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.

Just a few of our picks for this year include:

1. Holidays at Missouri Botanical Garden – The highlight of the season is the annual Garden Glow through Jan. 1 when the Garden dresses up in its holiday best with millions of lights and stunning installations. Grab some hot cocoa or other tasty holiday goodies while you stroll the grounds for a night of special events, music and interactive photo opportunities. The Garden Glow is open nightly from 5-10 p.m. (except Christmas and Christmas Eve). Ticket prices vary depending on date and membership status. Select Wednesdays are Family Nights when kid's tickets are just $3. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.

Be sure to also visit Gardenland Express, the Garden’s holiday flower and train show, through Jan. 1 and bring the kids to Saturday with Santa on Dec. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Christmas carols and special activities. Prices vary for all the events, and more information can be found at mobot.org. 

2. Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar at Purina Farms – Why should human holiday revelers have all the fun? Bring your kids – two-legged and four-legged alike – to Purina Farms in Eureka for its Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 3 and 4. Shop the Vendor Village for gifts from 20 local artisans, get your photo taken with Santa, and watch canine flying disc and duck herding demonstrations. Plus, kids can design an ornament and decorate a cookie at the Kids’ Craft Corner. Your dog must be leashed and be up-to-date on vaccinations to attend. Admission and parking are free; call (314) 982-3232 for details.
 

3, Supper with Santa and Winter Jewels at the Butterfly House – Even Santa needs to carb load before his gift-giving marathon! Join St. Nick at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House for a delicious pasta dinner on Dec. 9 or 10 served up by Noodles & Co. and visit with Mrs. Claus for cookies and hot cocoa. Supper with Santa also includes a night stroll through the Tropical Conservatory, a kids’ craft station, and a photo booth. Reservations are required, and the cost is $20 for the general public; $15 for Garden members and their kids.

You can also wish the resident butterflies happy holidays with Winter Jewels: A Holiday Celebration, running now through Dec. 31. Included with Butterfly House admission, this special event lets your little ones go on a treasure hunt, discover fairies in the Tropical Conservatory, and make new friends in the Gnome Forest.

4. Holidays at Union Station – Experience St. Louis’ historic train station like never before! This year, Union Station transforms into St. Nick’s hometown, complete with the Santa Express Train Ride, an ice rink and ice slide, a $4 million Holiday Water and Fire Show, and a recreation of the North Pole itself. Whether your kids are crafting toys alongside Santa’s elves or searching for Rudolph in the Reindeer Round-Up, there’s enough to keep them entertained for hours! Check out the full story here or visit holidaysatunionstation.com.
 

5. Breakfast with Santa at The Magic House – Hey Santa, pass the syrup! Grab your short stacks for a yummy pancake breakfast created by a master pancake flipper. In addition to everyone’s breakfast favorites, this annual outing includes a visit with Santa, a holiday craft to create and playtime in the museum. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 11 with a special 5 p.m. meal on the 4^th. The cost is $15 per person for members; $20 for non-members. Reservations are required.

6. Breakfast with Santa at IKEA – As if IKEA wasn’t already a home interior heaven on Earth for moms and dads, they step up their game with a special holiday event for the entire family. Stop by at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18 for Breakfast with Santa, featuring Swedish pancakes and waffles, sausage, eggs, and desserts. Kids can get their picture with Santa and receive a special present straight from his gift bag. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the IKEA restaurant or Swedish Food Market.

7. Grinchmas on South Grand – For one special day, the Grinch visits St. Louis to combat his bad reputation and spread joy to kids in need. On Saturday, Dec. 3, join everyone’s favorite grump, Moolah Shriners clowns, and recording artist Nicole Iris at Ritz Park on South Grand for a day of fun, music and holiday cheer. In addition to free face painting and balloon animals, kids can get their photo taken with the Grinch himself for a $7 donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children (or for $5 with a toy donation). The fun starts at 9 a.m., and more details are available at southgrand.org/events.

8. U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo – Named one of the top zoo light displays in the U.S. by USA Today, Wild Lights has become a holiday tradition for countless St. Louis families. And each year, it just gets bigger and better! Your cold water friends, including Kali the polar bear, penguins and puffins, and sea lions, will be on hand to welcome you after you pass by 500,000 twinkling lights and stunning illuminated animal exhibits. Roast s’mores and enjoy wintry tales at the campfire, watch ice carved into mesmerizing holiday displays, and celebrate the season with live entertainment. A Kids’ Corner is available to your little ones as is the Conservation Carousel and a 4-D Theater experience featuring Polar Express. Wild Lights runs from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30. Tickets range from $7-$10 and can be purchased online or at the door.

9. Santa Visits the Museum of Transportation – For kids obsessed with trains and the holidays, there’s no better place for a Christmas outing than the Museum of Transportation! On Sunday, Dec. 4 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Santa and his reindeer will visit the Museum for a one-of-a-kind photo op! Pictures are free, but regular museum admission applies.

10. Westport Plaza Holiday Attractions – Give your wallet a break by taking in the free festivities at one of St. Louis’ renowned entertainment districts. Throughout the month of December –including the New Year’s Eve fireworks display – Westport will offer horse-drawn carriage rides so you can enjoy the twinkling lights and your favorite holiday music. And on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., be sure to attend Santa Claus is Coming to Westport. By donating an unwrapped gift to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, your family can revel in face painting, balloons, holiday crafts, photos with Santa, and live entertainment by DaySpring School of the Arts.

Looking for even more holiday fun, including tons of places to visit Santa, see stunning light displays, go ice skating and more? Check out our Things To Do Calendar anytime for details on holiday events happening across the St. Louis area. Want a list delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for our daily Things To Do email.

See also: Where to Find Santa in St. Louis This Holiday Season

_{Photo courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden.}