Oktoberfest, Route 66 events and fall fun fill Oct. 9-11
Festivals, live music, pet events, history tours and Halloween activities are scheduled across the region Oct. 9-11, 2026.
Festivals, live music, pet activities, history tours and Halloween fun offer plenty of ways to spend Oct. 9-11, 2026, across the region. Explore the highlights below and visit RiverBender.com Events for the complete calendar.
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Food, beer, live music and family activities will fill the St. Mary’s School Grounds in Alton during St. Mary’s Oktoberfest 2026, Oct. 9-11. The three-day parish festival also includes games, raffles and Mass, supporting the parish, school and community life. General admission is free, with food, drinks, games, raffles, wristbands and race registration sold separately. Beer stands accept cash only, and an ATM will be available on-site.
Runners, walkers, families and stroller crews can help launch the festival weekend at St. Mary’s Oktoberfest 5K & Fun Run in Alton on Friday, Oct. 9. Packet pickup begins at 3 p.m., followed by the 5K at 6 p.m. and the 1 Mile Fun Run at 6:05 p.m. Registration, volunteer signup and race sponsorship opportunities are available through the event site and official race links.
Friday’s music options include Flip the Frog Live at VFW Post 1308 in Alton. The band will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 9, and the event is open to the public.
Seasonal produce, baked goods, local honey, flowers and handcrafted artwork await shoppers at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10. The rain-or-shine market meets in the downtown parking lot at Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street, with ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch offerings also available. A community yard sale is scheduled for Oct. 10, and the market’s season continues through Oct. 17.
Dogs and their people take center stage at Goshen Market Dog Day in Edwardsville on Saturday, Oct. 10, rescheduled because of heat. Contests include dog costume, dog/owner look-alike and dog parade float, with Blazer serving as a special costume contest judge. The Edwardsville Municipal Marching Band will lead a parade around City Park. Contest entry is $5 and benefits the Men’s Supply Drive; joining the parade is free.
Outdoor and hunting enthusiasts can head to Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill for Webbed Feet Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event features a 30-gun raffle, a Dream Boat Raffle and raffles for decoys, boats and sporting gear. Featured partners include Southern Mud, Higdon Outdoors, Benelli, GFORCE Arms, Winchester and Big R.
Meet adoptable animals and tour the facility during the 10th annual Partners for Pets Open House & Pet Adoption Event on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9136 Lower Marine Road in Saint Jacob. Adoption fees will be reduced to $25 during the event, and pet microchipping will be available for $20. Crafts, games, music by Braswell-Thompson & Friends, wildlife exhibits, a fire truck, a balloon artist and face painting round out the activities. Officer Lipe from Troy police will attend at 1 p.m., and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned. Food will be available for purchase.
Actors in period costumes will share stories of people who shaped Alton’s history during Vintage Voices 25th Anniversary Walking Tours at Alton Cemetery, Fifth and Vine streets. Tours on Oct. 10 and 11 depart every 15 minutes from noon to 2:15 p.m. Tickets purchased at the event are cash only; advance tickets are available at Picture This & More in Alton or online through the listed ticketing service. Proceeds benefit Alton Cemetery and Hayner Public Library District.
More than 80 tasting and vendor stations, live music and food offerings are planned for Brew in the Lou 2026 on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Francis Park in St. Louis. The Lutheran Elementary School Association’s 14th annual event features craft beer, wine, spirits and homebrew. General admission is $55 in advance or $65 on event day and includes unlimited tastings while supplies last and a commemorative glass. Advance VIP tickets are $125 and include exclusive tastings, VIP tent access and private bathrooms. Proceeds benefit students, families and schools served by the association.
Costumes and candy bags are welcome at the first-ever Godfrey Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Robert E. Glazebrook Park. Admission is free, with music, candy and decorated vehicles part of the Halloween activities. The Great Godfrey Maze will also be open from noon to 6 p.m. Candy donations are being accepted at the Parks and Recreation Office during regular business hours; questions can be directed to 618-466-1483.
Friday, Oct. 9, 2026
Hayner Library in Alton is participating in The 2026 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl (Oct. 1-31), featuring nearly 200 libraries. Hayner cardholders can collect a passport at any Hayner location, visit at least five participating libraries and return it for a chance at a grand prize drawing. Visitors to Hayner locations receive a small prize while supplies last; only Hayner patrons are eligible for its grand prize drawings.
Celebrate Route 66’s centennial during The Last 100 Miles Festival: A Celebration of the Mother Road, Oct. 9-11. All 13 communities along the last 100 miles of Route 66 in Illinois will offer live music, food and nostalgia, with a free special-edition trading card to collect in each community.
Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City is hosting its Annual IHLS Library Crawl! through Oct. 31. Visit five libraries by that date and return a passport by Nov. 3 for entry into a QuikTrip gift card drawing.
Little ones can enjoy stories and songs at Story Time at Lucy’s Playhouse in Alton. The Hayner Library program takes place at Lucy Haskell’s Playhouse, and registration is not required.
Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers meets at 10 a.m. at the Niedringhaus Building, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. Families with questions can call the Youth Services department at 618-452-6238, extension 720.
Teens can settle in for a scary movie and buttery popcorn at Hayner Library’s YA Spooky Movie Night in Alton. The teens-only program features a different spooky movie each Friday; call Megan at 618-433-2872 to register.
My Cup Overflows: Women’s Retreat offers worship, teaching, fellowship, activities and rest Oct. 9-10 at Bond Christian Services Camp in Mulberry Grove. Presented by Restore Christian Church in partnership with the camp, the overnight retreat is open to women 18 and older. The $40 cost includes lodging, meals, a T-shirt and craft and activity supplies.
Independent storytelling is the focus of DIP20: Dynamic Image Publications 20th Anniversary Celebration Featuring Ink & Influence + DIP Shop. Ink & Influence takes place Friday at Exo Lounge in Edwardsville, followed by DIP Shop Saturday at The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, with author connections, book signings and publishing conversations.
The Buckinghams October 9, 8pm The Wildey Theater, Edwardsville, IL brings the band to Wildey Theatre at 8 p.m. Original members Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna are featured in a performance of the group’s hits and harmonies.
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
Breakfast and an up-close look at airplanes are on the agenda at EAA Chapter 86 Pancake Breakfast at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton. Breakfast will be served on the patio at The Terminal, next to the control tower at 16 Terminal Drive.
Bring sensitive paperwork to the free Community Shred Event from 9 to 11 a.m. at Embark Wealth Partners in Godfrey. Organizers will also collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
The Oct. 10 collection listed in Fall E-Cycle Events offers electronics recycling and shredding from 9 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Maryville, 7110 State Route 162 in Maryville. Participants should review accepted items, fees and event details before attending.
Frontier history, period craft demonstrations and family activities return for the 45th annual Kampsville Old Settlers Days along the Illinois River waterfront. Admission is free, with hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Reenactors, food, carriage rides and children’s activities are among the offerings.
Learn how a partnership with Theodora Farms helps individuals with disabilities build skills at the Hydroponics Smart Farm Ribbon-Cutting Celebration. The free public event runs from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Challenge Unlimited Alton Skills Training Center, 4452 Industrial Drive, with the ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m.
More than 45 vendors, businesses and resources are planned for The Great River Road Cookie Company First Annual Vendor and Resource Fair at Granite City Head Start. The event supports restoration of the Niedringhaus building and includes children’s crafts, games and raffle items.
Serapis is listed at The Loading Dock in Grafton on Oct. 10.
Children in kindergarten through eighth grade can play, learn or meet fellow fans at Pokémon Club at 2 p.m. at the Niedringhaus Building, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City.
The Route 66 Haunted Hundred Festival brings two days of activities to Area 66 Haunted School at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, 908 Veterans Memorial Drive in Livingston. Saturday includes free bounce houses, a low-scare walk from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., a youth egg hunt at 4:45 p.m. and the full haunted house from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday features a vendor market and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Admission terms and activity prices vary.
The Alton High School Class of 1976 50th Reunion spans Oct. 9-11 with events in Alton, Grafton and Godfrey. Saturday’s banquet is listed at The Commons at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, with full details available through the reunion website.
Gospel artists will perform at the Fall Music Festival at 6 p.m. at Oakwood Church of God in Christ in Godfrey. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance, not at the door. A $250 door prize is planned, and the winner must be present.
The AHS Class of 1981 Reunion marks the class’s 45th reunion at Alton VFW under the theme “The Best of Times.”
Explore telescopes and night-sky objects at Telescope Night at The Nature Institute’s Talahi Lodge in Godfrey. Participants may bring a telescope for help learning to use it. Registration is required; admission is free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
Cars, barbecue and music by The Pugan Experience come together at Wood River Cruise and Que from 1 to 5 p.m. on Ferguson Avenue in downtown Wood River. All vehicle makes and models are welcome, and the mayor will select favorite car and barbecue entries.
The free Porch Cafe Music Festival in Honor of Bud Summers runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at Alton Riverfront Amphitheater. Live music, craft vendors and food trucks are planned, and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The HouseShakers is listed at The Loading Dock in Grafton on Oct. 11.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours begins at 3 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton. The 40-minute guided tour covers the company, its historic building and brewing process. Admission is $10 and includes a pint of beer and tank samples. Groups of eight or more should call 618-463-1470 to reserve space.
The Ides of March October 11, 7pm takes the stage at Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville at 7 p.m. The band features its four original members and a set drawing from Ides of March hits and songs co-written by member Jim Peterik for Survivor.
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