Highland Around Town — Dec. 28 edition

Noon Thursday, Dec. 29, 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. 28

▪ Christmas Tree Recycling — Through Sunday, Jan. 29. Plant Land, Old Route 50, east of Breese; Allen Branch Boat Ramp, Carlyle; Little Prairie Nature Trail parking lot in the West Spillway at Carlyle Lake. All decorations, including garland and tinsel, must be removed. No artificial trees or wreaths. The trees are used to provide effective and economical fish habitat at Carlyle Lake. 618-594-2484 or carlylelake@usace.army.mil.

▪ 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. 30

▪ 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, Jan. 3

▪ 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

Saturday, Jan. 7

▪ Highland Home Museum Open House — 1:30-4:30 p.m. Highland Home Museum and Art, 1600 Walnut St., Highland. Roland Harris will be present for the open house as long as he is able. These open houses take place the first Saturday of every month. For more information, contact 618-654-2395.

Holiday happenings

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. 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. Wednesday, Dec. 28, and Thursday, Dec. 29, and 5-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, and 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 — Noon to 8 p.m. 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 — 4:30-10:30 p.m. 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. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

This story was originally published December 18, 2022 at 12:00 AM.