Fall Festivals, Live Music and Halloween Events Across the Riverbend Oct. 16-18
Community concerts, seasonal markets, fall festivals and spooky activities are scheduled across the region from Oct. 16-18.
Fall festivals, live music, seasonal markets and Halloween activities offer plenty to explore Oct. 16-18. Browse RiverBender.com Events for the complete calendar.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Great Rivers Choral Society Presents: Many Voices One Anthem celebrates 25 years of community music with three free concerts. The series begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at New Bethel United Methodist Church, 131 N. Main St. in Glen Carbon, continues at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Alton at Fourth and Alby streets, and concludes at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Godfrey First United Methodist Church, 1100 Airport Road. Each performance is open to the public, with a freewill offering collected.
The Owlz Band Live at VFW Post 1308 brings an evening of music to Alton on Oct. 16. The band will perform from 7 to 11 p.m., and the event is open to the public.
The Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! wraps up Oct. 17 with shopping from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in downtown Alton. The rain-or-shine market offers seasonal produce, meat, eggs, honey, baked goods, plants and handcrafted artwork, along with ready-to-eat meals. Ticketed goat yoga is scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m.
Pumpkins take center stage at Land of Goshen Community Market Harvest Day from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at City Park in Edwardsville. Families can explore compost-friendly pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin seed games and pumpkin boats during the harvest-themed morning.
St. Paul United Methodist Church: Fall Fest combines homemade meals and seasonal shopping from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Airline Drive and North Center Street in Rosewood Heights. Lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m.; dine-in and carryout options include chicken and noodles, vegetable beef soup, sloppy joes, salads and desserts. Shoppers can browse plants, fall decor, baked goods, jams, jewelry and ornaments. Proceeds support church missions and community outreach.
Haunted Trails at Raging Rivers! offers a spooky nighttime trail adventure in Grafton from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 17. The event at Raging Rivers WaterPark continues each Saturday through Oct. 31.
Rock “n” Rascal Live at VFW Post 1308 keeps the music going in Alton on Oct. 17. The performance runs from 7 to 11 p.m. and is open to the public.
The 34th Annual Leclaire Parkfest celebrates Edwardsville’s Leclaire neighborhood Oct. 18 at Leclaire Park. Hosted by Friends of Leclaire, the festival features live music, food, a beer and wine garden, craft booths, children’s activities, vintage vehicles and trolley tours of the Leclaire National Historic District. A used book sale benefits the American Cancer Society, while festival proceeds support operations and preservation and beautification of Leclaire public spaces, including the park grounds and Edwardsville Children’s Museum.
The Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off brings amateur and professional chili chefs to the patio at FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar on Oct. 18, rain or shine. Tickets are available only at the door for $10 per adult and $5 for children 12 and younger, with a sample from every team included. Psychedelic Symphony will perform from noon to 3 p.m. Competitors will vie for $100 prizes in four chili categories, a People’s Choice silver ladle and a $100 best-decorated booth prize. The event raises funds for downtown Alton beautification.
Friday, Oct. 16
The 2026 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl (Oct. 1-31) invites Hayner Library patrons in Alton to explore nearly 200 participating libraries. Collect at least five passport stamps and return the passport to a Hayner location for a chance at the grand prize drawing, which is limited to Hayner patrons. Visitors to Hayner locations can receive a small prize while supplies last; other IHLS cardholders should obtain and return passports through their home libraries.
Free Dental Clinic for Children – Give Kids A Smile takes place Oct. 16-17 at SLU’s Center for Advanced Dental Education, 3320 Rutger St. in St. Louis. Advance registration by a parent, guardian or caregiver is required. Eligible children are ages 12 months through 14 years, no older than eighth grade, and have Medicaid or qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. Services include age-appropriate dental care, education and evaluations, with a separate Tiny Smiles Clinic for children younger than 5. Call 636-397-6453 for information.
Annual IHLS Library Crawl! continues through Oct. 31 at Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City. Visit five libraries by Oct. 31 for entry into a QuikTrip gift card drawing, and turn in passports by Nov. 3.
Young Artists Club: Ages 7-11, a Hayner Library program in Alton, welcomes beginning and experienced young artists to create at Jacoby Arts Center. Supplies are provided, and participants should wear clothes that can get messy. Space is limited; call 618-433-2881 to register.
YA Spooky Movie Night at Hayner Library in Alton offers teens a scary movie and buttery popcorn. The teens-only program is part of a Friday movie series; call Megan at 618-433-2872 to register.
Grace at the Gallery: Creative Reflection runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Von Dell Gallery & Studios, 102 E. Ferguson in Wood River. The prayer art retreat includes Zentangle pumpkin decorating and a small materials fee. The listed RSVP deadline was Oct. 10.
Fireside Chat with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski at First United Presbyterian Church in Granite City invites community and clergy leaders, families and neighbors to discuss issues affecting their communities ahead of the November election. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for the conversation.
Haunted Hayrides in Godfrey, IL offers roughly 20-minute rides through Camp Warren Levis, 5500 Boy Scout Lane, on Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24. Tractors depart about every 10 to 15 minutes. Rides cost $6 per person, with children 3 and younger riding free; walk-ins are welcome, and on-site registration accepts cash or credit. Concessions and souvenirs will be available.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Graceful Treasures Flea Market brings multiple vendors to the warehouse attached to Milton School House in Alton. Shoppers should bring cash because there is no ATM on-site.
Mt. Olive Fall Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mt. Olive City Park. Vendors will offer crafts, baked goods and plants, with food trucks, organization food stands, music and children’s entertainment, including a bounce house, petting zoo and balloon art.
Walmart Wellness Event – Oct. 17 runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Godfrey Walmart Supercenter. The event is free to attend and offers health screenings, low-cost immunizations and conversations with pharmacists. Flu shots are available at no cost with most insurance, subject to restrictions. No appointment is necessary.
Alton Area Landmarks Association Building Tour with Eric Shultis presents highlights of the 2026 historic building tour from 10 to 11 a.m. at Hayner’s Genealogy & Local History Library in Alton. Learn about the featured homes and buildings without taking the tour itself; call 1-800-613-3163 to register.
Wild Kratt Kids at The Nature Institute in Godfrey explores animal facts, myths and ways to help wildlife from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The program is for ages 5-9 and costs $15 per child. Preregistration is required, and an adult must accompany each child.
Saturday Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers begins at 10 a.m. at the Niedringhaus Building, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. Families can enjoy stories, songs and a slightly messier playtime. Call 618-452-6238, ext. 720, with questions.
Rock Trail Group Hike invites Trail Challenge members to join The Nature Institute staff for a guided hike in Godfrey. Participants receive a sticker recognizing their 2026 trail hike afterward.
Nintendo Switch gaming is available from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Teen Room at the Niedringhaus Building, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. The program is for students in grades 7-12.
Maryville MusicFest brings eight bands to Maryville Firemen’s Park from 1 to 9 p.m. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 on event day. Food trucks, kettle corn, beer and refreshments will be available, and a free shuttle runs from Maryville Grade School, 6900 W. Main. Bring blankets or lawn chairs; outside food is not permitted.
Edge of Town is listed at The Loading Dock in Grafton on Oct. 17.
All the News That’s Fit to Print: Write Your Own Obituary with Reneé B. Johnson lists its second workshop session from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Hayner’s Genealogy & Local History Library in Alton. The session covers placement, distribution, sharing and feedback on participants’ writing. The two-part workshop is limited to 10 participants; call 1-800-613-3163 for registration information.
Fall Fest at Christway Church in Godfrey runs from 3 to 6 p.m. The free, all-ages event includes bounce houses, face painting, Touch a Truck, Highland cows, axe throwing, children’s activities, raffles, prizes and free food.
Saturday Sleuths challenges adults to solve a cold case at 3 p.m. at the Niedringhaus Building, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. Participants ages 18 and older may attend alone or with a group. Registration is required at 618-452-6238, ext. 730.
Teen Halloween Party at Hayner Library in Alton features games, activities and treats. Costumes should be appropriate, without excessive gore or real or prop weapons. Call Megan at 618-433-2872 for more information.
Return of the Living Artists: Costume Party and Art Opening welcomes all ages to a free exhibition opening at 31art Gallery in St. Louis. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes awarded at 8 p.m. for best art-inspired costume, most creative concept and best overall costume.
St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus Trivia Night benefitting New Opportunities opens its doors at 6 p.m., with play beginning at 7 p.m. at St. Cecilia Parish Hall, 155 N. Main in Glen Carbon. The “That’s Entertainment” fundraiser costs $200 per table of eight, with proceeds benefiting New Opportunities in Granite City. The BYOB event includes prize money, raffles and mulligans; call Dan at 618-696-6871 to reserve a table.
Movie Nights: The Return of the King (1980) offers a free screening on The Nature Institute’s giant inflatable screen in Godfrey. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and snacks; alcohol is not permitted. No preregistration is required, donations are welcome, and parking is limited.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Next Thing Smokin' is listed at The Loading Dock in Grafton on Oct. 18.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours begins at 3 p.m. at Old Bakery Beer Company in downtown Alton. The 40-minute guided tour explores the company, its historic former bakery building and the brewing process. The $10 ticket includes a pint of beer and tank samples. Preregistration is not required, but groups of eight or more should call 618-463-1470 to reserve space.
Have an event to promote? Sign in now and add it free to the RiverBender.com Events Calendar.
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
