For many families, going to see local holiday light displays is a favorite yearly tradition. It's a great way to jump-start your holiday spirit! So bundle up, jump in the car and spend an evening taking in some of these great holiday light displays.
Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights
Photo by J.P. First, courtesy Christmas in St. Louis
The holiday season begins in downtown St. Louis with the Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights. Crowds gather each year in Kiener Plaza to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and downtown light display. There are activities for the kids, musical performances and a special visit from Santa Claus. The event runs from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
November 20, 2009
Downtown St. Louis
November 20, 2009
Downtown St. Louis
Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo
Photo by Ray Meibaum, courtesy St. Louis Zoo
Go a little wild this holiday season with Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. If you've never been to the zoo on a winter evening, this is a real treat. Walk through the exhibits as they come alive with more than 500,000 lights (see pictures of the display). Kids can make their own ornaments and adults can do a little shopping at the Holiday Zootique. Wild Lights is open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for Zoo members and $5 for non-members. Children under two get in free. There is also free parking at the Zoo's South Lot.
November 27-29, 2009
December 4-6, 11-13, 18-23 & 26-30, 2009
View a photo gallery of the Wild Lights display. Or, for tips on what to see during your visit to the Zoo, read my article See the Nation's Best Zoo.
November 27-29, 2009
December 4-6, 11-13, 18-23 & 26-30, 2009
View a photo gallery of the Wild Lights display. Or, for tips on what to see during your visit to the Zoo, read my article See the Nation's Best Zoo.
Way of Lights
Photo courtesy of Our Lady of the Snows Shrine
The Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville is one of the area's most popular Christmas displays (see pictures of the display). More than a million lights are used to tell the story of Jesus' birth. You can drive through the display or take a carriage ride. There's also a laser light show, camel rides, an indoor Christmas tree display and an interactive play area for the kids. The Way of Lights is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to view the lights is free, but there is a small charge for the laser light show, camel rides and other attractions. Donations are also accepted.
November 20, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville
View a photo gallery of the Way of Lights display.
November 20, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville
View a photo gallery of the Way of Lights display.
Santa's Magical Kingdom
It takes quite a while to see the 35 acres of Christmas lights at Santa's Magical Kingdom in south St. Louis County. Millions of lights and dozens of holiday scenes fill Jellystone Park in Eureka. You can see Santa's flying reindeer, travel through the Candy Cane Village or visit the Waterfall of Lights. For even more fun, take an old fashioned wagon ride through the display. After seeing the lights, head over to Kringle's General Store for a little holiday shopping. Santa's Magical Kingdom is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Admission is $18 per car or $12 for wagon or train ride tickets.November 20, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Jellystone Park, Eureka
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
For more than 20 years, employees with the St. Louis County Parks Department have turned Tilles Park into a Winter Wonderland. You can drive through the display, but the best way to see the lights is by horse-drawn carriage. Winter Wonderland is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., except for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Cars are welcome Sunday through Friday, but Saturdays are reserved for carriage rides. Admission is $9 per car. Tickets for carriage rides are available through MetroTix, and vary depending on the size of the carriage.November 25, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Tilles Park, St. Louis County
Christmas Wonderland in Alton
Photo courtesy Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
Each year, Alton's Rock Spring Park twinkles with more than two million lights during the holiday season. You'll see cascading waterfalls, lighted trees and dozens of magical displays. Kids can also visit Santa in the Enchanted Forest or get up close with goats, llamas and other animals at the petting zoo. Christmas Wonderland is open Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for cars and small vans, or $1 a person for vehicles with more than 10 people. You can also take a carriage ride through the display, but advanced reservations are required.
November 27 - December 27, 2009
Rock Spring Park, Alton
November 27 - December 27, 2009
Rock Spring Park, Alton
