November

What: Candlelight Colonial Dinner
When: Nov. 6–20
Where: Freeburg, His Rest Bed & Breakfast, 8059 Jefferson Road
Info: (618) 539-3665, www.hisrestbb.com. Admission: $35.
A special Colonial-inspired dinner featuring foods from historical recipes served by candlelight, followed with a brief re-enactment involving our forefathers’ pilgrimage to the new world.

What: Way of Lights Christmas Display
When: Nov. 21–Jan. 4
Where: Belleville, Ill. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Info: (618) 397-6700, www.snows.org. A drive through display of over 1 million lights that wind past electro-art sculptures, life-size figures and displays that depict the Christmas story. A Christmas village, choirs, a Christmas tree display and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the festivities.

What: Victorian Lighting Holiday
When: Nov. 21–22
Where: Lebanon
Info: (618) 537-8420. Follow the lamplighter and Victorian carolers as downtown Lebanon is lighted for the holidays. Enjoy horse and carriage rides, music, food, Charles Dickens and Father Christmas.

What: Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree
When: Nov. 21
Where: Alton, Lincoln-Douglas Square, Broadway at Piasa
Info: (618) 463-1016. Santa will be coming into town to take photos with the kids. Trolley rides to the various stores will be available, as well as hot chocolate & cookies. Live music and other festivities will round out the evening's events.

What: Holiday Open Houses along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail When: Nov. 28-30
Where: southernmost Illinois
Info: www.shawneewinetrail.com

What: Eckert's Gingerbread House Workshop
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 21
Where: Belleville, Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Greenmount Lane
Info: (618) 233-0513, www.eckerts.com

What: Christmas Wonderland
When: Nov. 28–Dec. 27
Where: Alton, Rock Spring Park on College Avenue
Info: (618) 465-6676. Drive through Rock Spring Park to see more than 2.5 million lights adorning trees and lighting displays throughout the park. The cost is $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people.

December

What: Holiday House at Magnolia Manor
When: Dec. 1
Where: Cairo, 2700 Washington Ave.
Info: (618) 734-0201. Tour the house in Christmas finery. Decorations are for sale.

What: Lincoln Theater Wednesday Matinee Concert "Home for Christmas"
When: Dec. 3
Where: Belleville, Lincoln Theater, 103 East Main St.
Info: (815) 229-6852. Our Christmas production will feature many holiday favorites and an inspirational closing. Tickets are $17.

What: Snowflake Festival
When: Dec. 5
Where: Godfrey, Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Info: (618) 466-1483, http://www.godfreyil.org. Santa Claus will listen to the wishes of area children and pictures will be taken for a donation of a non-perishable food item to the food pantry. Horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa, cookies and carolers make this free event extra special for the holidays.

What: Taste of Chocolate
When: Dec. 6
Where: Grafton, Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 W. Main St.
Info: (618) 786-7000. Enjoy dozens of homemade chocolate treats from businesses and residents in Grafton. We'll serve coffee and hot chocolate. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Jeni J's, Riverbank Gifts and Beyond the Bubble in Grafton. Tickets will also be available at Food-n-Fermentation in Godfrey.

What: Olde Tyme Christmas at Fort Massac State Park
When: Dec. 14
Where: Metropolis, 1308 East Fifth St. (U.S. Route 45)
Info: (618) 524-4712. Re-enactor showcase the Christmas traditions of the French Colonial, American Revolutionary, Lewis and Clark, War of 1812 and Civil War periods. Free.

What: Bethalto Spirit Victorian Christmas Walk
When: Dec. 14
Where: Bethalto, Village Center, Prairie to West Central to Oak streets
Info: 618) 377-0767. Stroll candlelit streets, climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage and experience life in a small town Victorian village. The event is free.

What: First Night River Bend
When: Dec. 31
Where: Godfrey, Lewis & Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road
Info: (618) 468-5001, www.fnrblc.com. Ring in 2009 with this family-oriented, alcohol-free event that features more than 40 artists displaying their talents. Tickets are $10 in advance, $7 for groups of 10 or more, $12 at the door. Children age 5 and under are free.