Events in Southern Illinois, IL

Magpie Market Days brings a fall vintage market to the Williamson County Fairgrounds, gathering more than 120 vendors from across the United States. Browse vintage finds, home decor, architectural salvage, handmade and boutique items, and gourmet specialties, then enjoy live music and bites from ten food trucks throughout the event. Admission is $10 on two days and $5 on the final day, children 12 and under enter free, and parking is free. Leashed pets are welcome. Only two vendor spots remain, with availability granted in the order requests are received.

Syberg's (O'Fallon) hosts a returning acoustic performance from an artist who calls this venue a favorite. Guests can enjoy live acoustic music alongside tasty food, cold drinks, and a welcoming crowd, creating a relaxed, music-filled atmosphere.

Hosted by Lindsey Nelson, this Paint and Sip at Lost Forest features painting, drinks, and time to relax with others. The cost is $35 per person. Call to reserve a spot.

The Hoot N Holler Boys return to The Log Cabin Tavern for a lively night of fun.

Life;Story is Centerstone’s national walk and run focused on suicide prevention, bringing together communities in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida for a day centered on hope, healing, and connection. People of all ages and abilities can participate, from seasoned runners to families with strollers. Children can take part in kids races, and leashed dogs are welcome. In person and virtual options are available, creating a meaningful experience that honors those affected by suicide while celebrating the strength it takes to keep moving forward. The semicolon in Life;Story represents a pause rather than an ending, reflecting the belief that every story continues. That message shapes an encouraging setting with community vendors, mental health resources, complimentary giveaways, and popular perks like a participant T-shirt, a medal for finishers, and a curated playlist on Spotify. Proceeds support Centerstone’s mental health and addiction services for people with limited or no resources, helping deliver lifesaving care, strengthen communities, and affirm that each person’s story is still unfolding.

SRS Super Dock is featured within Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days at John A. Logan College, a major outdoor sporting showcase that brings in more than 35,000 attendees and over 200 vendors each year. It celebrates Illinois hunting and fishing traditions with demonstrations, competitions, and family activities. This is an outdoor event, and a parking fee of $5 applies at the venue. The dock jumping lineup includes Super Fly check in and open practice, multiple competition splashes, Super V finals, Raider Run finals, and Fun Jumps that are open to the public. Each splash has a $25 entry fee. Super Fly finals include the top six from each division, and the top three in each category receive invitations to the SRS Crown Championship in Shreveport and Bossier City. The schedule is subject to change.

The BurmaShaver(s) take the Chamber Stage as a two-person act that blends acoustic sounds with new wave influences and an eccentric strain of Americana folk.

A fall vendor marketplace featuring crafts, clothing, food, and personal items. Vendor reminder: only Sheila Fisher manages vendor fee payments, and no other individual is authorized to do so.

Art in the Garden returns for its fourth year with a full day of arts, crafts, food, live music, and creative energy. Designed for the Southern Illinois community, this festival offers a one-of-a-kind art experience where people can connect with one another, make art, and celebrate creativity. Expect live art and music along with a wide range of vendors showcasing and selling their work. Kids can take part in hands-on activities and bring their creations home. Presented by Gallery 111, Art Social, Union Street Arts, Project Human X, Artsco, and Mandala Gardens. Admission is 2 dollars, with free entry for children under 12. Artists, vendors, and musicians interested in participating can contact Greg Reid at mandala.gardens@gmail.com. Booth spaces are 10 by 10 feet for 30 dollars. Vendors may choose to pack up before the event ends or stay for the full duration.

The PMR Children’s Business Fair returns for its fourth year with a celebration of youth entrepreneurship in southern Illinois. Young creators ages 6 to 17 will launch and operate their own businesses for a day, taking charge of everything from product ideas and pricing to displays and sales conversations. Attendees can browse distinctive goods, explore inventive concepts, and meet the entrepreneurs behind each booth. The fair also includes awards that spotlight entrepreneurial talent, recognizing standout displays, persuasive pitches, and exceptionally original ideas. Vendor applications are open for ages 6 to 17, and monetary or in-kind sponsorships are being accepted to support these young business owners.

Multi-platinum recording artist Chingy brings a high energy live set to 618 Tap House as part of the 618 Concert Series, delivering a one-night showcase of his chart-topping hits.

Cheer on STL City as they face the New York Red Bulls at a local City Bar featuring a game-time giveaway. Arrive before halftime to receive a ticket for the giveaway. Settle in with fellow City fans and enjoy the match together.

A weekly effort brings people together to support a food pantry through shared cooking and cleaning. With plenty of ingredients on hand, the focus is on prepping food, cooking, portioning dishes, labeling, and keeping the space tidy. More regular volunteers are needed to help carry out these tasks.

The final Family Movie Night in the Park features a screening of Toy Story 5. Rated G with a 102-minute run time, the story follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and their friends as new electronics pose a challenge to playtime. Yard games, activities, and concessions are available before the film, with the movie beginning later in the evening.

Southern Illinois car enthusiasts have a new home for Cruise Night as the Thrillville Cruise-In sets up in front of Thrillhouse Family Entertainment Center. In collaboration with Thrillhouse and the Open Road Corvette Club, this meet welcomes every kind of vehicle... classics, muscle, and modern builds all have a place. Expect a relaxed atmosphere where owners can display their rides and visitors can take in the lineup. Extend the outing with dinner and family-friendly fun at ThrillHouse, including arcade games, bowling, laser tag, go-karts, and other nearby attractions. No registration is required.

Enjoy a fall flea market and yard sale at the Williamson County Fairgrounds, offering a weekend of bargain hunting and unexpected finds. Explore yard sale goods, flea market finds, antiques, crafts, and seasonal favorites. Shoppers get in free. Vendors can rent space, with 10x10 spots for $10, 10x20 or trailer spaces for $15 if paid in advance, and a limited number of covered spaces for $15. To reserve a spot, contact Fair Board Member Cassie at 618-964-4987.

Residents can clear out unwanted electronics at a community e-waste collection organized by CJD E-Cycling in partnership with the City of Marion. Items with power cords and metal items are accepted, including servers, switches, desktop towers, printers, landline phones, cable boxes, cell phones, wireless modems, audio and video equipment, holiday lights, home electronics, additional telecommunications equipment, and lead acid batteries. Televisions and computer monitors of all types, including CRT, console, projection, plasma, and flat screen models, are welcome, along with dehumidifiers and refrigerators. Some items cannot be accepted. Do not bring radioactive materials, alkaline batteries, light bulbs, household smoke detectors, oil, antifreeze, paint, or other hazardous materials. Non-electronic waste such as tires, wood, asbestos, office waste, furniture, fiberglass, insulation, roofing materials, or dirt is not allowed. Flammable materials, pesticides, oil filters, air bags, lead, mercury switches, fluorescent lights, firearms, ammunition, shells, and media such as DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes, and VHS tapes are also excluded.

Thursday’s Hazy performs a live rock set at 1st Street Lounge.

Spend time in the Cultivating Care Garden with guidance from Illinois Extension staff and volunteers. Learn practical techniques for watering, weeding, and harvesting, meet neighbors who enjoy gardening, and swap know-how along the way. The produce gathered is weighed and delivered to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Marion, helping provide fresh food to the community. Registration is recommended so you can be notified if a stewardship day is canceled due to poor weather. Local contacts include Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling and Horticulture Program Coordinator Erica Lunde, and lead Master Gardener volunteer Sasha Milburn supports this site.

Presented by Skyline Creek Productions, Stryper takes the stage at Marion Cultural and Civic Center for a night of high-energy rock from a band that has been writing, recording, and touring for more than four decades. Fresh from an ambitious 40th anniversary run, the quartet carries forward with renewed intensity. The group recently unveiled Throne of Thorns, its 18th studio album on Frontiers Music Srl, reinforcing the signature blend of tight harmonies, driving riffs, and passionate vocals while pushing into new territory with a unified, message-filled set of songs. Frontman Michael Sweet notes that the release embodies the core of Stryper while weaving in a few surprises and a cohesive flow meant to endure. Recent momentum also includes When We Were Kings, which landed on several Billboard charts and reached No. 2 on the Christian Albums tally, along with additions to the catalog like the acoustic collection To Hell With The Amps and the holiday release The Greatest Gift of All. Stryper’s legacy spans more than 10 million albums sold worldwide, the multiplatinum breakthrough To Hell with the Devil, and a notable moment in the MTV era when videos for Free and Honestly appeared in the network’s Top 10 at the same time. Recognized as pioneers of Christian hard rock, they continue to expand their story on stage and in the studio. Work is underway on a fan-funded documentary that surpassed its Kickstarter goal with support from over 1,700 backers and earned the platform’s Projects We Love designation. Today’s lineup features three original members, brothers Michael Sweet on lead vocals and guitar and Robert Sweet on drums, with Oz Fox on guitar and Perry Richardson on bass. Rising to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 hits like Calling on You, Honestly, and Always There for You, Stryper remains active around the globe.

Little Nashville teams with Glaciers End to serve wings for 75 cents each, smoked slowly, given a quick fry, and coated in handcrafted sauces. A full selection of Glaciers End flavors is available.

Sean Hopkins and Jim Rotramel, from Franklin County Trucking Company, perform an acoustic show at Turn Restaurant and Lounge at the Kokopelli Golf Course. Their set highlights songs rooted in the open road, working class life, and the Midwest, presented by artists who have toured across the United States and Europe many times and have been featured on the Outlaw Country Cruise.

Enjoy a relaxed birding walk at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Campus Lake led by Master Naturalist Lily Glaeser and Indigo Nathani. Explore natural surroundings while learning to spot and identify local birds. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Registration is required so participants can be contacted if weather forces a cancellation. Binoculars are available to borrow with a reservation. These walks are presented by University of Illinois Extension with support from Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Giant City State Park, Green Earth, Southern Illinois Audubon Society, the Shawnee Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Zoology Department.

Music in the Park wraps up its season with an evening at the Community Park Amphitheater headlined by Jazz Tonite. The local group sets a relaxed autumn mood with easygoing jazz. Concession and vendor stands will be available, and attendees are welcome to settle in with a lawn chair or picnic blanket.

This community 5K run and walk centers on hope, healing, and visible support for people rebuilding their lives after domestic violence. Now in its second year, the Little Black Book 5K brings together runners, walkers, and supporters along the course to show survivors and their families that they are backed by a caring community. All registration fees and proceeds go directly to critical services that help people move forward, including emergency shelter with crisis response, counseling with advocacy, assistance for legal needs with safety planning, and prevention plus education initiatives. Participant involvement helps someone find safety, gives parents the backing needed to begin again, and offers children stability and optimism. No racing experience is necessary, and every step contributes to a safer, stronger community where survivors can thrive.

This will be a standard show, with the costume class opening the program.

Lukas McCrary brings his stand up to The Little Egypt Comedy Festival. Hailing from East Tennessee and based in Austin, he has appeared on the Netflix series 20 Somethings and taken the stage at SXSW and Skankfest. His comedy clips have earned more than 7 million views on Instagram and TikTok. He has worked alongside Tim Dillon, Tom Green, Erik Griffin, Maria Bamford, and Brian Simpson. In Austin, he secured a spot in the inaugural class of comedians at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership.

Columbus Day Pop Up Camps offer focused soccer training at O'Fallon Sports Park for boys and girls in two age groups, U8 to U10 and U11 to U14. The Footskills and Finishing Pop Up Camp is intended for players with club experience and emphasizes shooting technique and ball control that lead to more chances in front of goal, helping participants build confidence and a clearer understanding of how to score. The Goalkeeper Academy Pop Up Camp lasts two hours, beginning with one hour of instruction from goalkeeper coaches on footwork, handling, diving, distribution, and positioning, followed by one hour of live play with field players working on finishing so keepers can immediately apply new skills. The price is $45.

STL City faces the Vancouver Whitecaps at a local City Bar that goes big for City games. A giveaway takes place at the beginning of the second half, and to receive a ticket you must be there before halftime. City fans watch the match together.

In honor of International Credit Union Day, this Free Shred Day offers on-site shredding of up to 50 pounds of personal paper documents at no cost. To keep traffic moving smoothly, people bringing items are asked to remain in their vehicles. Examples of acceptable documents include bank or credit union statements, old checks, medical and insurance forms, anything that contains a Social Security number, retired tax forms more than three years old, and credit card statements. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted for one of the local food pantries.

Brawl-O-Ween returns for its ninth year with two days of derby and an open gender scrimmageathon. The schedule features twelve scrimmages of 45 minutes each with 90 skaters total, and every participant is set to skate in at least four. Standout skaters from the first day will skate in a public mixer with Power SIRG, the Southern Illinois Roller Gremlins A team. A registration link will be posted before signups open. Refunds are available by emailing sirg.brawloween@gmail.com through the stated deadline, and if you add cancellation insurance you can request a refund up until the night before the event. For updates, mark yourself as Going on the event listing.

Log Cabin Tavern hosts a Halloween party where costumes are welcome but not required. It is all about having fun, whether in full costume or keeping it simple.

Master Naturalist Lily Glaeser and Indigo Nathani lead a relaxed birding walk focused on spotting and identifying local bird species. The outing welcomes participants of every age and experience level. Registration is required so organizers can reach attendees if weather prompts a cancellation. Binoculars are available to borrow with an advance reservation. These walks are presented by University of Illinois Extension and supported in partnership with Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Giant City State Park, Green Earth, Southern Illinois Audubon Society, the Shawnee Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Zoology Department.

The O’fallon Panthers Band Art & Craft Fair features a booth by Dylan, a creator of 3D printed fidgets, collectible pieces, and sports-themed items inspired by holidays, favorite foods, pop culture, and everyday life. The collection is crafted to add personality and a bit of fun to daily routines, with seasonal offerings and custom creations that keep the selection fresh.

Hosted at The Pavilion, the Merry & Bright Holiday Market brings a festive shopping experience that helps support students. Browse a wide range of vendors offering baked goods, candy, bath items, candles, boutique clothing, holiday décor, wood crafts, artwork, charcuterie, and more. Multiple food trucks will be on site, with tables available for dining or taking a break between browsing. Santa will be available for visits and photos with assistance from BAT photography. Admission is $3 per person, children 12 and under are free, and parking is free. This family-friendly event makes it easy to find gifts for everyone on your list.

This annual fall celebration at Rock Springs Rotary Park returns on a new weekend this year, featuring family-friendly activities, games, and live entertainment. Children can try game stations for a chance to win prizes, and there will be treats available while supplies last. Favorite attractions such as the prairie maze and wagon rides will be offered throughout the event, and live music will enhance the festivities. Admission is free.

A local City Bar in Southern Illinois hosts a spirited watch gathering with other City supporters. A giveaway takes place at the start of the second half, so plan to arrive before halftime.

Enjoy a festive market filled with more than 100 vendors, food trucks, and live music, along with a chance to visit Santa and his reindeer. A limited number of vendor spots remain, with two openings available. Vendor applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis by texting 213-218-5017 or emailing vfapply@gmail.com.

Keb’ Mo’ brings a celebrated career to the stage, with five Grammy Awards, 14 Blues Foundation honors, and nearly five decades of music that connect classic blues to a modern sensibility. Raised in Compton, he got his first major break at 21 performing with Papa John Creach of Jefferson Airplane, then spent years honing his craft as a guitarist, songwriter, and arranger before introducing his acclaimed self-titled album as Keb’ Mo’. He soon earned Best Contemporary Blues Album for Just Like You, topped the Billboard Blues chart seven times, performed on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall to the White House, and collaborated with Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, and Lyle Lovett. His songs have been recorded or sampled by B.B. King, Zac Brown, and BTS, and his work extends to television and film, from composing for Mike and Molly, Memphis Beat, B Positive, Martha Stewart Living, and Leanne to appearances in The Blues, The West Wing, and Sesame Street, along with roles as Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and the bluesman Possum in Honeydripper. A frequent presence on late night shows and major concert broadcasts, including the Kennedy Center, the Ryman Auditorium, and Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival, he also supports arts education and global music programs through Turnaround Arts and the Playing For Change Foundation. His recent release The Breakdown pares the music to intimate solo acoustic performances recorded at his home studio outside Nashville. The songs reflect on change, loss, and gratitude following life-saving open heart surgery and the close of a long marriage, while holding fast to hope, faith, and love across a blend of folk, blues, roots, jazz, and soul. This appearance centers on an artist whose guitar work, voice, and storytelling reflect a lifetime of craft and purpose.

The Left It In The River Tour brings Jamie MacDonald and Joe L Barnes to Enjoy Church in O'Fallon, IL for an evening of live music. The chart-topping singer and songwriter steps out with her own show featuring songs such as Desperate, Left It In The River, and My Family. Jamie has previously toured with Chris Tomlin, Benjamin William Hastings, and others, and this tour highlights a fresh connection with listeners. The event offers a VIP experience, early entry, and general admission, with a schedule that may change. To avoid scams and ensure official tickets, use the authorized ticketing outlet only. Third party resales are not permitted for TPR event pages, and tickets purchased elsewhere are not guaranteed or supported, which can also limit access to updates or assistance.

Sebastian Bach and Slaughter bring a live concert to Walker's Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville, Illinois. Both acts share the stage for an evening of music at this venue.

This performance delivers a lively mix of classic and modern country, southern rock, blues, and timeless tunes from the 50s and 60s. Music across decades comes together for an upbeat set that keeps the energy high.

Celebrate the season at a free hometown Christmas market in Marion, Illinois, featuring local makers, tasty food and treats, a polar bear hunt, and alpacas from Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch. Enjoy carriage rides, live music and caroling, meet Santa and friends, and take a spin on the ice. The festivities also include complimentary holiday movies at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, along with additional free activities to be announced and no cost kids activities with Jack and Josies and Aisin. Make a day of it by exploring Downtown Marion and everything the City of Marion brings to the community. Handmade vendors and food trucks may apply to participate. For questions about the market, contact Rachel at verymerrymarket.marion@gmail.com.