Still not too late to choose a holiday-themed event to attend from southwest IL calendar

Noon Thursday, Dec. 23, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the large number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date. For the week’s full list of events, visit bnd.com.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Holiday Festivities

▪ 8th annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23. The Public Square, Downtown Belleville. The open-air German Christmas Market returns for the holiday season and features unique European and handcrafted gifts. bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com

▪ Christmas Wonderland — Through Monday, Dec. 27. 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. More than 4 million lights will twinkle against the beautiful backdrop of Rock Spring Park, lighting the way toward another illuminating holiday season. Admission to Christmas Wonderland is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. 800-258-6645 or riversandroutes.com.

▪ Swansea Cozy Winter Wonderland — 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23. 1501 Caseyville Ave., Swansea. Visit and take photos with Santa, take photos at one of the indoor settings. Each child will receive a gift, candy cane and ornament from Santa’s tree. Admission: $10 per family, includes free scene pics and one photo with Santa. Additional photos with Santa are $5 each. Hot chocolate, bottled water and cookies available for a $1 donation. Presented by the Swansea Park Board and Patriots. COVID restrictions apply.

Theater/Concerts

▪ New Year’s Eve Celebration — 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Music Director Stéphane Denève and your SLSO ring in 2022 at the New Year’s Eve Celebration with a matinee concert. Enjoy musical favorites like George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris,” dazzling pianist Michelle Cann, and many more delightful surprises—like the world premiere of Missouri composer Stefan Freund’s “Voyageur Fantasy” with Roger Kaza, SLSO Principal Horn. Bring family and friends together for this musical celebration, and start 2022 with meaningful musical memories. slso.org

▪ Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ in Concert — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Retired balloon salesman Carl prepares to fly away with thousands of balloons to a world of his childhood dreams, and is joined by an eager 8-year-old Russell. The duo finds themselves on a journey filled with danger, excitement, and friendship. Enjoy the film live with the SLSO performing the score of the Disney Pixar favorite. Let this experience float you away. slso.org

▪ Phoebe Elliot: In Concert — 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Be.Be: What Are You Doing the Night Before New Year’s Eve? — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. If you would like to join the teleconference, please call/text 618-567-6095 or email craigloddeke@yahoo.com. palgroup.org

▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning class includes classes for newborn through Pre-K. We will be studying the gospel of Matthew through April. 618-520-8357 or 618-593-4104.

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. Online via Zoom. Classes are suitable for those newer to yoga or those wanting a basic flow class. This class introduces traditional yoga postures, teaches you how to breathe, and helps you feel more comfortable in the yoga practice. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging: Memoirs — 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 4. Online via Zoom. We all have a life story to tell. Join these free classes and write your story to share with your loved ones. Call 618-234-4410, ext. 7044 to register.

▪ Yoga Gold — 10-11 a.m. Thursdays starting Jan. 6. Nichols Center, 515 E. D St., Belleville. Certified Instructor Jessica Pollock resumes her 60-minute class which offers traditional yoga poses (sitting and standing) and breath work. Sitting in a chair instead of using a yoga mat is an option. Cost: $5 per class. To register, call 618-234-4410, ext. 7044.

Blood Drives

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. OSF HealthCare Platelet Drive, 200 Alton Square H1, Alton. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — Noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. First United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Church St., Collinsville. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. Culvers, 6724 Old Troy Road, Edwardsville. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27. Tri Township Park, 410 Wickliffe, Troy. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28. Turner Hall, 211 E. Cherry St., Columbia. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28. St. Cecilia Parish Center, 304 S. Washington, Bartelso. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28. St. Clare Catholic School Gym, 214 W. Third St., O’Fallon. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — Noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, 14160 Jamestown Road, Breese. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia, Collinsville. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. YWCA, 304 E. Third St., Alton. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30. Moose Lodge 1561, 7371 Marine Road (Route 143), Edwardsville. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.