Guide to Holidays in St. Louis: Events, Parties, and Attractions

St. Louis has some wonderful Christmas light displays, from Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park to the Way of Lights in Belleville. Check out one or more this holiday season. 

Dates: Mid-November to Early January

Locations: Various

See one of the area's most popular Christmas light displays at Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park. Open for vehicular or carriage traffic through Sundays to Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays are reserved for carriage rides. Admission begins at $10 a vehicle.

Dates: November 22 to December 30, 2017

Locations: Tilles Park 9551 Litzinger Road St. Louis, MO 63124

Local floral designers are showing off their best work at the annual holiday wreath exhibit. The wreaths are on display each day in Monsanto Hall. The exhibit is included with the cost of Garden admission. You also have the chance to own one of the featured wreaths by making a bid during the silent auction.

Dates: November 17, 2017 to January 1, 2018

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden

The Santa Express is coming to St. Louis Union Station. Kids can take a magical holiday journey featuring 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Hotel packages are also available.

Dates: November 24 to December 30, 2017

Location: Downtown St. Louis

It's all aboard for some holiday fun at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden kicks off its holiday season with its "Gardenland Express" annual flower and train show. The show features model trains that wind their way though a miniature landscape filled with flowering winter scenes. The display is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 a person. Garden members get in free.

Dates: November 18, 2017 to January 1, 2018

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden

For a unique holiday shopping experience, head over to Cahokia Mounds for Native American Market Days. Dozens of Native artists will be selling their arts and crafts. Items include jewelry, blankets, paintings, books and more.

Dates: Late November

Location: Cahokia Mounds

St. Louis area children are invited to dine with Santa this holiday season. The St. Louis Zoo, Magic House and other top attractions are all hosting Breakfast with Santa. Prices vary for each event, but they all include a meal, treats for the kids and pictures with Santa himself.

Dates: December 2 to December 24, 2017

Location: Various

Take a trip back to the 1800's this Christmas at the Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri. The Boone Home welcomes visitors for candlelight tours. Stroll through the historic property as thousands of candles light your way. There are nearly a dozen buildings decorated for a 19th-century Christmas. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children under 4. A limited number of tickets are available and reservations are highly recommended. To make a reservation, call (636) 798-2005.

Dates: December 1, 2, 8, and 9, 2017; 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Location: Daniel Boone Home, Defiance

Florissant marks the holiday season with a Christmas celebration in historic Old Town. The festivities begin with the arrival of Santa Claus at just after 2 p.m., and end with the lighting of the town's Christmas tree at 5 p.m. There are also crafts, cookies and holiday music throughout the afternoon.

Dates: December 2, 2017

Location: Florissant

The small town of Elsah, Illinois, is known as the "village where time stood still." Elsah's historic charm is certainly on display during the holidays. Visitors can tour homes decorated for Christmas, do a little shopping, and attend the lighting of the village Christmas tree.

Dates: December 2, 2017; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Elsah, IL

Santa Claus will be lacing up his ice skates and taking a spin at Steinberg Rink in Forest Park. You can skate with Santa from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Skating fees are $7 a person and $6 for skate rental.

Dates: December 2, 2017

Location: Forest Park

Celebrate the season at the Taste of Chocolate and Holiday River Walk in Grafton. Businesses along Main Street will be offering special promotions, music and entertainment, while the Grafton Winery serves up all kinds of chocolate treats. Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door.

Dates: December 2, 2017; 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Grafton, IL

It's a sweet shopping experience along Antique Row on Cherokee Street. Stores will be serving Christmas cookies to shoppers. There's also live music and holiday entertainment.

Dates: December 2-3, 2017

Location: South St. Louis

This is the 42nd year for the Holiday Parlour Tour in Soulard. Take a walk through historic homes decorated for the season. The event also includes a holiday bazaar, food and music. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Dates: December 2-3, 2017

Location: Soulard, South St. Louis

Hermann, Missouri, is known for its German heritage, and it really shows through during the holidays. Visitors can buy crafts, decorations, food and more at a traditional German Christmas market called a Kristkindl Markt. Stone Hill Winery hosts its market on December 2 and 3, while Hermannhof Winery typically sets up shop the following weekend.

Dates: December 2 to 3 and December 9 to 10, 2017 (check with Hermannhof)

Location: Stone Hill Winery Pavilion and Hermannhof Festhalle

The St. Louis Symphony is celebrating the holidays with a series of special concerts including Gospel Christmas: A Soulful Celebration with Dianne Reeves, Mercy Holiday Celebration with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Holiday Festival Chorus, and the Music of John Williams.

Dates: Select dates through December 23, 2017

Location: Powell Symphony Hall

Kids and pets can get their pictures taken with Santa at the Boathouse in Forest Park. Santa will arrive by boat at 11 a.m. Pictures are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Money raised from the event benefits Forest Park Forever.

Dates: Early December

Location: Forest Park

The Holiday Brass Concerts are an annual tradition for many in St. Louis. The concerts will be at Manchester United Methodist Church on Woods Mill Road. Concerts are December 4, at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., and December 5, at 2:15 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Dates: December 4 to 5, 2017

Locations: West St. Louis County

Local ice skaters of all ages put on a holiday show at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. Skaters perform to holiday classics and are also joined on the ice by Frosty the Snowman.

Dates: December 8-9, 2017

Location: St. Peters

Have Supper with Santa in the Butterfly House at Missouri Botanical Garden. The cost is $20 per person. Crafts, cookies, and a souvenir are included.

Dates: December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 2017; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a beautiful sight any time of the year, but during the holidays you can also enjoy the sounds of the season during Old Time Christmas Music in the Garden. Musicians will perform throughout the Garden from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dates: December 8, 2017

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden

Take a special holiday walk along Main Street in Belleville. Buy a gingerbread cookie bag at the start of the walk, then stop at dozens of stores along the way and get a different cookie to fill your bag. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Dates: December 9, 2017

Location: Belleville, IL

Celebrate Christmas at the beautiful Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. Christmas at the Cathedral concerts feature the Archdiocesan Adult Choir, Orchestra, Children's Choir and Handbell Choir performing favorite holiday songs.

Dates: December 9-10, 2017

Location: Central West End

The Northwinds Concert Band performs its annual holiday concert at the Florissant Civic Centre Theatre on December 10, at 3 p.m. 

Dates: December 10, 2017

Location: Florissant

Tour some of St. Louis' finest Victorian homes all decked out for Christmas. The tour begins at Park House at 2023 Lafayette Avenue. All eleven of the homes on the tour are within walking distance, but there is also a trolley to shuttle visitors between homes.

Dates: December 10, 2017; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: South St. Louis

A live performance by your favorite radio personalities from KMOX. Each year, the station puts on an old-time, live radio play for the holidays.

Dates: December 4, 2017

Location: Sheldon Concert Hall

The Missouri Ballet Theatre is also performing the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Dozens of local children are participating in the performances.

Dates: December 3, 2017; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Location: Florissant Civic Center 

The Nutcracker comes to the stage at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. The classic Christmas ballet is one the whole family can enjoy.

Dates: December 15 to 23, 2017

Location: North St. Louis County

Y98 Radio is hosting a Mistletoe Show at the Family Arena in St. Charles. The show features performances from All Time Low, Fitz and the Tantrums, The All-American Rejects, John Rzeznik and Lights.

Dates: December 2, 2017 – Showtime: 6:30pm, Doors Open: 5:30pm

Location: Family Arena

Experience the traditions of Chanukah at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden will host "Chanukah: Festival of Lights" from noon to 4 p.m. on December 10. The celebration begins with the symbolic lighting of the menorah, followed by Jewish music and dancing. There is also a traditional marketplace where shoppers can buy Chanukah items. Admission is included with a Garden ticket.

Dates: December 10, 2017

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden

Enjoy a Celtic Christmas complete with a special visit from a Scottish Santa. Along with holiday music and fun, everyone is invited on stage to partake of tea and homemade cookies during the performance. Tickets are $15.

Dates: December 17, 2017

Location: Sheldon Concert Hall

The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra performs its annual Christmas Candlelight Concert at Powell Symphony Hall. The evening features selections from Handel's Messiah along with Christmas carols with the St. Louis Children's Choirs and solos by  Scott Kennebeck and Martha J. Hart.

Dates: December 19, 2017

Location: Powell Symphony Hall

The Compton Heights Concert Band is joined by Hugh Smith, Robert Ellison and Gina Galati for its annual Holiday Pops Spectacular. The concert will include an upbeat program of holiday favorites and Christmas classics.

Dates: December 23, 2017

Location: The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade, 425 South Lindbergh Boulevard, Saint Louis

Alien vs. Predator. Freddy vs. Jason. Now there's Santa vs. the Snowman, and you can catch it on the ultimate big screen, the OMNIMAX theater at the St. Louis Science Center. Luckily this holiday tale is lighthearted and suitable for kids. It tells the story of a curious snowman who challenges Santa and his workshop for control of the Christmas gift delivery business. Tickets are $10 for adults and $9 for children. Special group discounts are also available.

Dates: Through December 24, 2017

Location: St. Louis Science Center

Celebrate African traditions at the Missouri Botanical Garden. This year's Kwanzaa celebration will include music and storytelling. There will also be a boutique selling Kwanzaa crafts and jewelry. Kwanzaa is a seven day holiday that takes its name from the Swahili term meaning "fruits of the harvest." The celebration is from noon until 3 p.m. at the Garden's Ridgway Center. Admission is included with a ticket to the Garden.

Dates: December 27, 2017

Location: Missouri Botanical Garden