Whether you’re looking for live music, a festival, marathon, or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone! Each week we highlight a few fun events within southwest, south central and southeast Illinois. Our region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing. For even more events, be sure to visit the Downstate Illinois Calendar of Events page here!
Sunday Brunch with Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar
Hidden Lake Winery, Aviston, IL
Every Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Brunch menu available from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. along with Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar.
Football Field at Southwestern IL Justice & Workforce Development Campus, Belleville, IL
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 - Thursday, December 1, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join the Couch to 5k program, offered by Belleville Parks and Recreation, and prepare yourself for Gingerbread Run on December 3, 2022. Beginners will start with walking and learn the basics of running. Every Tuesday and Thursday.
Historic Main Street, Columbia, IL
Saturday, October 1, 2022 - Monday, October 31, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Quickly becoming a community loved event, the Columbia's Scarecrow Crawl planned for October 1 through October 31 showcases over 50 scarecrows! Come take a stroll on Historic Main Street to see all the amazing entries created by individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, churches and more.
Eckert's Cider Shed, Belleville, IL
Every Saturday and Sunday in October @ 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, children’s activities, and much more make this a pickin’ good time for everyone!
Du Quoin's 2022 Halloween Parade
Du Quoin, IL
Thursday, October 27, 2022 @ Noon
Du Quoin's 2022 Halloween Parade will include a costume contest. Any and all are welcome to participate!
Halloween Vino-Yasa & Sound Meditation
The Weingarten, Belleville, IL
Thursday, October 27, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join Nomadic Flow for the 3nd Annual Halloween Vino-Yasa at The Weingaten, this year with added Sound Meditation from Riv of Moonlight & Mindfullness joining in as well.
Centralia Regional Library District, Centralia, IL
Friday, October 28, 2022 @ 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Trick or Treat! without the tricks and with Books for Treats™. Costumed* youth, ages birth through 6th grade**, will be able to pick out their own “treat” from tables of books marked by age groups. Youth will also receive a bag for their “treats” courtesy of the Friends of the Library.
Downtown Halloween Trick or Treat
Downtown Belleville, Belleville, IL
Friday, October 28, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
A FREE fun event for children 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian. Food, candy, games, storytelling and much more.
Haunted Trail at Kinmundy Log Cabin Village
Kinmundy Log Cabin, Kinmundy, IL
Friday, October 28, 2022 - Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
5th Annual Haunted Trail at Kinmundy Log Cabin Village. All proceeds go to the upkeep of cabins & grounds.
100th Mardi Gras - Pinckneyville, IL
Pinckneyville, IL
Friday, October 28, 2022 - Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Chamber of Commerce throws a Mardi Gras celebration like no other! This family-friendly event dates back to 1922. Unlike Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Pinckneyville holds its festivities on the last Friday and Saturday in October.
Oblong, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Home of Illinois' Largest Night Time Parade. Fun for the entire family.
Riverview Ramble Half Marathon
Merchants Park, Mt. Carmel, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Racers will enjoy scenic views of the “Bluff City” along a mostly flat racecourse in Mt. Carmel, IL. Timed 5K and 10K distances will be offered in addition to the half marathon race.
Annual Halloween Parade and Fall Festival
Centralia, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fall Festival and Halloween Parade is an annual event held on the last Saturday in October in Downtown Centralia. This all-day event is packed full of special events for the whole family.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 9 a.m. - Noon
Eckerts, Belleville, IL
The fall tradition is back! Get ready to tackle the 5K (3.1 miles) at our Belleville Farm this October. Open to all ages and abilities, runners and walkers will enjoy a picture-perfect course.
Columbia, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 10 a.m. - Noon
Trick or Treat at Historic Main Street Businesses. Activities, fun and costume contest at City Hall.
Serra Honda, O'Fallon, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Serra Honda O’Fallon is dedicated to the cities of O’Fallon, Belleville and Surrounding Areas by giving back and supporting the communities in many different facets. After the success of last year's event, having over 500 kids plus their parents, we are excited to announce we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Serra Honda Trunk or Treat Halloween Spectacular on Saturday, October 29th from 1pm–4pm.
Soup and Chili Cook Off and Cupcake Wars
New Baden Community Park, New Baden, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
This annual (rain or shine!) event is held the Saturday before Halloween at the New Baden Park and sponsored by the New Baden Chamber of Commerce.
Edwards County Square, Albion, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Join us for trunk or treating, leashed pet parade and costume contest on the square.
Boarding House Bistro, O'Fallon, IL
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Solve puzzles, riddles & find hidden clues while bar hopping with your friends for a chance to win The Halloween Hunt!
Downtown Lebanon, Lebanon, IL
Sunday, October 30, 2022 @ 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Grab your ghoul friends for an evening packed with shopping, dining, drinking, and cackling along Lebanon's beautful bright street business district.
To submit an event to be published on the Downstate Illinois website, click here!
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