September

What: Jersey County Victorian Festival
When: Sept. 4–6, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Jerseyville, Hazel Dell Historic Farm, 25007 U. S. Highway 67
Information: (618) 498-5590. Living history event, featuring a large Civil War Re-enactment, bluegrass music, tours of the Fulkerson Mansion, working artisans, and more. Admission is $8, $2 for children under 12. Children 6 and under are free. Parking is free.  

What: Lewis & Clark Music Festival
When: Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hartford, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, #1 Lewis & Clark Trail
Information: (618) 251-5811, www.campdubois.com. Traditional music of the late 1700s and early 1800s will be performed by musicians playing fiddles, dulcimers and flutes. Admission is free.

What: Native American and Heritage Fest
When: Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Grafton, Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center, 13653 Lodge Blvd.
Information: (618) 786-2331 or go to www.PMLodge.net

What: Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 17 & 18,
Where: Godfrey, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1211 W. Homer Adams Pkwy.
Information: (618) 462-2278, www.rlcelca.org. Hours: Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy everything from German food to arts and crafts at the annual Oktoberfest. Admission is free.

What: Mississippi Earthtones Festival
When: Sept. 18
Where: Alton, Riverfront Park, #1 Henry St.
Information: (618) 462-6802. Come celebrate life on the Mississippi River through art, music, and conservation. The festival will feature informational booths on ecology, native plants & animals, and recycling, as well as arts & crafts, food vendors, litter clean-ups, organized hikes & bike rides, and live music. Free admission.

What: Elsah Fall Quilt Retreat
When: Sept. 22-24
Where: Elsah
Information: (618) 462-5881. This year's retreat will be an Open Sew from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The retreat also includes an Elsah House Tour, pottery tour, meals catered by My Just Desserts (Three lunches & two dinners) and guest speaker presentation by Debra Henninger. If commuting, the cost of the retreat is $120 per person. With lodging, the cost is $296 per person for a single room: $225 per person double room. 

What: Heritage Days on the Goshen Trail
When: Sept. 25 and 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Godfrey, Lewis & Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road
Information: (618) 530-7632. This living history festival features events from the time period 1700-1840, including artisan demonstrations and goods for sale, foods of the period, a primitive encampment, musical groups, dancers and children's activities. Admission $5; children 5–12, $2; children under 5 are free.

October

What: Fall festival
When: Oct. 2
Where: Rosiclare in Hardin County
Information: www.hardincountyil.org. Parade, carnival, car show, quilt show, pageant and food.

What: Apple Day
When: Oct. 2
Where: Greenville, 214 N. Third St.
Information: (618) 664-1267, http://www.greenvilleusa.org. Crafts, food, music, petting zoo, pony rides, farmer's market, trash and treasure flea market, apple dessert contest, great music

What: Heritage Festival
When: Oct. 2 and 3
Where: Mount Vernon, Jefferson County Historical Village
Information: (618) 246-0033, www.mvn.net. Free

What: DuBois Center Craft & Music Festival
When: Oct. 2 and 3
Wheere: DuBois Center, 2651 Quarry Road
Information: (618) 787-2202, http://www.duboiscenter.org. Music, craft booths, hayrides, horse rides, pontoon boat rides, silent auctions, food and a country store. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older.

What: 11th Annual Fall Corn Festival
When: Oct. 2
Where: Godfrey, Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Information: (618) 466-1483, www.godfreyil.org. Free. A full day of fun at the park includes music, Antique Tractor & Engine Exhibit, kids’ tractor pull, Parade of Power, food, craft vendors and much more.

What: Apple Festival
When: Oct. 2
Where: Jerseyville, Jersey County Historical Society, 601 N. State St.
Information: (618) 498-3514. Free. Pet parade, entertainment, crafts, games, a quilt raffle and historic tours ($5 for adults) will be featured.

What: Italian-Croatian Fall Festival
When: Oct. 3
Where: Wood River, Downtown on Ferguson Avenue
Information: (618) 251-3100. Food and craft vendors will be on hand throughout the day. The Smash Band will be performing live on the street.

What: Owl Prowl
When: Oct. 8 and 15
Where: Grafton, Pere Marquette State Park, state Route 100
Information: (618) 786-3323. Meet at the Pere Marquette Visitors Center at 8 p.m. for a program on owls. After the program, take a two-mile night hike through the park to listen for owls. You must be able to hike on hilly terrain. Join us as we roast marshmallows and hot dogs after the hike. Please bring one flashlight per family.

What: Old Settlers Days
When: October 9 and 10
Where: Kampsville, on the riverfront
Information: (618) 786-3323. Old Settlers' Days depicts the life and times of the early settlers in Calhoun County. Old-time crafts, mountain-man encampment, children's activities, great entertainment and lots of good food highlight this entertaining event. Free.

What: Art in the Park
When: Oct. 8–10
Where: Highland, Lindendale Park, 2123 Park St.
Information: (618) 654-4727, http://www.highlandartscouncil.org While festival attendees shop for works of art in 12 categories, they can also explore various forms of culinary delight of food stands located within the park.

What: Fall Family Festival & Chili Cook-Off
When: Oct. 9
Where: Greenville, 1395 Museum Ave.
Information: (618) 664-3050, http://www.americanfarmheritagemuseum.org
Outhouse games and contest, train rides, craft show, campfire cooking, hay rides pumpkin painting and more. Admission is $5 to the children’s area.

What: Barbecue and Blues
When: Oct. 8 and 19
Where: Metropolis
Information: (618) 524-1696, www.metropolistourism.com

What: Union County Colorfest Celebration
When: Oct. 9 and 10
Where: Anna, Union County, southernmost Illinois
Information: (800) 248-4373. Home tours, tour the Shawnee Hills wine trail, Kid Fest at city park, Annual Wiener Dog Derby, flea market, craft and book sale, food, music, storytellers and more.

What: Southern Illinois Harvest Festival
When: Oct. 10–16
Where: Downtown Mount Vernon
Information: (618) 316-4723, www.silharvestfest.mvn.net. A week of events with a parade and other festivities on Saturday, Oct. 16.

What: ARTEAST
When: Oct. 16 and 17
Where: Alton, Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway St.
Information: (618) 462-5222, www.jacobyartscenter.org. A studio and exhibit tour that showcases Madison County artists. This self-guided tour takes visitors through the neighborhoods, historic city centers and beautiful countryside of Madison County to see the work of over 150 local artists who participate by opening their private studios or exhibiting through galleries and unique sites. Free.

What: Fairview Heights Fall Festival
When: Oct. 16
Where: Fairview Heights, Moody Park at Longacre, 525 S. Ruby Lane
Information: (618) 489-2040, http://www.cofh.org. Vendors will be selling food, crafts, novelties, games, live music & rides. Free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What: Quilt and Church Tour
When: Oct. 22–23
Where: Calhoun County
The Calhoun Community Foundation is sponsoring the special event in the quaint towns of Brussels, Hardin, Kampsville and Belleview. Beautiful quilts and belong to the residents of Calhoun County will be on display, and there will be quilt appraisals, supplies, crafts, quilt demonstrations, quilt sales, antique cars and tractors. Tickets are $7 per person in advance or $12 on the days of the tour. Hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. each day. On the days of the events, tickets will be available at the Brussels Village Hall, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Brussels, Presbyterian Church Hall in Hardin, St. Anselm’s Hall in Kampsville and St. Agnes Church in Belleview.
Info: (618) 883-2728 or (618) 232-1268

What: NASCAR Nationwide Series
When: Oct. 23
Where: Collinsville, Gateway International Raceway
Information: (866) 357-7333, www.gatewayraceway.com. Watch the championship battle unfold at Gateway as the best racers in the sport go head-to-head.

What: Alton Halloween Parade
When: Oct. 30
Where: Alton, Washington Avenue & Broadway
Information: (618) 462-7527. The "Most Haunted Small Town in America" will be out in full force at the annual Halloween Parade. See Alton's scariest costumes and comical characters with over 80 participants including floats, bands and parade flair.

November

What: Old Lebanon's Victorian Holiday Festival
When: Nov. 19–21
Where: Lebanon, 221 W. St. Louis St.,
Information: (618) 537-8420, http://www.lebanonil.org. Celebrating the beginning of the Holiday Season - Charles Dickens Style. Opening on the public square followed by lighting of Brick Street at 6 p.m., lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:45 p.m. Music, carriage rides, photos with Father Christmas.

What: Way of Lights Christmas Display
When: Nov. 19–Jan. 2
Where: Belleville, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Information: (618) 397-6700, www.snows.org. A drive through scenic fantasy of over 1 million lights that wind past electro-art sculptures, life-size figures and displays that depict the Christmas Story. A Christmas village, choirs, a Christmas tree display and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the festivities.

What: Community Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Nov. 19
Where: Alton, Lincoln-Douglas Square, Broadway & Landmarks Boulevard
Information: (618) 463-1016. Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive at 6 p.m. for free photos, candy and prizes for children. Free cookies and hot chocolate, caroling, and the blessing and lighting of the Christmas tree are sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Free admission.

What: Christmas Bazaar
When: Nov. 20, 26, 27; Dec. 4 and 11.
Where: Cobden, Union County Museum, 117 S. Appleknocker
Information: www.southernmostillinois.com. Annual fundraiser features Christmas decorations and other items.

What: Christmas Candlelight Tour
When: Nov. 26 and 27
Where: Edwardsville, Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan
Information: (618) 692-1818, http://www.stephensonhouse.org. Simple holiday decorations, candlelight and historically garbed interpreters create a magical evening for the entire family. Bring a camera for a photo with Father Christmas and his mischievous brother, Rupert.

What: Lighted Christmas Parade
When: Nov. 26
Where: Highland, Downtown Square, 907 Main St.
Information: (618) 654-3721, http://www.highlandillinois.com.This annual holiday parade culminates with the official lighting of the downtown Square where musicians, madrigal singers, carriage rides, hot chocolate, kettle corn and Santa.

December

What: Christmas On The River
When: Dec. 3–5
Where: Chester, Randolph County Courthouse, 1 Taylor St.
Information: (618) 826-2721, http://www.chesterill.com. Huge craft fair, Friday night is the lighted Christmas parade, Saturday has a home tour of several houses, Sunday is the Community Christmas Program at Chester High School.

What: Mount Vernon Annual Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 4
Where: Downtown Mount Vernon
Information: (618) 242-0385, www.mvn.net

What: Carols at Candlelight
When: Dec. 5
Where: Anna, Historic St. Anne’s, 507 S. Main St.
Information: (618) 833-9441 or (618) 833-6989, www.pastonline.org. Free. Parking behind Stinson Library.

What: La Fete de Noel
When: Dec. 5
Where: Prairie du Rocher, American Legion Hall, 509 Henry St.
Information: (618) 284-7308, http://www.visitprairiedurocher.com. Do your Christmas shopping at our craft and vendor fair. Enjoy home tours, food and prizes as well. Home tour tickets are $10.
_________________________________________________________________________
What: Weihnachtsfest (German Christmas Festival)
When: Dec. 5
Where: Millstadt, St. James Parish Center, 423 West Madison
Information: (618) 476-1812. Arts and crafts fair, German food (sauerbraten, bratwurst, potato pancakes) and beverages, Holiday Cookie Walk, and musical entertainment including German folk music provided by the Waterloo German Band. St. Nicholas arrives in a parade at noon.

What: Gingergread Cookie Walk
When: Dec 11
Where: Belleville
Information: http://www.illinois-trekkers.org. Walk a marked trail in and around downtown Belleville that will take you past the gingerbread contest entries, Santa's House, Sand Sculpture and museums. For extra fun you may purchase a "cookie bag" and collect a cookie at participating merchants. Cookies are only available to walkers with a valid start card who purchase the special "cookie bag." Pre-registration is available now and is recommended as cookies are limited.
Fee $3 to walk, cookie bag is an additional $5.

What: Festival of Lights
When: December 11
Where: Grafton, Open Studio, 105 E. Main St.
Information: (618) 786-3010. Join us for an afternoon of holiday music and singing with guest musicians. Crafts and refreshments will be provided. The event is free.

What: Wreaths Across America
When: Dec. 11
Where: Alton, National Cemetery, 600 Pearl St.
Information: (618) 474-2005. All 530 veterans graves in the Alton National Cemetery will be decorated with balsam wreaths for the holiday season.

What: First Night River Bend
When: Dec. 31
Where: Godfrey, Lewis & Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road
Information: (618) 468-5001 or go to www.fnrblc.com. New Year's Eve celebration of the arts. This family-oriented event is alcohol-free and features more than 40 artists displaying their talents. Tickets are $10 in advance, $7 for groups of 10 or more, $12 at the door. Children age 5 and under are free.

For more regional events and national travel ideas, click www.eventsanddestinations.com.