America's Biggest Birthday Party returns to the Gateway Arch grounds featuring free admission, live entertainment, a festival zone for family fun, a fairway with vendors, Purina's Incredible Dog Team and stunning fireworks displays.
Take your kids to a new reading program offered at the Gateway Arch Museum. Reading with a Ranger is a free program for families. You'll receive a copy of a themed children's book and read it together with a park ranger, have a group discussion, then explore the museum and Gateway Arch grounds.
Meet at the West Entrance Plaza at the Gateway Arch for Ghosts of the Arch Grounds. Visitors will learn about the various incarnations of the Arch Grounds as they evolved from French fur trading post to warehouse district to the present Gateway Arch National Park. Experience the ups and downs of historical figures like Pierre Laclede, Thomas Targee, James Eads and Percy Green.
Meet up with a park ranger and take a free walking tour that explores downtown St. Louis and its most popular landmarks.
Free Family Fridays at the Old Courthouse are a great opportunity for kids to learn about St. Louis history, the westward expansion and take part in hands-on craft projects.
Join members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society and the National Park Service for a night of stargazing on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.
This ranger-led event for all ages includes a special talk followed by telescope viewing.
On the grounds of the Gateway Arch. Free. 8 to 10 p.m. More information: gatewayarch.com
Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays with spectacular photo opportunities throughout the Zoo during Wild Lights. Walk through two tunnels with dazzling lights, and enjoy themed displays featuring snowflakes, candy canes, gumdrops, penguins, polar bears, tigers, giraffes and much more at this St. Louis family-favorite holiday tradition. New this year: Visits with Santa!
Experience the holiday lights at Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park, where you'll find two million beautiful holiday lights and animated displays.
Your family can enjoy a gourmet, festive breakfast buffet complete with a visit from the man of the hour: Santa.
Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.