Ho-Ho-Ho, light the menorah, devour a Kwanzaa feast, and ring in the new year with a month full of holiday events in St. Louis. We've compiled some must-do events around the city, one for each day. This installment, we're finishing up the month from just before Christmas to New Year's Eve. There's lots of great things to see and do, so don't miss out!
Wed, Dec. 22: Cirque Dreams: Holidaze
An original new musical featuring more than 100 dazzling costumes, from gingerbread men to reindeer. Performers done up as ornaments and Santa Claus perform gravity-bending flips and spins to a Christmas soundtrack that is somehow both traditional and psychedelic. $23–$65. 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111, fabulousfox.com
Thurs, Dec. 23: Saint Louis Ballet: The Nutcracker
Witness the closing night of this staple of the holiday season. Saint Louis Ballet’s production is filled with delightful scenes of cherub children, stomping soldiers, shimmering ballerinas, and mischievous creatures. Characters come to life in Act II of P.I. Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet. $25–$47. 7 p.m. Fri, 2 & 7 p.m. Sat, Sun & Wed, 7 p.m. Thu. Blanch M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Dr., University of Missouri–St. Louis, 314-516-4949, touhill.org
Fri, Dec. 24: Way of Lights Christmas Display
This annual display features more than 1 million lights, lit sculptures, and a life-size Nativity scene. Also includes Christmas trees, camel rides, choirs, and an interactive children’s Christmas village. Free. 5–9 p.m. daily. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. Demazenod, Belleville, Ill., 618-397-6700, snows.org
Sat, Dec. 25: Christmas Brunch at Top of the Riverfront
Celebrate Christmas overlooking the Gateway Arch! Brunch features made to order omelets, eggs Benedict, waffles, ham & tenderloin carving stations, fresh fruit, chilled seafood, seasonal entrees. 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Millennium Hotel, 200 S. Fourth St., 314-241-3191, topoftheriverfrontstlouis.com
Sun, Dec. 26: Holiday Skating in Frontier Park
Beat the day after Christmas shopping congestion by taking to the ice in St. Charles’ Frontier Park. Nothing could be more romantic than ice skating arm-in-arm with your sweetheart for the Christmas holidays. Stop by the Katy Depot to sip hot chocolate and enjoy the winter ambiance of the Missouri riverfront. $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for children under 12. Skate rental is $6. Noon–8 p.m. Frontier Park, 500 S Riverside, Saint Charles, stcharleschristmas.com.
Mon, Dec. 27: Winter Getaway at the Missouri History Museum
Daily Activities for winter break including the family film Surf's Up starting at 10 a.m. Light snacks will be offered. Beginning at 2 p.m., preschoolers through preteens can stop by for arts and crafts. Free. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell, 314-746-4599, mohistory.org.
Tues, Dec. 28: Victorian Holiday at Tower Grove House
Feeling nostalgic for the bygone Christmas holiday? The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Tower Grove House will be decked out in Victorian holiday finery through Jan. 2. Free with garden admission, $8 general, $4 city/county residents, free for kids 12 and under. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-9400, mobot.org/events/holidayevents.
Wed, Dec. 29: Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits
This Kwanzaa ceremony kicks off a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and authentic African drumming and musical performances. Noon–4 p.m. Ridgway Visitor Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org/events/holidayevents.
Thurs, Dec. 30: St. Louis Symphony Presents Chaplin’s City Lights
David Robertson will conduct the symphony through an updated version of the score to Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights, live with the film. $20–$65. 7:30 p.m. Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand, 314-534-1700, stlsymphony.org.
Fri, Dec. 31: First Night –Saint Louis
Patrons can create a New Year’s wish on a 40-foot wall made from Post-it notes, listen to the sounds of more than 25 musical groups and individuals, watch two fireworks displays (9 p.m. and midnight), and enjoy the dazzling glow-in-the-dark juggling act of Lazer Vaudeville. 6 p.m.–midnight. Grand Center, Lindell & Delmar, 314-533-1884, grandcenter.org/firstnight.
