8 Essential Events for St. Louis Families In January

January can sometimes seem like a cold and dreary month, but with such a wide variety of exciting events taking place throughout St. Louis, there are lots of opportunities to get out of the house and find some family fun. Our top picks for January include:    

1. Family Winter Carnival - Mardi Gras (1/9)

Mardi Gras is always a celebration in St. Louis, and this year kids can get in on the action too. At the Family Winter Carnival on Saturday, Jan. 9, bounce houses, story time, fire trucks, police vehicles and interactive displays from local artists and organizations will all keep kids busy, and festive crowns, masquerade masks and face paint will help the whole family get in the Mardi Gras spirit.

This free, family-friendly event takes place in the Bud Light Party Center in Soulard Market Park from 12 to 4 p.m. The event is alcohol-free; no alcohol of any kind will be allowed in the tent.    

2. Stories @ STAGES (1/6)

There’s no snow on the ground (yet!) in St. Louis, but on Wednesday, Jan. 6, preschool and early elementary audiences can pretend there is when they experience author Sam McBratney’s Let’s Play in the Snow at Stories @ STAGES. The popular (and free) monthly series features a new classic children’s story each month, and includes interactive readings, performances by STAGES artists and dramatic play activities that keep kids engaged and entertained.

Sessions are held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Reservations are required, and can be made online.

3. Above and Beyond Exhibition at the Saint Louis Science Center (Opens 1/29)

Experience flight like never before when the Above and Beyond Exhibition lands at the Saint Louis Science Center this month. This 5,000-square foot traveling aerospace exhibition arrives in St. Louis straight from its debut at the Smithsonian, and features interactive challenges, immersive media presentations, inspiring stories and more.

From designing and test-flying your own supersonic jet to piloting a drone into a hurricane, you’ll find fun, hands-on and gravity-defying activities for kids of all ages and adults. Above and Beyond opens Jan. 29.

4. Eagle Viewing (Various Dates in January)

January is National Bald Eagle Watching Month, and St. Louis families have several opportunities to see these majestic birds – not to mention symbols of our national pride – in their natural habitat this month:

• At the Eagle Days Festival at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on Jan. 16 and 17, you can watch eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead and roosting in nearby trees. Trained volunteers will be on hand to help with eagle spotting, and there will be presentations by the World Bird Sanctuary.

• You can also see eagle soar and learn more about what brings them to our area at Eagle Days/Winter Wonders at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area on Jan. 16 and 17. Scopes will be set up to zoom in on the eagles, and there will be short walks to viewing spots.

• Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park features an informative program, a short video and an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles on select dates from Jan. 15 to Feb. 2. Reservations are required.

5. Circus Harmony – Giocoso (1/23, 1/24, 1/30, 1/31)

The 11^th annual Circus Harmony show features young people from around St. Louis and the world, performing circus arts that defy gravity to both original and world music. This year’s show takes place at City Museum, with performances on Saturday, Jan. 23 and 30 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 and 31 at 2 p.m. It is titled Giocoso, a musical term meaning joyful, because it is designed to make your spirit soar. Watch out for flying children!

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (314) 436-7676 or at www.circusharmony.org.

6. Loop Ice Carnival (1/15-1/16)

Held every year in mid-January, the Loop Ice Carnival brings a day full of icy fun to Delmar Blvd. in University City. The Carnival kicks off with the Snow Ball at the Moonrise Hotel on the evening of Friday, Jan. 15, but it is Saturday, Jan. 16 that brings all the fun for families.

Bundle up and celebrate all things frozen with over 50 ice sculptures, frozen turkey bowling, human dog sled races, fire performers, ice carving demonstrations, game booths, s’mores, hot chocolate and more. Most of Saturday’s events are free and family-friendly. A complete schedule is available here.

7. Disney on Ice - Treasure Trove (1/28-31)

Disney on Ice is a perpetual favorite for kids, and the magic of Mickey and friends returns to Scottrade Center on Jan. 28-31 this year for eight performances. The skating spectacular features classic Disney characters like Rapunzel and Flynn, along with princesses Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and more.

Make plans now to set sail with Peter Pan and trek the wilds of Africa with The Lion King’s Simba and Nala. And, of course, you don’t want to be late for a very important date with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Tickets start at $15, and can be purchased online.

8. Summer Opportunities Fair (1/30)

Think it’s too early to think about summer? Think again. At the Summer Opportunities Fair on Saturday, Jan. 30 at John Burroughs School, parents have the opportunity to learn about day and sleepaway summer camps for children from preschoolers to teenagers. More than 160 camps will be represented, many from St. Louis, as well as others from around the country and the globe.  

And Summer Expo 2016, which features local summer camp options for kids of all ages, is coming up on Sunday, Feb. 21, so mark your calendars for this event too.  Because even though it’s cold right now, the hot summer sun – and that long summer vacation from school – are both much closer than we realize.  

Don't want to wait to start planning your child's summer, visit our online camp guide at stlcamps.com, available 24/7 from any device.

For more fun in January, check our Things To Do calendar and sign up for our Things To Do email newsletter to get a handy list of family fun sent right to your phone!