Heading out to view holiday lights this weekend? If so here’s a list of some of my favorite places to enjoy the spirit of the season.
Six Flags St. Louis – Holiday in the Park
For the first time ever, Six Flags St. Louis presents Holiday in the Park as the theme park is transformed into a winter wonderland. Over one million lights will adorn the park and set the stage for a magical holiday celebration. Amid the many festive decorations and displays located throughout the park, guests can take in one of the live, holiday themed shows, visit with Santa in his cottage, enjoy some of their favorite holiday treats and experience the various street entertainment. In between the holiday festivities, guests can enjoy some of their favorite rides or warm up by one of the many crackling fires located throughout the park. Holiday in the Park will take place on select days November 25 through January 1.
View more information HERE.
Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery Holiday Lights Display
Anheuser-Busch is celebrating its annual tradition of lighting St. Louis with the brewery’s 31st annual Brewery Lights display through January 1st. Guests can visit the historic St. Louis brewery to admire its red brick buildings strung with hundreds of thousands of glistening lights and enjoy festive holiday activities.
FREE WALKING TOURS
Get into the spirit of the season with a self-guided walking tour of Pestalozzi Street and the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Tours are complimentary and open to guests of all ages.
BEER SAMPLING
Guests 21+ will receive a wristband good for five 5oz samples of your favorite beers, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois or Stella Cidre, Shock Top, Shock Top Seasonal and the Rita family.
NEW BUD LIGHT ICE RINK
Lace up some skates and hit the ice under the red glow of the iconic “Budweiser” sign on the Bevo Packaging Plant. The rink is 84×40 and open to guests of all ages with hot cocoa and kettle corn available for purchase. Skate rentals will also be available for a small donation to the St. Louis Blues 14 Fund.
S’MORES STATION
Cozy up with friends and roast some s’mores over an open fire. S’more kits are available on-site for $2.50 each.
FOOD STATIONS IN THE BIERGARTEN
Enjoy a variety of hot menu items, including a bowl of chili, chicken tenders and chips, bratwurst and chips, toasted ravioli, and a pretzel with dipping sauces. Food tokens can be purchased on-site for $6 each.
FESTIVE FUN
With sand sculptures in the Rita Zone, ice sculptures at the Patio on Pestalozzi and a photo opportunity with the Bud Light Snowman, there’s more than just the lights.
ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFTS
Don’t forget to check out all the exclusive, customizable gifts at the Budweiser Gift Shop in the Tour Center.
FIRE PIT FUN
Reserve your own private fire pit for a relaxing evening with friends. Each package includes seating for eight (8) guests, eight (8) s’more kits, wait service (does not include cost of food and drinks), plus two printed photos. Each night, one of 12 fire pits can be reserved for $125.
HOLIDAY CHEER PACKAGE
Enjoy it all with this package that includes one food item, a commemorative Brewery Lights tumbler, and a printed souvenir photo. Adult (21+) tickets are $20.00. Youth tickets include one food item and s’mores kit for $6.00.
CLYDESDALE HOLIDAY VIP
Treat your family or friends to the ultimate Brewery Lights experience and take home the perfect holiday card. Book a private 15-minute session with a Budweiser Clydesdale and a professional photographer on a select Tuesday evening for $250.
Reserve your special night between 5 – 7PM on November 22, November 29 or December 6.
This package includes:
Four (4) drinks in The Biergarten
A 15-minute private photo session by a professional photographer with a Budweiser Clydesdale in the historic stables ($10 for each additional person up to maximum of 10 in the photo)
One (1) printed image and one (1) digital copy of a selected photo
Two (2) holiday ornaments
For more information about this year’s Brewery Lights display and special experience tickets, visit BreweryLights.com.
Winter Wonderland – Tilles Park
Open Wed Nov 23, 2016 – Sun Jan 1, 2017
Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Winter Wonderland is open for vehicular traffic and carriage rides Sunday thru Friday from 5:30pm – 9:30pm.
Saturdays are closed to vehicular traffic and reserved for carriage rides only.
Admission Fees (no credit or debit cards accepted)
$10.00 Family vehicle
$20.00 Limousine
$40.00 Commercial transport van
$90.00 Tour bus
No reservations are needed and admission is paid as vehicles exit the park.
Garden Glow – Missouri Botanical Garden
November 19 to January 1
Open nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Garden Glow features a million lights surrounding visitors with a spectacle of unique installations amid some of the Garden’s most iconic locations. Enjoy interactive photo opportunities, traditional holiday music and festivities, delicious food and drinks and more as the Garden is transformed around you into a winter wonderland.
Admission
Sundays through Thursdays November 19 through December 15
$16 adults (ages 13 and older)
$12 members
$10 children (ages 3 to 12)
$6 members’ children
$3 children (ages 3 to 12) every Wednesday night through December 14
Fridays and Saturdays November 19 to January 1
Nightly beginning December 16
$18 adults (ages 13 and older)
$14 members
$10 children (ages 3 to 12)
$6 members’ children
Wild Lights – St. Louis Zoo
Stroll through the Saint Louis Zoo’s enchanting holiday wonderland and enjoy 500,000 twinkling lights, illuminated animal displays, seasonal sounds and all kinds of festive fun.
Wednesday, Nov. 30–Sunday, Dec. 4
Wednesday, Dec. 7–Sunday, Dec. 11
Every night — Wednesday, Dec. 14–Friday, Dec. 23
Every night — Monday, Dec. 26–Friday, Dec. 30
*5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Drive through the Midwest’s most spectacular holiday light display filled with animated scenes, dazzling special effects, and millions of shimmering lights.
Dates of Operation
We are open EVERY night Nov. 18, 2016- Jan. 8, 2017 including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
Hours of Operation
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday
5:30 pm to 10:30 pm Sunday-Thursday
Admission Fees – One price entertains the entire family!
$22.00 per family car, truck, mini van, up to 8 passenger van, or SUV
$30.00 per limousine
$30.00 per 12 or 15 passenger van
$30.00 commercial transport van
$30.00 small bus*
Holidays at Union Station
The happiest season of the year is going to be bigger and better than ever at St. Louis Union Station. This year 14 new attractions and experiences will make Holidays at Union Station the biggest holiday hot spot in the Midwest. This includes The Santa Express Train Ride Featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Headlines the 2016 Holidays at St. Louis Union Station. With spectacular decor, North Pole Village activities, ice skating and a new Fire & Light show offer family fun all season long!
The Santa Express Train Ride is the centerpiece of this expanded holiday event. Real trains pull out of St. Louis Union Station – the 1894 National Historic Landmark terminal – beginning November 18 and continuing through December 30, 2016.
Trains will leave the station at 4:45, 6:15, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Tickets may be purchased online and the full calendar of train rides and ticketed activities are available at www.HolidaysAtUnionStation.com or www.SantaExpressTrainRide.com.
For tickets by phone, dial 877-TWAS-STL (877-892-7785). For recorded information, dial 844-4 INFO 25 (844-446-3625).
During the train ride to Santa’s house, passengers will hear the classic bedtime story of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and interact with the characters, elves and Santa Claus himself. Passengers are encouraged to wear their cozy pajamas for the train ride and events. Santa’s Master Elves will board the train at his house and ride with passengers back to the North Pole at St. Louis Union Station.
Train tickets range in price from $39 to $89. Ticket protection plans are available for purchase.
Magical and castle-like St. Louis Union Station will stand in for The North Pole throughout the holiday season with fun indoor and outdoor holiday activities for everyone. The station will be decorated with elaborate seasonal displays and twinkling with holiday decor designed to rival the biggest holiday celebrations in the nation. A new Fire & Light Show under the outdoor train shed will create a spectacular backdrop for family activities and photos.
Before and after the Santa Express train ride, visitors can enjoy the Glacier Park outdoor ice skating rink at Union Station. The rink will be open starting November 18, seven days a week. Next to the rink, guests can whoosh down an ice slide on a snow tube, do battle in a snowball fight arena, and sip a cocktail or drink hot chocolate on Glacier Park’s Winter Deck.
Inside St. Louis Union Station’s North Pole Village, visitors can follow the smell of fresh gingerbread to Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen where Christmas goodies will be available for purchase and train passengers will receive complimentary gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. Good girls and boys can enjoy a storybook time featuring cookies and milk with Mrs. Claus on Saturdays at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. throughout the season. They will leave the experience with a Mrs. Claus-autographed copy of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Other indoor activities at the North Pole include a visit with the elves from The Fudgery who will be singing and creating delicious fudge treats in their classic Union Station location. Kids can get a sneak peek at Santa’s sleigh and his future space program. They can see the North Pole mini-aquarium, watch model trains, write letters to Santa in the North Pole Post Office and check in on the forecast at Santa’s Weather Station.
Santa’s Workshop Experience is another special activity inside the North Pole at Union Station. This family activity is a complete hands-on experience for children and their parents. Families will work side by side with Elfin and his master toymaker elves, building train cars for boys and girls of all ages using Santa’s workshop secrets. Moms and dads also can help their little ones decorate gingerbread houses at Gingerbread Junction inside the station.
Families that join the Elf’s Clubhouse during their time at Union Station will get a premium VIP experience that includes the chance to spend time playing games with Santa’s elves. They also will have priority line access for all attractions, elf ears of their own, a meet and greet session with one of Santa’s master elves, a hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie snack, a personalized email from an elf and a 20 percent discount at Santa’s Toy Shop.
Santa’s personal office will be open for visitors and will feature his famous sleigh and his weather radar station. A scavenger hunt – Santa’s Reindeer Roundup – gives kids a chance to help the elves find all the reindeer by solving puzzles and locating clues around the North Pole. Everyone who fulfills the mission will receive a special prize.
An elaborate model train layout, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa’s Toy Shop and an opportunity to get photos with Santa round out the exciting North Pole Village activities at Union Station.
All North Pole Village activities will be open from 3 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Fridays and from noon until 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Holiday hours will extend the fun from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., December 18 – 24 and December 26 -January 2. The attraction will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
The following Santa Express overnight packages are available at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton:
Santa’s Sleepover Package includes an overnight hotel stay at North Pole Lodge at St. Louis Union Station, Santa Express train ride tickets in standard or first-class, access to all pre- and post-train ride events and Santa’s Reindeer Roundup, plus a wake-up call from Santa.
‘Twas the Night to Stay, Play and Feast Package includes an overnight hotel stay at the North Pole Lodge at Union Station, access to all non-train ride events, Santa’s Workshop Experience, Elf’s Club membership, Santa’s Reindeer Roundup and the ‘TWAS Festive Dinner Feast in the beautiful Grand Hall plus a wake up call from Santa.
The Good List Holiday Suites Package is for those children who have been on Santa’s Good List. The special room – named after one of Santa’s reindeer – comes with a Christmas tree, special holiday decor and a Santa camping tent to sleep in and take home as a special gift.
Weekend overnight packages will include the Reindeer Rise-n-Shine Breakfast where guests will meet Santa’s reindeer friends and elves. Children of all ages will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, play reindeer games, and sing along to the favorite music of Santa’s reindeer. It’s an experience sure to make you shout out with glee, Saturdays and Sundays from November 19 through December 25, 9 a.m. until noon.
Families can extend the fun of the Santa Express and the holiday activities at Union Station with the ‘Twas Festive Dinner Feast in The Grand Hall at at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. from November 18 – 24 and December 26 – January 2. Price per adult is $29 and per child is $24. The award-winning 3-D light show will play Christmas-themed shows and indoor snowflakes will drift overhead on the soaring ceiling of the Grand Hall.
Hotel and meal packages can be reserved online at www.HolidaysAtUnionStation.com or www.SantaExpressTrainRide.com. For tickets by phone, dial 877-TWAS-STL (877-892-7785). For questions and additional information, dial 844-4 INFO 25 (844-446-3625).
The Glacier Park outdoor experiences at St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, will be open daily from November 18 through December 30 except for Thanksgiving, November 24 and Christmas, December 25, when Santa’s crew will be resting.
Celebration of Lights – O’Fallon, MO
NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 30, 2016
Celebration of Lights is a holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses. Started in 1991, the event attracts more than 10,000 vehicles each year and more than 10,000 individuals during the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll.
Drive-through, no reservations needed:
Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday (except Tuesday, December 13), 6 – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 6–10 p.m.
Mondays: Closed to vehicle traffic – Train, Wagon and Sleigh-hayrides by advance reservation only (see below)
Admission: $10 for cars; $15 for commercial vans and limousines; $1 per person on tour buses ($25 minimum)
Tuesday Night Special – $7 for all non-commercial vehicles
Wednesday – Sunday, bring a food pantry donation of canned or boxed goods and get a $1 discount per vehicle.
Please note, Celebration of Lights is closed on Christmas Day, December 25.
Holiday Night Lights – Wentzville, MO
The annual Wentzville Holiday Night Lights dispaly at Rotary Park opens on Friday, Nov. 25 for the holiday season. Come enjoy a one-mile light display that features large illuminated commercial scenes and tunnels of twinkling lights. This holiday display is a great way to experience the magic and joy of a winter wonderland close to home.
Drive-thru admission is $8 for vehicles holding up to six passengers; $1 per additional passenger.
The display is open 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. on the dates in red.
Christmas Wonderland – Alton, IL
November 27th through December 27th.
Hear the sleigh bells jingle and see 3 million lights twinkle amongst a beautiful backdrop at Rock Spring Park’s Christmas Wonderland.
Visitors can turn off their headlights and let the holiday displays carry them through the magical scene. Or, make the night even more memorable with a horse drawn carriage ride through the park! Carriage rides will be available Saturdays on a first-come, first served available basis (weather permitting). The cost is $30 for the first person; $5 each additional person, regardless of age. Reservations can be made for other evenings with advanced reservations (based on availability) by phoning Black Tie Carriage Company and Kris Mooney at (217) 242-1104.
Walk-Through Night
There will also be a special walk-through night (no cars allowed) the first Monday after Thanksgiving. This year the walk through will benefit the United Way. Those who bring a donation for United Way’s Community Christmas will be admitted for free. For those who do not bring items, the $1 admission fee will be donated to Community Christmas.
Admission for the walk-through night is $1 per person.
For more information about Christmas Wonderland, call (800) 258-6645.
HOURS
Monday through Friday
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ADMISSION
$7 for cars and small vans
$1 per person for 10+ passenger vehicles
Bethalto Christmas Village
The first-ever Bethalto Christmas Village is underway and the public is invited to experience the magic of the holiday season. Walk into a wonderland of natural beauty decked out with festive lights, decorated Christmas themed cottages on display, live entertainment, a live nativity, craft vendors, food vendors, beautifully decorated Christmas trees and, of course, Santa Claus.
Bethalto Christmas village is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the following weekends:
Dec. 2 & 3
Dec. 9, 10 & 11
Dec. 16 & 17
Admission is free.
Winter Wonderland – Lebanon, IL
November 18 – December 31, 2016
Colorful lights and hand-painted scenes are used to create a Victorian style holiday show for the whole family. The drive through display is set up at Horner Park in Lebanon. That’s about 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Winter Wonderland is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows – Belleville
November 20th – January 1st
See the lighted nativity from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Several activities are available to families including carriage rides, a children’s village play area, laser shows, choir performances, tree and wreath displays, animal rides, a petting zoo and a Lego display.
The light display is free, although donations are recommended.
NEW THIS YEAR:
S’mores Fire Pit – Church Parking Lot
Cozy up with friends & family to roast s-mores over an open fire.
S’mores kits will be available on site for $6.00.
Weather permitting.
Children’s Crafts – Visitors Center (Free)
Create a craft memory to take home
Lego® Maze – Guild Center (Free)
Fun for all ages! Find your way through the maze of giant Lego® blocks.
Weather permitting.
The Journey – Church Parking Lot (Free)
Join us for a LIVE Journey to Bethlehem. Walk with Joseph, Mary and the animals through the Way of Lights to our life-size nativity scene.
Tuesday: 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9:30 p.m.
Photo opportunities after journey at Grotto.
Weather permitting.
Story Time – Visitors Center (Free)
Kids of all ages are welcome to listen as stories of the first Christmas are read from our own Way of Lights Book, Best-Loved Christmas Stories.
Sunday’s only. Every 1/2 hour starting at 5:15 p.m.
Lego® Life-Size Nativity Photo Op – Indoor Visitor Center (Free)
Life Size Nativity Scene made of Legos.
Outdoor Photo Opportunity – Our Lady of the Snows Church Grounds (Free)
Picture frame photo opportunity with whole family on outdoor Church grounds
Historic St. Charles 17th Annual Holiday Night Lights
A one mile lighted display features over 35 large commercial twinkling, flashing colorful holiday scenes, and tunnels! Display will be open Thursday-Sunday, November 29-December 8 and open nightly December 12-December 30 (closed Christmas Day).
Special walk through night, Monday, December 9 from 6-8PM with $3.00 per person admission (under 6 years is free).
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