auxiliary, 123-A W. Market St., Troy. Choice of cod, catfish, jack salmon, baked fish, chicken strips, shrimp. Dinners include bread and choice of two sides. Dine in or carry out. 618-667-8387.
• Walton’s Chicken Dinner — 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, Fairview Heights. Homemade desserts. For carryouts call 618-632-5222.
• Fried Chicken — 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. All you can eat. Adults $10; $8 seniors; $5 children (12 and younger). Sponsored by Millstadt VFW Post. 22.

Games

• Cribbage — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Drive, Collinsville. Nine games against nine different opponents. Information: Phil at 618-288-7910 or Yvonne at 618-344-1521.
• Euchre Tournament — 7 p.m. Friday, Smithton Senior Center. Partner night.
• Cribbage — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Camelot Bowl, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. New players wanted. Information: Yvonne, 618-344-1521 or Phillip, 618-288-7910.

Markets

• Book Sale — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Books, magazines, puzzles, games, DVD and CD donations are accepted during regular library hours or on the day of the sale. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
• Craft Show —11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville. Free admission.
• Belleville Flea Market — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park, 200 South Belt East, Illinois 13 & 159, Belleville. Antiques, collectibles, more. More than 400 vendors and 600 tables of merchandise both old and new. Free admission. $2 parking per car. Information: 618-233-0052 or www.bcfairgrounds.net.

On Stage

• Bobcat Goldthwait — 8 p.m. Friday; 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Hey Guys Comedy Club, 5225 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights. He does riffs on politics, divorce, going broke and his career as a writer and director of films. Tickets: $18-$20, 800-514-3849 or www.heyguyscomedy.com.
• “It’s A Wonderful Life, The Radio Play” — 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Turkey Hill Grange, (on the corner of Green Mount Road and Illinois 15, next to Eckert’s Country Store), Belleville. The Brass Rail Players present a nostalgic 1948 “Live-on-Radio” version of this beloved holiday movie classic. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children at 618-767-6016 or tickets@brassrailplayers.org.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 8:26 AM with the headline "What’s Happening: Local events for Dec. 17-23."