25 Days of Christmas in St. Louis

In the Gateway City, we know how to holiday. From festive light displays to jolly train rides, rooftop curling to ice skating and merry performances to pop-up bars, there’s a magical – and memorable – activity for all 25 days of Christmas in St. Louis.

December 1: Climb Aboard The Polar Express Train Ride

It’s important to hold onto childlike wonder even as an adult, which is why the Polar Express Train Ride has become a holiday tradition for those young and old in St. Louis. From Union Station to the North Pole, let your imagination run wild as you hang out with the train conductor, The Polar Express characters, Santa Claus and his elves.

December 2: Drive Through WonderLight’s Christmas

Pile friends and family into your car for one of the region’s largest drive-through light shows. Taking over World Wide Technology Raceway, you’ll see shooting stars, falling snowflakes and dancing candy canes – all synchronized to Christmas songs!

December 3: Shop for Artsy Gifts at the Delmar Maker District

The holiday window displays throughout the Delmar Maker District are reason enough to visit, and while you’re here, you can shop for an array of locally made art at Craft Alliance, The Lobby by Union Studio and Third Degree Glass Factory. Traveling with kids? They can get crafty at MADE for Kids, created by The Magic House, giving you time for a much-needed break.

December 4: Rock around the Christmas Tree with STAGES St. Louis

Take a jolly journey through a rockin’ musical. Presented by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and STAGES St. Louis, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas brings Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins together for a festive jam session that will have you jingling all the way home.

December 5: Take a Wagon Ride Through Santa’s Magical Kingdom

Santa’s Magical Kingdom is unlike any other place on earth. Here, reindeer soar overhead, elves frolic in the trees and ice cream sundaes are as big as boats. You can drive through the 35 acres of holiday magic at Jellystone Park, but we recommend booking an old-fashioned, open-air wagon ride for unobstructed 360-degree views. And if you have letters for Santa, you can drop them in his mailbox at the North Pole along the way!

December 6: Indulge in a Holiday Cocktail at The Sleigh Shed

With wall-to-wall bling, The Sleigh Shed puts the excess of the holidays on full display. Snag a table at the glittering holiday retreat and savor creative cocktails such as Guava Holly Jolly Xmas (ElVelo tequila blanco, Amaretto, Angostura bitters, apple cider, pink guava, pomegranate and lime), Santa’s Red-Eye Fix (local vodka, cold brew, heavy cream, whipped cream and cookie crumbles) and Walnut Reserve (Willett pot still reserve bourbon, Nux Alpina walnut liqueur, Amaro Nonino, allspice dram and cardamom bitters).

December 7: Try Curling at The Chalet

Perched on the sky-high deck of Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton, The Chalet offers cozy luxury – and curling! Whether you want to figure out the strategy of the sport or you simply want to have a good laugh with friends, you’ll enjoy your ice time at this holiday pop-up bar.

December 8: Cozy Up by a Fire Pit at Brewery Lights

For 25 days of Christmas in St. Louis, more than a million twinkling lights amplify the stunning architecture at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Soulard. Guests can experience the spectacle in a number of ways, including a VIP fire pit package featuring an assortment of Anheuser-Busch products and all your favorite campfire snacks.

December 9: Dance for the Holidays at Stifel Theatre

For one night only, Dancing with the Stars choreographer Derek Hough will bring an all-new celebration to Stifel Theatre. Full of jingle bells and holiday carols, Dance for the Holidays, Hough’s latest dance spectacle, will delight audience members of all ages.

December 10: Immerse Yourself in Garden Glow

Celebrate the season with more than two million twinkling lights, beautiful projections and immersive experiences at the Missouri Botanical Garden. During Garden Glow, lights adorn some of the attraction’s most iconic locations, including the rose garden where Pentatonix serenades passersby.

December 11: Go Crazy at City Museum

City Museum’s weirdly wonderful holidays boast dazzling lights, heartwarming encounters and seasonal cocktails. While you can still enjoy classic thrills – from the enchanted caves to the rooftop rides – visits throughout the month will also include story time with Mrs. Claus and karaoke with friends among larger-than-life light displays.

December 12: Down a Drink at LIT

As a nightlife fixture in St. Louis, Molly’s knows how to throw a party. Enter LIT, a seasonal pop-up experience with outrageous décor, Christmas costumes, themed menus and holiday tunes.

December 13: Let Jingle Bus Express Be Your Guide

Hop aboard the Boogie Bus Express for a sensational holiday light tour. Cuddled together with family and friends among lights, ornaments and garland, you’ll be whisked to charming destinations such as Kiener Plaza, Union Station and Candy Cane Lane. You might also drive through WonderLight’s Christmas at World Wide Technology Raceway or stop for a treat at Ted Drewes. Although routes are subject to change, every excursion will be merry and bright – after all, this is St. Louis, and you’re allowed to bring your own drinks on the bus!

December 14: Spend the Day at Winterfest

Ice skating, Christmas karaoke, s’more stations – in downtown St. Louis, Kiener Plaza goes into overdrive for the holidays. This year, you can also warm up with spiced cider, mulled wine or hot cocoa in The Lodge or pop into a postcard-perfect igloo positioned under 100,000 twinkling lights.

December 15: Tour the Painted Ladies in Lafayette Square

Lining Lafayette Square, the “Painted Ladies” are meticulously restored 150-year-old Victorian mansions doused in vibrant hues of yellow, salmon, green, blue and purple. Want to go inside? The neighborhood will host a parlor tour on Dec. 15. During the self-guided walking tour, you can venture into 11 festively decorated homes and then enjoy carriage rides in the park and trolley stops around the area.

December 16: Go Wild at the Saint Louis Zoo

Wild wonders await at the Saint Louis Zoo. Along Gingerbread Lane, down Artic Alley, through Toy Town and into the Frosted Forest, you’ll find festive family fun any night of Wild Lights.

December 17: Experience the Magic of Jingle!

Giving St. Louis an extra dose of joy this holiday season, Jingle! packs a magnificent light maze, ice skating trail, snow tubing lanes, pop-up bars, local food trucks, artisan vendors and fire pits into Carshield Field for a spectacular, multisensory experience. In between wintry activities, you can enjoy live entertainment, and kids will love visits with Santa Claus and story time with Mrs. Claus.

December 18: Feel the Power of Music with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Live Show

Multi-platinum rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra will bring The Lost Christmas Eve Tour to Enterprise Center for one day only. Packed with pyrotechnics, lasers and the incredible talent associated with the band, the performance will rock you to your core.

December 19: Enjoy Holiday Lights at Grant’s Farm Any Way You Like

Oh, deer! There are four ways to experience Holiday Lights at Grant’s Farm this year: by car, on foot, over a meal or around the fire. Whichever one you choose, you’ll receive the royal tree-tment.

December 20: Meet Santa at Lost Hill Lake’s Grove of Lights

Don your favorite hat, scarf and mittens for this joyous outdoor adventure. Presented by Lost Hill Lake, Grove of Lights features hot cocoa, gooey s’mores and other indulgences – plus, a vendor market and an interactive play area and activity center for kids. If you want to have a meet-and-greet with Santa, stop by between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

December 21: See Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Fabulous Fox

In this adorable musical, the TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage. Come see characters such as Hermey the Misfit Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in an adventure that teaches us that what makes us different is what makes us special.

December 22: Watch It’s A Wonderful Life at Alamo Drafthouse

“You want the moon? Just say the word, and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.” A must-see Christmas classic, It’s A Wonderful Life inspires deep contemplation about life while entertaining with light-hearted moments. See it at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema City Foundry at 12 p.m.

December 23: Invite Your Favorite Cotton-Headed Ninny-Muggins Up on the Rooftop

The extravagant décor at Up on the Rooftop includes everything from presents to reindeer hanging from the ceiling. Head to the holiday pop-up bar at 360 St. Louis or 360 Westport, where seasonal drinks and small plates will make you feel merry and bright.

December 24: Embark on a Last-Minute Shopping Excursion in the Central West End

Want to make last-minute shopping more fun? Provisions St. Louis sells happiness – think whimsical décor, festive barware and brilliant accessories. If you’re looking for a good read, you’ll find it at Left Bank Books, and in between the two, you can grab a scoop at Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery.

December 25: Eat, Drink and Be Merry!