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 Market (Sat & Sun – 10:00AM – 6:00PM)
– Pet Parade (Sat)
– Light Up the Square (Sat)
– Holiday House Tour (Sun 10:00AM-5:00PM)
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
