Fall fun, community benefits, markets, live music, family programs and volunteer opportunities are all on the calendar in the days ahead. For the complete list of area happenings, visit RiverBender.com Events.
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Opening Day for the Great Godfrey Maze brings a fall tradition back to Robert E. Glazebrook Park in Godfrey on Friday, Sept. 18. The maze will be open Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., with the Haunted Maze opening Friday, Oct. 2, beginning at dark. Maze admission is $8 for adults ages 12 and older, $6 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children 5 and younger, with combined maze and Haunted Maze admission also available.
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! continues Saturday, Sept. 19, at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in Downtown Alton. Open rain or shine from 8 a.m. to noon, the market features locally grown produce, meats, eggs, honey, coffee, baked goods, flowers, plants, handcrafted artwork and ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch items, with live music from Dead Shamrocks scheduled for Sept. 19.
Rescheduled Due to Heat: Goshen Market Dog Day will bring dog-themed contests and a parade to Goshen Market in Edwardsville on Saturday, Sept. 19. Community members are invited to bring their dogs for contests beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m., with categories including best dog costume, best dog float and dog-owner look-alike.
Customer Appreciation Day will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, during the regular Home Grown Saturday Morning market at Goshen Community Market in Edwardsville. The morning includes customer giveaways, vendor treats and community activities, including $5 food vouchers for the first 50 customers, free mini bagels courtesy of Constitution Bank, a drawing for Goshen tote bags and discounts or special treats from vendors.
Still Standing Ink Tattoo Studio Grand Opening is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Nautilus Fitness Center in Alton. The event is billed as a beauty, wellness and tattoo experience with massage therapy, facials and skin care, vitamin infusions, lash extensions, spray tans, tattoos, grand opening tattoo specials, giveaways, prizes, games and photo opportunities.
FREE Shred Event at VFW Post 1308 gives residents a chance to safely dispose of old documents and sensitive paperwork from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Alton VFW Post 1308. The public event is hosted by Rep. Amy Elik and Sen. Erica Harriss, with more information available from Rep. Elik’s office at repelik.com.
Mississippi Earthtones Festival 2026 celebrates 20 years Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Alton Amphitheater. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates the Mississippi River through art, music and conservation, with activities from noon to 6 p.m. and artist booths and live music continuing until 10 p.m. The live music schedule includes Matt Taul Band, Jason “Gordo” Gordon, Master Blaster Stevie Wonder Tribute and Jake’s Leg, with the Confluence Conservation Awards also planned.
Volunteers Needed - 20th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival invites community members to help support the free festival from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Alton Amphitheater. The opportunity is intended for people who want to assist with a large public festival focused on the environment and community in Alton, and registration is requested.
Big Shake Daddies Live at VFW Post 1308 will bring live music to Alton VFW Post 1308 from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The performance is open to the public.
Pet Vaccine Clinic at VFW Post 1308 will offer low-cost vaccinations and microchipping for dogs and cats Sunday, Sept. 20, at VFW Post 1308 in Alton. Hosted by Animal Warriors - Roxana, the cash-only clinic lists services including 1-year rabies, DAPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats, Bordetella and microchips with free lifetime registration, each priced at $15.
Friday, Sept. 18
2026 Fall City/Village Wide Garage Sales - Troy will take place across Troy from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, as part of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce’s fall garage sales in Madison County, with address registration and an interactive map available online.
Benefit for Feed My Peeps will bring live music, food and a donation drive to Full Moon Lounge Godfrey on Friday, Sept. 18, in support of the nonprofit Feed My Peeps, with 20% of all sales donated and guests encouraged to bring canned goods or other nonperishable food items.
Kids Night Out: Cosmic Connections at The Nature Institute in Godfrey will offer a three-hour drop-off program for ages 6 to 10 on Friday, Sept. 18, with dinner and activities exploring nighttime animals, constellations, stars and planets. Registration is required, and the fee is $35.
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity: Negocio Pequeño para Hispanohablantes will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City, where Erik Castelan, Latino business development specialist with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, will discuss how to start a small business for Spanish speakers in a program presented in Spanish.
YA Fridays at Hayner Library in Alton invites teens to spend Friday, Sept. 18, enjoying crafts, snacks, video games and time to relax and connect with others.
Young Artists Club: Ages 7-11 at Hayner Library in Alton gives young artists a chance to create at Jacoby Arts Center on Friday, Sept. 18, with supplies provided. Space is limited, and reservations are available by calling 618-433-2881.
Saturday, Sept. 19
2026 IPMS Gateway Invitational will bring the Gateway Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers’ Society’s 20th annual model contest and swap meet to the Madison County Fairgrounds in Highland from 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with admission at $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.
Graceful Treasures Flea Market will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, in the warehouse at Graceful Treasures/Milton School House in Alton, with multiple vendors, a variety of items and Rockin’ Rollz serving breakfast and lunch at the warehouse entrance.
Walk for Sickle Cell will be hosted by A Precious Organization on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Rock Spring Park in Alton, with a 1-mile walk along the sidewalk on College Avenue and through the park to raise awareness, funds, education and support for families affected by sickle cell disease.
Great Rivers Choral Society Trivia Night is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Alton-Wood River Sportsmen’s Club in Godfrey, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and trivia beginning at 6:30 p.m. Teams of up to 10 may participate for $200 per team.
Movie Nights: The War of the Rohirrim at The Nature Institute in Godfrey continues a free monthly Middle-earth movie series Saturday, Sept. 19, with guests invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and snacks for a screening on a giant inflatable screen. No alcohol is permitted, and donations are welcome.
Saturday Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City, featuring stories, songs and slightly messier playtime.
All Wound Up will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Six Mile Regional Library District’s Johnson Road location in Granite City for a knitting session limited to eight people, with registration available by phone at 618-452-6238.
Soulshine Groove is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
Sunday, Sept. 20
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton are offered every Sunday at 3 p.m., with a 40-minute guided look at the company, the historic 1800s Colonial Bakery building and the beer brewing process. Tours are $10 per person and include a pint of beer and tank samples.
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