December Days

There is a lot to do and see around town in December--here is a list to get you started:

*US Bank Wild Lights at the StLouis Zoo
     weekends Nov 27-Dec 13 and nightly Dec 18-23 and 26-30
     from 5:30-8:30
     $4/members    $5/nonmembers     children under 2 are free
     http://www.stlzoo.org/
     *Wander through the zoo and check out all the colorful holiday light displays, sip hot cocoa,
      listen to fireside tales and more.
*Christmas Wonderland in Rock Springs Park in Alton continues through Dec 27
     M-F: 6-9 pm
     Sa-Su: 5-9 pm
     admission fee per vechicle--800-258-6645
     *Drive through Rock Springs Park to see more than 3 million lights adorning trees and lighting
      displays.  Visitors are sure to be captivated by the holiday spirit.
*Anniversary of Basketball on Dec 1st
*Snowflake Festival at Glazebrook Park in Gofrey
     Dec 4th from 6-8 pm
     Free admision--618-466-1483
     *Visit the beautiful Glazebrook Park for an illuminating evening with thousands of twinkling lights
      and snowflakes.  This old-fashioned festival will feature carolers, hot cocoa, carriage rides and
      pictures with Santa!
*Taste of Chocolate at Grafton Winery and Brewhaus
     Dec 5th from noon-3 pm
     admission charge--618-786-7000
     *Love chocolate?  Enjoy dozens of homemade chocolate treats from businesses and residents in
      Grafton.  We'll serve coffee and hot chocolate too!
*Olde Alton Arts and Crafts Fair at Alton High School on Humbert Rd
     Dec 5th from 9 am-5 pm
     Dec 6th from 10 am-4 pm
     admission charge--618-259-5660
     *The 21st annual Olde Alton Arts and Crafts Fair is a crafters dream come true with over 250
      booths of crafters selling their best wares.
*Christmas Parade on State and W. Prarie streets in Jerseyville
     Dec 11th at 5 pm
     Free admission--618-639-5222
     *Be filled with the holiday spirit at the lighted Christmas Parade in Jerseyville, concluding with a
      tree lighting ceremony.
*National Day of the Horse on Dec 12th
*Holiday with Tchaikovsky at Alton High School Auditorium
     Dec 12th at 8 pm
     admission charge--618-467-2326
     http://www.altonsymphony.org/
     *Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony, "Winter Daydreams" is a natural selection for the ever-popular
      Alton Symphony Orchestra holiday concert.  Enjoy this classical arrangement with an array of
      your favorite holiday melodies.
*Arrival at Camp Dubois at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford
     Dec 12th and 13th from 10 am-4 pm
     Free admission--618-251-5811
     http://www.campdubois.com/
     *Come celebrate the arrival of Lewis and Clark at Camp River Dubois.  The event will include
      members of the detachment portraying military life, re-enactors recreating the civilian population
      and demonstrators.
*Bethalto Spirit Victorian Christmas Walk at Bethalo Village Center near Bethalto Village Hall
     Prarie to West Central to Oak Streets in Bethalto
     Dec 13th from 4-7 pm
     Free admission--618-377-0767
     *Step into an era of horse drawn carriages and gas street lights, sipping wassail and enjoying the
      festive treats as you take in the sights of this little Christmas Village and the sounds of hand bells
      and carolers floating in the evening air.
*Ludwig can Beethoven's Birthday (1770) on Dec 16th
*Middletown Luminary Display on the Streets of Middletown in Alton
     Dec 24th from 5 pm-2 am
     No admission--618-474-2200
     *Christmas Eve is aglow with candlelight as thousands of luminary line the streets of Middletown
      in Alton.  Take a candlelit drive down Henry St and through the Middletown neighborhood.
*Christmas Day on Dec 25th
*National Thank You Note Day on Dec 26th
*New Year's Eve on Dec 31st
*First Night Riverbend at Lewis and Clark College in Godfrey
     Dec 31st from 7 pm-midnight
     Admission charge--618-468-5001
     http://www.fnrblc.com/
     *Ring in 2010 at the First Night Riverbend New Year's Eve celebration of the arts.  This family
      oriented event is alcohol-free and features more than 40 artists displaying their talents.  Music,
      dance, visual arts, hat making, children's interactive activities and more!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!!