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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Things to Do

Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Friday, November 13, 2026

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.

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Open House at New City School

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Visit New City School for the annual Open House. Take a closer look at the newly reimagined and renovated Early Childhood classrooms and connect with faculty, current families, and alumni. Learn about the admissions process, take a guided tour, and hear about the curriculum and community with informative choice sessions.

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Art Show at Shaw Nature Reserve

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Shaw Nature Reserve will host its 17th annual Art Show on Nov. 7 and 8. The event features the work of 30 local artists whose art captures the beauty of nature.

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Kids CAN Help Food Drive at The Magic House and MADE for Kids

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Children can help families in need in our local communities and get into The Magic House or MADE for Kids for free during the Kids CAN Help food drive. Children 12 and under who bring in three canned food items each will get free admission.

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Fall Fest at Grant's Farm

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Families can enjoy the Fall Fest Kids Zone and all the fun of the farm at the Grant's Farm Fall Fest. There will be seasonal treats, animal feedings, a petting zoo, themed photo spots, and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales too!

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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:

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The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May, homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade-level groups.

Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include colonial St. Louis, baseball, Black history, and wildlife. Detailed schedules for each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on October 9, November 13, December 11, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 9, and May 14. LEARN MORE

What if school were a place where curiosity leads the way, learning comes to life, and children discover just how much they're capable of? At The College School, students from Preschool through Eighth Grade learn by doing. They explore creeks and forests, tackle meaningful challenges, ask big questions, and build the confidence to think independently. With strong academics, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit community, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at our All-School Open House on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms and learning spaces, and discover what makes The College School such a special place to grow.

Come see how an extraordinary education begins with the freedom to explore.

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Gather your pack – your kids and your cold-nosed companions – for a photo shoot with Santa this December 12 & 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Purina Farms. Cold-Nosed Candids are for families and their cats and dogs to have their photos taken while they frolic through the snow for an indoor snow fight! You'll enjoy photos with Santa, frolicking in the flurries, and burning off that puppy energy at lure coursing! There are special times for famlies with dogs, families with cats, and families with both. Registration is required. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. Your parking fee includes one printed and one digital copy of your photo. Spots are limited! REGISTER AT THIS LINK

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