The magical sights of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation's Winterfest return to downtown St. Louis this holiday season. Winterfest includes family fun, beautiful holiday lights, s'mores stations, ice skating and festive activities and fireworks, plus special character visits and a New Year's Eve celebration.
Bring your kids and take photos with Santa at the historic and festive Kirkwood Train Station in downtown Kirkwood.
Visit Eckert Farms in Belleville and have pictures taken with Santa.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights has long been a favorite holiday activity for St. Louisans. In addition to the walk-through experience, visitors can drive through the iconic display on select nights.
Celebrate the magic of the holidays the entire month of December at the Holiday Magic experience at The Magic House! Holiday Magic features festive decorations, lots of interactive outdoor attractions like Gingerbread Village (where you can meet and take pictures taken with Santa!), a Wonder Woods Maze, Snowball Carnival, and special holiday programs inside the museum. Dec. 24 hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
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.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Grandparents Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and mealtime. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Enjoy an evening of chess for all ages. Chess boards and pieces are provided, just bring yourself and a desire to learn and explore your chess skills.
Tiny Trekkers is a weekly nature-based program for preschoolers (ages 3-5) at the Nature Institute. Preschoolers explore the nearly 500 acres of preserves through hands-on experiences out in nature. Kids stomp through creeks, use nets to catch and observe insects, taste edible plants, and learn about the natural world.
Kids can enjoy sensory bin play and craft activities at the Edwardsville Children's Museum during Kids Craft Days, which are free with regular admission.
