holiday light displays in St. Louis

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo is back for another beautifully lit season. Your family can stroll through the Zoo grounds surrounded by a million lights! Visitors will see twinkling light displays, enjoy fun photo opportunities, holiday carolers, Santa's woodland workshop, roaming entertainers, and lots more in this enchanting holiday wonderland.

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Sensory-Friendly Night at U. S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo

Sensory-Friendly Night is designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. This night will mirror the traditional Wild Lights experience, but will include sensory maps, quiet areas, and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals. Sensory Night is supported by The Autism Clinic at Hope.

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Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park

Experience the holiday lights in Tilles Park, where you'll find thousands of beautiful holiday lights and animated displays designed by St. Louis County Parks employees. You can drive through Winter Wonderland evenings from 5:30-9:30 p.m. except Mondays (for Winter Wonderland Walk only) and Saturdays (for carriage rides only).

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Science Illuminated

Celebrate the science behind some of your favorite holiday decorations - lights! This new holiday celebration at the Saint Louis Science Center will present a light display that uses leading-edge technology and science demonstrations to show the science of light.

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Top 10 Holiday Must-Do’s for St. Louis Families

During the holidays, St. Louis transforms into a winter wonderland that rivals the North Pole itself (minus the snow). With incredible light displays that spark excitement in every child, train rides that put them face to face with Santa himself, and bazaars that feature handmade gifts even the elves would envy, there’s something magical for every member of the family. Our picks for this year include:

Wild Lights

There’s something about seeing the father of your children perched precariously atop an unstable ladder, steel blade rake in his outstretched arm as he swats at the air, still several feet away from a dangling strand of Christmas lights that you guilted him into hanging onto a 30-foot pine tree, that makes you truly appreciate the raw power you harness within your female body parts.

It’s almost scary.

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Things to Do

Spring Fling at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is hosting its annual Spring Fling for families on April 20. The fun includes an up-close look at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch horses, wagon rides through the 165-acre state-of-the-art horse farm and animal rehabilitation facility, and lots more.

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Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Friday, April 26, 2024

Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym. Reservations are not necessary.

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Free Family Saturday at the St. Louis Artists Guild

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Young artists and their families are invited to complete a fun craft activity in the galleries at the St. Louis Artists Guild. This program is designed for Pre-K to elementary-age children and their families.

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Wee Weekend at the Saint Louis Art Museum

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Friday, May 24, 2024

Preschoolers can learn, play, explore and grow at the Saint Louis Art Museum's Wee Weekend program for its youngest visitors. Join in on the adventure as your little one discovers new ways of interacting with art and each other.

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

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Child development researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are inviting 4-7-year-old children and a caregiver to participate in a study investigating what children know about suicide along with risk factors for experiencing suicidality early in life. We are seeking children who have and who have not experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Children who participate will 1) answer brief questions about their understanding of suicide (we want to learn what children at different ages know, we do not teach them anything new), 2) play games, and 3) complete a safe and non-invasive EEG. Caregivers will complete interviews and surveys. Families can earn up to $110 for participating. LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP HERE

We also have current studies for 12-14-year-old girls and their mothers. Check out our website or email us at childlab@wustl.edu.

In this thrilling blend of classical music and classic animation Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals join audiences of all ages at Stifel Theatre with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. A dozen of the world’s most iconic Looney Tunes—What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, Corny Concerto, Baton Bunny, Long-Haired Hare, and many others—plus five brand-new animated shorts—will be projected on the big screen, while their exhilarating original scores are played live by the SLSO, conducted by George Daugherty. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony will be presented on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Stifel Theatre. LEARN MORE AND GET TICKETS. Want to win tickets? Enter our contest.

Witness high-flying canine athletes, experience up-close encounters with farm animals, or visit adoptable cats and dogs all at the Purina Farms Visitor Center, located just 30 minutes west of St. Louis! Officially opening for the 2024 season on April 20 & 21, guests who visit opening weekend will get the first look at the newly renovated Visitor Center lobby. Visit on Saturdays this season to attend our NEW magic show focused on responsible pet ownership. Open mid-April to October, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Daily admission is free unless otherwise stated during a special event. We look forward to seeing you! LEARN MORE

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