15 Things to Do in St. Louis This December

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, a cappella music and illuminated nature walks, there’s no shortage of entertainment and excitement in the Gateway City this month.

Narrative Wisdom and African Arts

Until February 16, 2025

Narrative Wisdom and African Arts explores how historical and contemporary African arts make visible narratives rooted in collective and individual memory and knowledge. The ticketed Saint Louis Art Museum exhibition acknowledges the intersections between certain historical arts and oral traditions, placing historical works made by artists across sub-Saharan Africa from the 13th to 20th centuries in conversation with contemporary works by African artists around the globe. Pictorial forms are featured prominently; in this way, Narrative Wisdom and African Arts breaks from biases toward formal abstraction in African art. By underscoring the mutability of meanings associated with African narrative arts, the exhibition challenges Western constructs of narrative.

The Artist Who Captured Eichmann

Until June 1, 2025

Presented by the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, The Artist Who Captured Eichmann is a captivating temporary exhibition that tells the exciting exploits of Peter Malkin, a Mossad agent who played a pivotal role in apprehending Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires in 1960. During his three-week mission, Malkin wrote, sketched and painted on the pages of a South American travel guide, creating a unique artistic chronicle of his experiences. This exhibition features several silkscreen prints of Malkin’s original artwork. “The Peter Malkin story is a fascinating and multilayered adventure,” executive director Myron Freedman said in a recent press release. “This one-of-a-kind exhibition seamlessly blends art and history into a compelling narrative about justice, espionage and memory – all told through the eyes of an artistic spy.”

The Chalet

November 8 to December 27

Enjoy cozy luxury at The Chalet perched on the sky-high deck of Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton. With exclusive indoor-outdoor experiences, it serves as the ultimate winter escape. At the outdoor pop-up bar, try your hand at curling, gather around a fire pit and savor seasonal bites and sips such as goat cheese truffles, barbecue pork sliders, warm mulled wine and smoky hot chocolate. Wooden pergolas, twinkling lights, heat lamps and blankets add to the allure.

Light Cycles

November 21 to March 15

Moment Factory’s immersive night walk, Light Cycles, will make its North American debut in St. Louis on Nov. 21. The riveting experience takes visitors on a 45-minute journey through a one-of-a-kind digital experience, where art meets nature and nature meets technology. Reimagining the natural world through five captivating installations, Light Cycles features cutting-edge projection mapping, dynamic lighting and custom soundscapes, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. The curated trail, which stretches almost a mile through Brookdale Farms, explores the hidden communication of trees, the rhythms of plant life and the mesmerizing hues of sunsets.

Winterfest

November 23 to December 31

In downtown St. Louis, Kiener Plaza goes into overdrive for the holidays. Hosting Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s Winterfest, the space fills up with fan favorites such as ice skating, s’more stations and igloos positioned under 100,000 twinkling lights. The festivities kick off with the annual Winterfest 5K and Kids Fun Run, which are the only routes through Gateway Arch National Park that support the park. Winterfest continues with holiday-themed karaoke and appearances by princesses and superheroes, while a family-friendly New Year’s Eve fireworks display marks the end of the celebration. Bringing a brand-new experience to Winterfest, The Lodge will serve seasonal cocktails and small bites provided by UKRAFT Brunch Café. Let the fun begin!

Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo

December 1

Signed, sealed, delivered! The Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo returns to the America’s Center Convention Complex on Dec. 1. 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.

Gateway Dirt Nationals

December 5 to 7

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

December 7

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 7

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. 7.

Professional Bull Riders

December 7 and 8

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!

12 Bars of Charity

December 14

This year marks the 12th annual 12 Bars of Charity event, which features a friendly competition between eight local charities. The charities are divided into “teams” and assigned a team color; the largest charity team, with the most sign-ups, gets a $1,000 prize. All you have to do is sign up for the charity team that you want to join. Once at the event, you will have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want. 12 Bars of Charity is a great opportunity to get family, friends and co-workers together around the holidays for a super fun event that gives back to some of the best local organizations.

Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour

December 15

The annual parlor tour in Lafayette Square is too special to miss. Participants of the Holiday Parlor Tour will be invited into 11 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.

Justin Timberlake

December 19

The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, Justin Timberlake’s first tour in five years, will stop at Enterprise Center on Dec. 19. Credited as “one of the century’s most well-rounded entertainers” by Michael Rietmulder of The Seattle Times, Timberlake is in his element on this tour – a spectacle that you won’t want to miss.

Straight No Chaser

December 19

If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses, think again! Straight No Chaser are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, and they’re far from vaudeville-style kitsch. The group has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments, including two RIAA gold-certified albums, more than 1.5 million concert tickets sold, more than 1 billion streams on Pandora and more than 2 million albums sold worldwide. Straight No Chaser is the real deal – the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music, which moves people in a fundamental sense…and with a sense of humor. See them perform live at The Fabulous Fox this December.

Ellington Strayhorn Nutcracker

December 20 and 21

Looking for a new year-end tradition? Honoring its commitment to innovation and collaboration, Saint Louis Dance Theatre will partner with Jazz St. Louis to put an exciting new spin on Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker! Snag seats at the performance to experience an exciting blend of live music and dance as the contemporary dance company (re)imagines a vibrant time in St Louis history, set to the backdrop of Ellington’s remarkable score.