30 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in St. Louis This Season

Wild Lights at the Zoo
(1 Government Drive, 314-781-0900)

Walk through on certain nights from 5 to 8:30 p.m. to see the Zoo in a whole different light. You can even swing by Penguin and Puffin Coast to say hello to the animals, as well as the Insectarium.

Find out more here.

Garden Glow

(4344 Shaw Boulevard; www.mobot.org)

- Through Dec. 23, 5-10 p.m. and Through Jan. 1, 2019, 5-10 p.m.

- $3-$18

More than one million lights wrap the trees and buildings of the Missouri Botanical Garden, creating a seasonal spectacle. In keeping with the garden's mission, many of the lights are solar powered, and electrical use for the event has been offset with Renewable Energy Certificates, making this one of the few guilt-free Christmas treats. The 1.3-mile path through the park has a few concession areas serving hot chocolate, s'mores and the like. — Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden

St. Charles Christmas Traditions

(South Main Street and Jackson Street, St. Charles; www.historicstcharles.com)

- Sundays, 12-5 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Wednesdays, Fridays, 6-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 24

- free admission

Traditionally, there's only ever one Santa Claus on the job — that's what makes him so special. But at St. Charles Christmas Traditions, all the iterations of Santa Claus from other cultures and times gather in historic downtown St. Charles (South Main Street and Jackson Street, St. Charles; www.historicstcharles.com), which allows you to meet and take a picture with some far-out Santa variants and other assorted holiday characters. — Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Theo Welling

Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show

(4344 Shaw Boulevard; www.mobot.org)

- Through Dec. 24 and Through Dec. 30

- $5 in addition to regular garden admission ($4-$12)

There's something magical about a well-built model train setup with buildings, little people and personal touches. The Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Boulevard; www.mobot.org) keeps the tradition alive with its annual Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show. Six tracks of model trains roll through hand-built scenery, which is surrounded by a landscape of living plants. — Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden

Santa’s Wonderland

(1365 S. 5th St. St. Charles; 636-688-2500)

- Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 24

- Free

Looking for free photos with Santa? Check out Santa's Wonderland. The kids are hooked up -- they can also play games, make free crafts and write a letter to Santa.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Cinema Stock / Shutterstock

Anheuser-Busch's Brewery Lights

(1200 Lynch Street; www.budweisertours.com)

- Thursdays-Sundays, 5-10 p.m. Continues through Dec. 30

- free admission, some activities require a fee

You have to give Anheuser-Busch credit: The big brewery in town has crammed more Christmas stuff than ever into its light display this year. There are the traditional lights winking from every cornice and edge of every building in the brewery complex, the return of its own ice-skating rink, a new kids' zone and brewery express train, and holiday movies shown on a big screen nightly during regular hours. — Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Courtesy of AB-InBev

A Christmas Story by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

(130 Edgar Road; www.repstl.org)

- Tuesday through Sunday, through December 23

- $24 to $97

The evergreen holiday film A Christmas Story is based on the stories of the great Jean Shepherd, who mined childhood nostalgia and memories of his own family to tell an honest tale about the true meaning of Christmas from a child's point of view. - Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Patrick Lanham

St. Louis' Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre's Holiday Extravaganza

(6128 Delmar Blvd.; 314-863-5811)

- Sat., Dec.1 at 8 p.m., Sun., Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., Wed., Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.; Thu., Dec 6 at 8 p.m., Fri. Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Sat. Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

- $10 - $15

St. Louis' Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre company ends every one of its gloriously cheap and howlingly funny plays with a free gift for one lucky audience member. This year, the company subverts that tradition entirely with its Holiday Extravaganza. The group will perform rapid-fire adaptations of the beloved Rankin/Bass Productions stop-motion Christmas specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Year Without a Santa Claus, which is essentially a gift to every person who goes. - Paul Friswold

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Magic Smoking Monkey

A Happy Little Holiday Market

(175 Edgar Road, St. Louis; 314-963-5000)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

- free admission

With more than 70 artists and makers selling their wares, this little holiday market isn't really so little. Also in attendance will be the all-important food trucks. Buy gifts and get fed? Win-win.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Syda Productions / Shutterstock

Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis Christmas Concert

(211 N. Woodlawn Ave., CommunityGospelChoir.org)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

- Free

This event promises to praise to the newborn King while bringing unity to community and "using Gospel music to break down racial, cultural, and economic barriers." Not only does that sound like an awesome plan, it truly sounds awesome, too.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Tsuguliev / Shutterstock

Party at the North Pole

(6238 Alexander Dr.; Clayton; chapelvenue.com)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

- $10

An elf, a reindeer, a toy soldier, a polar bear, some rockin' penguin puppets and a holiday sing-a-long? The kids are sure to enjoy this one.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Roman Vukolov / Shutterstock

A Spirited Holiday Past

(634 S. Broadway; 314-421-4689)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

- Price varies by site

Twenty-six historic houses, museums, and privately-owned homes are joining together and opening their doors to offer you access to St. Louis history. Theme Tour Options include: Story Connections, African American, Civil War, Country, Early American, French Heritage, Germanic, Geographic, Town, Victorian. Educational and gorgeous.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: KUCO / Shutterstock

Urban Chestnut's WinterMarkt

(3229 Washington Ave.; 314-222-0143)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 12-4 p.m., Sat., Dec. 8, 12-4 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 15, 12-4 p.m.

- Free

All holiday markets should also be in a biergarten. This one features more than 30 local vendors, food, firepits and live music. Perfect wintertime cozy fun.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Syda Productions / Shutterstock

Christmas Cookie Spree

(Cherokee St. from S. Jefferson Ave. to Lemp Ave.; 314-771-6353)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

- Free

Cherokee Antique Rows’ 35th Annual Christmas Cookie Spree - shop while you munch on tasty treats. Get yourself to Cherokee St. between Jefferson & Broadway this afternoon for some holiday fun.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Paul Sableman / Flickr

Christmas at the Cathedral – St. Louis Cathedral Concerts

(4431 Lindell Blvd.; 314-373-8200)

- Sat., Dec. 1, 8-10 p.m.

- $24-$49

Is there a better place to feel the magic of Christmas than the Cathedral Basilica? This event costs more than most others, but you really can't put a price on the majesty of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Choirs & Orchestra.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: TEXAS TONGS / Flickr

Gingerbread House Competition & Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

(1000 Sidney St.; 314-771-3066)

- Tue., Dec. 4, 7-10 p.m., Wed., Dec. 5, 7-10 p.m. and Thu., Dec. 6, 7-10 p.m.

- Free

The only thing better than a gingerbread house competition is an ugly Christmas sweater party -- and this event has both! Bring $20 and enjoy the open bar until the reindeer carry you home!

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Aleksandra Suzi / Shutterstock

Maplewood Christmas Tree Walk

(7300 Manchester Rd.; 314-781-8588)

- Fri., Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m.

- Free

The lighting of the tree, the arrival of Santa, hot chocolate and horse-drawn carriages? This is one impressive event, Maplewood.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Neil Lockhart / Shutterstock

Stray Rescue of St. Louis Hope for the Holidays Gala

(212 N. Kingshighway Blvd.; 314-771-6121)

- Fri., Dec. 7, 6:30-11 p.m.

- $200

If you're looking to do some good this holiday season but still like to party, this charity event is your best bet. Tickets are $200 but that gets you auctions, music, dinner and and open bar. And did we mention that it's at the Chase Park Plaza? Ooh la la.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Christmas Candlelight Walk

(1868 Highway F, Defiance, MO; 636-798-2005)

- Fri., Dec. 7, 6-10:30 p.m., Sat., Dec. 8, 6-10:30 p.m., Fri., Dec. 14, 6-10:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 15, 6-10:30 p.m.

- $10 - $15

Celebrate Christmas 1800's-style at the Historic Daniel Boone Home! Learn all about how the holiday was celebrated on the frontier and enjoy hot apple cider, traditional carols and more.

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / Shutterstock

A Christmas Madrigal Evening with the Greenleaf Singers

(8646 New Sappington Rd.; no phone)

- Fri., Dec. 7, 7:30-9 p.m.

- $8/$4 (kids) in advance; $10/$5 at the door

The Greenleaf Singers, a 16-member a capella madrigal ensemble are appearing at this event at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Crestwood. Also performing is the Not-Ready-for-Cut-Time Consort, a recorder ensemble!

Check it out here.

Photo credit: Olivier Le Queinec / Shutterstock