Highland Around Town — Dec. 21 edition

Noon Thursday, Dec. 22, is the deadline to appear in next week’s “Around Town” listing. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 21

▪ Free New Book Giveaway — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays the month of December or until all books are distributed. YWCA Southwestern Illinois, 304 E. Third St., Alton. YWCA has 80 plus titles of books with multiple copies of each title. The majority of the books are hard back. All books are in excellent condition and are suitable for holiday gift giving. Books will be distributed on a first come first served basis. 618-465-7774 or altonywca.com.

Friday, Dec. 23

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311 or avistonlegion.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 27

▪ Parkinson’s Disease Discovery Group — 2-3 p.m. Sullivan Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. This group provides the opportunity to learn and share helpful information, support each other in dealing with Parkinson’s disease-related issues, and to connect with others who can relate to your experience. Registration is not necessary to attend. Masking (non-cloth) is still required in health care facilities. For more information or questions, please call 618-651-2720. stjosephshighland.org

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. 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

Holiday happenings

▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 27. 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. 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.

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select nights only 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.

▪ 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. Come inside to experience the Twelve Days of Christmas Tree Room, Wreath Auction, Shrine Gift Shop, community music performances and LEGO Brick Display. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Paid features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, and more. 618-397-6700 or snows.org.

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

▪ Gateway Arch Park Foundation Seventh annual Winterfest — 4-8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Sunday, Jan. 1. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Family-friendly activities include ice skating, s’mores stations, igloos underneath 100,000 twinkling lights and more. archpark.org/winterfest

▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Hours vary by date. Through Saturday, Jan. 7. 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. Garden Glow is closed December 24 and 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

This story was originally published December 11, 2022 at 12:00 AM.