Belleville’s Santa Parade, Christkindlmarkt highlight southwest IL calendar of events

Noon Friday, Nov. 25 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 number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear the week before the event date.

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.

Highlighted Holiday Happenings

▪ Downtown Belleville Santa Parade — 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Downtown Belleville. Welcome Santa to Belleville for the largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois with multiple parade units of floats, marching bands and dance groups. The parade will run along Main Street starting at 3rd and West A streets and ending at Forest and East Main streets.

▪ Belleville Christkindlmarkt — 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25.; 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 22; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. Public Square, Downtown Belleville. Includes the Gingerbread Walk Display, free horse-drawn trolley rides, Santa on the Square and the Gingerbread 5K & Kids’ Dash. 618-233-6769 or bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.

▪ Santa’s House — Friday, Nov. 25, through Saturday, Dec. 24. Hours vary by day. Downtown Belleville. Visit Santa at his house on Belleville’s Public Square. Free. Photos Optional. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Belleville. bellevillesantahouse.com

Holiday Lights

▪ 53rd annual Way of Lights Christmas Display — 5-9 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, 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. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Paid features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, community music performances, LEGO display and more. 618-397-6700 or snows.org.

▪ Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland — Nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31. 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon. Enjoy a mixture of colorful lights with beautiful cut-outs depicting scenes and whimsical adventures. lebanonswinterwonderland.org

▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Nightly through Saturday, Jan. 7. Hours vary by date. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of more than 1.5 million lights, including spectacular new shows and favorite holiday tradition. New this year: A spectacular new show fills the pools in front of the Climatron with more than 100,000 lights. Advanced tickets are strongly encouraged to guarantee the date/time of your choosing. Tickets range from $3 to $22. Family Nights, which include $3 children’s tickets, are Wednesday nights through Dec. 14. Garden Glow is closed Saturday, Dec. 24, and and Sunday, Dec. 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. select nights only from Friday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Dec. 30. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. ‘Tis the season for holiday lights and sweaters! The dazzling holiday event features brand-new light displays and themed areas. Warm up with winter-themed treats, and say hello to the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium. For tickets and info: stlzoo.org/wildlights.

▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — Friday, Nov. 25, through Tuesday, 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. Returning this year to Christmas Wonderland will be the annual walk-through event set for Monday, Nov. 28. People are allowed to walk through the park during the evening to enjoy the lights. Admission for the walk through is $1 per person. The popular Enchanted Forest will also be open this year for visitors. Holiday trees are decorated by community organizations, schools and scout groups. Visitors to the park vote on their favorite and the organization’s tree with the most votes receives a cash prize. Santa will once again be back at the Santa House. Family members are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa at no charge. 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.

▪ Millstadt Christmas Lighted Parade — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Millstadt. Parade starts at Frontier Park (behind Subway) with the lighting of the Village Christmas Tree, proceeds down West Washington and ends at the VFW.

Events

▪ 26th annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner and Caps, Gloves & Socks Giveaway — 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. New Shining Light Community Outreach Ministry, 740 Broadway, Venice. All are welcome. No ID to show, no paperwork. 618-530-2347, 618-558-6143 or 618-541-2534.

▪ 9th annual Community Thanksgiving Meal — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 520 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. Arrive between serving hours for dine-in service. Free and open to all residents of Shiloh, O’Fallon, Scott AFB and surrounding areas. Sponsored by Citizens for O’Fallon Community Thanksgiving Meal. 618-235-1588 or ofallonthanksgiving@gmail.com.

▪ Free Clothing — 9-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. 1050 N. State St., Freeburg. Free men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, toys, shoes and miscellaneous items. Sponsored by Freeburg Food and Clothing Bank. 618-539-5070.

▪ Winter Wonderland Small Business Saturday Craft Fair — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station, 212 E. First St., O’Fallon. Winter Wonderland on Small Business Saturday is a small business spin on the traditional shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst. See all of the fun and exciting ways your small business favorites kick off this season. facebook.com/events/830725824881567

▪ 20th annual Green Gift Bazaar — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Post Commons, 300 Alby St., Alton. Featuring dozens of eco-artisans and green vendors. This unique, eco-friendly holiday market is the only one of its kind in the St. Louis area! Celebrate Small Business Saturday by gathering with your friends and family in Downtown Alton at The Post Commons and Jacoby Arts Center. Event to include a variety of environmentally-friendly gift ideas are made from recycled/upcycled materials, Fair Trade, or hand-crafted in the U.S. Shoppers provided sales info from downtown retailers and restaurants. Sponsored by Sierra Club and Alton Main Street. 618-401-7870 or christine.favilla@sierraclub.org.

▪ Christmas Candlelight Tours — 5-8 p.m. (with timed tickets only) Saturday, Nov. 26. The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. 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. A variety of activities are planned to showcase the stories of those who lived at the Stephenson House in the early 1820s. Enjoy a leisurely visit in traditionally decorated rooms as historical interpreters discuss the history of the house and the Christmas customs of the families who lived there. Get a taste of homemade gingerbread made from an 1803 recipe baked in the kitchen hearth, learn a simple country dance in the dining room, sing carols around the parlor’s 1820 pianoforte, as well as vignettes in the servants’ quarters, master bedroom, and children’s bedroom. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at stephensonhouse.org.

▪ Alton Main Street: What’s Up Downtown — 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton. Learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new and existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of special events. Attendees will also enjoy complimentary refreshments, and the opportunity to network with other downtown enthusiasts. facebook.com/events/641755114281807

Games

▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Concert at the Garden’s Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum — 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Featuring musicians of HEARDing Cats Collective, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, promotion, and preservation of intermedia art and non-traditional music. mobot.org/museum

▪ Movie Nights With Santa: ‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year’ — 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Skyview Drive-In, 5700 North Belt West, Belleville. Gates open at 3:45 p.m. Movie begins at 6 p.m. Come snuggle up with your family and join the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce during our new holiday tradition drive-in movie experience and an opportunity to see Santa. Rain or shine. No refunds. bellevillechamber.org

▪ Chamber Music Society of St. Louis: ‘Playing Favorites’ — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28. E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall, 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave., University City, Missouri. Showcasing audience favorites including works by Mozart, Hoffstetter and Dvorák. chambermusicstl.org

▪ Fall Choral Concert: Yep! It’s Random, Songs from Jackson 5 to Wham! — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. Ringhausen Music Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. 618-468-4731.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ GriefShare Seminar/Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 6. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. A special weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who have experienced the death of a loved one. Participants can start at any time. Cost: $20 for the workbook. 318-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com for info or to register.

▪ 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. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ Bible Study Fellowship Women’s Classes — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning classes include teaching for newborn through Pre-K. Together with other women, we will be studying the later history of Israel. For info or to register, call or leave a message with Jane at 618-520-8357 or Candy at 618-363-3285.

▪ Belleville Community Band — 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Currently seeking new members, particularly woodwinds, percussion and tuba. Visit the Belleville Community Band Facebook page for more info.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Online via Zoom. Installation of officers. Program: “Iconography in the Cemetery” presented by Daniel Fuller, Event and Volunteer Coordinator, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This program will explore Bellefontaine Cemetery for examples of imagery, but the education will be helpful at all cemeteries. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

Food

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Citizens for Modern Transit Virtual ‘Talking Transit’ Event — 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. Online via Zoom. This event will highlight how to create an environment for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Success. Those in attendance will hear from developers, planners and architects who are working in this arena to entice more development. Pre-registration is required and can be completed online at cmt-stl.org.

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. Online via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Party — 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Featuring Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis, Vince K Band, attendance prizes, raffles and 50/50 drawing. Tickets available through Sunday, Dec. 4 and cost $13 members, $15 non-members. No tickets sold at the door. Refreshments included. For info: Diana 618-444-6771 or Marty 618-797-6749, Granite City Township Office 618-877-4373.

Worth the Drive

▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Cove Hollow Trail (Jackson County) — 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Meet at Cedar Lake Boat Ramp. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 4.5 miles in length, 3 hours hiking time. Hikers will need to be shuttled for this hike. The leader of the hike will be Bob Mulcahy who can be reached at 708-471-7500 for more information. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please. Free and open to the public. rivertorivertrail.net

This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 7:00 AM.