15 Things to Do in St. Louis This December Wednesday November 19, 2025 Share AttractionsEntertainmentFamily-FriendlyHistoryMusicShoppingSports By Rachel Huffman St. Louis has an abundance of festive light displays and jolly seasonal events for endless holiday fun, but if you’re looking for other things to do in December, check out this list. With dirt track racing, ice hockey games and snowball fights, there’s no shortage of entertainment and excitement in the Gateway City this month. St. Louis Blues | Photo by Sophia Scheller Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea Until January 25 The Saint Louis Art Museum presents a landmark exhibition of the work of Anselm Kiefer, one of the most influential and provocative artists of our time. Featuring works from the 1960s to the present, Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea will be the first comprehensive survey of Kiefer’s work in the U.S. in more than 20 years. Curated by Min Jung Kim, the Barbara B. Taylor Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, the show will encompass a compelling blend of Kiefer’s iconic works alongside new pieces created over the last three decades, including recent paintings of the Mississippi and Rhine rivers, drawing evocative parallels between the symbolic resonance of the two waterways and linking Kiefer’s thematic explorations of time, geography and the eternal flow of human history across the spectrum of the exhibition. Teddy Bear Tea November 29 to December 23 Arguably the most popular event at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Teddy Bear Tea returns this season on select dates from Nov. 29 to Dec. 23. Arm in arm with their furry friends, kids can enjoy gourmet tea, hot chocolate and finger foods – plus, cookie decorating, storytelling, caroling and face painting – in the reimagined Lobby Lounge. For an additional cost, youngsters can take home a new teddy bear from Build-A-Bear Workshop – they’ll even have the opportunity to decorate a T-shirt for him or her on-site. St. Louis Blues December 1, 9, 12, 15, 17, 18, 27 and 29 Warm up your winter vacation with a St. Louis Blues game! Whether you’re a lifelong NHL fan or new to ice hockey, the electric atmosphere inside Enterprise Center will keep you on the edge of your seat, from the first puck drop to the final buzzer. In between periods, enjoy hearty fare from local eateries – think barbecue from Sugarfire Smoke House, burgers and fries from Hi-Pointe Drive-In, hot dogs from Steve’s Hot Dogs, Tex-Mex from Rosalita’s Cantina, ice cream from Bold Spoon Creamery and frozen cocktails from Tropical Liqueurs. Alongside festive holiday events, this is the best way to embrace the season in St. Louis. Winter Wonderscape December 2 to 24 Crafted for kids who dream big, The Magic House has designed a pop-up experience that will change their entire perception of winter. In the seasonal wonderscape, youngsters can climb through a dazzling ice castle, weave through a glistening snow maze and tinker in the elves’ workshop. In Santa’s sleigh, snap a family photo, and then head to the snowball showdown, which happens Tuesdays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Winter Wonderscape is included with general admission to the children’s museum. Emma December 3 to 21 1815 promises to be another eventful holiday season for clever Emma Woodhouse. Highbury’s most charming – if somewhat meddlesome – young lady is once again indulging in her favorite pastime: matchmaking. With a most inconvenient interest in everyone else’s affairs, this author wonders, will her schemes lead to love or disaster? As snow falls and hearts flutter, one truth remains universally acknowledged: Not even Miss Emma Woodhouse is immune to the unpredictable arrows of Cupid. Based on the novel by Jane Austen, Kate Hamill’s fresh feminist take on a treasured classic will be staged by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis from Dec. 3 to 21. Print Bazaar | Photo courtesy of Cherokee Street Gateway Dirt Nationals December 4 to 6 Ready, set, go! The Gateway Dirt Nationals, an indoor racing event, features Late Model and Open-Wheel Modified classes. Held at The Dome at America’s Center, the ⅕-mile, semi-banked dirt oval results in tight-quarters racing – and excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street December 6 Do you prefer prints? You’re going to love the Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street. One of the largest print sales in the Midwest, the annual event showcases more than 100 local and regional artists whose work embodies the ever-evolving creative energy of the neighborhood. Expect everything from lithographs to woodcuts and etchings to screen prints. Add a cup of hot coffee or a tasty taco and this might become a new tradition for you. A Spirited Holiday Past December 6 As part of a grand tour of historic sites, museums and homes in the St. Louis region, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum will host guests for history and iconography walking tours, holiday games and more on Dec. 6. Professional Bull Riders December 6 and 7 Live at Enterprise Center, the world’s top bull riders will go head-to-head against the fiercest bucking bulls on the planet. Don’t miss out on the action – get your tickets today! Holiday Pop-Up Shop December 6 and 13 Laumeier Sculpture Park makes it fun and easy to shop local this holiday season. At its annual holiday pop-up shop, you can find unique gifts from area makers, including Ansgar Leather, Benton Park Prints, Curious Kat Ceramics, Knitwear Underground, Koala Pouches, Mud City Soaps, Pretty Okay Candles, Rainy Day Collective and Skin & Wicks. Gaslight Dreams | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich Flow with the Fish December 14 Stretch, breath and forget about your holiday to-do list during this unique yoga class at the St. Louis Aquarium. In partnership with Personal Space Fitness, the beginner-friendly class runs from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. among the marine life of the immersive attraction. Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo December 14 Signed, sealed, delivered! The Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo returns to America’s Center Convention Complex on Dec. 14. The convention features an amazing selection of wedding professionals who can help you find the perfect gown, reception venue, invitations, photographer, music, menu, honeymoon destination and so much more. Admission is free with online registration or $10 at the door. Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour December 14 This annual tradition offers a glimpse into the Painted Ladies of Lafayette Square. Participants of the Holiday Parlor Tour will be invited into festively decorated homes on the self-guided walking tour. Unique in its history and character, every home reflects the diversity of the neighborhood’s residents. Ticket holders can also enjoy carriage rides in the park and trolley stops around the area. Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical December 16 The musical comedy Mrs. Doubtfire spotlights the things that we do to stay together. Based on the beloved film, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune – one that proves we’re better together. Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny will saunter into St. Louis for a single performance at Stifel Theatre on Dec. 16. Gaslight Dreams December 19 to 20 Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s holiday tradition is set against the backdrop of the historic Gaslight Square entertainment district. Infused with jazz rhythms by Jazz St. Louis, the vibrant production transforms Tchaikovsky’s classic into a nightclub fantasy. Celebrating the musical genius of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, the production combines contemporary dance and live jazz to create a love story that’s distinctly St. Louis. Share
