DEC.  21

Drink for a Cause Night
Thursday, 4-9 p.m.
The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton
Free admission

This month the charity to benefit from 25 percent of beer sales is the Mustard Seed Peace Project which aims to empower families worldwide by helping them develop sustainable programs and to raise awareness of global needs through cross cultural sharing. The organization is currently working in Guatemala and Zambia. For more information, call (618) 463-1470.

Holiday Family Skating Night
Thursday, 6-8 p.m.
Fun Spot Skating Center, 1400 West Blvd., Belleville
$10 for skaters; $5 for non-skaters

Participants can enjoy skating, pizza, soda and fun activities. For more information, visit goo.gl/3TDMYG.

Christmas Eve Service a Little Early
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Rd.
Free

Nursery provided for all services. On Sunday there will be services at 2, 4, 6, and 11 p.m. For more information, call (618) 667-6241.

Getaway Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 339 Frank Scott Pkwy., Fairview Height
Free

The service is designed for families who are going to be traveling or who must work on Christmas Eve. For more information, call (618) 277-4659.

Ladies Night Out
Thursday, 5-8 p.m.
Begins at Abe’s Popcorn, 101 E. Main St., Belleville
$5

Wear your Ugly Holiday Sweater and visit 7 businesses to get your passport stamped and enter it at Margaritas, 108 E. A Street to be placed in a drawing for 2 airline tickets. Event supports the Belleville Area Humane Society. For more information, call (618) 233-2015.

Free Pictures with Santa in Troy
Thursday, 5-8 p.m.
Wiesemeyer Center, Tri-Township Park
Free

The Troy Lions Club offers the opportunity for children to visit with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures of your own. There will be chocolate and cookies for everyone. For more information, call (618) 616-1583.

DEC.  22

Reindeer Games for the Kiddies
Friday, 9-10:30 a.m.
E. Belleville YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave.
Free

Celebrate the season with a family movie, holiday crafts, hot cocoa and popcorn. For more information, call (618) 236-9983.

Santa Visits Roxana Library
Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
200 N. Central Ave., Roxana
Free

Children will enjoy a storytime with Santa and a magic show. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for pictures of the children with Santa. For more information, call (618) 254-6713.

Kids’ Cooking Class Celebrates the Season
Friday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Eckert’s Country Store, 951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville
$22 per person

Participants will make Twisted Chocolate Pretzels, Grinch Cookies, The Smallest Christmas Tree and Reindeer Bark. For more information, call (618) 233-0513.

Journey to the Manger
Friday, 5-8 p.m.
Metro-East Lutheran High School, 6305 Center Grove Rd., Edwardsville
Free; donations appreciated

Students will re-enact the story of Christ’s birth. A freewill donation of $25 or more will net the donor a handcrafted gift. For more information, call (618) 656-0043.

Rock ‘N Roll Holiday Concert
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The Wildey, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$12

Join Chicago’s The Empty Pockets as they perform their versions of favorite holiday classics. For more information, call (618) 307-1750.

DEC.  23

Christmas Movie Marathon
Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Collinsville Library, 408 W. Main St.
Free

The library will be showing Home Alone at 9 a.m., Elf at 11 a.m., Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 1 p.m. and The Polar Express at 3. For more information, call (618) 344-1112.

Jazzy Christmas-Songs of the Season with Doug Moore
Saturday, 7-9 p.m.
The Underground on Broadway, 630 E. Broadway, Alton
Admission fee undetermined

Musical selections from the great crooners, featuring the local talent of Doug Mour. Non-alcoholic venue. Light snacks and beverages available for purchase. For more information, call (618) 208-7780.

DEC.  25

Christmas Caroling in Highland
Monday, 8-10:30 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Highland, 2709 Poplar
Free

Meet at the church, hop on the bus, and bring the joy of Christmas to local nursing home residents. For more information, call (301) 773-6655.

Christmas Feast
Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge, 13653 Lodge Blvd., Grafton
$28.95; Children 4-11 $9.95

Menu features made-to-order omelets, carving stations, traditional and unique selections of side dishes, salads and desserts. Make a reservation by calling (618) 78-2331.

Free Community Christmas Day Dinner
Monday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 427 Market St., Alton
Free

The feast includes turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and stuffing, green beans, dinner rolls and desserts. There are no requirements limiting who can eat. For more information, call (618) 465-5954.

DEC.  26

$2 Movie at the Wildey: HP and the Deathly Hallows, part 2.
Tuesday, 7 p.m.
The Wildey, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$2

Come see the conclusion of one of the best of the Harry Potter series. For more information, call (618) 307-1750.

DEC.  26-30

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Government Drive, St. Louis, Mo.
Admission fees range from $8-$10

Stroll through the St. Louis Zoo’s enchanting holiday wonderland. For more information, call (314) 781-0900.

DEC.  27

Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits
Wednesday, noon-4 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, Mo.
$12; children 12 and under admitted free

Event features a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, authentic African drumming and musical performances.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Wednesday, 2-6 p.m.
Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson Ave.
Free

For more information, call (618) 254-4832.

Holiday Palooza Powered by Chosen to Shine
Wednesday, 7p.m.
The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$20; Student/child $15

Event features the Love Your Neighbor Project performing a Christmas program. For more information, call (618) 307-1750.

–Metro East Calendar of Events Dec. 20 – Dec. 27–