The holiday season is here and there are so many ways to get into the spirit in St. Louis. Sure, you may want to pick out the perfect tree, but below are other events just begging to become an annual holiday tradition. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa, there's something for everyone this holiday season. If you're looking for Christmas light displays, read my article on The Top Holiday Lights in the St. Louis area.
Gardenland Express
Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
It's all aboard for some holiday fun at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden is kicking off its holiday season with its "Gardenland Express" annual flower and train show. The show features model trains that wind their way though a miniature landscape filled with winter scenes and surrounded by poinsettias and other flowering plants. The display is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 plus the price of Garden admission.
November 25, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Missouri Botanical Garden
November 25, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Missouri Botanical Garden
Holiday Party and "Yule Dog" Costume Contest
Celebrate the holiday season with two fun events in downtown St. Louis. On December 4, everyone is invited to a Holiday Party at the Old Post Office Plaza (at the corner of 9th and Locust) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be music, giveaways, hot chocolate and more. Then on December 5, dog owners can bring their favorite pooch to the same location for a "Yule Dog" Costume Contest from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Top dogs will win prizes.December 4 & 5, 2009
Downtown St. Louis
Godfrey's Snowflake Festival
The cold weather is just the right setting for the Snowflake Festival in Godfrey, Illinois. The free, old-fashioned festival features carriage rides, caroling, hot cocoa and pictures with Santa. The Snowflake Festival runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Glazebrook Park at 1401 Stamper Lane.December 4, 2009
Godfrey, Illinois
Three Chances to Have Breakfast with Santa
Photo by SW Productions, courtesy Getty Images
St. Louis area children are invited to dine with Santa this holiday season. The St. Louis Zoo, Magic House and Eckert's Orchards are all hosting Breakfast with Santa. Prices vary for each event, but they all include a meal, treats for the kids and pictures with Santa himself.
St. Louis Zoo: December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2009
Magic House: December 6, 2009
Eckerts Orchards: November 28 & 29, December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2009
St. Louis Zoo: December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2009
Magic House: December 6, 2009
Eckerts Orchards: November 28 & 29, December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2009
Candlelight Christmas
Photo courtesy Lindenwood University, Daniel Boone Campus
Take a trip back to the 1800's this Christmas at the Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri. The Boone Home and Boonesfield Village welcomes visitors for candlelight tours. Stroll through the historic property as thousands of candles light your way. There are nearly a dozen buildings decorated for a 19th century Christmas. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children.
December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 2009
Daniel Boone Home, Defiance
December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 2009
Daniel Boone Home, Defiance
Chanukah at the Botanical Garden
Photo by Josh Monken, courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
Experience the traditions of Chanukah at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Garden will host "Chanukah: Festival of Lights" from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. The celebration begins with the symbolic lighting of the menorah, followed by Jewish music and dancing. There is also a traditional marketplace where shoppers can buy Chanukah items. The festival will be held in the Ridgway Visitor Center. Admission is included with a regular Garden ticket.
December 6, 2009
Missouri Botanical Garden
December 6, 2009
Missouri Botanical Garden
Christmas Parade
The holidays are a great time to have a parade. Residents and visitors in Jerseyville, Illinois, show their spirit with a lighted Christmas parade. The parade begins at 5 p.m. at the intersection of State Street and West Prairie. After the parade, stick around for the town's tree lighting ceremony.December 11, 2009
Jerseyville
Christmas Carols in the Garden
Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a beautiful sight any time of the year, but during the holidays you can also enjoy the sounds of the season during Christmas Carols in the Garden. Five choirs, a harpist and other musicians will perform throughout the Garden while visitors sip mulled cider and hot chocolate. There's also a special display of gingerbread houses and a visit from Santa. Admission is free with the purchase of a regular Garden ticket.
December 12 & 13, 2009
Missouri Botanical Garden
December 12 & 13, 2009
Missouri Botanical Garden
Yuletide Reflections
Photo courtesy The Sheldon Corale
For those who love the music of the holidays, the Sheldon Corale will perform favorite Christmas carols from around the world at its "Yuletide Reflections" concert. The concert begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
December 14, 2009
Sheldon Concert Hall
December 14, 2009
Sheldon Concert Hall
Christmas at the Fabulous Fox
The Fox Theatre is celebrating the holidays with some great Christmas shows. The Joffrey Ballet will dance The Nutcracker in early December. There are also performances of Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Tickets for the shows range from $17 to $82.The Nutcracker: December 3-6, 2009
A Christmas Carol: December 10-13, 2009
White Christmas: December 15-27, 2009
Fox Theatre
