Cruise the Mighty Mississippi on a replica paddlewheel riverboat with the jolly man himself this holiday season – Santa Claus. Come dressed in your favorite PJs and leave the cooking to the crew. Your family will enjoy a breakfast buffet, craft activities, views of downtown and the Gateway Arch, and a photo with Santa.
2025 Cruise dates and times:
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Cruises board 30 minutes prior to cruise time. Please arrive by 9 a.m.
Tickets are $45 per person for age 3 and up. Children under 2 are free.
More information and tickets: gatewayarch.com
If you prefer an afternoon cruise, Caroling with Santa cruises are taking place on the same days from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
See our Things To Do calendar for more fun holiday events for your family!
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.
Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights, a Kids Winter Wonderland, a nightly parade featuring the World-Famous Clydesdales, and lots of family-friendly activities.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.