Shopping, parties, history and music all part of upcoming metro-east holiday events

Noon Friday, Dec. 1, 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

▪ Second annual Glenfestival of Trees — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturdays from 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, Nov. 30 thru Dec. 2, 7-9, 14-16, 18-23, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays Dec. 3, 10 & 17. Featuring unique European and handcrafted items, delicious food, beverages and much more. For details and additional events: bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.

▪ Holiday Party - Gateway Classic Cars — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Gateway Classic Cars, 1181 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Celebrate the season while supporting the amazing work of Fire Truck O’ Toys and Toys for Tots. Gateway Classic Cars will assist their mission by collecting new and unwrapped toys for Santa to deliver to local hospitals and families. Food, drinks, and music will be provided (while supplies last). Free admission with a donation or an unwrapped toy. facebook.com/GatewayClassicCars

▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 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.

▪ Jarrot Mansion Holiday Tours — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Jarrot Mansion State Historic Site, 124 E. First St., Cahokia Heights. Guests are welcome to tour the beautiful home decorated for the holidays and learn the story of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas – or Père Noël, as he was known to the French – will visit Jarrot Mansion to greet families and share treats with children amid candlelight and traditional holiday decorations. 618-332-1782.

▪ 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

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

▪ 29th annual Weihnachtsfest — 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. St. James Parish Center, 423 W. Madison St., Millstadt. Features a craft fair with holiday gifts, hand-crafted jewelry and decorative items, a holiday cookie walk, German food. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at noon in a parade. A children’s activity area will be provided by the Millstadt Library. Free and open to the public. Proceeds benefit Millstadt Sister Cities’ Youth Ambassador Exchange and other programs with Gross-Bieberau, Germany.

▪ Breakfast with Santa — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 9. Klucker Hall, 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Join Santa for a continental breakfast (pastries, donuts, coffee, juice) and photos. Includes free crafts for kids to make and take. Purchase tickets at the door: $5 per adult; kids eat free with donations for the Weekend Wildcats. Needed donations: saltine crackers, tuna packets, single-serving snacks, canned pasta sauce, canned vegetables and fruit, small jars of peanut butter, granola bars and trail mix, oatmeal, soup, pasta noodles, macaroni and cheese, Chef Boyardee, Ramen, microwave popcorn, peanut butter crackers. RSVP in advance (for food count) to 618-632-1022, ext. 119.

Events

▪ International Gem & Jewelry Show — Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Forget retail; shop directly from designers, wholesalers and manufacturers for the largest selection at the lowest prices. Shop from rows and rows of quality jewelry, gemstone, bead, jewelry supply and accessory dealers in a unique marketplace setting. Find something for everyone when you visit America’s favorite jewelry and gemstone marketplace. gatewaycenter.com

▪ First Friday Late Night Art and Shopping Experience — 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Downtown Alton. Alton Main Street and Jacoby Arts Center are partnering to present First Fridays, a late night art and shopping experience which spans multiple locations across the Downtown Alton district. This event provides an opportunity to check out new shops and galleries and visit familiar favorites to experience art and great specials at each business. downtownalton.com

▪ New Dancer Square Dance — 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Caseyville Township Senior Center, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Drew McCoy will be calling. There will be silent auction items available for those still looking for gifts. Square dance attire will be available by donation. Benefits Caseyville Township’s Christmas program for kids. Want to learn? Call Rick 618-234-1311 or stop by to observe. Dandy Dancers next dance will be Friday, Jan. 5.

▪ Bundles for Babies — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 9. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Main Lobby, 1 St. Elizabeth Blvd., O’Fallon. Guests will meet St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center staff, receive health and safety information and learn about services available to help them welcome their bundle of joy. Guided tours will also be offered of the Women and Infants Center. The tours will be limited to small groups to respect current patients’ privacy and safety. Christmas activities are also planned for children, including free photos with Santa while sharing cookies and milk and creating a fun holiday craft project to take home. 618-234-2120, ext. 31260.

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.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Belleville Theatre Company presents Little Women, The Broadway Musical — 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 1-2, Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 6-9, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3 & 10. SWIC Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. This timeless, captivating story is brought to life in this glorious musical filled with personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love. Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit. We hope you’ll join us as we present this beautiful story this holiday season. bellevilletheatrecompany.org

▪ Live at the Sheldon: Rhythmic Strings — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Let texture and rhythm envelope you as a quintet of SLSO string players performs the strumming pizzicato of Jessie Montgomery’s Strum and the playful, Latin-influenced Pasemisí, Pasemisá by Christian Quiñones. Franz Schubert’s String Quintet in C major, considered one of his greatest accomplishments, rounds out the evening with its beautiful variations in light, color, and harmony. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.

▪ Gospel Christmas — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., St. Louis. “At an IN UNISON concert, the energy is electric,” says chorus manager Michelle Byrd. Turn the heat up this season with the soulful stylings of St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s IN UNISON Chorus, joined by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Wintley Phipps who is known for his powerful bass-baritone voice. slso.org

▪ Heartland Community Chorus presents A Hometown Christmas — 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. St. Paul Church, 1411 Main St., Highland. The program will get you right into that cozy holiday mood with many Christmas favorites. There will be two beautiful pieces for women’s choir and men’s choir with cello accompaniment, and much more. Your ticket grants you admission to either concert. $15 single tickets are now on sale at the website: heartlandcommunitychorus.org, or see a chorus member. Age 16 and under are free.

▪ Christmas at the Cathedral: Handel’s Messiah, Part 1 — 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Cathedral of St. Peter, 200 W. Harrison St., Belleville. Candlelight procession and favorite carols with Masterworks Chorale, Children’s Chorus and Orchestra. Free admission. singmasterworks.org

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ Grief Share Seminar/Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Grief Share is for people grieving the death of a loved one. The seminar features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who have experienced the death of a loved one. Cost: $20 for the workbook. 618-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com.

▪ 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.

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Online via Zoom. The Family Support Meetings are for family members, significant others, and/or friends of persons with a mental health condition. First Thursday of every month. Facilitators will vary. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Online via Zoom. Program: “SCCGS at Work.” Learn how each committee on the SCCGS Board goes about tasks under his/her care. Installation of officers will also take place. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Party — 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Includes a catered meal at 12:30 p.m., “It’s Magic!” starring Terry Richison at 1:30 p.m., and Tom Wilkerson’s Christmas Sing-along, attendance prizes, Christmas quilt raffle. Tickets on sale through Dec. 3. Cost: $13 for members, $15 for non-members. No tickets will be sold at the door. 618-444-6771, 618-797-6749 or 618-877-0513.

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