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Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Hours: Drive-through hours are dusk until midnight, through December 26. (Enter from Arsenal Street, turning onto Seventh Street and then traveling along Pestalozzi Street). Holiday Lights Experience, Fridays and Saturdays, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free; $1 donation to the American Red Cross for craft projects and s'mores.
Number of lights: Unknown.
Features: Alcohol samples will be poured during the Holiday Lights Experience for those of age. There will be photo opportunities with a giant snow globe and the famous Clydesdales. Tram rides are also available for those unable to walk and see the lights. Kettle corn, hot chocolate, and s'mores are on hand. Activities include making your own holiday ornaments (for donation). Live music will also be on hand during the Holiday Lights Experience.
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Photography by Ann Aurbach
Missouri Botanical Garden's Garden Glow
Hours: Evenings Wednesday through Sunday, through December 17. Nightly December 18-January 4. Hours open from 5-9 p.m. until December 19 and 5-10 p.m. from December 20-January 4. Closed December 24, 25, and 31.
Cost: Through December 19, $16 adults, $12 members, $10 children, $6 member's children. December 20-January 4, $18 adults, $14 members, $10 children, $6 member's children.
Number of lights: Approximately 500,000
Features: You do have to get out of your car for this event, but there's free parking on site. Food and drinks, such as hot chocolate and s'mores, are available for purchase, and there are fire pits for roasting marshmallows. Look out over a light-covered maze at Piper Observatory. Garden Glow also has live music and performers.
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Courtesy Way of Lights
Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, Ill.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. nightly. All activities, the restaurant, and gift shop will be closed December 24-25 and on New Year's Day.
Cost: Donations accepted. Donations over $12 receive plush elephant.
Number of lights: 1.5 million
Features: A Metro East holiday classic, the Way of Lights will have two laser shows ($3 a piece, both shows for $5); camel, donkey and pony rides for $6 per ride; a free petting zoo; and a puppet show for kids. The visitor's center is showcasing a wreath display and Christmas tree display as well.
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Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
Hours: Runs through January 1. Closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Open to vehicles Sunday through Friday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Carriage rides are available every night. Saturday nights are for carriage rides only.
Cost: $10 family vehicle, $20 limousine, $40 commercial van, $90 tour bus. Cash only.
Number of lights: 1 million lights
Features: Winter Wonderland is one of St. Louis County's favorite attractions. And if you're looking for a place to see lights on the holiday, the park will be open on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
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Photography by Kholood Eid
Candy Cane Lane (6500 block of Murdoch Avenue)
Hours: Dusk until 10 p.m., weeknights. On weekends, the lane's open later.
Cost: Suggested charity donation.
Number of lights: Approximately 50,000.
Features: The most festive block in St. Louis gears up for another year. A 30-foot light tunnel rises over the road. Don't forget to check out nearby blocks that also celebrate the holiday spirit.
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Santa's Magical Kingdom at Jellystone Park
Hours: Open every night through January 5. Operating hours from 5:30-10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cost: $20 per family vehicle; $30 per limousine, commercial van, and small bus.
Number of lights: More than 2 million
Features: One of the biggest displays in the metro area, Santa's Magical Kingdom is almost always going at night during the holiday season: The park will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. Kids can drop off letters to Santa in a mailbox on site. Train and wagon rides are also available.
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Photography by Ryan Archer/Saint Louis zoo
Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, through December 15; nightly, December 20-23 and 26-30. Closed December 24, 25, and 31.
Cost: $4 for zoo members, $5 general public, free for children under age 2
Number of lights: 500,000
Features: Open on weekends, the Wild Lights will shine on swimming sea lions while the park is open. The Herpetarium and Insectarium will also be hosting holiday visitors. There's live music on select nights.
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Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park, O'Fallon, Mo.
Hours: Sundays through Thursdays (except December 9 and 10), 6-9 pm. Friday and Saturday, 6-10 pm. Mondays are closed to vehicle traffic; tours are instead offered via train or Segway (advance reservations are required).
Cost: $9 for cars ($7 on Tuesdays for non-commercial vehicles). $15 for commercial vans and limousines. $1 per person on tour bus ($25 minimum). Food pantry donation for $1 off per vehicle, Wednesday-Sunday.
Number of lights: More than a million lights.
Features: If you're looking to view lights in an alternative fashion, the Celebration of Lights is the place to go. In addition to tour packages via carriage, train, and an old-fashioned holiday stroll, you can take a Segway for a spin around the park.
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Christmas Wonderland at Rock Spring Park, Alton, Ill.
Hours: Open through December 29. Weekdays 6-9 pm. Weekends 5-9 pm.
Cost: Suggested donation for Alton community
Number of lights: 2.5 million
Features: This annual Alton, Ill. community event raises money for local charities. And visitors can have their photos taken with Santa.
By Evan C. Jones
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park, Candy Cane Lane, and other options for seeing memorable holiday light displays in St. Louis
