Fairs, festivals and fundraisers fill Riverbend’s weekend events calendar

Fair Fun, Festivals and Community Gatherings Fill The Riverbend Calendar

From live music and local fairs to family activities, art, markets and fundraisers, the Riverbend calendar is packed with upcoming ways to get out in the community. For the complete calendar, visit RiverBender.com Events.

Leadership Development: Setting Expectations That Align Performance brings a 90-minute monthly lunch-and-learn to The Wedge Innovation Center in Alton on Friday, Sept. 11. Sponsored by RiverBend Growth Association and The Wedge and presented by Diane from Legacy Training and Development, the public session focuses on helping leaders clearly communicate expectations and hold others accountable without frustration.

Rock the Block with Porch Cafe! invites the community to City Center Park in Jerseyville on Friday, Sept. 11, as Porch Cafe Band takes the stage for a night of live music in the streets.

Calhoun County Fair 2026 - Barn in the USA continues in Hardin with livestock and agricultural exhibits, competitions, pageants, grandstand events and entertainment for the whole family. Friday, Sept. 11, includes the Illinois Farm Pullers Truck Pull, Jr. Miss Calhoun Pageant and Drifters Mile on the grounds; Saturday, Sept. 12, brings junior fair and 4-H judging, a horse show, Ag/Family Day, pedal tractor pull, Little Miss Calhoun Pageant, ITPA Tractor Pull and NKG Band; and Sunday, Sept. 13, features the parade, demolition derby, Cryptkickers, Jerseyville Show Choir and Jazz Band, and the Miss Calhoun County Pageant.

City Heat Live at VFW Post 1308 brings the band to Alton VFW Post 1308 from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. The performance is open to the public.

6th Annual CiderMan Sprint Triathlon returns Saturday, Sept. 12, to Buttercup Ranch & Creamery in Millstadt with a 500-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run. The event also offers options including relay, swim or paddle, aquabike, duathlon, individual 5K run and 20K bike, with 20% of proceeds going to local first responders.

Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! continues from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12, at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in downtown Alton. Shoppers can browse locally grown produce, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, flowers, plants, handmade artwork and ready-to-eat meals, with a make-and-take mixed media stickers project by Alton Art Revival scheduled for Sept. 12.

Duck Pluckers Raffle offers raffle chances tied to the sold-out Duck Pluckers Ball in Brighton on Saturday, Sept. 12. Prizes include a helicopter hog hunt for two, a wheelbarrow of booze, freezer of meat, bourbon collection and Tory Burch bucket bag, with winners drawn at 7 p.m. and proceeds supporting Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation’s goal to raise $200,000 for a new ambulance for Alton Memorial Hospital.

6th Annual Asbury Village Car Show rolls into Asbury Village in Godfrey from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with live music by Larry Gwaltney, Highland cows from 10 a.m. to noon, hot dog lunches, drinks, raffle baskets and vehicle categories ranging from antiques to late models, with proceeds benefiting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Asbury Village Forever Family Fund.

Alton Pride $5 for Five Fundraising Campaign marks five years of Alton Pride with a $5 donation effort based at Bubby and Sissy’s in Alton on Saturday, Sept. 12. Contributions support the 5th Annual Alton Pride Festival on Belle Street, scholarships for local graduating LGBTQ+ high school seniors and allies, and year-round outreach including holiday food drives.

5th Annual Alton Pride Festival begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in front of Bubby and Sissy’s Bar and Nightclub on Belle Street in downtown Alton. The free celebration includes vendor booths, food trucks, live music, drag performances, a pup parade, drag bingo, karaoke and a full day of entertainment.

TBD Studios Grand Opening + Vendor Fair welcomes the community from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 75 Eastgate Shopping Center in East Alton. Guests can shop vendors, meet others in the community and tour the new studio during the afternoon celebration.

CASA Family Fun Day brings games, a bounce house, food, prizes and family-friendly entertainment to Whiteside Park in White Hall from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, during Greene County Days. The free event also raises awareness of Great Rivers CASA/GAL and its advocacy for children in foster care.

Craft Beverage Festival 2026 brings the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau’s celebration of regional craft beverages to Grafton Winery The Vineyards on Saturday, Sept. 12. Guests can sample local beer, wine, spirits, ciders, seltzers, herbal teas, coffee and more, with live music from American Jackals, food and drink tastings, activities, a commemorative tasting glass and a new VIP experience with early entry and a goodie bag.

Patriots Weekend Extravaganza! offers two days of activities from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, at Buttercup Ranch and Creamery in Millstadt. The $30-per-vehicle experience pass admits everyone in a vehicle for both days, with camping available separately and the weekend supporting local first responders.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

2026 Fall City/Village Wide Garage Sales - St. Jacob brings shoppers to the Village of Maryville from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of a multi-community sale event organized by the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce.

September Sunset Series continues from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Alton Amphitheater with Aragon bringing rock music to the riverfront. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and food and beverages will be available on-site.

Telescope Night invites visitors to The Nature Institute in Godfrey for a night of learning how telescopes work and viewing the moon and other night sky objects. Guests may bring their own telescope or binoculars, and registration is required.

Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers meets at 10 a.m. at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City, with additional fall sessions listed for Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23 and Nov. 13.

YA Fridays gives teens a Friday at Hayner Library in Alton filled with crafts, snacks, video games and time to relax and connect with friends.

Dear Evan Hansen opens at Alton Little Theater for a Sept. 11-20 run of the Tony Award-winning musical about connection, honesty and the desire to belong.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026

Greenville, Illinois "Airstravaganza" Airport Open House runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Greenville Illinois Airport, 1374 Sky Lane, with a pancake and sausage breakfast, airport fly-in and aircraft rides available.

Missouri Prairie Foundation Fall Plant Sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Nature Institute in Godfrey, where shoppers can buy native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, trees, vines and sedges from Grow Native! professional members.

Yoga + Hike pairs a 60-minute hike at The Nature Institute in Godfrey with a 60-minute yoga practice overlooking the Mississippi River from 9 to 11 a.m. Registration is required.

4th Annual Tri-State Coin, Currency & Stamp Show, Monroe City, Mo. runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the KC Hall in Monroe City, Missouri, with free admission, free parking and an ANACS representative on-site for coin grading and submissions.

$1 Sale at 508 W. Pine Street in Jerseyville offers clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and miscellaneous household items for $1 as organizers clear out inventory for winter items.

MooseStock Annual Music Festival opens its gate at 11 a.m. at Alton Moose Lodge in Godfrey, with three bands, other entertainment, alcohol, food and vendors. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets and leave coolers at home.

Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at Nilo Farms in Brighton, with proceeds helping purchase a new ambulance for Alton Memorial Hospital and raffle winners drawn during the event.

A River Runs Through It at Mooneyham Art in Alton brings together award-winning artists Dawn Isbell and Sarah Lorentz in an exhibition inspired by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and the Riverbend landscape.

Pasta & Play at Crossroads Community Church in Brighton offers a family-friendly evening of pasta, games, community activities, prizes and a gift card tree raffle in support of Jane’s House.

Community Tent Revival begins with food concession from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hamilton Primary School in Otterville, followed by revival at 6:30 p.m. with fellowship, worship and Gospel preaching.

Adults Fall Craft Series (18+) meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City, with a Decoupage Mini Gift Bags project and registration by phone.

Craft Makers Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus in Grafton.

Serapis is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026

HOT ROD Drag Week 2026 begins Sunday, Sept. 13, with competition scheduled Sept. 13-18 and stops at World Wide Technology Raceway, Route 66 Raceway, Byron Dragway and Cordova Dragway. The street-legal drag car competition sends racers through five days of drag racing and about 1,000 miles of driving along a prescribed route.

Behind the Glass Brewery Tours continue at 3 p.m. Sunday at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton, offering a 40-minute look at the company, the historic building and the brewing process, with a pint and tank samples included.

AWANA: weekly gathering with food, rec, awards, new friends, presenting a Christmas play, Grand Prix race, learning God's Word and more! begins at Calvary Baptist Church in Alton on Sunday, Sept. 13, and meets weekly from 5 to 7:15 p.m. for children age 2 by Dec. 1, 2025, through fifth grade.

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