New Year's revelers of all ages (even those with a bedtime!) are invited to ring in the new year a little bit early with a special Noontime New Year's Eve celebration at The Magic House on December 31.
Visitors will participate in a variety of traditional New Year's Eve festivities, including a countdown to noon with the dropping of a sparkly New Year's Eve ball.
Any New Year's Eve party wouldn't be complete without a dance floor and dancing tunes! Kids can dance the day away, then pose in a 2026-themed photo booth filled with fun props, and accessories.
Noontime New Year's Eve activities are free with admission and no reservations are required.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Magic House in Kirkwood.
More information: magichouse.org
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.
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.
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.