Photo: jacobyartscenter.org

lcbridge

Looking for some fun things to do around the Riverbend during the holidays? Check out one of the free events listed below!

Free

2nd Annual JAC Holiday Show

Friday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Jan. 4, 2013
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Jacoby Arts Center
627 E. Broadway
Alton, IL 62002
The exhibit features the work of local artists offering a variety of unique, handcrafted items for holiday gift giving.

8th Annual Snowflake Festival

Fri., Dec. 7, 2012
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Glazebrook Park
1401 Stamper Ln.
Godfrey, IL 62035
Celebrate the holiday season at Glazebrook Park. Get your picture taken with Santa Claus, roast chestnuts and marshmallows on an open fire, take a carriage ride and enjoy free hot cocoa and treats. Event is free but in honor of the giving season, please bring non-perishables food items for the Crisis Food Center. For more information, call (618) 466-1483 or visit www.godfreyil.org.

Wood River’s Breakfast With Santa

Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012
8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Wood River, IL 62095
Santa will be at the roundhouse from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be pancakes, sausage, milk, juice or coffee. Adult and child plates available. For more information, call (618) 251-3100.

Grafton Holiday Riverwalk

Saturday, Dec. 8 & 9
Noon to 6 p.m.
Celebrate the start of the holiday season in Grafton and pick up some gifts or gift certificates! Stop in the various businesses along Main Street and near the riverfront for special promotions, discounts, refreshments and entertainment. The Jerseyville High School choir will be caroling throughout the town. Tour the various B&Bs and guest houses in town to check out the accommodations and purchase a gift certificate as a gift. The festivities will conclude with a Show Choir performance at the Grove Memorial Park Gazebo as we light up the town! For more information, call (618) 786-3017 or go to Grafton’s Holiday Riverwalk.

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, Dec. 15
11 a.m.
National Cemetery
600 Pearl St.
Alton, IL 62002
An annual ceremony designed to “Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom.” All 530 veterans graves in the Alton National Cemetery will be decorated with balsam wreaths for the holiday season. For more information or to donate a wreath ($10) call (618) 474-2005.

Up to $5

Santa at Haskell Playhouse

Geminids Meteor Shower Viewing

Friday, December 14, 2012
7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower
435 Confluence Dr.
Hartford, IL 62048
Come to the Tower to witness the Geminids Meteor Shower with astronomer Steve Sands. The Gemininds shower offers slower moving meteors, which will make them easier to view. The shower becomes larger each year with some seeing over 100 meteors per hour. Steve Sands, a member of the St. Louis Astronomical Society, will be giving information about the night sky and will stick around during the shower for any questions. Since this event is better seen outside, please dress accordingly and bring blankets. Hot chocolate will be available for guests. Tickets are $5, which includes your tour ticket up into the tower. Reservations are not required.

Santa at the Tower

Sunday, December 16, 2012
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower
435 Confluence Dr.
Hartford, IL 62048
Bring the kids to visit Santa when he stops by the Tower between noon and 4 p.m. Don’t forget about our Toys for Tots drive. Donate an unused, new toy and receive $1 off your tour ticket. Admission to the tower is $4 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under and children 2 and under are free.

Up to $10

Christmas Wonderland

Open Nov. 23 through Dec. 27
Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rock Spring Park
2116 College Ave.
Alton, IL 62002
Drive through Rock Spring Park to see more than 2.5 million lights adorning trees and lighting displays throughout the park. General admission for Christmas Wonderland is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans, or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. For more information, call (800) 258-6645 or (618) 465-6676.

Carriage rides also will be available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on a first-come, first served available basis (weather permitting). The cost is $30 for the first person; $5 each additional person, regardless of age. Call Black Tie Carriage Company and Kris Mooney at (217) 242-1104 or Jason Clark at (217) 430-9404.

Alton Symphony Orchestra: Music from Santa’s Workshop

Saturday, Dec. 15
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Alton Symphony Orchestra
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
Sing along as the ASO plays your favorite holiday music. After the concert, visit with Santa and enjoy yummy holiday treats for sale from Gentelin’s. Tickets for adults are $10, $5 for Seniors (62+) and free for students (K-12). For more information, call (618) 463-6933

Alton Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Concert

Saturday, Dec. 15
7 p.m.
Alton Symphony Orchestra
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
Swing in the holidays with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker followed by holiday favorites and audience sing-along. Place your bids on a silent auction of beautiful holiday baskets along with holiday treats and refreshments by Gentelin’s On Broadway. Tickets for adults are $10, $5 for Seniors (62+) and free for students (K-12). For more information, call (618) 463-6933

Jacoby Arts Center Concerts

Sunday, Dec. 16
7 p.m.
Jacoby Arts Center
627 E. Broadway
Alton, IL 62002
Tia McGraff will be presenting a Christmas Concert during a concert session at Jacoby Arts Center. Tickets are $10; seniors/students are $8.

Up to $25

Christmas at the Lodge

Tuesday, Dec. 25
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
Join us the beautiful Pere Marquette Lodge on Christmas Day and relish in the splendor of the season as you partake in our huge Christmas Buffet. The cost is $24.95 for adults; $9.95 for children ages 4 to 11; children 3 and under are free. For reservations, call (618) 786-2331.

New Year’s Eve Events

New Year’s Eve Party

Monday, Dec. 31
Jacoby Arts Center
627 E. Broadway
Alton, IL 62002
Dance the night away at Jacoby Arts Center as it hosts a New Year’s Eve party celebration. For more information call (618) 462-5222.

New Year’s Eve with Elvis

Monday, Dec. 31
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn
3800 Homer Adams Parkway
Alton, IL 62002
Celebrate the New Year with shows by Elvis at the Holiday Inn. The 1 p.m. show is $25. The 9 p.m. show is $39. For more information, call (618) 462-1220.

New Year’s Party at the Lodge

Monday, Dec. 31
7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
Ring in the New Year at Pere Marquette Lodge. Enjoy appetizers, an open bar and a lavish buffet dinner. Dance the night away with a great band and share a midnight champagne toast. Retreat to cozy accommodations and take the elevator home! Wake up to the New Year with a hearty breakfast and wonderful memories. For more information go to www.pmlodge.net or call at (618) 786-2331.