Festive, Fun Events Set to Highlight the Holiday Season in Edwardsville

EDWARDSVILLE – Whether you prefer joyful holiday concerts, classic movies, outdoor festivals, ice skating or a grand tree lighting, it’s all happening in Edwardsville.

“The holidays are a special time in Edwardsville, with a fantastic mix of family-friendly events and opportunities to celebrate the season,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, whether you like cozy indoor fun or want to explore some crisp, cool outdoor attractions.”

The holiday festivities begin Saturday, November 29, with a chance to see Santa Claus in his annual trek down Main Street in an Edwardsville Fire Department truck around 12:45 p.m. He’ll arrive at the Nickel Plate Station, 610 Troy Road, by 1 p.m. to join the Winter Wonderland festivities, hosted by the Edwardsville Children’s Museum. This free children’s event inside and outside the Nickel Plate Station includes the Into the Arctic hands-on exhibit, Holiday Express train rides, a North Pole mailbox and letter-writing station, free cookies and hot cocoa, additional food vendors and more.

Winter Wonderland is set for noon to 3 p.m., while Santa will be available for visits and photos starting at 1 p.m.; he’ll stick around through 4 p.m. Santa has partnered with the Edwardsville Parks & Recreation Department to return for free visits at the Nickel Plate Station on several Saturdays and Tuesdays in December.

Santa will appear from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, December 13 and 20, and from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 9 and 16. On Saturday, December 6, enjoy an afternoon of holiday shopping at the annual Winter Market Festival from noon to 5 p.m. in City Park, 101 S. Buchanan. Browse more than 60 booths of unique items, enjoy holiday entertainment, visit with Santa (1-4 p.m.), warm up around the fire pit with free s’mores kits (4:30 p.m.) and stay for the 5:30 p.m. grand tree lighting ceremony in the center of the park. After the Winter Market Festival ends, enjoy a free holiday concert at the Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main Street, courtesy of the Edwardsville Municipal Band. The 7 p.m. concert Saturday will feature an assortment of holiday songs, plus students from Edwardsville School District, Trinity Lutheran School and St. Boniface and St. Mary’s schools will join the band for a few selections. Seating is available on a first come, first seated basis. View the Wildey Theatre schedule (www.wildeytheatre.com) for a host of other holiday events, including several interactive “White Christmas” showings, an Opera Edwardsville concert and more.

Through the end of December, the West End Service Station, 620 St. Louis Street, is displaying an oldfashioned holiday exhibit, and will welcome children and other visitors from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, for free cookies and cocoa and a visit by Santa Claus. The station is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is free. On Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14, visit the R.P. Lumber Center, 6289 Tiger Drive, for Frosty’s Frozen Festival. On Saturday, enjoy a Secret Santa Shop for children to buy small items for friends, family and even pets; On Sunday, enjoy ice skating with Santa, a skating performance, photo opportunities and more. Find more details on these events at www.cityofedwardsville.com/december

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