The Polar Express Train Ride will be pulling into St. Louis Union Station Nov. 29 to Dec. 30. (Photo courtesy of stlouisunionstation.com)

NOV.  29-DEC. 1

Live Radio Show: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Thur.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton
$15-$20

Bankside Repertory Theatre Company performs the classic play. For tickets, visit www.jacobyartscenter.org/tickets.

NOV.  29-DEC. 2

Curtain’s Up Theater: ‘A Christmas Story’
Thur.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m.
Wildey Theater, 252 N. Main St., Edwardsville
$15; senior $12; child $10

Family-friendly classic Christmas play. For tickets, call 618-307-1750.

NOV. 29-DEC.30

The Polar Express Train Ride: St. Louis Union Station
Thur. 4:30 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. 4:30, 6:00, 7:15, 8:30 p.m.
1820 Market St., St. Louis, Mo.
$39 & $59

Take a real train ride, sing with the Polar Express Chefs, meet with the Conductor and receive a gift from Santa. For more information or tickets, visit www.STLPolarExpressRide.com.

NOV. 30-DEC. 2

Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides in Belleville
Fri. 5-9 p.m.; Sat. noon-6 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m.
First block of East Main
Public Square
Free

See Belleville’s historic Public Square as well as the shopping and dining district from the 26-passenger trolley. For more information, call 618-233-6769.

Christmas Market
Fri. 3-8 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
1550 E. State Rte. 15, Belleville
Free

Warming stations located throughout the market with hot chocolate, coffee and Gluhwein to keep you warm. For more information, call 217-883-0570.

DEC. 1

Home for the Holidays
Sat. noon-4 p.m.
Village of Elsah Museum, 26 LaSalle St.
Free

Experience a simpler time in the quaint, historic village of Elsah. For more information, call 618-374-2626.

12th Annual Gingerbread 5K Run
Sat. packet pick-up 6:45 a.m.
Starts at Belleville Parks & Rec., 510 W. Main St.
$30 includes shirt

Run with the Gingerbread Man through downtown Belleville. For more information, call 618-233-1416.

Bright Night Christmas Parade
Sat. 5 p.m.
Main Street, Columbia
Free

Celebrate the coming holiday with music by SMASH Band. After the parade, gather in Turner Hall for unique merchandise, as well as food and drink, including German pancakes. For more information, call 618-281-7144.

Collins House ‘Light Up Parade’
Sat. 5:30 p.m.
Uptown Collinsville, Corner of Combs and West Main streets
Free

The parade will begin and end at the Collins House and will be followed by a tree lighting ceremony. Free hot chocolate, apple cider, popcorn, and cotton candy.  For more information, call 618-346-5200.

Water’s Edge Art Walk with Libby Reuter
Sat. 11 a.m.-noon
Audubon Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, Mo.
Free

Libby Reuter will lead the walk around the sculptural installations by Missouri and Illinois artists. For more information, call 636-899-0090.

Visit with Santa
Lucy Haskell Playhouse
Sat. noon-2 p.m.
Twelfth & Henry, Alton
Donations appreciated

Visit with Santa and have a Polaroid picture taken for $2 or bring your own camera. The Holiday Doll collection will be displayed as well. For more information, call 618-463-2235.

Winter Market
Sat. 9 a.m.-noon
Downtown Edwardsville
Free

Winter Market features artisans, baked goods, crafters, boutique gifts and locally grown foodstuffs, as well as free hot chocolate, free kids’ crafts and caroling. For more information, call 618-692-7520.

Hometown Christmas
Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 W. St. Louis St.,
Lebanon
Free

Event includes Santa, refreshments, gift basket and seasonal entertainment. For more information, call 618-537-5420.

See Live Reindeer
Sat. 1-4 p.m.
Public Square, Belleville
Free

Several live reindeer will be on hand for petting and pictures. For more information, call 618-233-6769.

DEC. 1-2

Olde Alton Arts and Crafts Fair
Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Alton High School, 5200 Humbert Road
$2

Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Alton School District’s band and orchestra program. For more information, call 618-474-2700.

Dog Show
Sat.-Sun. beginning at 8 a.m.
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, 200 S. Belt
Free

All-breed show with prizes awarded in several categories and vendors displaying a variety of canine products and services. Free parking. For more information, call 217-532-6748.

DEC.2

Maeystown’s Old Fashioned German Christmas
Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Village of Maeystown
Free

Enjoy German music, foods and carol sing as well as the lighting of the Weinachtsbaum (Christmas tree) at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 618-580-5875.

Collinsville Chorale Concert
Sun. 3 p.m.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 525 E. 4th St., Alton
Free, donations appreciated

The Chorale offers solemn to lighthearted Christmas music. For more information, visit www.singcc.org.

Millstadt Weihnachtsfest
Sun. starts at 11:30
St. James Parish Center, 423 W. Madison
Free

Celebrate German heritage with German food, Holiday Cookie Walk, and German folk music and dancing. Santa will arrive at noon after the parade. For more information, call 618-476-1812.

DEC. 3

Christmas Concert
Mon. 7:30-9 p.m.
Lewis & Clark College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey
Free

The Concert Choir under the direction of Susan Parton Stanard will perform favorite holiday songs in the Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel. For more information, visit https://college.lclark.edu/departments/music/.

–Metro East Calendar of Events Nov. 28 – Dec. 3–