Holiday events continue with the Shrine’s Way of Lights, other festive happenings
Noon Friday, Dec. 15, 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. Submitted event info will be edited and run the week before the event date.
Send event info via email to lifestyle@bnd.com. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Holiday Events
▪ Holiday Food Drive — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday thru Dec. 20. State Representative Amy Elik’s district office, 191 Alton Square Mall Drive, Suite C, Alton. Collecting non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Crisis Food Center in Alton. 618-433-8046.
▪ Second annual Glenfestival of Trees — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturdays thru Jan. 1. Added Saturday hours in December will be 5-8 p.m. Glen Carbon Heritage Museum, 124 School St., Glen Carbon. Individuals, groups and businesses have adorned the museum with decorated trees and wreaths to be displayed during the Christmas season. Guests can visit the museum and vote on their favorite décor. glencarbonil.gov
▪ 10th annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 14-16, 18-23, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays Dec. 10 & 17. Featuring unique European and handcrafted items, delicious food, beverages and much more. For details and additional events: bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.
▪ Way of Lights — 5-9 p.m. daily thru Sunday, Dec. 31. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ. Free admission, donations accepted. snows.org/wayoflights
▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 16 & 30. 180 Summit St., Glen Carbon. Visitors are welcome to view trains running on the Club’s 18 x 27 foot HO scale model railroad. Free admission. Snacks provided. For more information, please call Bob at 618-476-9228, or Bill at 618-531-1589, or check the web site at trainweb.org/memrc.
▪ Holiday Cheers Market — 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays thru Dec. 23. Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. Find a variety of 15+ vendors featuring their locally grown produce, finely crafted jewelry, expertly thrifted vintage goods, amazing smelling soaps and candles, and so so much more. oldbakerybeer.com
▪ No Child Left Behind Without a Christmas Toy — Noon to 2 p.m. (while supplies last) Saturday, Dec. 16. New Shining Light Ministry, 740 Broadway, Venice. Youth the ages of 6 months to 12 years will received a toy. Children must be present with a parent or responsible adult in order to receive toys. Donated toys and volunteers are welcome. To donate toys, call 618-558-6143, 618-530-2347 or 618-514-2534.
▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select dates thru Saturday, Dec. 30. Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. Escape to a wild wonderland with brand new twinkling light displays and festive family fun. For dates, tickets and other info, visit stlzoo.org/wildlights.
▪ Missouri Botanical Garden 11th annual Garden Glow — Hours vary nightly through Saturday, Jan. 6 (closed Nov. 23 & 27, Dec. 24-25.) Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Celebrate the holiday season at the most spectacular holiday lights experience in the St. Louis area. Featuring nearly two million dazzling lights, Garden Glow transforms the iconic setting of the Missouri Botanical Garden into an enchanted wonderland rich with mesmerizing displays and unforgettable moments. Advance tickets encouraged. For hours and info: mobot.org
Events
▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 16. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232 or powerrecycling.com.
▪ Tri-Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 16. Tri-Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.
Games
▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.
▪ 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.
▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe, Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.
▪ Troy Senior Center Pokeno — 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe, Troy. Includes light snack. No cost to play, no RSVP needed. 618-667-2022.
Theater/Concerts
▪ A Service of Carols with Union United Methodist Church Choir and Ramos Strings — 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Featuring Manuel Ramos and Catherine Lehr-Ramos, formerly of the St. Louis Symphony, who appear frequently in concerts in the U.S. and Mexico. A Christmas tea will follow the service. All are welcome.
▪ Cinema St. Louis Golden Anniversaries: ‘The Way We Were’ — 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Hi-Pointe Main Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis. Two desperate people have a wonderful romance, but their political views and convictions drive them apart. Intro and discussion by Lynn Venhaus, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic who reviews for the Webster-Kirkwood Times, KTRS Radio (Jennifer Blome and Wendy Wiese Show), and PopLifeSTL.com cinemastlouis.org
▪ Saint Louis Chamber Chorus: ‘The Holy Land’ — 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Second Presbyterian Church, CWE, 4501 Westminster Place, St. Louis. Composer Kerensa Briggs and the poet Charles Anthony Silvestri collaborate to create a new centerpiece for our holiday program, which also describes the Christmas story through the music of Virgil Thomson and Paul Nelson. Additionally, we will perform the beloved traditional carols from John Jacob Niles and John Rutter. chamberchorus.org
▪ Sounds of Our Village Christmas Concert — 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Zion Evangelical Church, 117 W. White St., Millstadt. Featuring the Millstadt Community Choir. 618-660-4255.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance Yule Celebration — 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Gaia House Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale. Doors open at 6 p.m. Celebrate the longest night and the shortest day of the year, as the wheel of time winds slowly back toward warmer days ahead. A potluck will follow the ritual; please bring what you can to share (optional). Free and open to all ages. For info, text 618-924-0263 or visit facebook.com/sipafan.
▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8574 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.
▪ 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
▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. The morning group includes classes for newborn through pre-K. Examine the biblical truth for your life along with other women as they study the Gospel of John. For more info, call Jane, 618-520-8357 or Candy, 618-363-3285 or visit bsfinternational.org.
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.
Food
▪ Waterloo VFW Post #6504 Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. Waterloo VFW Post #6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Traditional Menu of cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken, chicken strips, hamburgers, fries, slaw, hush puppies, onion rings, fried green beans and fried mushrooms. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Credit/debit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-939-7999.
▪ O’Fallon Knights of Columbus & Ladies Auxiliary 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
▪ Swansea Fish Stand — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. KC Club & Event Center, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com
▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion
Reservation/Registration Required
▪ 15th annual Way of Lights Run — 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. Check in time: 3:30-4:45 p.m. Race starts at 5 p.m. Race registration fee: $30 ($35 after Dec. 17); 1.5-mile walk registration fee: $20 ($25 after Dec. 17). For info or to register: snows.org/wolrun
