Explore Belleville

FREE Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides
2025-12-06, 2025-12-05, 2025-11-30, 2025-11-29 | Honorary Veterans Memorial Square, 101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL, 62220, United States
Take a free ride through downtown aboard a 26-passenger horse-drawn trolley and visit Belleville’s Honorary Veterans Memorial Square, Christkindlmarkt, and the downtown shopping & dining district.
Passengers can board and disembark in the first block of East Main Street near the entrance to the Christkindlmarkt in Downtown Belleville, Illinois.

Santa's House on the Square
2025-12-06, 2025-12-05, 2025-12-04, 2025-12-03, 2025-11-30, 2025-11-29 | Honorary Veterans Memorial Square, 101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL, 62220, United States
Visit Santa at his house on Belleville’s Honorary Veterans Memorial Square and make memories that last a lifetime. VIEW WEBSITE FOR HOURS AND SCHEDULE

“Santa’s House is a decades long holiday tradition dating back to 1964 when it replaced its much smaller predecessor. For years families have been coming with their children to visit Santa in his Belleville house and take home a photo keepsake. We receive visitors from the entire metro area and we routinely receive visitors from all over the world including Germany, England, Japan, Israeli, Ukraine and many more. Santa’s House has been featured in many news articles, television news segments and once had a photo mention on a national daytime talk show. Santa’s House is currently owned and operated by the Optimist Club of Belleville and supported by volunteers. The Optimist Club of Belleville is a community civic organization with deep roots in Belleville who support and promote the well being of youth in our community.” / BellevilleSantaHouse.com

56th Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display
2025-12-05 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-04 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-03 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-02 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-01 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-30 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-29 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-28 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Shrine of Our Lady of Snows, 442 South Demazenod Drive, Belleville, 62223, United States
For 56 years, the night shines at the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows at the Annual Way of Lights display, lighting up the grounds for our Journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ. The breathtaking display now includes additional color lights to celebrate Christ’s birthday. It is FREE to drive through (donations accepted), but special activities incur a nominal charge for camel rides, pony rides, food, drinks, LEGO’S, and Kettle Corn (with funnel cakes!). The lights are on from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm nightly, even on the holidays. Buildings are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Donations accepted.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows 618-397-6700

Breakfast with Santa at Dinnertime
2025-12-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Eckert’s Country Restaurant, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, 62220, United States
Join us for breakfast with Santa on the farm at dinner-time! We know some of you just aren’t morning people, so we are now offering Breakfast with Santa in the evening. The event is exactly like our traditional Breakfast with Santa… just at night!

Children can tell Santa their Christmas wishes. Santa has a special gift for each child. We will capture the moment in a photo of your child with Santa. Each child will get his/her face/hand painted, get to decorate a sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles and a holiday story will be read. Reservations are required.
Breakfast will be provided from 5pm until 7pm. The meal includes scrambled eggs, crips bacon, fried potatoes, fruit, biscuits, and homemade sausage gravy, drink (alcohol is not included). Fee charged.

Ainad Shriners FEZtival of Trees
2025-12-05 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-04 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-30 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-29 11:00 - 20:00 | 23 Public Square, 23 Public Square, Belleville, IL, 62220, United States
The Nobles and Ladies of Ainad Shriners have begun planning and preparations for its Third Annual Ainad Shriners FEZtival of Trees set for November 28 – December 13, 2025. The FEZtival of Trees will be held at 23 Public Square, Belleville, Illinois, and will be open to the public.
Patrons at the FEZtival of Trees purchase raffle tickets and place such in respective tree ticket boxes for a chance to win those trees and the gifts accompanying the trees. At the conclusion of the FEZtival of Trees the winner of each tree will be selected from all raffle tickets submitted for each tree.
Your support of Ainad Shriners FEZtival of Trees will help us maintain our beautiful and historic Ainad Shrine Center, as well as support Shriner activities and causes throughout Southern Illinois. Unfortunately, your donation is not deductible as a charitable contribution, but please consider helping us generate a positive impact throughout Southern Illinois.

Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt
2025-12-05 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-04 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-30 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-29 11:00 - 20:00 | Honorary Veterans Memorial Square, 101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL, 62220, United States
Thurs-Sat., 11 AM – 8 PM*,
Sundays 11 AM – 6 PM*
*See website for exact hours and details
Shop the 12th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt, an open-air German Christmas Market on Belleville’s Public Square, featuring unique vendors, food, and beverages, along with live entertainment and special attractions on specific dates.
Visit the Belleville Christkindlmarkt website for event details, including dates and hours, a list of vendors, entertainment and attraction dates, and more!

Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 08:00 - 23:30 | IL
Shop small throughout the City of Belleville Saturday, November 29th in honor of Small Business Saturday. Visit Belleville’s Small business for the holidays to find unique and interesting holiday gifts, plus friendly service with a smile!

Breakfast With Santa at the Farm
2025-11-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Eckert’s Country Restaurant, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, 62220, United States
Join us for a meal with Santa on the farm! Children can tell Santa their Christmas wishes. Santa has a special gift for each child. We will capture the moment in a photo of your child with Santa. Each child will get to decorate a sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles and a holiday story will be read. Reservations are required.
Breakfast will be provided from 8am until noon. The meal includes scrambled eggs, crips bacon, fried potatoes, fruit, biscuits, and homemade sausage gravy, drink (alcohol is not included). Fee charged.

Lighting of the Fountain
2025-11-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Honorary Veterans Memorial Square, 101 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL, 62220, United States
Enjoy the lighting of the Veteran’s Memorial Fountain in Belleville’s Public Square as Belleville’s Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer, residents and visitors carol for the holidays.
