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If you love spectacular lights, time-honored Christmas traditions, and special holiday performances, experience the magic this winter in St. Louis. There are many family-friendly festivals less than two hours away.
The city and nearby spots are buzzing with holiday events, according to Katherine Neville, vice president of public affairs in St. Louis. However, some sell out early, so plan now.
holiday lights
Thousands of lights are on display at favorite destinations such as the St. Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and Grants Farm. Most of the exhibits start in he mid-November and last until the end of December or he early January.
On select nights from November 25th to December 30th from 5pm to 8:30pm, the zoo’s US Bank Wild Lights lets you walk among the animals and many lights. This event will include at least 15 light displays and thousands of lights. Tree-lined and sidewalks, carousel rides and fire pits for roasting marshmallows. For more information and to pre-book, visit https://www.stlzoo.org/events.
Southeast of the zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden is home to one of Neville’s favorites, the Garden Glow, from November 19th to January 7th. Santa visits are available on some nights, and there are discounts for children on family nights.
Visitors can choose to reserve a private fire pit for up to 25 friends or have dinner in the garden. To purchase Garden Glow tickets, please visit https://glow.missouribotanicalgarden.org.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery’s Brewery Lite may appeal to adults, especially since it offers one free beer for each person over the age of 21. The event includes a 10-minute light show, a 50-foot decorated tree, multiple light displays, fire pits, igloos, heated tents, and a nightly parade featuring Clydesdales.
Kids 5 and under are free and head to the Kids Zone for train rides and an ice maze. Brewery Lights is a popular event with up to 5,250 attendees each night and parking is free. Book in advance at https://www.budweisertours.com/brewerylights.html.
If you prefer to stay in your car for the drive-thru experience, head to Grant’s Farm. There you can listen to holiday music synced on the radio. Also, from November 25th through December 30th, she can walk in her lights for Christmas, have breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and book her fire pit. increase.
The driving tour takes you through the farm’s Bauernhof courtyard, past animals, and past 50-foot trees. About 1 million lights will shine brighter. A walk along the boardwalk brings you closer to Santa and the historic Bush family home. You can also take photos of Clydesdale and purchase holiday food and drink. For more information, please visit https://grantsfarm.com.
special event
The Polar Express at Union Station is a popular event in St. Louis, says Neville. Families can choose from 18 Nov to 30 Dec He can choose from three levels of seating at varying prices.
A specially decorated train leaves Union Station for a short ride to the “North Pole” as travelers interact with movie characters, listen to the soundtrack, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies . Upon arrival, Santa hops on a train and visits the children.
“Last year, about 70,000 people visited the Polar Express,” says Neville, so getting tickets early is key.
On Saturdays and Sundays from November 19th to December 24th, you can eat pancakes with Santa in the Great Hall of the station. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
St. Charles, just west of St. Louis, hosts a month-long Christmas Traditions festival this year, from November 25th to December 24th. Wednesday night is a Christmas carol walk.
You can visit Santa, listen to Christmas music, find treasures in shops, but what matters is how Christmas was celebrated, or at least how we imagine it. The festival features wandering characters who ride horse-drawn carriages, roast chestnuts over bonfires, have afternoon parades and tell stories in vintage clothing. increase.
Located on the Missouri River, St. Charles’s many restaurants, quaint inns, and unique shops might make you want to stay a little longer. For more information, please visit https://www.discoverstcharles.com/events/christmastraditions/.
Performance
The Fabulous Fox Theater hosts several holiday-themed performances, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” December 11-12 and “The Nutcracker” December 18-19. Neville said he is particularly excited about the musical Elf, which runs December 20-24. For more information, please visit https://www.fabulousfox.com/events.
At the St. Louis Symphony, musicians will celebrate the season with a “Gospel Christmas” on December 15th and the movie “Home Alone” with a live score on December 22nd and 23rd. Details can be found at https://shop.also. .org.
Springfield’s Mary Bollen writes about her travels Illinois Times and other publications. She worked as a reporter for her international for the United Press and taught journalism at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
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