November 20- December 31
57th Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Visit the largest spiritual, spectacular 1.5 mile light display telling the Christmas story. Enjoy choir performances, Christmas tree room and wreath display, Lego Block Display, arctic wing, the Shrine exhibit, camel rides, petting zoo, and gift shop.
November 21
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees Opens
Eckert’s Belleville Farm
Spend a crisp winter day exploring 40 acres of evergreens to find your perfect Christmas tree. We provide the saw—you do the cutting! Our full-service farm offers free shaking and baling, plus a selection of pre-cut trees.
November 22
Gingerbread Creation Preview
Nichols Community Center
Preview the spectacular gingerbread creations all in one location at the Nichols Community Center before they are put on display in Downtown merchant windows for the season.
November 27- December 12
Third Annual Ainad Shriners FEZtival of Trees
23 Public Square
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.
November 27, 6PM
Lighting of the Fountain
Honorary Veterans Memorial Square
Enjoy the lighting of the Veterans Memorial Fountain in Belleville’s Public Square as Belleville’s Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer, residents and visitors carol for the holidays.
November 27 – December 21
FREE Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides
Downtown Belleville
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.
TBD
Movie Night With Santa at the Drive-In
Skyview Drive-In
Attendees will get to see Santa as he drives through the lot to hand out candy to children before the movie begins. There will also be a limited number of spots to purchase a professional photo with Santa.
Call 618-233-2015 for info regarding ticket sales
December 5
Mid-Century Holiday Party
Blazier House Museum
Get ready to jingle, mingle, and sway the night away in your best retro ensemble at our Midcentury Holiday soirée, an evening where vintage glamour meets festive cheer inside our beautifully restored architectural gem.
TBD
Holiday Movie Festival
Lincoln Theatre
Grab tickets to the Optimist Club of Belleville’s Holiday Music Festival at the Lincoln Theatre. Your ticket includes 3 movies, free popcorn and pre-movie entertainment. Ticket purchases contribute to the Belleville Optimist Club’s “Fill the Gap” program. Don’t miss Jack Frost, Polar Express and Gremlins on the big screen this season!
TBD
Santa Claus Fun Crafts & Photos
The Edge
Meet Santa with a smile for a photo while making fun holiday make-and-take crafts & enjoy refreshments.
Call 618-236-2101 for details
TBD
Christmas Wonders
St. Peter’s Catholic Cathedral
Experience the magic of the holiday season with “Christmas Wonders,” a captivating concert by the Belleville Philharmonic Chorale, conducted by Richard Thompson. This enchanting event will take place at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, providing the perfect backdrop for an evening of sacred and festive choral works.
TBD
Christmas Concert
St. Paul United Church of Christ
Come and enjoy Christmas songs performed by the Metro East Community Chorale. Enjoy familiar Christmas songs in a variety of arrangements by over fifty singers and an orchestra.
December 11 – 12
Downtown Cookie Stroll
Downtown Belleville
Stroll along Downtown Belleville’s Main Street with family and friends while collecting cookies along the way. A fun annual event to celebrate the season, tickets go on-sale online only November 3rd.
TBD
The Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk
Old Belleville Historic District
Experience candlelit streets, holiday tours, carolers, St. Nicholas, and festive treats in Old Belleville’s Historic District. Some stops even offer free cookies and drinks!
TBD
Kid’s Day Out: Cookies & Crafts
Nichols Community Center
Come drop the kids with us for a fun Saturday full of craft & cookie goodness! We’ve got several crafts lined up from cookie plate decorating to making our own cookie cutter ornaments! Kids can partake in plenty of games & activities to fill the day with holiday fun!
Kid’s Day Out is designed to help parents get a day to themselves, perfect for getting some holiday shopping done!
Pizza & Drinks are included!
Kids ages 5-10
December 14 – 15
The Glory of Christmas Concert
St. Matthew Church
Each year during the Christmas season, the Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra, and Drama Ministry combine to present the story of Christ’s birth, what he meant to the world then, and what he continues to mean for us today. We will take you back to early America to see how the gift of Jesus changed and molded the meaning of Christmas for a family looking for answers.
TBD
Storytime with Santa & Grinch
Nichols Community Center
Children will gather around to hear holiday stories read by none other than Santa Claus and the Grinch! Hot cocoa and cookies will be available as well as a Grinch keychain craft station for extra holiday cheer! Photo ops with Santa and the Grinch will be available for all children and families!
$7 per child ages 2 & up
Children 1 & Under are Free
Register
November 27
Santa Parade
Downtown Belleville
Welcome the holiday season to Belleville by attending the Santa Parade hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville
November 28 – December 20
Breakfast With Santa at the Farm
Eckert’s Country Restaurant
Join us for a meal with Santa on the Farm! Ticket includes meal, multiple holiday activities for the children and a photo with the jolly one, himself. Breakfast for dinner option available, as well!
November 27-December 23
Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt
Honorary Veterans Memorial Square
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!
November 27- December 24
Santa’s House on the Square
Honorary Veterans Memorial Square
Visit Santa at his house on Belleville’s Honorary Veterans Memorial Square and make memories that last a lifetime.
December 5
Gingerbread Run 5K
Belleville Parks & Recreation
Join Belleville Parks & Recreation for our 18th Annual Gingerbread 5K Walk/Run through the streets of beautiful downtown Belleville! New this year: the Ginger Loop! A kid’s 1-mile fun run. Sign up early for deals on registration and to guarantee your long-sleeve t-shirt size for the event!
November 24 – January 1
36th Annual Gingerbread Walk Display
Downtown Belleville
Stroll Belleville’s Downtown Main Street to view award-winning gingerbread creations displayed in merchant windows; first 4 blocks East Main & 3 blocks West Main Streets from the Public Square.
TBD
Holiday Pops Christmas Spectacular
Lincoln Theatre
Get ready to experience the magic of the season at the Holiday Pops Concert! Join the Belleville Philharmonic as they present a festive concert conducted by the talented Joseph Choi. This delightful event will feature a mix of traditional and pop Christmas hits that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
December 13
31st Anniversary Candlelight House Tour
On December 14th, join us for the 30th edition of our beloved holiday tradition at the Candlelight House Tour.
Lovely and historic homes dressed in their holiday best are yours to explore!
The tour takes place from 1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. The tour begins at the Belleville Philharmonic Hall at 116 N. Jackson Street in Belleville. There, guests will exchange their tickets for the tour program
January 1
Way of Lights 5K Run
Shrine of Our Lady of Snows
Join us for our annual Way of Lights 5k Competitive Run and 1.5-mile Fun Walk to start your year off right!
The only time of the year to run or walk through our beautiful light display.
