ALTON - A local nonprofit is hosting a “Christmas by the River” walk-through experience for community members to enjoy.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
From 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, community members can stop by the Alton Amphitheater for the free Christmas by the River experience, complete with several holiday scenes, hot chocolate, and more. Created by Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary, the organization and the event aim to encourage young people to develop their performing arts talents.
“It keeps getting bigger,” said Jaynanne, who oversees the event. “We have more and more people involved every year, new sponsors every year. It’s really great.”
The Christmas by the River tradition features five scenes from “Elf,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The Christmas Chronicles,” “Inside Out,” and a nativity scene. Community members will take the 30-minute walk through the amphitheater to watch performers act out each scene.
Kids under 12 will also receive a free gift, and there is a station with free hot chocolate courtesy of Germania.
Reservations are encouraged. You can email masterpiecearts1@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Jaynanne recommends parking on the north side of the amphitheater parking lot, which is where the entrance will be located.
As an organization, Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary works with children ages 8–18 to develop their performing arts skills. Jaynanne and her family enjoy working with these kids to create plays and sketches for them to perform.
“Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary usually targets students between the ages of 8–18 to help them identify and develop and share their talents, particularly in the performing arts,” she explained. “It is Christian-based, but it is ecumenical. It’s open to all denominations and really anybody who wants to be a part of it. They don’t have to subscribe to the Christian religion. They just have to be respectful that a lot of what we write is based on the Bible.”
Jaynanne thanked the event’s sponsors for their help, including this year’s co-producer, King Heating and Air Conditioning. She noted that it’s “not cheap” to produce the event and purchase costumes, and it’s thanks to sponsors that they are able to put on the free Christmas experience for families to enjoy.
“We have about a dozen businesses who are sponsors, and we have actors from all over,” she said. “The local Catholic churches, Methodist churches, Pentecostal churches — it’s truly an event and an organization where people of all different walks come together.”
For more information about the Christmas by the River event, visit the official Facebook event page. To learn more about Masterpiece Arts Sanctuary, including how to get involved or how to support them, visit their official Facebook page or email masterpiecearts1@gmail.com.
