Halloween celebrations, live music, library activities and creative workshops offer plenty of ways to enjoy Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2026. Browse RiverBender.com Events for the complete calendar.
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Costumes and candy take center stage at First Christian Church of Alton Annual Trunk or Treat at 5 p.m. Oct. 30. The Alton church invites families to bring the kids, tell their friends and come dressed for Halloween. Everyone is welcome.
The Sanderson sisters bring their Halloween mischief to Hayner Library in Alton during the Hocus Pocus Movie Event on Oct. 30. Pizza, drinks and popcorn will accompany the 1993 film, with Halloween candy a possibility. Children are encouraged to wear costumes, but brooms, mops and vacuums are not allowed. Parents are encouraged to preview the movie for suitability. Call (618) 462-0677, ext. 2822, to register.
For an evening of live music, Unbroken Live at VFW Post 1308 brings the band to Alton from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30. The performance is open to the public.
A spooky nighttime adventure awaits at Haunted Trails at Raging Rivers! in Grafton. The Oct. 31 outing runs from 6 to 11 p.m. at Raging Rivers WaterPark, concluding the event's Saturday schedule for October.
The 109th Alton Halloween Parade steps off at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Broadway and Washington Avenue. The route continues along Broadway to Piasa Street and ends at Fifth Street. The East End Improvement Association has sponsored the parade since 1916. Those unable to attend can watch for the livestream on RiverBender.com.
Explore apartment layouts and living options during the Villa Rose Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at Villa Rose Senior Living Community in Bethalto. Visitors can learn about Signature Living, which offers more services and convenience, and Simple Living for adults 55 and older, which emphasizes flexibility and choice. Friends and family members are welcome to join the visit and ask questions.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
Honor lost loved ones at Dia de los Muertos Community Ofrenda | Ofrenda Comunitario in the Niedringhaus Building's Training and Events Room, 2001 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Running Oct. 27-Nov. 4, the community ofrenda welcomes images and offerings; submitted images will not be returned.
The 2026 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl (Oct. 1-31) invites Hayner Library patrons in Alton to collect stamps from at least five participating libraries and return their passports for a chance at a grand prize drawing. Nearly 200 libraries are participating. Hayner cardholders may pick up and return passports at any Hayner location; other participants should use their home libraries. Only Hayner patrons qualify for Hayner's grand prize drawings.
Bring bagged clothing, shoes, bedding and other accepted textiles to the Textile Recycling Drive at Alton High School's softball/baseball lot from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 or noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 1. The baseball lot is on the left side of the regular parking lot.
Granite City's Six Mile Regional Library District offers its Annual IHLS Library Crawl! through Oct. 31. Visit five libraries to qualify for a QuikTrip gift card drawing, and return passports by Nov. 3.
Help gather seeds for prairie and woodland biodiversity during Volunteer: Native Seed Collecting at TNI at The Nature Institute in Godfrey. Volunteers should bring gloves and water and wear long pants; collection tools and a demonstration will be provided.
Wonder Harvest: A Sensory-Friendly Fall Festival at SIP Arts Foundation in Belleville welcomes children of all abilities and their families for art, games, food and trick-or-treat tables. The free event offers lower lights, lower noise and a quiet space. Costumes are optional, and registration is helpful but not required. SIP Arts Foundation and ASP2 STEAM Academy host.
Children can go trunk to trunk from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trunk-n-Treat at BSBC at Brown Street Baptist Church in Alton. Hot drinks, a festive photo area and a craft station round out the event in the east parking lot. Park in the west or north lots rather than stopping in the road for drop-off.
The Granite City Halloween Glow Parade & Free Michael Jackson Tribute Concert begins with lineup at 6:30 p.m. at 27th and State. The parade starts at 7 p.m., travels to Madison Avenue and through downtown, and ends at Civic Park. A free tribute concert follows at The Mill, with a “Thriller” flash mob scheduled for 7:50 p.m. Bring glow items and wear Halloween attire.
Cosmic Bowling Night at Airport Plaza Bowl in Bethalto offers unlimited bowling from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 for $20 per person, including shoes. Call (618) 377-2131 with questions.
The Exhale Youth Group's Haunted House at Madison County Fairgrounds in Highland raises money for summer mission trips. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 and 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 1. Admission at the door is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger; food, hot cocoa and apple cider will be available for purchase.
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
TeenTober Bingo Challenge: Last Day wraps up Hayner Library's month of reading and creative activities in Alton. Participants can earn up to five Bingo prizes and a chance at one of three grand prizes. Sign up on Beanstack or get a paper board at the Alton Square Mall TeenSpace.
Food For Fines: Last Day gives patrons a final opportunity to return overdue Hayner Library materials with food donations in place of accrued fines. Bring at least one nonexpired, nonperishable food item per overdue item. Donations benefit Crisis Food Center in Alton, and people without fines may also contribute.
The Fall E-Cycle Events listing at Triad High School in Troy contains conflicting dates: The calendar date is Oct. 31, 2026, while the description specifies Sept. 26, 2026. Confirm the date before planning to attend. Listed services include electronics recycling, document shredding, tire collection and drop-offs for prescription medications, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
Hayner Library's Writers Circle in Alton presents “Eerie Edition: It Came from the Swamp,” with a writing prompt and guided peer feedback for adults 18 and older. Call 1-800-613-3163 to register.
Stop at the Episcopal Parish of Alton for the EPA annual Chili Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Chili, dessert and a drink cost $12 per adult or $6 per child younger than 10.
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
Supervisor Lee VanZandt will speak at 11 a.m. at Oakwood Church of God in Christ in Godfrey for the Guest speaker event.
The Madison County Historical Society's Dining in History takes place at Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville, celebrating the county's Italian immigrants with food, music and programming. Visit the adjacent Collinsville Historical Museum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the buffet luncheon begins at 1 p.m. A silent auction benefits the society, and the annual meeting includes board elections or reappointments.
The Rocky Horror Show concludes its Oct. 29-Nov. 1 run at Alton Little Theater in Alton. The musical follows Brad and Janet into Dr. Frank-N-Furter's mansion for a night of music and mischief. Tickets are $25.
Create a fabric picture without sewing at the Fall Kinusaiga Workshop at The Teller Room 1925, 200 W. Third St., Alton, from 2 to 4 p.m. The $30 fee includes supplies and instruction for a finished 6-by-6-inch artwork. Advance registration and payment are required, participation is limited to 20, and walk-ins are not accepted.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours at Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton begin at 3 p.m. The 40-minute guided tour explores the historic building, company and brewing process. The $10 price includes a pint and tank samples. Preregistration is not required, but groups of eight or more should call (618) 463-1470 to reserve space.
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