Weekend Events Bring Music, Markets, Art and Family Fun to the Riverbend
From live music and farmers markets to library programs, art exhibits and community gatherings, the coming days offer a wide range of activities across the Riverbend and St. Louis region. For the complete calendar, visit RiverBender.com Events.
Leadership Development: Influencing Long-term Behavior Change on Friday, Aug. 14, at The Wedge Innovation Center in Alton offers a 90-minute monthly lunch-and-learn sponsored by RiverBend Growth Association and The Wedge. Presented by Diane from Legacy Training and Development, the public program focuses on helping leaders become more self-aware and confident while learning what truly influences behavior and how to create lasting change.
Rock the Block with The Yacht Rockers! brings classic songs from the 1970s and 1980s to Jerseyville City Center Plaza on Friday, Aug. 14. The evening also keeps the Jerseyville Splash Pad, pickleball courts and basketball courts open late for added summer fun.
Flip the Frog – VFW Post 1308 is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Alton VFW Post 1308. The performance is open to the public.
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! continues from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 15, at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in Downtown Alton. The market, held rain or shine, features locally grown produce, meats, eggs, honey, coffee, baked goods, flowers, plants, handcrafted artwork and ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch items, with Market BINGO scheduled for Aug. 15.
The Nerd Market at Old Bakery Beer Co. invites guests to explore vendors with geek-inspired creations on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Old Bakery Beer Co. in Alton. The market features local artisans, authors and creators offering artwork, collectibles, handcrafted goods, tabletop gaming items, fantasy and sci-fi merchandise and more.
Rainbow House Pride Picnic will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Rainbow House in Edwardsville. The annual gathering includes pizza, drinks, vendors, games and an afternoon of fun.
Syner-Gee – VFW Post 1308 will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Alton VFW Post 1308. The concert is open to the public.
Friday, Aug. 14, 2026
National Book Lovers Day continues at Hayner Library in Alton as patrons visit the Downtown Library or Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall from Monday, Aug. 10, through Sunday, Aug. 16, for a chance to win a DIY book nook kit by submitting a review of a book they truly loved.
Blues at the Arch Festival returns to Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis on Friday, Aug. 14, for a free weekend celebration of St. Louis’ blues legacy, featuring live music, DJ sets, a Saturday fireworks display, family-friendly activities, a history walk, Kids Korner programming, food trucks and a panel called “Exploring the BluesPrint.”
SSP Glow Bingo – Aug. 14th – Alton, IL supports programs and services at Senior Services Plus with 10 rounds of glow bingo, a silent dessert auction and a raffle from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, in SSP’s Schoolhouse Grill in Alton. Doors open at 6 p.m., bingo runs from 7 to 9 p.m., players must be 18 or older, and RSVP is required for the $25 ticketed fundraiser.
Samson et Dalila presented by Union Avenue Opera opens Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. at Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, presenting Saint-Saëns’ dramatic opera of love, betrayal and power. Single tickets range from $25 to $60, with three-opera season tickets starting at $84.
Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers meets at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave., in Granite City, with questions directed to the Youth Services department.
YA Fridays brings teens to Hayner Library in Alton on Friday, Aug. 14, for crafts, snacks, video games and time to relax, create and connect.
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
National Book Lovers Day continues Saturday, Aug. 15, at Hayner Library in Alton, where patrons can submit a review of a book they loved for a chance to win a DIY book nook kit during the Aug. 10-16 celebration.
Free community breakfast with Fox @ personality Tim Ezell brings Tim Ezell from FOX 2 St. Louis, live music by Lake Westside and a free breakfast to Raging Rivers Amphitheatre in Grafton on Saturday, Aug. 15. Guests are encouraged to bring family, friends and neighbors for a positive start to the day, and those wearing a Got Faith T-shirt can get $10 off entrance into the waterpark.
Graceful Treasures Flea Market takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, inside the warehouse at Graceful Treasures/Milton School House in Alton, with multiple vendors, a variety of items and Rockin’ Rollz serving breakfast and lunch at the entrance.
31art Beach Blast opens Saturday, Aug. 15, at 31art gallery in St. Louis, featuring works by guest artists Alex Johnmeyer and Kimberlyn Renee during a free, indoor, land-locked Midwest beach party for all ages.
Moving Forward will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Mooneyham Art, 305 State St. in Alton. The free exhibit celebrates artist Nancy Early’s “Abstracted Landscape” series with abstract art, live music by Psychedelic Symphony, desserts and beverages.
Samson et Dalila presented by Union Avenue Opera continues at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, with Saint-Saëns’ sweeping score and dramatic choruses presented at the company’s home in Union Avenue Christian Church.
Beginner Yoga Class starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Wilson Park Centennial Pavilion off 29th Street in Granite City. Participants should bring their own mat, and no registration is required.
Saturday Play & Learn For Babies & Toddlers begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave., in Granite City, with stories, songs and slightly messier playtime.
Frog and Fox Trails Group Hike invites Trail Challenge members to join The Nature Institute staff for a guided hike of Frog and Fox Trails in Godfrey on Saturday, Aug. 15, with participants receiving a sticker after the hike.
All Wound Up offers yarn crafts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2145 Johnson Road, in Granite City. The session focuses on crochet amigurumi and is limited to eight people.
Nintendo Switch runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in the Teen Room at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave., in Granite City, for students in grades 7-12.
Wherehouse Project is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
National Book Lovers Day wraps up Sunday, Aug. 16, at Hayner Library in Alton, closing the weeklong opportunity for patrons to submit a book review for a chance to win a DIY book nook kit before the winner is announced Monday, Aug. 17.
Behind the Glass Brewery Tours are offered at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Old Bakery Beer Company in Downtown Alton. The 40-minute tour costs $10 per person and includes a pint of beer and samples from the tank during the tour.
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