Santa arrives at Bass Pro Shops in St. Charles
Santa will arrive with fanfare at the Bass Pro Shops in St. Charles Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. The event will include a tree lighting ceremony, cocoa, cookies, a performance by the St. Charles High School Marching Band and a visit by the St. Charles Fire Department. For more information, follow Santa Claus's arrival on Facebook, and visit the Bass Pro Shops website for more information about when to visit Santa at the store throughout the holiday season.
The Polar Express™ Train Ride
A cherished children's storybook comes to life when The Polar Express Train Ride returns to Union Station Nov. 17-Dec. 30. Passengers will listen to the motion picture soundtrack while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies served by dancing and singing chefs. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and board the train. Families are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas for the experience. Families can also share Pancakes with Santa in the Grand Hall at Union Station on select dates in November and December. Get the details.
City of Dardenne Prairie Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
Santa will stop by City Hall Park in Dardenne Prairie for the city's tree lighting ceremony Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. The event will include performances by area school choirs, hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit by the Teddy Bear Mobile. Get the details.
Holiday Walk in Kirkwood
Pose for photos with Santa and do a little shopping at the Holiday Walk in Kirkwood Nov. 18. Santa will arrive in downtown Kirkwood at 9 a.m. and will be available for photos inside the train station from 9:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mrs. Claus will tell stories from 9:15 a.m.-noon. Get the details.
Santa's House in Belleville, Illinois
The town of Belleville, Illinois, will welcome Santa with a parade at 10 a.m. Nov. 24. Santa will arrive at his sweet little cottage in Belleville's public square at 1 p.m. Nov. 24, and will be there to greet visitors throughout the holiday season. Visit the Santa's House website for a complete schedule for the 2023 holiday season.
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions
Classic characters come to life on historic Main Street in St. Charles during this free event. Listen to carolers and meet Kris Kringles from around the world every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 24-Dec. 24. Saint Charles Christmas Traditions is located along Historic Main Street in St. Charles. Get the details.
Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum
During Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum, which runs Nov. 24-Dec. 31, you'll catch Santa performing magic in the museum's "A Magical Holiday Experience" and greeting visitors in his Toy Shop on the museum's fourth floor. City Museum will also deck the halls with lights and decorations. Get the details.
Santa at Wentzville's Holiday Night Lights
On Saturdays (Nov. 25-Dec. 23), guests who drive through Holiday Night Lights in Wentzville can stop by the Kolb building to visit Santa in his wonderland. Get the details.
Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Grant's Farm
Families can enjoy a breakfast buffet and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Grant's Farm on select dates Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Note that the rest of Grant's Farm will be closed during the event. Get the details.
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Santa will greet visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays (Nov. 20-Dec. 12) during Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets to Garden Glow are limited and can be purchased in advance. Prices vary by date. Note that the event is closed Nov. 27. Get the details.
Santa Claus at The National Museum of Transportation
Families can watch St. Nick arrive by helicopter at The National Museum of Transportation Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. Santa will also greet visitors at the museum on select dates. Visit The National Museum of Transportation's Calendar for more information.
Miracle on St. Francois Street
Celebrate the season with a day of holiday fun Nov. 25 in Florissant. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet families at City Hall Chambers from 2:30-4:30 p.m. From 1-6 p.m. families can shop, grab a bite to eat, and visit a petting zoo at the Florissant City Hall. The city will host a golf parade at 6 p.m., followed by a tree lighting ceremony. Get the details.
PJs & Pancakes with Santa Claus Cruise
Cruise the Mississippi River with the jolly man himself. Wear your pajamas and get ready to enjoy breakfast, activities and great views on the Gateway Riverboat Cruise, which will be offered Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Reservations for the PJs & Pancakes with Santa Claus Cruise are $45 per person; children under 3 are admitted free. Get the details.
Washington Farmers Market
See Santa at the Washington Farmers' Market during Olde Fashioned Christmas 3-5 p.m. Nov. 26. The event includes crafts, cookie decorating, photos with Santa and his reindeer, roasted marshmallows, cider and cocoa, carriage rides, music and more. Santa will also drop by the Washington Farmers Market Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Follow Santa at the Market on Facebook for more information.
Scuba Claus at the St. Louis Aquarium
Be sure to "wave" at Scuba Claus, who will be swimming by the St. Louis Aquarium at St. Louis Union Station. Guests can spot him in Shark Canyon at 1:15 p.m. Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 23-24. Get the details.
Dine with Santa at Eckert's
Share your wish list while enjoying biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and more at Breakfast with Santa or Breakfast with Santa at Dinnertime on select weekends at Eckert's Belleville location. Tickets are $25 and include a souvenir gift, storytime, photos and more. Reservations are required. Families can also share Christmas Eve Brunch with Mrs. Claus; reservations are recommended.
Kimmswick's Old Fashioned Christmas Festival
Visit Santa in Historic Kimmswick Dec. 1-3 for the Old Fashioned Christmas Festival. The event includes caroling, carriage rides and glowing luminaries. Get the details.
Cookies with the Claus
Wear your Christmas jammies and gather around for a special storytime with Santa Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Chesterfield Community Center (second floor of Chesterfield Mall). Registration is $10. The event is for ages 2-12. Get the details.
Holiday Magic at The Magic House
Meet St. Nick at The Magic House during special paid events like Breakfast with Santa and Visits with Santa, which are part of the museum's month-long Holiday Magic celebration. Other activities include snowball-themed carnival games, winter-themed crafts, a snowman scavenger hunt and a winter maze. Get the details.
Grinchmas on South Grand
Those who would prefer to get Grinchy this holiday season are invited to the South Grand District from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 2 for Grinchmas on Grand, an event that raises funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children-Saint Louis. The Grinch will be at Apotheosis Comics and Lounge (3206 South Grand) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For a $7 donation to the hospital, participants can get their photo taken with the Grinch. Those who bring a donation for the children at Shriners Hospital, such items as games, puzzles, crayons, coloring books, etc., can get a photo taken for only $5. Get the details.
Movie Night with Santa
Join Santa for a special showing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Dec. 2 at Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, Illinois. Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales will close the night before the event or until the event is sold out. Get the details.
Santa's Chocolate Stroll, Shop & Sip
Stroll Main Street in Grafton, Illinois, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., stopping for sweet treats along the way. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet visitors in Grove Memorial Park from noon-2 p.m. Get the details.
Christmas at Collins House
Watch the Holiday Light Up Parade in Uptown Collinsville, Illinois, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m., then head to the historic Collins House to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Guests can also make s'mores around a bonfire. Get the details.
Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar at Purina Farms
Visit Purina Farms Dec. 2-3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., for this annual family-friendly, dog-friendly festival, which features photos with Santa, shopping and activities. Advance reservations are required. Admission is free with a $25 parking fee per vehicle.
Santa Car Cruise through Crestwood
Spot Santa as he cruises through Crestwood with other decked out cars Dec. 2. Get the details.
Flannels & Flapjacks with Santa
Join St. Nick for a morning of flapjacks at The Lodge Des Peres 9-11 a.m. Dec. 2. Registration is required; tickets are $12 for nonresidents ($10 for members/residents). Get the details.
Breakfast with Santa at SqWires Restaurant
Enjoy a breakfast buffet, craft, cookie decorating and photos with Santa at SqWires Restaurant in Historic Lafayette Square Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $32 per person ($18 for kids under 12). Be sure to wear your pajamas for the best family PJs contest. Get the details.
Santa Land at Gateway Grizzlies Ballpark
Plan a trip to Santa Land to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Gateway Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois. Admission is $15 in advance ($20 at the gate); adult admission is free with children's admission. The event includes storytime with Mrs. Claus, a petting zoo, face painting and more. Get the details.
Meet Santa and his Reindeer at the Frisco Park Caboose
Santa and his reindeer will stop by the Frisco Park Caboose Marshall and Beckett Memorial in Valley Park Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m. Bring your camera for photos. Get the details.
Snaps with Santa
Get photos with Santa Dec. 3 at O'Day Lodge in O'Fallon. Reservations are required. The cost is $8 for a family of up to five. Get the details.
Brunch with Santa & Fredbird
Hang out with two MVPs at Cardinals Nation Restaurant Dec. 3. Tickets for Brunch with Santa & Fredbird are $60 for adults, $20 for ages 3-11 and free for ages 2 and under. Get the details.
Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll
Take a stroll through the the Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park in O'Fallon from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5. The event includes holiday music, shopping, fireworks and a visit by Santa. Admission to the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll is $5 (free for ages 2 and under). Get the details.
Candy Cane Hunt
Santa will leave special treats hidden in Wapelhorst Park in St. Charles 1-2 p.m. Dec. 3. Kids ages 14 and under can hunt for candy canes, then enjoy cocoa and a special visit with Santa. Registration for the Candy Cane Hunt is $15. Get the details.
Supper with Santa at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
Make reservations for a dinner where Santa is the guest of honor. Guests will enjoy dinner, crafts, time with Santa and more at Supper with Santa at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Times are available Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17. Reservations are required. Admission is $25 per person for nonmembers. Get the details.
Cocoa and Cookies with Santa at MADE for Kids
Make some new holiday memories at MADE for Kids, which will host Cocoa and Cookies with Santa Dec. 8 and Dec. 22. The cost is $6 per person. Get the details.
Christmas at the Carousel
Take a ride on the St. Louis Carousel in Faust Park, then decorate cookies, make crafts, play games and meet Santa Dec. 9 from 9:30 a.m.-noon. The cost is $15 in advance ($20 at the door). To register, call 314-615-8345 or 314-615-8344. Get the details.
Skate with Santa at the Centene Community Ice Center
Go for a spin with St. Nick Dec. 9, 1:10-3:10 p.m. at The Barn, the outdoor ice rink at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights. Tickets are $12 at the door; no preregistration is required. Get the details.
Breakfast with Santa at the Rec-Plex North Food Court
Join Santa for breakfast in the new St. Peters' Rec-Plex North Food Court Dec. 9, 9-11 a.m. The event also includes crafts and Christmas carols. Registration is required. Tickets are $16 for nonmembers ages 8 and under, $11 for nonmembers ages 9 and up, $14 for members ages 8 and under, and $9 for members ages 9 and up. Get the details.
Oakland House's Annual Santa House
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus inside a Victorian mansion. Warm cookies and hot chocolate will be available. Admission is $7 per person. Visit from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17, and from 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 13-14 (note that reservations are required on weekdays). Santa will arrive by fire truck at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Get the details.
Storytime with Santa
Wear your coziest Christmas pajamas for a special Storytime with Santa from 6-7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Webster Park Community Building in St. Charles. Registration is $15. Get the details.
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