Enjoy Holiday-Themed Fun at Hayner Library's Upcoming Free Events

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library district has “got a whole lot coming up,” including plenty of holiday cheer, said Executive Director Mary Cordes.

The fun kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, with the Local Author Book Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alton Square Mall. Attendees can shop books by 25 local writers and talk to the authors about their work. It’s also a great opportunity for the writers to connect.

“They’re all going to be at the same place at the same time,” Cordes said. “You can come out, you can shop, you can do your Christmas shopping. We have authors of every age group, every interest. You can buy their books. They’ll sign them. It’s just a great event to get out, and we also have a library open house that day just for people to take a walk through the library and see what we have to offer.”

Also from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6, the Genealogy and Local History Library Holiday Open House invites community members to stop by the Genealogy and Local History Library for some holiday fun. The library will be decorated in a Victorian-style holiday theme, and you can enjoy cookies, a puzzle, crafts, and more.

From 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. across the street at the Downtown Library, the Kids Holiday Ornament Drop-In Station invites families to complete an ornament craft. Kids can also complete holiday cards from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Dec. 8–13 at the Alton Square Mall library.

The Kids Holiday Celebration follows from 10–11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Alton Square Mall. Kids and their grown-ups can enjoy cookies, music, dancing, games and visits with Santa. A few hours later, local teens can celebrate at the Teen Ugly Sweater Party from 4–6 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Alton Square Mall.

The Teen Holiday Wrapping Extravaganza follows from 4–6 p.m. on Dec. 17. The library will provide wrapping paper, tape, scissors, ribbons and more while supplies last, enabling you to complete all the holiday wrapping on your list. Adults can enjoy a similar Gift-Wrapping Open House from 4–7 p.m. on Dec. 11.

The librarians are especially looking forward to the Holiday Cookie Exchange from 6–7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Alton Square Mall library. Guests are encouraged to bring two or three dozen cookies to trade and snack on throughout the night. You are also welcome to share your recipes and swap baking tips with all in attendance.

From 2–3 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2025, you can enjoy music by Alivia and Jason McAtee of Porch Cafe at the Benjamin Godfrey Chapel on the Lewis and Clark Community College campus. The McAtees: A Holiday Musical Performance will cover favorite holiday tunes, sure to put you in the spirit.

Not quite holiday-themed, but fun nonetheless, is a free showing of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” at NCG Cinema, open to all teens, on Dec. 7. With a limited number of tickets available, teens are asked to call (618) 433-287 to reserve their spot, which includes a free popcorn and soda. The movie is rated PG-13 and the free tickets are open to teens only.

You can also stop by a Dec. 10 lecture by Eugene Jones Baldwin titled “There is No Color in Justice.” From 6–7 p.m. at the Genealogy and Local History Library, Baldwin will share information about his nearly published book of the same name.

All of these events are free, though registration is encouraged for most of them. Call 1-800-613-3163 to register.

Cordes emphasized that these are just a few of the free programs and events available through the library. For more information about Hayner Public Library District, including their calendar of upcoming events, visit their official website at HaynerLibrary.org.

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