Holiday Events

2023 Belleville Event Holidays

2023 Holiday Events

View Belleville's 2023 Holiday Events Brochure for a list of fun things to do this holiday season!

You'll find everything imaginable to do; concerts and creations of gingerbread, movies and markets, parades and parties, walks and workshops, and more! 


Santa Parade

Fri., November 24, 10 AM


Join us in downtown Belleville for the annual Santa Parade, hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville. Welcome Santa to town and to his house on the Public Square during the largest holiday parade in Southern Illinois. This festive parade includes floats, marching bands, dance groups, and more!  

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Santa on the Square

Fri., November 24 - Sun., December 24


Visit Santa in his house on Belleville's Public Square. View Santa's Hours for the 2023 Holiday Season. 

View the official Belleville Santa House website for a complete list of Santa's available dates and times.

Shop the 10th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt

Nov. 24-26, Nov. 30 - Dec.3, Dec. 7-10, and Dec, 14-23 


11 AM - 8 PM, 
Sundays 11 AM - 6 PM

Shop the 10th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt, an open-air German Christmas Market on Belleville's Public Square, featuring unique vendors, food, and beverages, along with live entertainment and special attractions on specific dates. 

Visit the Belleville Christkindlmarkt website for event details, including dates and hours, a list of vendors, entertainment and attraction dates, and more!

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FREE Horse-drawn Trolley Rides

Weekends only: November 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, and Dec. 15-17, Dec. 21-23

Fridays: 5 - 8:30 PM, 
Saturdays & Sundays: 12 - 6 PM

Hop aboard a 26 passenger, horse-drawn trolley that takes you through Belleville's historic and beautifully decorated Public Square, unique downtown shopping and dining district, and Christkindlmarkt, an open-air German Christmas Market.

The trolley starts and stops in the 1st block of East Main St. No reservations required. There is no cost to ride the trolley, thanks to its generous sponsors. 

View the 2022 Trolley Schedule for a complete list of dates and hours of operation.

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Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash

Sat., December 2, 8 - 10 AM

Run with the Gingerbread Man through downtown Belleville during the annual Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk. Hosted by Belleville's Parks & Recreation Department, the event begins and ends at the Parks & Recreation office at 510 W. Main St. 

Watch for more information on the Belleville Parks & Recreation Current Activities page of our website. 

Downtown Cookie Stroll

Sat., December 9, 9 AM - 3 PM

Hosted by Belleville Main Street, this event offers a unique opportunity to collect a bag of delicious cookies while you walk through beautiful downtown Belleville. Registration required.

Old Belleville Historical Luminary Walk

Sat., December 9, 5 - 9 PM

Enjoy this candle lit walk through the historic Abend and Garfield Streets neighborhood. The event is hosted by the Gustav Koerner House Restoration Committee, the Belleville Historical Society, the St. Clair County Historical Society, and neighbors on Abend & Garfield Streets.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/OldBellevilleHistoricalLuminaryWalk/ 

2021 Luminary Walk

Downtown Walking & Parking Guides

Walking Guide

Weather you live here or are visiting, we're sure you'll find the Walking Guide to Downtown Belleville a helpful and informative resource for finding great places to eat, shop, and be entertained in downtown Belleville.

Parking Guide

In addition to street parking, downtown Belleville offers several free parking lots for your convenience. These lots can be found on the Downtown Parking Guide.

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