A wintering bald eagle hunts in the Missouri River.

15 Things to Do in St. Louis This January

Wednesday December 18, 2024

By Rachel Huffman

The fun doesn’t stop after the holidays! Here are 15 things to do in St. Louis this January.

From astounding athletic feats to wild animal encounters to spectacular Broadway shows, these electrifying events will help you start the new year off right.

An owl practically blends in with a tree at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Photo courtesy of the World Bird Sanctuary

Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour

January 4

Touring more than 400 cities in more than 25 countries, the Harlem Globetrotters are the world’s basketball team. Every 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. The team also levels up their games with new, exciting challenges, shots and moves. Be part of the Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour when it comes to Enterprise Center.

Alton Eagle Ice Festival

January 4

If you’re in town on Jan. 4, head to the Alton Eagle Ice Festival, which celebrates the return of wintering bald eagles to southwest Illinois in grand fashion. 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. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 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!

Owl Prowls

January 5, 17 and 19

Walk on the wild side at the World Bird Sanctuary. Dark winter nights are the perfect time to join one of its Owl Prowls, where you can meet the amazing birds that fly by moonlight. Held on select evenings from November through March every year, Owl Prowls offer an exciting opportunity to learn more about the intriguing life of owls from a local naturalist. Come face-to-face with live owls, take an easy night hike across the grounds and try to call to an owl in the wild. Hoot. Hoot.

A couple looks at a high-performance vehicle at the St. Louis Auto Show, one of 15 things to do in St. Louis this January.
St. Louis Auto Show | Photo by Mark Hermes

Chicken and Biscuits

January 8 to 26

Nothing is sacred in this laugh-out-loud comedy, presented by The Black Rep at Washington University in St. Louis. When rival sisters Beverly and Baneatta bring the drama to their father’s funeral – God rest his soul – the side eyes aren’t just for each other. As Beverly tries to keep a lid on her daughter’s curiosity, Baneatta throws shade at her son and his Jewish boyfriend. In the middle of it all, a family secret is revealed that will have you clutching your pearls.

St. Louis Auto Show

January 9 to 12

Experience the adrenaline rush of high-performance cars at the St. Louis Auto Show. From Jan. 9 to 12, you can discover the power, precision and unmatched speed of the latest models, right on the show floor. Bring the whole family to enjoy the interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and thrilling attractions at America’s Center Convention Complex.

Wolf Howls

January 11, 18 and 25

A lone wolf howling to the moon is a popular winter motif, and the Endangered Wolf Center aims to eliminate some of the mystique. During its Wolf 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. You can also take a deep dive into the Endangered Wolf Center’s astounding legacy, as 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. The evening event includes a half-mile walk near canid habitats and light refreshments, too!

At the Endangered Wolf Center, Mexican gray wolves howl.
Endangered Wolf Center | Photo by Michelle Steinmeyer

Funky Butt Brass Band

January 16

Straight out of St. Louis, Funky Butt Brass Band will bring their high-energy show to City Winery this January. Expect infectious originals and creative covers from the genre-bending group, who draw inspiration from the Neville Brothers, Prince, WuTang Clan, Willie Nelson and everyone in between. During the performance, savor tapas-style dishes and house-fermented wines from the urban winery.

Anna Bolena

January 17 and 19

Dive into a world of passion, betrayal and Tudor intrigue with Gaetano Donizetti’s operatic masterpiece Anna Bolena. Queen Anne Boleyn, once the king’s esteemed mistress, now finds herself out of favor, as King Henry VIII, consumed by a new desire for Jane Seymour, hatches a plot to bring down his wife. Witness the emotional turmoil of a queen facing accusations, the torment of a love lost and the fight for survival in the cutthroat world of the English court. Performed by Winter Opera St. Louis, Anna Bolena is a thrilling operatic drama filled with soaring vocals, heart-wrenching melodies and a story that will leave you breathless.

Hot Country Nights

January 17, 24 and 31

In St. Louis, a new year always brings a new series of country concerts to Ballpark Village. This month, Hot Country Nights will welcome Zach Top (Jan. 17), Los Juniors de Mexicali (Jan. 24) and Jackson Dean (Jan. 31) to the stage of Bally Sports Live – and if we “don’t come back, don’t come lookin’.”

Monster Jam roars through The Dome at America's Center.
Photo courtesy of Monster Jam

Monster Jam

January 18 and 19

Experiencing Monster Jam live, you’ll become a fan for life! With astounding trucks, amazing stunts, action-packed excitement and big air, it’s the definition of fun for everyone. When Monster Jam returns to The Dome at America’s Center on Jan. 18 and 19, you can see 12,000-pound trucks stand on two wheels and then fly through the air. You’ll be in the middle of the action, as you get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts and saves.

Six: The Musical

January 21 to February 2

From Tudor queens to pop icons, the six wives of Henry VIII are remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak, creating a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power, over which audiences are losing their heads! Six, an original musical with 23 awards, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score, has become a global sensation since it debuted on Broadway in October 2021, and soon, it’ll rock The Fabulous Fox.

Cody Johnson: Leather Deluxe Tour

January 24

“If you got a dream, chase it, ’cause a dream won’t chase you back.” If you dream of seeing country star Cody Johnson live, this is your chance! He’s bringing his Leather Deluxe Tour to Enterprise Center on Jan. 24, with special guests Ashley McBryde and Drew Baldridge.

Six plays at The Fabulous Fox.
Six | Photo by Joan Marcus

Loop Ice Carnival

January 25

During the annual Loop Ice Carnival, the neighborhood streets will come alive with captivating ice-carving demonstrations, enchanting ice sculptures and astounding drone shows. Throughout the festival, you can also embark on a playful scavenger hunt and meet Louie, the lovable mascot of the St. Louis Blues. More than a frozen spectacle, the Loop Ice Carnival is a celebration of the winter season and local community spirit.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Live at the Pulitzer

January 28

An eclectic combination of works will progress from inner serenity and calm to outer joy and exuberance during this live St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performance at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Anthony Vine will enchant audiences with a unique pairing of strings and harmonium. Elizabeth Ogonek’s water-inspired septet will delve into a world of dynamism and contrasts. And Andy Akiho will reimagine music by Bach for percussion and cello in a rhythmic and thrilling reconception.

Beethoven X Beyoncé

January 31

Experience a thrilling blend of pop’s queen and classical music’s king as Beyoncé’s iconic repertoire is seamlessly interwoven with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The symphonic world’s most joyful celebration of dance becomes the backdrop for this innovative fusion as 15 of Beyoncé’s chart-topping hits are seamlessly interwoven to create a new musical journey. Prepare to be mesmerized as three powerhouse female soloists – accompanied by a guest drummer, guitarist/keyboardist and bassist – join forces with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to deliver a night of musical magic.