Courtesy Grant's Farm
Grant's Farm Holiday Lights233
Holiday lights at Grant's Farm
There's just something about seeing St. Louis dressed up in its twinkly best. Each year, we make a list of the prettiest holiday light displays, check it twice, pile into the car, and ooh and ahh at the megawatt marvels. Read on for our list of the best light displays in St. Louis.
Courtesy Ameren Winterfest
Winterfest at the Arch
Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights
Dates: November 19
Times: Noon–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to Kiener Plaza to watch the lighting of the giant Salvation Army tree of lights as part of the Winterfest kickoff. Included in the celebration are holiday-themed performances, vendors, and photo ops with Fredbird and reindeer. A fireworks finale will cap the evening, so make sure to bundle up for a night of fun. 500 Chestnut.
Courtesy Anheuser-Busch
Lights at the Anheuser-Busch brewery
Dates: November 17–December 30
Times: 5–10 p.m.
Cost: From $10, children ages 5 and under are free
Anheuser-Busch Brewery is doubling its light show this year with twinkly magic that extends down Pestalozzi Street. Take in the 10-minute light show, watch the nightly parade, or peep the 50-foot-tall digital holiday tree. Fan-favorite fire pits return this season, or reserve a VIP igloo for you and seven of your friends to keep the party going well into the night. Guests who are 21 and over will receive a complimentary 16-ounce beer. 1200 Lynch.
Courtesy Celebration of Lights
The Celebration of Lights drive-thru
Dates: November 25–December 30, closed December 25
Times: Sunday–Thursday, 6–9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 6–10 p.m.
Cost: Starts at $12
For more than 30 years, this lights display at Fort Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon, Missouri, has attracted tens of thousands of visitors. Guests can reserve specialty rides, such as a horse-drawn carriage, tractor-pulled hayride, or a train. 1000 Jessup Drive W., O'Fallon, Missouri.
Holiday Night Lights Drive-Thru
Dates: November 25–December 30
Times: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10
Wentzville is bringing back its mile-long Night Lights display at Rotary Park with illuminated tunnels of lights and iconic Christmas scenes. If you’d like to pay a visit to Santa, catch him at the Kolb building on Saturdays. 2577 W. Meyer, Wentzville.
Courtesy Grant's Farm
Holiday lights at Grant's Farm
Holiday Lights at Grant's Farm
Dates: Thursdays–Sundays, November 25–December 30
Times: 5–9 p.m.
Cost: $39 per vehicle
Grant’s Farm returns with its holiday lights special this year. Guests will enjoy the iconic Bauernhof Courtyard dressed up with holiday lights, a Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the 50-foot LED Christmas tree. Some new experiences this year will include a Holiday Lights Walk-Through, Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and VIP fire pits. 10501 Gravois.
Courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Garden Glow at MOBOT
Missouri Botanical Garden's Garden Glow
Dates: November 19–January 7; closed December 24 & 25
Times: 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Pricing varies, see website for details
There’s nothing quite like seeing the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Climatron light up with red and green to greet the holiday season. In addition to lights, there will be places for photos, traditional holiday music and festivities, plenty of food and beverages, and reservations for fire pits to make it a magical night. Mark your calendars for Family Night, Wednesdays from November 23–December 14, when children’s admission is just $3. 4344 Shaw.
Dates: November 18–January 8
Times: See website for details
Cost: Starts at $30 per family car
Located only 10 minutes west of I-270, at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Resort, the display is made up of millions of lights and also features animated scenes and special effects. Guests are also welcome to browse Kringle's General Store, stocked with holiday-themed gifts, toys, clothing, and decorations. 5300 Fox Creek, Pacific.
Courtesy St. Louis County Parks
Lights at Tilles
Tilles Park's Winter Wonderland
Dates: November 18–December 30
Times: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $8
To traverse the more than 75 acres at Tilles Park, families and their leashed pups have the option of three different modes of transportation: walking, carriage rides, or driving by car. Walking costs $8 per person. Carriages start at $17 per person. Vehicles start at $15. In addition to the light displays, there will also be desserts, hot chocolate, and other beverages available to purchase. Tickets are available to purchase in advance online. 9551 Litzsinger.
Photo by Kari R. Frey, Saint Louis Zoo
U.S. Bank Wild Lights
U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Dates: Select nights November 25–December 30
Times: 5–8:30 p.m.
Cost: $11–$16
Stroll around the Saint Louis Zoo, which will be decked out in millions of lights and feature animal-themed displays. Your ticket includes entrance to Wild Lights, the Penguin & Puffin Coast, the Insectarium, a ride on the Conservation Carousel, a viewing at the 4D Theater, and a free craft for kiddos. On December 12, the Zoo is putting together a sensory-friendly night with multiple quiet areas for kids. 1 Government.
Courtesy Way of Lights
Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, Ill.
Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows
Dates: November 18–December 31
Times: 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Free to drive through, extra costs for animal attractions
Since 1970, taking in the mile-and-a-half Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows’ Way of Lights Christmas display has been a St. Louis holiday tradition. The display features a million twinkling lights and life-size biblical statues. Go on a Tuesday for the family-night discount, kettle corn, camel and pony rides, and animal feeding. 442 S. DeMazenod, Belleville, Illinois.
Courtesy WonderLight's Christmas
WonderLight's Christmas
Dates: November 11–January 1
Times: 5–10 p.m.
Cost: $30 per car
Prepare to be amazed by the largest drive-through Christmas lights show at World Wide Technology Raceway. Tune your car’s radio to WonderLight’s Christmas station, 89.5 FM, and watch the show sync up with 45 minutes of favorite Christmas songs. WonderLight’s Christmas is open no matter the weather, and it’s recommended that guests reserve their tickets ahead of time in order to minimize wait times. 1905 Collinsville, Madison, Illinois.
Dates: November 18–January 1
Times: 6–10 p.m.
Cost: Starts at $39.99 per vehicle
World of Illumination bills itself as the world's-largest drive-through light show, and this year it's coming to the parking lot of Six Flags St. Louis. Watch a Cosmic Sleigh Ride, take in hundreds of animated displays, and trip down Kris Kringle’s Cosmic Portal, before finishing at Santa’s City, "where holiday magic is on full display." 4900 Six Flags.
