History buffs and museum lovers may already be well aware of Thursday Nights at the Museum, but for the uninitiated, the Missouri History Museum offers weekly opportunities to browse its exhibits late—until 8 p.m.—with access to a cash bar, food options, and special concerts and lectures. On Thursday, December 12, visitors will be treated to festive music with opportunities to sing along at the Here We Come a-Caroling Holiday Concert in the museum’s Lee Auditorium.
“This concert is for everybody who wants to celebrate the holiday—whether it’s a family outing, a date night, a reunion with old friends, or a chance to go out solo,” says Lindsay Newton, director of education and community engagement at the Missouri Historical Society. “The end of the year is a time when people love getting together with their friends and families to celebrate the season, and the museum is such a perfect place for people to gather.”
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Activities will commence in MacDermott Grand Hall at 5 p.m., with offerings including an ornament crafting station, s’mores kits for purchase and marshmallow roasting in the courtyard, and food and holiday-themed drinks available at Key Bistro. The museum gift shop, Sold on St. Louis, will also be open, with a handy gift guide to help find St. Louis–inspired gifts for every type of recipient.
The museum’s regular galleries will be accessible during the celebration. Newton recommends The 1904 World’s Fair exhibit, which recently acquired some iconic props fitting of a holiday party. “The iconic red velvet dress worn by actress Judy Garland during the Christmas scene in MGM’s classic musical Meet Me in St. Louis is on display, paired with the white winter coat,” she says. “It’s the first time these two items have been shown together since the movie was made 80 years ago.”
The concert is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and boasts a lineup of local talent in addition to a community sing-along led by the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, a local group whose mission is to “spread cheer and help children’s charities” by collecting donations for agencies that serve children in the St. Louis area. The organization’s Kingsbury Place Singers, a group of semi-professionals who carol in costume at various events, will be performing. The evening will also feature interactive sing-alongs with Celia’s Yuletide Express, an open-to-join group that has been performing seasonal classics in the metro area for more than 20 years. Vocalists Emily Wallace, Neil Salsich of the Mighty Pines (a previous contestant on NBC’s The Voice), R&B singer Anita Jackson, and Lynn O’Brien will also take to the stage, accompanied by Pete Lombardo on guitar and Carolyn Flood on harp.
According to Newton, the Missouri Historical Society hopes the event will foster a sense of community and togetherness. “We’re all in when it comes to celebrating everything about St. Louis,” says Newton. “This annual holiday concert is a time when we spotlight some of St. Louis’s best local musicians and traditions.”
The Here We Come a-Caroling Holiday Concert is a free event that will take place from 5–8 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell) on Thursday, December 12.
