‘Tis the season to be merry and bright with family and friends, and St. Louis has an activity for every person on your list. So get holiday hopping by adding a few of the below traditions to your calendar this year!
Performing Arts
The musical comes to the fabulous Fox Theatre this holiday season. Based on the 1983 family classic, join Ralphie and his gang as they navigate through Christmas mischief and triple dog dares.
When: December 12–14, see fabulousfox.com for schedule.
Where: Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand
Cost: Tickets start at $30
Join St. Louis’ own Circus Flora for an enchanting evening of awe-inspiring feats performed to holiday music.
When: December 23, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand
Cost: Tickets start at $39.50
Saint Louis Ballet: The Nutcracker
Directed by Saint Louis Ballet’s Gen Horiuchi, this production of the beloved classic promises to feature spectacular dancers, over 70 costumes, and 100 pounds of snow dropped throughout the show. A shortened performance geared towards those who are not able to sit through the entire ballet is available on December 1.
When: November 29–December 23, see metrotix.com for schedule
Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Cir.
Cost: Tickets start at $39
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Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
This ballet features an international cast and a corps de ballet of 40 Vaganova-trained ballerinas. With thrilling acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets, and dazzling sets and costumes, this production is sure to entertain the whole family.
When: December 21 & 22, see fabulousfox.com for schedule.
Where: Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Fairs & Festivals
The Gateway Arch Foundation’s multi-week festival has all the makings for wintertime fun: s’mores, ice skating, heated igloos, hockey, appearances from princesses and superheroes, a 5K and 1-mile Kids Fun Run, and thousands of twinkling lights. The fest kicks off with the Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights.
When: November 22–January 11
Where: Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut
Cost: Free
Beyond the typical (er, not-so-typical) offerings at this artist-built playground, enjoy specialty food and drinks (including s’mores on the patio), a holiday circus, visits with Santa at his workshop, read-alouds with Mrs. Claus, and dazzling light displays.
When: November 28–January 4
Where: City Museum, 750 N. 16th
Cost: Free with member pass or general admission
St. Charles Christmas Traditions
Step back in time to celebrate the holidays on historic Main Street in St. Charles. Enjoy hot-roasted chestnuts, meet Santas from around the world, and hear Victorian carolers. Every Wednesday evening, Main Street is transformed into 1840s London with the “A Christmas Carol” Stroll.
When: November 28–December 24, see discoverstcharles.com for schedule
Where: Main Street, St. Charles
Cost: Free to attend; activities may have a fee
National Museum of Transportation Holiday Happiness
See Santa and his reindeer, model train displays, and more. Plan a visit for November 29 to watch Santa arrive via helicopter (weather permitting) at 10 a.m.
When: November 28–December 30
Where: National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station
Cost: Free with general admission
Missouri History Museum History Exploration Days: Holiday Toys and Games
Take a break from your holiday shopping and walk down memory lane learning and viewing the history of toys, games, and gifts from St. Louis’s past.
When: December 12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd.
Cost: Free
Enjoy the holiday season at the St. Louis Art Museum on Festive Fridays, free concerts, tours, gallery activations, and art making activities are available with a themed pop-up bar in Sculpture Hall with seasonal drinks and snacks for sale.
When: Every Friday from November 28–December 19. See slam.org for schedule.
Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts
Cost: Free
Browse over 100 vendors and finish up your holiday shopping and enjoy family friendly activities. More details to come.
When: December 20 & 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr. Collinsville, Illinois
Cost: Free
One of the region’s biggest Kwanzaa celebrations, the St. Louis Art Museum brings culture, performance, and tradition together for this event presented in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
When: December 26, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts
Cost: Free
Music
Listen to the St. Louis Archdiocesan Youth Choir in combination with the Vox Una Youth Chorale as they perform the music of Christmas in the Cathedral Basilica.
When: December 6, 10:30 a.m.; December 7, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell
Cost: Tickets start at $30
The Ambassadors of Harmony return to St. Louis for the group’s annual holiday show. Start the season with a choral concert combining a capella and theatrical production, as they transport you to the land of Oz at Christmastime.
When: December 12–14; see umsl.edu for schedule.
Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Cir.
Cost: Tickets start at $22.40
Notes From Home: Christmas in the Kitchen
Keltic Reign performs Celtic Christmas tunes in a vibrant show inspired by a Nova Scottian kitchen party. Participate in a silent auction preceding the show benefitting Annie Malone Children and Family services.
When: December 9, 7 p.m.
Where: Sheldon Theatre, 3648 Washington
Cost: $25
Witness Christmas magic like you have never seen before with a performance from Lightwire Theater. Learn the tale of Max the bird as he gets blown off course from his family’s flight South and ends up in the North Pole. Dancing soldiers, caroling worms, and performing poinsettias light up the stage to a soundtrack of holiday hits from artists like Nat King Cole and Mariah Carey.
When: December 14, 3 p.m.
Where: Lindenwood University, J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 W. Clay
Cost: Tickets start at $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
Allegro, the Center of Creative Arts’ vocal company, celebrates the season in song alongside the St. Louis Children’s Choirs and other guest artists.
When: December 20, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA, 6680 Washington
Cost: $21
Celebrate the season with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as they embark on their “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More” tour with two performances in St. Louis. Enjoy the peace and harmony of Christmas classics blended with rock, pyrotechnics, and lasers.
When: December 23, 3 and 7 p.m.
Where: Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark
Cost: Tickets start at $55
Let It Be Christmas: A Rock Opera
Beatles fans will appreciate this modern telling of the Christmas story to the music of the Fab Four, including such hits as “Hey, Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” and “Let It Be.”
When: December 22 & 23, 7 p.m.
Where: Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Monroe
Cost: Tickets start at $30
Enjoy carols, holiday anthems, and winter-themed classics sung by the nearly 400 members of St. Louis Children’s Choir as they kick off the joyous season with their annual “Illuminate” holiday concert. The performance will take place at the legendary Powell Hall, a tradition for the chorale group since 1999 and their first since the reopening of the venue following renovations.
When: December 7, 4 p.m.
Where: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand
Cost: Tickets go on sale November 12
