Upcoming Riverbend events include festivals, markets and Labor Day weekend traditions
Labor Day weekend in the Riverbend features returning favorites in Troy, Bethalto, Jerseyville, Alton and beyond, along with concerts, markets and family activities.
Upcoming Events Bring Festivals, Music and Markets to the Riverbend
The Riverbend calendar is packed with Labor Day weekend traditions, live music, markets, family activities and community celebrations. Find even more upcoming happenings on the complete RiverBender.com Events calendar.
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First Fridays in Downtown Troy returns Friday, Sept. 4, in Downtown Troy with entertainment, live music, bar and restaurant specials from downtown businesses, local shopping, street vendors, food trucks and more. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the family-friendly event, which will feature a Triad Alumni Tailgate and live music by The Veiny Griffins.
107th Bethalto Homecoming will bring a Labor Day weekend tradition back to Bethalto City Park from Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7. The Bethalto Fire Department has partnered with Luehrs’ Ideal Rides for carnival rides and games, with Friday’s two-for-one night running from 6 to 10 p.m. and Steve Ewing performing during those hours. The weekend continues with rides, family activities and live music from Soulshine Groove, Up All Night STL, Shotgun Creek, Superjam and John Stimac, with proceeds benefiting the Bethalto Fire Department.
Jersey County’s 250th Jubilee! will fill Saturday, Sept. 5, with community celebration in Jerseyville. Presented by the Jersey County Business Association in conjunction with the City of Jerseyville, the day begins with a 7 a.m. Color Run at Wock Lake, followed by a 9 a.m. pickleball tournament at Lions Club/Wittman Park Courts, the Jerseyville Splash Pad opening at 11 a.m., watermelon contests at noon and live music from Backwoods Burden Band from noon to 4 p.m.
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! continues Saturday, Sept. 5, at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in Downtown Alton. The rain-or-shine market runs from 8 a.m. to noon and features locally grown seasonal produce, meats, eggs, honey, coffee, baked goods, flowers, plants, handcrafted artwork and ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch items, with live music from Keith Domescik scheduled for Sept. 5.
USA 250 Pickleball Tournament will bring mixed-doubles competition to Lions Club/Wittman Park in Jerseyville on Saturday, Sept. 5. Presented by the Jerseyville Players Club and the City of Jerseyville as part of the Jersey County 250 Jubilee, the tournament includes 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 skill-level divisions, medals for first through third place in each division and prizes for teams celebrating the theme of the United States’ 250th birthday. Money raised after prizes will be donated to the Honor Flight Network.
Goshen Market Dog Day invites the community to bring their dogs to Goshen Market in Edwardsville on Saturday, Sept. 5, for a morning of canine-themed fun. Contests begin at 10 a.m., followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m., with prizes in categories including best dog costume, best dog float and dog-owner look-alike.
Jerseyville's First-ever Watermelon Eating Contest will add a messy, end-of-summer challenge to the celebration Saturday, Sept. 5, at Lions Club/Wittman Park. Participants can enter the watermelon eating contest or the watermelon seed spitting contest, with age groups for ages 9-12, 13-15 and 16 and up. The entry fee is $5 for each contest, and prize ribbons will be awarded to winners in each age group.
Friday, Sept. 4
September Sunset Series opens Friday, Sept. 4, at the Alton Amphitheater with free admission, riverfront sunsets, food vendors and live music from 6 to 9 p.m. The Sept. 4 concert features blues musician Matt "The Rattlesnake" Lesch, with additional series dates planned for Sept. 11 and Sept. 25.
YA Fridays brings teens to Hayner Library in Alton on Friday, Sept. 4, for crafts, snacks, video games and time to relax, create and connect.
Scott & Liz will appear Friday, Sept. 4, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Hearts in Mission Sale will run from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 5, at Hearts in Mission Resale Shop in Godfrey. The shop offers home décor, kitchenware, furniture and seasonal items, with proceeds supporting community charities.
Seed Collection Workshop at The Nature Institute in Godfrey will teach participants what to look for in native seeds ready to collect, along with techniques for collecting, cleaning, stratification and storage. The program fee is $10, with discounts available to members.
Fairytale Flea Market brings a Renaissance-inspired day of shopping and family activities to Historic Route 66 Flea Market in Granite City on Saturday, Sept. 5. The free-entry event includes the Fairy Queen, a quest to earn a place as a Knight of the Court, the Kingdom of the Broken Crown and costumes are highly encouraged.
Who All Gonna Be There: Breath of Fresh Air- Walk for Lung Cancer will gather participants Saturday, Sept. 5, at Chain of Rocks Park in St. Louis for a 2-mile awareness walk across the Chain of Rocks Bridge, along with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, wellness resources and community engagement in support of those affected by lung cancer.
Pirates in Paradise is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
Sunday, Sept. 6
Labor Day Tribute to E. Fred Long will honor the life and legacy of Edwardsville coal miner E. Fred Long on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Edwardsville. The free public tribute includes a procession of miners, members of the Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, words from Mother Jones, labor songs and the unveiling of a historic plaque.
STL's Pot Chef Presents: Blazed & Infused: Master of the Munchies will bring a 21-and-older infused food competition to Handlebar in St. Louis from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. The event features canna chefs, pitmasters, bakers, vegan creators, food vendors, local brands, culinary innovators, attendee voting, prizes, entertainment, giveaways and infused and non-infused food available for purchase.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours are offered Sundays at 3 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton. The 40-minute tour explores the company, the historic 1800s Colonial Bakery building and the brewing process, with the $10 admission including a pint of beer and samples from the tank during the tour.
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