Bouse Apartment Homes Residents are always on the lookout for Free fun things to do with their family!
The Belleville News Democrat has a wonderful article by Cara Anthony and Jennifer Green today entitled
‘Ready for winter break? Here’s a list of 50 free, fun things to do with your family‘
The scope of the article encompasses the entire St. Louis Metro-East and St. Louis area but I’ll list just the ones in around the Belleville, IL area.
Some highlights for our residents include:
Free holiday light displays
- Way of lights. The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. Demazenod Drive, Belleville, snows.org/wol, 618-397-6700.
- Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland. Horner Park, 11109 Widicus Road, Lebanon, lebanonswinterwonderland.org.
Parks with sledding hills
▪ Pleasant Ridge. 401 Pleasant Ridge Rd., O’Fallon, cofh.org, 618-489-2040.
▪ Miner Park. 192 S Main St., Glen Carbon, glen-carbon.il.us, 618-288-1200.
▪ Thoman Park. 1021 Nancy Dr., O’Fallon, cofh.org, 618-624-0139.
Belleville’s Christkindlmarkt
This is an authentic German style, open-air Christmas market unique to the Belleville, IL area. Located in downtown Belleville, IL. It runs daily through December 23rd.
Noteworthy December Free events
- Belleville Historic Luminary Walk — 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8, During this holiday event, the streets of downtown Belleville are lined with candle-filled luminaries. Enjoy a festive walk around Abend and Garfield streets while you tour the Koerner House, Garfield Street Saloon and Emma Kunz House museums. For more information, call 618-234-0600.
- Breakfast with Santa — 7 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8. O’Fallon Masonic Lodge, 122 E. State St., O’Fallon. Children and adults alike will receive free pictures with Santa.
- Gateway Garden Railroad Club Display — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ded 8. Oliver C. Joseph, 3795 IL-15, Belleville. Featuring the world’s smallest train layouts: Fright Fest, Wild West, Logging Railroad. Actual steam engine running on display.
- Carols by Candlelight. —7 p.m. Dec. 8, Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Join the SWIC choirs and their conductor, Andy Jensen for an evening of historic and modern carols performed in a candlelit setting. For more information, call 618- 233-6375.
- Ringing of the Bells —Noon Jan. 1, Downtown Belleville’s Public Square. This Belleville tradition began in 1914 and was revived in 2014. Everyone is invited to the Belleville Public Square to ring in the new year. Bring your dinner bells, cow bells and jingle bells.
Free Holiday snacks and meals for the kids!
Here are a few places where the kids can eat free.
- Schnucks, all locations. One free cookie for children 10 and younger. That’s a sweet deal.
- Farmer’s Market, 500 N. Illinois St, Belleville, 618-235-2445. Play the “spin the banana” game to win a free piece of fruit. A purchase from the market is required to play the game.
- Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, 6569 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, 618-230-7000. Kids can pick up a free item at the fruit stand for children in the market. The market also has carts for little shoppers as well.
- Denny’s, all area locations. Children eat free from 4 to 10 p.m. Call ahead to make sure the Denny’s location in your neighborhood offers this deal. This deal is only available on Tuesday nights.
- Chili’s, 6311 N. Illinois St, Fairview Heights, 618-398-9805. From open to close, kids eat free with purchase of adult entree. This deal is only available on Tuesday nights.
- Ruby Tuesday, 6565 N. Illinois St, Fairview Heights, 618-394-3561. Kids younger than 10 eat free after 5 p.m. with purchase of adult entree. This deal is only available on Tuesday nights.
Please read the full article here on the Belleville New Democrat website its choc full of other worthwhile destinations!
Photos provided by Derik Holtman