Here are 18 holiday-themed events happening this weekend in southwestern Illinois

Downtown businesses are teaming up to sponsor a huge charity event Saturday that includes a pub crawl at popular Belleville destinations.

The Downtown Santa Pub Crawl Charity Event is from 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. Organizers are asking folks to dress up in your best Santa gear or ugliest ugly sweater for this event.

This is your chance to team up with downtown businesses and donate, including a food drop-off at Big Daddys 618; a toys drop-off at Bennie’s Pizza Pub; and a hats and gloves drop-off at The Quarter. In fact, you can start dropping off your donations now and continue through Saturday.

You can find more information about this event at facebook.com/events/104256657983542.

In addition to the pub crawl/charity shindig, there are numerous holiday-themed events being held across southwestern Illinois this weekend. Here are details:

▪ Operation Cookie Drop — Through Sunday, Dec. 5. Eckert’s Country Store, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, or online at eckerts.com. Buy one dozen cookies ($7.99) from Eckert’s Bakery, and Eckert’s will match the cookie donation. Cookies will be delivered to troops stationed at Scott AFB unable to be with their families over the holidays. eckerts.com

▪ 8th annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt — Thursday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 5; Thursday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 12; and Thursday, Dec. 16, through Thursday, Dec. 23. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays; and 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 — Through Thursday, Dec. 23. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. 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.

▪ East St. Louis Tree Lighting Ceremony — 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. 363 E. Broadway, East St. Louis. The inaugural event includes a special selection by the ESL Senior High School Choir, free raffles, vendors, free hot chocolate, ornament decorating and Santa visit. The tree lighting takes place at dusk. Presented by the City of East St. Louis.

▪ 33rd annual Christmas on the River — Friday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 5. Chester. Festivities include a craft & vendor sale all three days, a lighted parade on Saturday, and other events. For details, visit chesterill.com or facebook.com/christmasinrivercity.

▪ Mascoutah Lighted Christmas Parade — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Main and Railway streets, Mascoutah. The parade Grand Marshal will be Fredbird. The parade will move west on Church to Fourth where it will turn south to Main Street. It will turn east on Main Street and proceed to Lebanon Street where it will turn north to Church where it will turn west. The parade will continue west on Church to the St. John’s parking lot. facebook.com/events/251924906977204

▪ Swansea Fire Department Lighted Christmas Parade — 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. 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 firehouse. There will be pictures with Santa, Bounce houses and refreshments. Rain date: Dec. 4.

▪ O’Fallon Historical Society Holiday Open House — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. History Museum, 101 W. State St. O’Fallon. Includes museum tours, refreshments and music and singalongs by Jack Moelmann on his theatre organ. Santa will visit 1-3 p.m. Free admission. info@ofallonhistory.net

▪ Gateway Classic Cars annual Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Join Gateway Classic Cars for its 2021 Holiday Party. Free admission for everyone who donates a new unwrapped toy. Cash donations will also be accepted. All donations benefit Fire Truck O’ Toys. Lunch and entertainment provided. facebook.com/events/1401609133591569

▪ Christmas Photos with Families & Fur Babies — 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 & 11, and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 & 12. St. Clair County Historical Society, 701 E. Washington St., Belleville. Pose on an antique sleigh as the photographer captures your memories. Each session comes with one print in a holiday card and the digital image file. Additional prints and shipping are also available. Tickets are $20 and are available at eventbrite.com.

▪ Bright Night Christmas Parade: ‘Christmas in Toyland’ — 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Historic Main Street Columbia. Santa Claus makes his grand appearance at this Christmas themed parade of bright lights down Historic Main Street. Visit with Santa and enjoy food, beverages and activities for the kids at Turner Hall following the parade. facebook.com/events/541690513594163

▪ Uptown Collinsville’s 2021 Light-Up Parade — 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Main Street, Collinsville. The Light-Up Parade will be full of holiday lights, floats, bands and unique festive cars. The parade begins at the Collins House, travels down Main Street, makes a left onto Center Street, turns onto Clay Street, and ends at Combs. Be sure to go to the Collins House after the parade to see Santa Claus. Rain date: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.

▪ Belleville Historical Society 1950s Christmas Holiday Party — 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Midcentury Modern Museum/Blazier House, 8501 W. Main St., Belleville. Includes food, refreshments and music. Dress in your ‘50s finest. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets are available at Peace by Piece, Circa Boutique and Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (West Main Street). Guests must be fully vaccinated. Proceeds benefit the Belleville Historical Society. bellevillehistoricalsociety.org

▪ 27th annual Weihnachtsfest — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. St. James Parish Center, 423 W. Madison St., Millstadt. Featuring a variety of vendors selling holiday gifts, wearing apparel, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, decorative items, turned wood bowls, and more. In addition, there will be holiday cookie walk, parade (noon), Santa and Mrs. Claus, and delicious German food (starting at 11:30 a.m.). Free admission. facebook.com/events/309485677386470

▪ Old Fashioned German Christmas — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Maeystown. The village of Maeystown will come alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Events include shopping, music, tours and so much more. For details: 618-580-5875 or facebook.com/Maeystown-IL-128306380571261.

▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Bingo Party — 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. St. John UCC, 2901 Nameoki Road, Granite City. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $1. Get four cards for $1. Includes trivia, sing-along, 50/50 and refreshments. Seniors ages 50 and over, disabled are welcome to participate. RSVP 618-444-6771.