Metro East Calendar of Events Dec. 19 – Dec. 26

Stop by Santa’s house on Bellevue Public Square now through Christmas Eve.  (Photo courtesy of Santa on The Square)

DEC. 20 

Christmas Vacation
Thurs. 6 & 8 p.m.
Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
Free 

Join us for two showings of the classic holiday comedy, Christmas Vacation. Admission is free courtesy of The Bank of Edwardsville. For more information, visit www.wildeytheatre.com

Photos with Santa
Thurs. 3 – 5 p.m.
Verona Coffee, 101A E. Main St., Collinsville
Free 

Santa is coming to Verona Coffee Co. Dress those kids or pets up and bring them all over for some free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information, call 618-696-1522

Diva’s Night Out
Thurs. 5 – 8 p.m.
101 E. Main St., Belleville
$5 

Register at Abe’s Popcorn for specialty gear and a passport, and enjoy an evening of shopping, dining and drinking. Get your passport signed at seven businesses for a grand prize drawing at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.bellevillemainstreet.net

Bunco
Thurs. 5:30 p.m.
Roxana Public Library, 200 N. Central Ave.
Free 

Roll the dice, meet new friends, win some prizes. No skills or experience needed. Anyone over age 16 is welcome. For more information, call 618-254-6713.  

Last-Minute Christmas
Thurs. 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, 106 N. Metter Ave., Columbia
Free 

Out of time and gift ideas for family and friends? Come to make a photo transfer votive, cookie mix gift sack, and Polaroid magnets. Bring a few special photos would you like to share with family. Register at Columbia Public Library front desk, or call 618-281-4237.  

DEC. 20 – 24 

Santa Float
Thurs. – Mon. Evenings
Waterloo City Hall, 100 W. 4th St.
Free 

Santa and his helpers travel about Waterloo to spread joy and good cheer. All who greet Santa will receive a gift, and some may find a golden ticket to bring it to City Hall to redeem it for a prize. Santa’s Float arrives with flashing lights and Christmas music, for all to see and hear. For more information, call 618-939-8600. 

Santa on the Square
Thurs. – Sat. 12 – 5 p.m., 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Sun. 12 – 2:30 p.m., 3:30 – 5 p.m., 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Mon. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Belleville Public Square
Free, photos optional 

Photos with Santa Claus. Stop in and get a photo when you visit. Santa’s House has greeting cards, 4×6’s through 8×10’s, photo mugs, photo ornaments, snowmen and reindeer, and more. You can even get your photos on CD. For more information, email santashouse@ymail.com 

DEC. 21  

Rough Shop Holiday Extravaganza
Fri. 7 p.m.
Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
Show only, $7; Pre-show tasting and show, $14 

The Wildey Theatre welcomes Rough Shop’s five-member band and friends as they play a mixture of holiday classics, obscurities and delightful originals. For tickets, or more information, visit www.wildeytheatre.com

Friends Christmas Party
Fri. 6 – 10 p.m.
Community Center, 200 W. 3rd, Alton
$5 members & high school students, $10 non-members 

Get into the holiday spirit and have fun with friends. This evening will also provide an opportunity for attendees to make secret gifts for their parents. For more information, call 618-465-9850. 

DEC. 22 

Sweet Laughs on Main
Fri. 7:30 p.m.
Sugar Cubed, 917 S. Main St., St. Charles
$10 

Stand-up comedians from all over the St. Louis area meet on the 2nd floor of the Sugar Cubed candy store in St. Charles to give you delicious comedy. Buy tickets at www.cszstlouis.com/tickets

A Walk to the Parks
Sat. 8:45 a.m.
Edwardsville YMCA, 1200 Esic Drive
Free 

The Illinois Trekkers invite you to join them in a 5k/10k group walk. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and start walking at 9 a.m. 5K walk normally takes about one hour; 10K, 2 hours. For more information, call Vickie Ridgeway, 618-792-3881. 

Moonlight Hike
Sat.  7 – 8 p.m.
The Nature Institute, 2213 South Levis Lane, Godfrey
Free, registration required 

Enjoy a night hike along the woodland trails through the Mississippi Sanctuary or Olin Nature Preserve, illuminated by a full moon. Terrain is light to moderate. To register, visit www.thenatureinstitute.org 

DEC. 23 

Nav Kids’ “The Tale of HIStory”
Sun. 9 a.m. – Noon
Navigation Church, 1205 Vandalia St, Collinsville
Free 

Join us for an interactive Christmas play entitled – “The Tale of HIStory”. This year’s performance will be cast and produced right before your eyes. Every child that shows up can play a role.  For more information, visit www.navchurch.org 

CHWA Wrestling
Sun. 2:30 p.m.
Mystical Journeys, 3090 Homer Adams Pkwy., Alton
$5 Adults, $3
Children 12 and under 

Join us for an afternoon of exciting wrestling. Family friendly fun, handicapped & wheelchair accessible. Kids under 3 are free. Refreshments available. For more information, call 618-741-7035.

Christmas Candle Light Service
Sun. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
United Pentecostal Church
8965 Rt. 162, Troy
Free 

Join us for a Christmas Candle Light Service for Christmas carols, the Christmas Story and singing “Silent Night” by Candle Light are some of the festivities planned. Free bus rides available. For more information call 618-667-6054 or email revbb63@aol.com. 

DEC. 24 

Polar Express Train Ride
Mon. 4:30, 6, 7:15 & 8:30 p.m.
Union Station, 1820 Market St., St. Louis
$39 & $59 

The Polar Express Train Ride departs from St. Louis Union Station for a 45-minute adventure to the North Pole filled with magic, songs, and cheer. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.stlthepolarexpressride.com

Disney Themed Trivia
Mon. 7-10 p.m.
Collinsville VFW, 1234 Vandalia St.
$20 per person, $150 table of 8 

Gather your family and friends and join us for a music-themed evening of trivia. Proceeds from this VFW Disney themed trivia night go to Miner’s Theatre. For more information, call 618-344-7195. 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Mon. 5 – 7 p.m.
Copper Creek Christian Church
2184 Vadalabene Drive, 
Maryville
Free 

The church is family-focused and has a passion for serving our growing community. Join us in our annual Christmas Eve candlelight service. For more information, visitwww.coppercreekcc.org 

DEC. 25 

Christmas Feast
Tues. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge, 13653 Lodge Blvd., Grafton
Adults: $26.95, Kids 4-11 $9.95 

The weather outside is frightful, but the Christmas Feast at Pere Marquette Lodge is so delightful. Reservations for parties of six or more. For reservations, call 618-786-2331, ext. 502. 

DEC. 26 

Devon Allman Project
Wed. 8 p.m.
Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis
$30-$35 

Duane Betts joins John Lum & R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow), bassist Justin Corgan, guitarist Jackson Stokes and a Hammond B3 player, Nicholas David. Individual and group performances, followed by a 30-minute Allman Brothers tribute. For tickets and more information, visit www.oldrockhouse.com

‘Anastasia’
Wed. 7:30 p.m.
The Fabulous Fox Theater, 527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis
$27 – $104 

Anastasia, a 1920s story of mystery and discovery in Soviet Russia. Features a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens with direction by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak. For tickets or more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com. 

 

 

 –Metro East Calendar of Events Dec. 19 – Dec. 26–