St. Louis Holiday Light Displays & Activities 2017
Most holiday light displays are opening this weekend or not soon after 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
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 18 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 32nd annual Brewery Lights display November 16th 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 November 22nd through December 30th
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 18 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 18 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 18 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.
Select Nights November 24-December 30, 2017
5:30-8:30 p.m.
The Zoo closes at 4 p.m. each day of Wild Lights.*
Tickets are available for advance purchase online, or at the door on nights of the event starting at 5:30 p.m. Ticket sales end at 8 p.m.
U.S. Bank customers can receive a buy one, get one free ticket (limit two free tickets per family, on-site sales only) when they show their U.S. Bank credit or debit card.
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. 17, 2017- Jan. 7, 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*
The Polar Express Train Ride – St. Louis 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.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, St. Louis Union Station is pleased to announce the return of the beloved holiday event for the 2017 holiday season.
Trains begin running from St. Louis Union Station to the North Pole on November 24, 2017, the day after Thanksgiving, and continue through December 30, 2017.
Tickets, combined with holiday hotel packages at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, at www.STLPolarExpressRide.com.
Train ride-only tickets will go on sale August 1, 2017 at 9 a.m.
The magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas comes to life when real trains departs St. Louis Union Station for a round-trip journey to the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and cookies are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to St. Louis Union Station.
The journey begins November 24, 2017 with trains running every day except Christmas though December 30. Trains depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6. 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Riders may choose from two classes of service on The Polar Express — Coach and First-Class. Coach tickets start at $39; First-Class at $65. First-class ticketholders will receive a Polar Express mug and will be seated at four-top tables. They also will receive a free photo with Santa.
More information about dates, fares and excursion times are available by calling 314-942-6942, or by visiting www.STLPolarExpressRide.com. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.
In addition to the train ride, St. Louis Union Station will be running a holiday fire and light show set to Christmas music on the train shed lake.
St. Louis Union Station also will host a series of magical holiday dinners in the beautiful Grand Hall of the historic train station during the Polar Express season.
Featuring 3-D light shows projected on the ceiling and visits with Santa’s elves and holiday characters, the dinner sessions are available at TIME on selected days when the Polar Express Train Ride is in operation.
Dinners are served buffet style with separate adult and children’s selections priced at $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Children ages two and under are complimentary. An elaborate holiday dessert buffet accompanies the dinners. Reservations may be purchased online at www.STLPolarExpressRide.com.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 1820 Market Street in downtown St. Louis. Parking is available in the Union Station lot at 18th and Clark for just $5 for all Polar Express ticket holders.
Celebration of Lights – O’Fallon, MO
NOVEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 30, 2017
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 December 11th & 12th), 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. 24 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 24th through December 26th.
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
Celebrate Christmas with a stroll through Central Park in Bethalto, enjoying decorated lighted Christmas-themed cottages, live music, food, Santa Claus, holiday vendors and crafters, live nativity scene and more. Bethalto Christmas Village is a free, family-fun event designed to share the Spirit of Christmas throughout the community and region. Created for all ages, by all ages, Bethalto Christmas Village embodies the cooperation of residents, businesses, churches, civic organizations and village officials to create an amazing Christmas experience! There will be musical entertainment from 5 – 8 p.m. each night. Opens November 24th.
For more information, call (618)377-8051.
Admission is free.
Winter Wonderland – Lebanon, IL
November 17th – December 31, 2017
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.
Kiener Plaza Festival of Lights
Christmas in St. Louis is pleased to announce that the 2017 Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights will return to Kiener Plaza! The Festival of Lights will take place Saturday, November 18th and will include a host of live entertainment, lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, and a festive fireworks finale.
You’ll also want to stop by Winterfest at the Arch:
GENERAL RINK INFO
November 18 – January 1
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM Every Thursday – Sunday
(open all week Dec. 24 – Jan. 1)
Rink entry: FREE (guests can bring their own, approved, ice skates)
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows – Belleville
November 17th – December 31st
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.
Way of Lights Activities
Visitors Center
Christmas Tree Display 12 Noon – 9 p.m.
Community Performances Schedule – Evenings Only
Children’s Christmas Cove – Free Craft Activities – Evenings only
Wreath Display & Auction
Church Parking Lot
Camel, Donkey & Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Kettle Corn & Refreshments
$6 for Camel Rides
Carriage Rides
Sunday – Friday – (No Saturdays) 6 person carriage ride – $65
10 person carriage ride – $100
by St. Louis Carriage Company, call 314-621-3334 for reservations
Guild Center
Lego® Bricks Display
(Images of Christmas built with Lego® blocks)
Sponsored by Electric Pros
$5 – (4 & up)
3 and under Free
Life Size Nativity Photo Area
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Girls Day Out
Saturday, November 18
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Shopping)
Noon – Luncheon – Sponsored by Scott Credit Union
Tails, Trails & Twinkles
Sponsored by Scott Credit Union
Sunday, December 3
Barket & Expo – 5 – 7 p.m.
Walk – 5:30 p.m.
Way of Lights Run
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Check-In 5 – 6:15 p.m.
Run/Fun Walk starts – 6:30 p.m.
Family Night Tuesdays
Tuesday is a fabulous night to visit the Way of Lights to avoid large crowds and enjoy discounts on activities such as camel rides!
Historic St. Charles Christmas Traditions
Christmas Traditions is a month-long celebration of Christmas in St. Charles. The festival runs Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. In addition to the 80 plus costumed characters who are always “making seasons bright”, there are a host of other activities to enjoy while you’re in St. Charles for Christmas. View all of the activities including the tree lightning ceremony HERE.
Holiday Lights at Warm Springs Ranch
When it comes to the Holidays, we don’t horse around!
November 24th through December 30th, Thursday through Sunday, 5PM – 8PM, experience the wonder of the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales, thousands of twinkling lights, and free sampling (for guests 21+).
Admission is $5.00 per person (2 and under are free)
No Reservations Needed!
Special Event/Holiday Parties available upon request
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