The Best St. Louis Christmas Events
What is there to do in St. Louis at Christmas time?
There is so much to do around St. Louis at Christmas time! Some of the best St. Louis Christmas events include holiday pop up bars, Winterfest, a Polar Express train ride, and more! All of the holiday magic can be found if you know where to look in St. Louis.
Christmas in St. Louis at Union Station
Family Christmas Activities St. Louis
I love raising my family near St. Louis because of all the fantastic family activities the city offers. There are tons of winter activities in St. Louis for kids and christmas events for the whole family.
Santa at City Museum St. Louis
Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at the City Museum
The City Museum in St. Louis is one of the top attractions in the city year round but at Christmas time they have some fun events in addition to their unique museum experience. The Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at the City Museum lasts from late November to the end of the year each year. The Christmas celebration at St. Louis City Museum includes stories with Santa and Mrs. Clause, dazzling lights, Circus Harmony performances, and themed food and drinks.
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
The Garden Glow is a fabulous display of almost 2 million lights at the Missouri Botanical Garden every year from mid-November to early January. It’s by far the best Christmas light display in the St. Louis area. It lasts from 5-8:30pm (entry time) most evenings in the winter.
Polar Express St. Louis Union Station
Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station
The Polar Express Train Ride experience in St. Louis is one of my kids favorite traditions. Not only do they get hot cocoa and a cookie along with a fun storytime show, they also meet Santa aboard the train every year!
The Gateway Arch Downtown St. Louis
Winterfest St. Louis
What is winterfest St Louis?
Winterfest St. Louis is a huge holiday celebration downtown St. Louis at Kiener Plaza. It includes everything from ice skating, s'mores stations to igloos under the Gateway Arch and 100,000 sparkling Christmas lights.
Igloo Dining St. Louis Winterfest
Winterfest Hours
Winterfest in St. Louis lasts from mid November to the end of December and the hours vary depending on which activity you want to partake in.
Ice Skating is available November 19 – December 31, 2023 on Fridays: 4 – 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 12 – 8 p.m. Reduced Hours: December 24: 12 – 6 p.m. and closed November 23 & December 25 for the holidays. December 26 – December 31 ice skating is open daily from 12 – 8 p.m.
Igloo Reservations are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the evening and must be booked in advance. Check out my article all about Igloo Dining in St. Louis for more!
Winterfest in St. Louis also has several food trucks, smores, fireworks and more! Check out the Winterfest website for more info and hours for Winterfest STL.
Christmas Pop Up Bars St. Louis
There are several Christmas pop up bars in St. Louis with more Holiday bars opening every year! One of my favorites that I’ve visited two years in a row is the Chalet Pop Up Bar at Le Meridien Hotel Clayton. It’s an upscale popup bar located on the 3rd floor rooftop of the hotel. They have themed holiday drinks and appetizers, bonfires, cozy chalets, and even a curling rink you can rent.
Sleigh Shed St. Louis Holiday Pop Up Bar at Train Shed Restaurant Union Station
Holiday Pop Up Bar St. Louis
Another fantastic holiday pop up bar in St. Louis is the Sleigh Shed at Union Station. The Train Shed restaurant inside Union Station St. Louis is transformed every year into a holiday wonderland full of dazzling lights and decorations. They have festive cocktails and delicious food too. Great place for a date night in St. Louis during the holiday season.
Christmas Pop Up St. Louis Igloo Dining
Igloo Dining in St. Louis
Some holiday pop ups in St. Louis include igloos you can rent or even dine in. You can find igloos at several restaurants and events in the area. Read all about it in my Igloo Dining St. Louis article.
Is the St Louis Arch open in December?
The St. Louis arch (which is actually called the Gateway Arch)
is open year round! Hours are extended in the summer but the arch is open 9am-6pm daily through the winter and only closed on major holidays.
Where to visit Santa in St. Louis?
There are many places to visit Santa in St. Louis around Christmas time. Many area malls have times to meet Santa, you can have breakfast with santa at Eckert’s Farms, and of course you can meet Santa on the Polar Express train ride at Union Station.
Christmas Shows in St. Louis
There are several Holiday shows in St. Louis at the Fox Theatre every year. The Fabulous Fox always has two or three kid friendly productions along with a couple the whole family would love. See the Fox Theater Schedule for full information.
