holiday 2020 events in St. Louis

At Holiday Night Lights, families can stroll through the beautifully lit front play garden of The Magic House with snowmen galore, play in two new holiday themed outdoor play spaces, hear a special bedtime story complete with delicious cookies and milk in a socially distanced heated outdoor space, say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with a fun photo booth and enjoy private playtime in the museum with less than 10% capacity.

View this event »

Christmas Tree Decorating Party at Play Street Museum

Kids can decorate their own mini Christmas tree at Play Street Museum's Christmas Tree Decorating Party. Each child will have a variety of ornaments to adorn their tree's branches. This event include playtime in the museum, a take-home treat and other festive activities.

View this event »

Find Gifts for All the Kiddos On Your List in our 100% Local Holiday Gift Guide

In a year when every parent could use a break, why not make gift giving easier, faster, and while you're at it, help support local organizations and businesses? That's why we've made our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide 100% local for 2020. Keep St. Louis strong, and those on your list happy, with these gift ideas that are just a click away.

Our Picks for the Top Holiday Events in St. Louis in 2020

The holidays are looking different this year for everyone, but we found plenty of family fun to be had (safely) across the St. Louis area for all ages. Here are our must-do holiday events for your family in 2020.

Holiday Fairy Lantern Workshop at Yucandu Art Studio

Kids will create a miniature magical scene of winter wonderland inside a 14.5" tall wood and metal lantern with tons of awesome goodies to decorate it.

View this event »

Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol

COCA presents a holiday classic like never before in Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol! Through hundreds of paper puppets, miniatures, silhouettes, and a live original score, Chicago-based performance collective Manual Cinema takes on the Charles Dickens classic with an imaginative and visually stunning twist specifically created for the 2020 holiday season.

View this event »

Cookies with Santa at The Magic House

Enjoy cookies and milk, plus a private indoor visit with Santa with your immediate family. Cookies with Santa at The Magic House includes all day admission.

View this event »

Pages

Things to Do

Budding Artists Preschool Art Program

Monday, August 24, 2026

Thursday, August 27, 2026

At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!

View this event »

Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

View this event »

Storytime in Forest Park: Storytime in the Meadow

Monday, August 24, 2026

Monday, August 31, 2026

Meet up in Forest Park for a fun storytime followed by nature adventures! These free story times are open to children of all ages and their caregivers.

View this event »

Potty Training 101

Monday, August 24, 2026

Monday, August 31, 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Is it time to potty train your toddler? The St. Louis County Library is offering Potty Training 101 to parents of children ages 2-3. This free workshop for parent and child includes a potty-themed storytime, and parents & caregivers will receive information to get them started on the potty training process. Attendees will also receive a potty seat, step stool, training pants and a potty-themed board book.

View this event »

Baby Bookworms Storytime with the St. Louis Public Library

Bring your little ones, 0-18 months, to Baby Bookworms Storytime to enjoy songs, stories and more.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

You Might Also Like...

Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! LEARN MORE

Great Rivers Greenway has teamed up with the Saint Louis Zoo for the fifth annual free greenway scavenger hunt. Community members are invited to look for the many varieties of native bees that you can see buzzing around greenways and search for special hidden souvenirs you can take home! Starting August 1, BEE on the lookout for hand-painted bee rocks along all 140+ miles of greenways. Saint Louis Zoo ALIVE (Active Leaders in Volunteer Education) teen volunteers hand-painted hundreds of rocks like three different species of bees found along the greenways: American bumblebee, brown-belted bumblebee and two-spotted bumblebee, plus a few of the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. If you find a painted rock, you can take it with you. Be sure to log your rock at www.GreenwayQuest.com for a chance to win prizes from both organizations, including Saint Louis Zoo Adventure Passes! Rocks are along edges of greenways or at trailheads, never far away from the path and never on private property. LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED!

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

From Our Sponsors