Check out these local events that are happening in the surrounding areas! 

Thursday, December 1st

Photos with Santa – Century 21 Advantage

Columbia, IL – Join us Thursday, December 1st, from 4:30-7:00pm. The kiddos can take pictures with the “Big Guy” and enjoy snacks, cookies, and hot cocoa! Sign up on Eventbrite today!
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Candy Cane Lane Holiday Lights Ride- Holiday Lights Trolley 

St. Louis, MO – Belleville, IL- Enjoy the holiday lights of the Candy Cane Lane neighborhood, Angel Way, and Snowflake Lane while riding aboard an authentic old-fashioned trolley. The trolley will be decorated, heated, and playing holiday music. Bring a lap blanket on those chilly nights and a warm cup of hot chocolate. Don’t forget your singing voices, we will have the carols playing and love to hear you sing along. Pickup will be from the Shrewsbury pool parking lot at 7407 Sutherland Ave, St. Louis Mo 63119. For tickets, click here.
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM

The Simpletons- Venue on Main

Belleville, IL – The Simpletons are back for another First Thursday show. Stop by and listen to live music by this feisty vocal trio of background singers.
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, December 2nd

 First Friday: Harry Potter- St. Louis Science Center

St. Louis, MO – Return to Hogwarts once more and explore the science of our favorite wizarding world. Shop from local artists and crafters, test your knowledge at trivia, journey through the building on a special mission, and attend a feature presentation all about how the fans have shaped the series. Wrap up the evening with screenings of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the OMNIMAX theater. $5 preferred parking is available at the Oakland Lot. Science Center members get free parking at the Oakland Lot.
Full schedule: https://www.slsc.org/event/first-friday-harry-potter/
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Designer Bag Bingo- Columbia Turner Hall 

Columbia, IL – Come on by with friends and have a good night playing bingo. Proceeds fund the Historic Main Street Columbia Association for all your favorite annual events! For tickets, click here. $35 for Individual Tickets and $320 Reserved Table of 8
Start Time: 6PM

Saturday, December 3rd

Holiday House Tour & Weekend Festivities – Lafayette Square Historic District

Holiday Markets 2022- Tower Grove Farmers’ Market 

St. Louis, MO – Join us for the best collection of farmers & artisans in St. Louis at our outdoor market. The very best of local!
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Grinchmas and Cocoa Crawl- Apotheosis Cosmics and Lounge 

St. Louis, MO – The Grinch will be arriving in the South Grand neighborhood in the city of St. Louis with an unusual motive: to spread holiday cheer and joy and to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children. For a $7 donation to the hospital, participants can get their photo taken with the Grinch. Those who bring a toy donation for the children at Shriners Hospitals for Children can get a photo taken for only $5. Street parking is available, as well as a free parking lot located at 3500 Hartford provided by the business district.
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Stompbox and The Mixtapes- Columbia City Saloon

Columbia, IL – Stop by this Saturday with your friends and enjoy the live music performed by Stompbox and The Mixtapes as they debut!!
Start Time: 3:00 PM

Winterfest and Lighted Parade- Smithton Turner Hall 

Smithton, IL –  Join us with friends and family to enjoy activities for the kids, Santa will make his appearance, music and more! There will also be the pageant this year. Little Miss/Mr/Queen Christmas contestants will have the opportunity to participate in the lighted parade and be crowned after the parade.
Time: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Turner Hall Social- Columbia Turner Hall 

Columbia, IL –  After the Bright Light Christmas Parade, visit with Santa and enjoy food, signature beverages, and many activities including children’s choir, balloon animals, face painting, and games!
Start Time: 4:00 PM 

Sunday, December 4th

Visit With Santa- Selfie Studio A

Columbia, IL –  The City of Columbia invites you to the Selfie Studio to visit with Santa. He will visit with children and pose for pictures. Bring your camera to capture the joy!
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Sip, Shop, and Santa- Rcasa Tex Mex 

Columbia, IL –  Come see Santa and get a picture with him. Then sip and shop with our local vendors in the back! We will have food specials, drink specials and plenty of cheer!!
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Winterfest- Lindenwood University

St. Charles, MO – Come out to Lindenwood University’s annual winter celebration. Stroll through the historic campus past more than 3,000 luminaries while you enjoy hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and crafts to keep the holiday spirit alive. Santa will be there taking holiday wishes. Guests will have a chance to carol with Lindenwood’s acapella group, Voices Only, decorate holiday cookies, create holiday crafts, listen to holiday stories read by Mrs. Claus, take family photos in a real sleigh, and tell Santa their Christmas wishes. Guests are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army, and will receive an event t-shirt while supplies last. Admission is free.
Time: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Garden Glow- Missouri Botanical Garden

St. Louis, MO – Bring friends and family and enjoy the exciting new displays, treasured family traditions, and nearly two million dazzling lights. The 10th anniversary of Garden Glow is the most spectacular way to experience the holiday season! For tickets, click here.
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Weirldy Wonderful Holidays – City Museum

St. Louis, MO – A whole month of Winter Holiday fun including larger-than-life light displays on MonstroCity and Architecture Hall, appearances by Steampunk Santa, Tacky Christmas in Beatniks, and more. All Free for Members and Free with General Admission.
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Monday, December 5th

Story Hour- Columbia Public Library 

Columbia, IL – Children build early literacy skills in a themed story time with songs, stories, craft, and free play with new friends. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up at https://columbialibrary.evanced.info/signup
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Tuesday, December 6th

Children’s Holiday Party- Scott AFB Library 

Belleville, IL – Celebrate the holidays at the Scott AFB Library! This open house will include crafts, cookie decorating, story time and snacks! There will also be a winter scene photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Start Time: 5:00 PM

Wednesday, December 7th

Open Sew- Warm N Cozy Quilting 

Columbia, IL – Looking to finish some project or just a day of sewing with a few friends? Come join us for a day and sew on your current project or start a new project. We’ll be here to help if you need it. You can also use all of our tools, including our steam press if you’re working on a t-shirt quilt. We have some shared resources available like a rotary cutter and cutting mat, ironing surface and iron, and individual desks for each sewist. For tickets, click here. Tickets are $10 a piece.
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Hot Cocoa Bombs – Toot’s Cake & Candy Supplies

Belleville, IL – Take home finished bombs and your mold to make your own at home! Call 618-277-7373 to reserve your spot. Cost is $45.
Start Time: 6:00 PM

Check out these local events that are happening in the surrounding areas! 

Thursday, April 22

Danny Kalaher Acoustic – Bennies Pizza Pub!

Belleville, IL – Stop by Bennies Pizza Pub and enjoy a live acoustic show of your favorite tunes from Danny Kalaher.
Time – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Earth Week at the Park – Pere Marquette State Park

Grafton, IL –Let’s all try to leave Earth a better place than when we arrived. Cue Pere Marquette State Park’s Earth Day Week! April 22nd (Thu), April 23rd (Fri), and April 24th (Sat) we invite you and yours to help assist us on this mission! Each day from 8am-4pm we will be planting native plants in a selected area of the State Park. We ask that you bring gloves if desired. Gardening tools are not needed but a plus! We will have live feathered friends (hawks, owls, & more) from The Treehouse Wildlife Center, guided nature hikes, a symbolic tree planting, and live music by Rockabilly Revival!
Time – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday, April 23

Live Music from David Graham & the Eskimo Brothers – Mikey’s Pub

Smithton, IL – David Graham has become known as one of Nashville’s can’t miss live entertainers over the past 8 years as frontman of the Eskimo Brothers. The honky tonk trio has honed their stage show and sound from nearly 300 shows per year and thousands of gig hours in the Music City honky tonks in a variation of high energy ensembles. When not playing their usual residencies in Nashville and Memphis, David has a steady lineup that tours throughout the United States. Stop by Mikey’s Pub to have a honky-tonk good time! (21+ SHOW)
Start Time: 8:00 PM

Saturday, April 24

Trails for Tails at Tanglewood

Collinsville, IL – Come walk your dog for a cause! Entry Fee for 1st dog $25 & $5 for each additional dog. There will also be a free food truck, Doggie Macs, and swag bags with special offers from local pet vendors.
Time – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

5th Anniversary Party/Schoppe-Fest! – Stubborn German

Waterloo, IL – Stubborn German Brewing is 5 years old, help us celebrate! We’re not doing our annual “Sausagefest” at this time, but we WILL be celebrating with “Shoppe-fest”, pronounced shoppy-fest! Chris is brewing 5 different historical beers for the occasion and they will be the only beers on tap that day…we’ll have a beer for everyone (in addition to our bourbon and mixed drinks)! We’ll be sharing fun facts about the beer Chris is brewing, Mr. Schoppe’s brewing ledger, and info about the party. We’ll have music from White Stone Revival from 7-10pm, too!
Start Time – 12:00 PM

SWIC Annual Plant Sale and Family Fun Day

Belleville, IL – To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow! Come by the annual plant sale this Thursday-Saturday (see link for sale hours) and enjoy Family Fun Saturday. Enjoy food and drinks available from Ollie’s Eatery Food Truck, free flower pot decorating, carnival games, and explore SWIC’s CNC mobile truck , helicopter and more!
Time – 10 AM – 2 PM

Belleville Recycling Drive

Belleville, IL – Join us for a scrap metal & electronics recycling drive benefitting the International Kiwanis Club of Belleville, IL. Free event, no appointment needed. **Fees applied to all CRT/Tube/Box big screens based on size ($20-$40).
Time – 9 AM – 12 PM

Sunday, April 25

Baby Shark Little Leapers – Sky Zone

Fairview Heights, IL – Join us for Baby Shark Little Leapers for $12.99 per kid! Kids walking to age 7 can jump for 120 minutes, create a special craft, get a temporary tattoo, and meet & take pictures with Baby Shark! To reserve your spot and for more information, click the link above!
Time – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Yoga Poses & Plants – Eckert’s Country Store & Farms

Belleville, IL – Enjoy a 45 minute stretch yoga class (perfect for beginners) at Belleville Eckert’s farm. Arrive 15 minutes early to get settled for the yoga class. We request that you wear a mask or face covering while making your way to your yoga mat.  Social distance guidelines will be practiced. Admission is $25. Once booked, reservations can be transferred and not refunded.
Time – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sunday Funday – Triple Lakes

Dupo, IL – Come party with The Saloonatics and close out the weekend, this Sunday afternoon!
Time – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Monday, April 26

St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

St. Louis, IL – Relive the days when steamboats ruled the river on this one-hour cruise along St. Louis’ diverse riverfront. Narrated by the captain or a National Park Service ranger, this cruise highlights the Mississippi River’s important role in St. Louis history and the significance of the working river today. On board concessions are available. Time – 12:00 – 1:30 PM

Tuesday, April 27

Kids Workshop – Hammer & Stain

Fairview Heights, IL – Join us for a kids workshop. Customize your project in studio or at home with your choice of stain & paint. Several projects to choose from.
Time – 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Spring has arrived and it is time for the Easter Bunny to make his rounds! Check out local events that we have found and have a hopping good time! 

Thursday, April 1

Drive-Thru Easter Egg Hunt – Aperion Care Mascoutah

Mascoutah, IL – Hop on over to Aperion Care Mascoutah for a Drive-Thru Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 1st!
Time – 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

MLB Opening Day – Drake’s

O’Fallon, IL – Life’s a pitch! Refuel and come play at Drake’s for MLB Opening Day on April 1! $3 Coors Light in a souvenir cup (keep the glass while supplies last) $3 Hot Dogs w/ toppings + a box of Cracker Jacks.
Start Time – 11 AM

Spring Gardening & Planning Your Growing Space

Online Event – This virtual class is hosted by the St. Louis County Library and will be taught by Gateway Greening staff. Learn how to prepare your garden for the growing season and create a plan to keep your garden producing all year. Adults. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. Click this link to register. Start Time – 2 PM

Friday, April 2

Easter Egg Drive-Thru – Century 21 Advantage

Columbia, IL – C21 is hosting a FREE Easter Drive Thru event this year!  This is a family-friendly, fun Easter opportunity for the community while social distancing. Attendees can stay in their car while seeing the Easter Bunny, blow ups, kids will receive a free goodie bag and have the option to snap a selfie with the Easter Bunny! We know this year has looked different for everyone and wanted to create a safe way for kids to celebrate Easter!
Time – 10 AM – 2 PM

Saturday, April 3

Easter Egg-Citement – Eckert’s Country Store and Farms

Belleville, IL – Hop on down the bunny trail and fill your basket with fun! Eckert’s Annual Egg Hunt, animals for viewing, tractor ride around the farm, plant a seed to take home and a free photo scene with the Easter Bunny. Join in on the fun & continue making memories at our farm. Please remember to wear a mask while visiting our farm and don’t forget to bring an Easter Basket for the Egg Hunt. Time – 9 AM – 4:20 PM

Spring Craft Fair – Skyview Drive-In 

Belleville, IL – We’re doing it again! Come out to Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, IL. We will have crafters, vendors, and food trucks. The event has no entry fee. Do not buy tickets to attend this event. Masks are required for all customers and vendors. Time – 9 AM – 3 PM

SCC Easter Egg Hunt – Smithton Village Park

Smithton, IL – Stop by Smithton Village Park and participate in their annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny will be hopping by for pictures. Bring your phone or camera to snap a photo! Sign-in begins at 12:30 PM and the egg hunt will begin at 1 PM.

Easter Egg Hunt – Freeburg Care Center

Freeburg, IL – Freeburg Care Center will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt in 3 separate areas for ages 1-3, 4-7, and 8-12. We will have Golden Eggs with money prizes in them! Bring your cameras to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. BYOB (Bring your own baskets) Start Time – 10 AM

Dark Hollow Bluegrass Festival 

Waterloo, IL – Come out for a day of bluegrass, spread out on a the three acre property, bring your own everything. There will be a few vendors selling some food and crafts, all well behaved dogs are allowed and we hope to see everyone there and please be kind and respectful and drive slow on the private road. We kindly ask for a $25 donation per person kids are free, we understand that times are tough lately so give what you can and come enjoy some live music spread out on a beautiful property! Start time is 11 AM. Address: 6518 Brand Lake Dr., Waterloo, IL 62298

Sunday, April 4

Xtreme Bar Bingo – Sunset Overlook

Columbia, IL – Xtreme Bar Bingo is back! Xtreme Bar Bingo is a NO COST, NO COVER bingo consisting of 9 games! Winners could win awesome prizes such as: cash prizes, TVs, gift cards, and more! Xtreme Bar Bingo has a progressive cash Jackpot that increases a ball every week until its hit! Since 2018 Xtreme Bar Bingo has given away over $190,000 in cash and prizes! Join us to be our next big winner! Time – 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM