2017 Christmas at the Collins House, Santa Arrives.

Magical Holiday Moments

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Christmas at the DD Collins House & the Light Up Collinsville Parade.

Celebrate the Season in the Great Rivers & Routes Region



Take time away from the hustle and bustle of the season and give yourself the gift of magic! At this time of year you can feel the enchantment and excitement that flows throughout the Great Rivers & Routes region. Enjoy the millions of holiday lights twinkling in the trees. Celebrate the season with annual community tree lighting events. The list of great holiday activities is full of delights.

Check off this list of holiday experiences you can enjoy to rediscover the spirit of the season.

Christmas Wonderland, Alton: Get lost in millions of twinkling lights and cheerful holiday displays during a drive through Rock Spring Park and experience this lighted holiday display. This year alone more than 80,000 new LED lights were installed in the park. Open daily from Nov. 25 through Dec. 26.


Alton's Christmas Wonderland

A Storybook Christmas, Hillsboro

Write yourself in to your favorite Christmas story in Hillsboro! On Dec. 2 gather the kids and head to downtown Hillsboro for Breakfast with Santa, photos with live reindeer and more.

Light Up Holiday Parade, Collinsville

Start your holidays off right with the annual Light Up Parade in Uptown Collinsville followed by Christmas at the DD Collins House and the annual community tree lighting on Dec. 3.

Home for the Holidays, Elsah

Make it 'home' to Elsah on Dec. 3 and start your holidays off on the right foot with the village's Home of the Holidays House Tour. Tickets are on sale now for this nostalgic walk through a timeless community!

Santa Con, Grafton

Can you ever have too many Santas? Find out in Grafton on Dec. 10 during the annual Santa Con.

Erin Bode Group Holiday Concert

For more musical delights, the Erin Bode Group will present a holiday concert at The Wildey Theatre on Dec. 15. And Opera Edwardsville holds its annual holiday concert at Dunham Hall on the SIUE campus on Dec. 3.

Interactive White Christmas

For a nostalgic look at Christmas past, An “Interactive White Christmas” comes to the big screen at the Wildey Theatre Dec. 9, 10 & 11.‘Tis the season to be jolly and bright! Enjoy your holidays in the Great Rivers & Routes region!