WonderLight's Christmas
Fairmont City, IL | Opens Friday, Nov. 17
WonderLight's Christmas will transform this Metro East raceway with dazzling lights and synchronized Christmas music Nov. 17-Dec. 31. Hours are 5-10 p.m. nightly (including holidays). Admission is $30 per carload (up to 7 passengers). WonderLight Christmas is located at 1905 Collinsville Rd., Fairmont City, IL. Get the details.
Santa's Magical Kingdom
Eureka, MO | Friday, Nov. 17
Santa's Magical Kingdom features animated scenes, sparkling lights and more. Hours for this year's display are 5:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5:30-10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. The display is open nightly, Nov. 17-Jan. 7 (including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Note that hours are 5:30-10 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 7. Admission is $35 per car. Additional fees apply for limousines and passenger vans. Santa's Magical Kingdom also offers wagon and train rides on select nights. Note that Santa's Magical Kingdom accepts cash only (an ATM is available onsite). Santa's Magical Kingdom is located at 5300 Fox Creek Rd., Eureka, MO. Get the details.
Way of Lights
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL | Opens Friday, Nov. 17
The Christmas story is told using more than a million lights and electro-art displays at the Way of Lights. See the lighted nativity daily from 5-9 p.m. Nov. 17-Dec. 31. Several activities are available including tree and wreath displays, animal rides and a petting zoo. The restaurant, activities and gift shop are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The light display is free, although donations are recommended. Way of Lights is located at 442 S. DeMazenod Dr., Belleville, IL. Get the details.
Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights
Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis | Saturday, Nov. 18
The Ameren Missouri's Festival of Lights returns to Kiener Plaza with a special celebration from noon-8:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Stop by for vendors, entertainment, reindeer and a fireworks display. Admission to holiday light displays in Kiener Plaza is free. Get the details.
Lebanon Winter Wonderland
Horner Park, Lebanon, IL | Opens Saturday, Nov. 18
This winter wonderland is a throwback to simpler days as local community members chip in to create spirited holiday displays. The light display opens for the season Nov. 18 and runs through Dec. 31 (note that it will be open on both Thanksgiving day and Christmas Day). Hours are 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Horner Park is at 11113 Widicus Rd., Lebanon, IL. Admission is free but donations are recommended. Get the details.
Garden Glow
Missouri Botanical Garden | Opens Saturday, Nov. 18
Over one million lights will adorn iconic locations in the Missouri Botanical Garden with unique color combinations. Walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels as visitors experience the exhibit's visual magic. Ticket prices vary by date. The exhibit is closed Dec. 24-25. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance. Garden Glow runs through Jan. 6, 2024. Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO. Get the details.
Brewery Lights
Downtown St. Louis | Opens Saturday, Nov. 18
Take a stroll through the Brewery Lights in downtown St. Louis on select nights Nov. 18-Dec. 30. Activities include a Kid's Zone, fire pits, a train ride, an ice maze and an opportunity to meet the world-famous Clydesdales. A drive-thru option will also be available. Watch the website for more information about ticket prices, coming soon. Get the details.
Winter Wonderland
Tilles Park, Ladue | Opens Wednesday, Nov. 22
St. Louis County Parks and Recreation transforms Tilles Park into a drive-through holiday light extravaganza that includes a tunnel of lights, scenes from popular Christmas tales and shimmery winterscapes. Winter Wonderland is open on select dates, Nov. 22-Dec. 30 (visit the Winter Wonderland website for a complete schedule). Admission is $20 per family vehicle. Note that carriage rides and walk-throughs will not be offered this year. Tilles Park is at 9551 Litzsinger Rd., St. Louis, MO. Get the details.
Christmas Wonderland
Alton, IL | Opens Friday, Nov. 24
This holiday drive-thru display features nearly 4 million lights. Christmas Wonderland will be open Nov. 24-Dec. 27, 6-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 5-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A donation of $7 per car or $1 per person for vehicles holding 10 or more is recommended. Christmas Wonderland is located at 2100 College Ave., Rock Springs Park, Alton, IL. Get the details.
Holiday Lights
Grant's Farm | Opens Friday, Nov. 24
Holiday Lights returns to Grants Farm on select dates beginning Nov. 24. This year's event includes drive-through and walk-through experiences.
Holiday Night Lights
Rotary Park, Wentzville | Opens Friday, Nov. 24
Enjoy a mile-long light display in Rotary Park that includes tunnels and holiday scenes. Drive through the park from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on select days through Dec. 30. Admission is $10 per vehicle up to six people ($1 per additional person after six). Visitors may walk through the light display on Dec. 11 and enjoy a special treat with Santa Claus. Walk-through prices are $5 per person in advance (free for ages 2 and under). Holiday Night Lights offers hayrides and visits with Santa on select nights. Runners can also experience the light display by foot during the Holiday Night Lights 5K Dec. 3. Rotary Park is located at 2577 W. Meyer Rd., Wentzville, MO. Get the details.
O'Fallon's Celebration of Lights
Fort Zumwalt Park, O'Fallon, MO | Opens Friday, Nov. 24
Drive through lights and holiday scenes designed by local organizations, churches and businesses during the O'Fallon Celebration of Lights. The display is open Nov. 24-Dec. 30 (closed on Christmas Day). Visit Mondays through Sundays, 6-9 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available beginning Nov. 6. New for 2023, guests can experience Celebration of Lights inside a heated trolley, complete with decorations and holiday music. O'Fallon will offer trolley rides Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21. Trolley rides are $15 per seat. Reservations are required. Hayrides and train rides are available on select nights, as well. Visitors can explore by foot during the Holiday Stroll Dec. 4-5; tickets are $5 and must be purchased in advance. Fort Zumwalt Park is located at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Jessup Drive, O'Fallon, MO. Get the details.
U.S. Bank Wild Lights
Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park | Opens Friday, Nov. 24
The Saint Louis Zoo invites families to take a walk on the wild side during the U.S. Bank Wild Lights. Visitors are treated to light displays of penguins, butterflies, prairie dogs and more. Dates for this year's U.S. Bank Wild Lights are Nov. 24-26, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 7-10, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 26-30. Hours are 5-8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15 for nonmembers ($11 for the Sensory Night Dec. 11). Note that Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium will be open to visitors; all other animal exhibits will be closed during Wild Lights. Get the details.
Christmas Candlelight Walks
The Historic Daniel Boone Home, Defiance | Dec. 1-2, Dec. 8-9
The Historic Daniel Boone Home and surrounding village will be illuminated by lanterns during the Christmas Candlelight Walk. Tickets are $15; reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Visit the St. Charles County Parks online Activity Registration system for reservations and more information.
Whitmire Wonderlights
Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit | Dec. 7-9
For a quiet holiday light experience, explore Shaw Nature Reserve during Whitmire Wonderlights, when the trails will be illuminated with glowing luminaries from 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 7-9. General admission is $12 for adults and $4 for ages 12 and under (discounts are available for Missouri Botanical Garden members). Reservations are required and space is limited. Shaw Nature Reserve is located at 307 Pinetum Loop Rd., Gray Summit, MO. Follow Whitmire Wonderlights on Facebook and visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website to purchase tickets.
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