History celebrations, live music, pet-friendly gatherings and seasonal activities offer plenty of ways to spend Oct. 2-4, 2026. Explore the upcoming highlights below, and visit RiverBender.com Events for the complete calendar.
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Local history takes center stage at the Living History Days Festival, presented by the Madison County Historical Society Oct. 2-4 in Edwardsville. With the theme “We the People: Celebrating Our History,” the festival brings together music, a book fair, crafts, displays and performances. Participating locations include the historical society, Edwardsville Public Library, Edwardsville Children’s Museum, the 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, Glen Carbon Heritage Museum and Wildey Theatre.
Polka and evening performances will bring Oktoberfest spirit to Jerseyville Strassenfest Oct. 2-3 at Jerseyville American Legion Post 492, 300 Veterans Parkway. St. Louis Express Band plays from 4 to 7 p.m. both days, followed by Soulshine Groove from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday and El Dread during the same hours Saturday. Food and beer round out the two-day celebration.
Saturday shopping continues with the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in downtown Alton. The rain-or-shine market features seasonal produce, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, flowers and handcrafted artwork, along with ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch offerings. The season continues each Saturday through Oct. 17, with the Canine Carnival on the Oct. 3 activity calendar.
Dogs can join the market outing at the Canine Carnival at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market Oct. 3. A pet parade begins at 10 a.m., followed by a costume contest at 10:30 a.m. Pet-related merchandise, charity and service booths are planned, and the Metro East Humane Society will offer $30 microchips with registration included. Proceeds from pet-related booth sign-ups benefit Hope Rescues.
Volunteers can start Saturday with community service at Alton’s Litter Clean-Up, beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 3, rain or shine. Registration stations at 200 W. Third St., Hellrung Park’s Seventh Street and Central Avenue entrance, and the College Avenue Presbyterian Church parking lot will provide a free doughnut, gloves, bags and directions to areas needing attention. Supplies also are available during the two weeks before the cleanup at the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the Pride, Inc. office in the Benjamin Godfrey Mansion, 6722 Godfrey Road.
The Jersey County Historical Society’s 35th annual Apple Festival 2026 runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 in Jerseyville. More than 30 crafters and vendors, food, historical tours and entertainment beginning at 9:30 a.m. fill the day. Tours cost $5 per person, with children younger than 5 admitted free; each ticket covers one tour, and children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., children can try pioneer chores and complete two crafts for $5 per child.
Actors in period costumes will share stories of people who shaped Alton during the Vintage Voices 25th Anniversary Walking Tours at Alton Cemetery, Fifth and Vine streets. Guided tours depart every 15 minutes from noon to 2:15 p.m. Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-11. Tickets purchased at the event are cash only; advance tickets are available at Picture This & More in Alton or online through the event listing. Proceeds benefit Alton Cemetery and the Hayner Public Library District.
Explore selected homes in Christian Hill, Middletown and Upper Alton during AALA’s 2026 Historic Home Tour Oct. 3. The Alton Area Landmarks Association asks participants to pick up guidebooks at Haskell Park no earlier than 11:30 a.m. The self-paced tour runs from noon to 5 p.m., with addresses and historical information supplied in the guidebook. Ticket sales are final.
Recognizing a song could lead to a cash prize at Music Bingo Night Supporting Hope Animal Rescues Oct. 3 at the Alton/WoodRiver Sportsman’s Club in Godfrey. Doors open at 6 p.m., and games begin at 7 p.m. Players identify song clips and mark their bingo cards, with proceeds benefiting Hope Animal Rescues. The kitchen will be open, and guests may bring food and sealed water bottles, but no outside alcohol. Draft beer will be provided, and the bar will be open.
Live music offers another Saturday evening option with Syner-Gee Live at VFW Post 1308 in Alton. The Oct. 3 performance runs from 7 to 10 p.m., and the public is welcome.
Local bars and restaurants will compete at the 3rd Annual Riverbend Patriots Bloody Mary Contest Oct. 4 at Alton VFW Post 1308. A $25 ticket includes tasting and voting on entries from up to 10 competitors for the People’s Choice Award, while three invited judges select the top three winners. Food, live music, raffles and merchandise sales are also planned, supporting Riverbend Patriots and the local VFW.
Shopping supports cancer patients at Stridin’ & Survivin’ 2026 Shop the Town Pink Vendor/Craft Sip & Shop, scheduled from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at The Hall. Admission and parking are free, with vendors, crafters, hourly prizes and barbecue from the Knights of Columbus. Bringing a new lap blanket approximately 36 by 48 inches earns a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. Proceeds support the Fuel the Cure Program. The description gives the address as 7132 Marine Road in Edwardsville, while the listing’s city field says Belleville; confirm the location with Debbie before traveling.
Pets are welcome at Third Annual Dawgs 4 Paws, a fundraiser for the 4Paws Pet Food Pantry from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at The Episcopal Parish of Alton, 10 E. Third St. The indoor and outdoor event includes food, live music, pet blessings, pet-themed activities, photo opportunities, a silent auction and vendor booths. Free rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations will be offered without exams.
Vintage Voices also marks its milestone with the 25th Anniversary Non-Walking Performance & Reception at 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Although the listing’s venue field names Alton Cemetery, the description places this presentation at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 1015 Milton Road in Alton. A reception follows with hors d’oeuvres and a chance to meet the actors. Advance tickets are required and are available at Picture This & More or online through the listing. Proceeds benefit Alton Cemetery and the Hayner Public Library District.
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
The 2026 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl (Oct. 1-31) includes Hayner Library in Alton among nearly 200 participating libraries. Hayner patrons can collect a passport, obtain stamps from at least five participating libraries and return it to Hayner for a chance at a grand prize. Visiting patrons receive a small prize while supplies last; cardholders from other IHLS libraries should collect and return passports at their home libraries.
LoveJoy UPC’s Rummage Sale takes place at 2550 Rock Hill Road in Wood River, with a preview from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 and sale hours from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 2-3.
Granite City readers can join the Annual IHLS Library Crawl! through Six Mile Regional Library District Oct. 1-31. Passports are available at both libraries starting Sept. 30. Visit five libraries by Oct. 31 and return the passport by Nov. 3 to enter a drawing for a QuikTrip gift card.
Hayner Library Storytime at TNI, also listed as StoryWalk Story Time at TNI, brings an outdoor reading experience to The Nature Institute in Godfrey Oct. 2. Participants will gather at the start of the StoryWalk trail with Sam from Hayner Library to enjoy a story surrounded by nature.
Hayner Library’s Costume Swap at the Alton Square Mall location offers free, gently used costumes, limited to one per household member. Oct. 2 hours are 2 to 5 p.m. for donations and voucher shopping only; donors receive early admission vouchers. General shopping and donations follow Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Additional shopping dates are Oct. 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
Teens can gather for scary movies and popcorn at YA Spooky Movie Night at Hayner Library in Alton Oct. 2. The program features a different spooky movie each Friday night in October. Call Megan to register.
Area 66 Haunted School 2026 schedule begins Oct. 2 at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, 908 Veterans Memorial Drive in Livingston. The haunted school operates Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $20, with photo opportunities, merchandise and free parking.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
The Babe & Pat Gantt Memorial Golf Tournament at The Woodlands Golf Club in Alton features a four-person scramble supporting the Babe Gantt Scholarship for students from Granite City, Madison and Edwardsville high schools. Breakfast, lunch, soda, water and three beverage tickets per golfer are included, with flight awards and prize opportunities.
Regional authors, new and used book sales, and children’s activities come to Edwardsville City Park for the Edwardsville Book Festival. All ages are welcome, and visitors can also stop at the Land of Goshen Community Market around the park.
The Hearts in Mission Pavilion & House Sale runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Hearts in Mission Resale Shop, 4501 Wesley Way in Godfrey. Furniture, toys, kitchen items, books and decor are among the offerings, with income going to community charities.
Moonbird Yoga brings Yoga + Hike to The Nature Institute in Godfrey from 9 to 11 a.m. The $35 program pairs a 60-minute hike with a 60-minute yoga practice overlooking the Mississippi River. Registration is required; bring a reusable water bottle and yoga mat.
Halloween Kids Crafts runs from 10 a.m. to noon at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. The library and Madison County Association for Home & Community Education will help children make seasonal crafts.
Children ages 3-7 can explore materials, try playful activities and take a short hike to find a bear during Bear Hunt Hike at The Nature Institute in Godfrey. The program costs $15, includes a teddy bear to take home and has a maximum of 15 children. Wear clothing and shoes that can get messy.
Pirates in Paradise is listed for Oct. 3 at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
All the News That’s Fit to Print: Write Your Own Obituary with Reneé B. Johnson is a two-session workshop at Hayner’s Genealogy & Local History Library in Alton, limited to 10 participants. The session schedule lists Oct. 3 and Oct. 17 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., though another passage gives conflicting August dates. Call to register and confirm the schedule. Participants will consider their legacy, draft an obituary between sessions and receive feedback.
The fifth annual Witches in Cottleville runs from 3 to 11 p.m. in historic Cottleville, Missouri. For guests 21 and older, the event includes entertainment, food, cocktails, shopping, a costume contest, dancing and psychic readings. Its Witches Give-Back charitable ticket program benefits St. Charles County nonprofits.
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
The Metro East Coin & Currency Club (MECCC) Annual Coin Show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St. in Collinsville. Admission and parking are free, and door prizes are planned.
The Greg Worzel Trio is listed for Oct. 4 at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours offers a 40-minute look at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton at 3 p.m. An expert guide covers the company, its historic bakery building and the brewing process. The $10 admission includes a pint of beer and tank samples. Preregistration is not needed, but groups of eight or more should call to reserve space.
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