The fun doesn’t stop after the holidays! Here are 15 things to do in St. Louis in January.
From astounding athletic feats to wild animal encounters and spectacular Broadway shows to Mardi Gras celebrations, these electrifying events will help you start the new year off right.
Wolf Howls
Weekends throughout the Year
The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka offers guided howls for an exhilarating and educational evening. During the nighttime howls, you’ll learn about wolf communication. Education coordinator Jimmy Parsons can imitate each howl, and you might be lucky enough to hear the wolves howl back. During your visit, take a deep dive into the Endangered Wolf Center’s astounding legacy: It’s spent 50 years working to dispel the negative imagery of wolves and promote the conservation of Mexican wolves and American red wolves, among other endangered species of canids.
Alton Eagle Ice Festival
January 2 and 3
In grand fashion, the Alton Eagle Ice Festival celebrates the return of wintering bald eagles to southwest Illinois. At FLOCK Food Truck Park, enjoy eagle-watching shuttle tours, food, drinks, DJ tunes, live ice-carving demonstrations and fire pits with s’more kits. You can also meet a majestic bald eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary! The National Great Rivers Museum, another site of the celebration, will offer talks by eagle experts, spotting scopes that give you a chance to view eagle nests, eagle-themed crafts and other family-friendly activities. If you want to see even more birds of prey, stop by the Audubon Center at Riverlands, where you can embark on a guided bird hike, or take a tour of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, where you can spot bald eagles from 50, 100 and 150 feet in the air!
2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships
January 4 to 11
This January, all eyes will turn to the ice as the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships skate into St. Louis. All-session tickets – including admission to eight championship competitions and the Olympic team naming celebration – as well as single-session tickets are on sale. “There’s a massive difference between watching the sport on TV and [seeing] it in real life,” Olympian Jason Brown told St. Louis Magazine. What better invitation to experience the monumental event live?
The Outsiders
January 7 to 18
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Outsiders is an adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film. Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967 – Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend, Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family of “outsiders” battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. The Outsiders navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that might never accept them. With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders is a story of friendship, family, belonging and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
The Lodge: A Winter Pop-Up Bar
January 8 to March 7
This winter, warm up at The Lodge, Eckert’s newest pop-up bar inspired by snowy escapes, winter sports and fireside gatherings with the people who make you feel at home. Guests are invited to cozy up next to the crackling fire inside the Cider Shed and sip handcrafted cocktails to their hearts’ content. The Lodge hours are Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. To reserve your spot, you’ll pay a $5 fee, which will benefit Without Limits – Team Galaxy’s Special Olympics Sports Program. The partnership celebrates the spirit of the upcoming Olympics, honoring athletes of all abilities who embody perseverance, courage and joy.
Harlem Globetrotters
January 10
Touring more than 400 cities in more than 25 countries, the Harlem Globetrotters are the world’s basketball team. Each game spotlights some of the best athletes on the planet, who awe audiences with ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks and the famous four-point shot. Be part of the Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour when it comes to Chaifetz Arena.
Iconic Conversations: Amanda Doyle
January 11
Iconic Conversations, a thought-provoking speaker series presented by Gateway Arch National Park and Jefferson National Parks Association, takes place in the rotunda of the Old Courthouse on the second Sunday of the month. In January, Amanda Doyle, author of 100 Things to Do in St. Louis Before You Die, will share her bucket list of local experiences, helping you connect to the region in new and unexpected ways.
Monster Jam
January 17 and 18
The most action-packed motorsports event on four wheels comes to The Dome at America’s Center on Jan. 17 and 18. Monster Jam boasts world-class drivers, 12,000-pound trucks, incredible stunts and big air on the indoor dirt track. At the event, you’ll be in the middle of the action as you score the athletes in real time based on their skills and saves.
Dolly Parton’s Threads
January 17 and 18
Experience the heart and soul of an American icon. Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony takes audiences on a multimedia journey through her magnificent life, extraordinary career and legendary music. As Parton shares the stories behind her songs from the big screen, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will play innovative orchestrations of classics, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors,” with bold, symphonic arrangements. Don’t miss this heartfelt tribute to one of music’s most enduring and beloved storytellers.
Mardi Gras
January 17 to February 14
Do you bleed purple, green and gold? Plan your trip to the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, where the nation’s second largest Mardi Gras celebration takes place! With boozy drinks and delectable eats, colorful beads and epic events – including the world’s largest parade of costumed pets – Mardi Gras in St. Louis will exceed your expectations. For more information, peruse our Mardi Gras guide, which includes dates of the funnest festivities, places to satisfy your Cajun cravings and a variety of downtown accommodations.
St. Louis Auto Show
January 22 to 25
Start your engines – the St. Louis Auto Show will return to America’s Center Convention Complex this January. As the largest automobile event in the region, the St. Louis Auto Show features more than 500 new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs from more than 25 manufacturers – all under one roof! Whether you’re a motorhead or not, you’ll find the show fascinating. Attendees can preview the latest models, learn about safety technology and inspect some of the world’s most expensive vehicles without the pressure of making a purchase.
Loop Ice Carnival
January 24
One of St. Louis’ coolest signature events takes place in the Delmar Loop. On Jan. 24, the Loop Ice Carnival will celebrate the season with live ice-carving demonstrations, astounding ice sculptures, impressive fire performers and festive stilt walkers. You can also join the playful scavenger hunt, roast marshmallows for s’mores and have your face painted. The signature event will close with a mesmerizing drone show, adding a futuristic touch to the winter celebration.
Up Late: Laws of Attraction
January 24
The Saint Louis Science Center believes kids shouldn’t have all the fun – hence the Up Late series. On Jan. 24, the adults-only event gets a romantic twist, exploring the fascinating science behind connection. From the chemistry of pheromones to the physics of gravity, you’ll discover the forces that bring us together. Throughout the evening, cocktails, zero-proof beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
Hell’s Kitchen
January 27 to February 8
Hell’s Kitchen – the award-winning Broadway musical created and inspired by 17-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys – takes you on a journey with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire. Relatable, raw and refreshingly fun, it’s a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose and the people who lift you up. The music – a mix of Keys’ greatest hits and new songs written exclusively for the show – tells a tale that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been or where you’re going. When the multi-award-winning musical comes to The Fabulous Fox, you can be part of the electric experience.
2026 STL RV Travel Show
January 30 to February 1
Discover the freedom, flexibility and fun of the RV lifestyle at the STL RV Travel Show. Presenting more than 300 recreational vehicles, the show is the go-to place to shop for a new RV, trade up to your dream RV or learn about the joys of traveling RV-style. When the show rolls into America’s Center Convention Complex, it will also bring inspiration for travel destinations, including can’t-miss campgrounds.
