Editor's Note: This story was originally published November 2010.  Facts have been updated for 2011.

The twinkling of holiday light displays is one of the season's most magical calling cards. If you're like most families, nary a holiday passed without at least one cruise in the car or walk in the neighborhood to decide who had the best lights. Several local organizations have taken that tradition to a whole new level, erecting light displays that take weeks to put up, and include music and animation. Some are strictly seen from the back seat of the car, others encourage guests to experience the lights by foot or horse-drawn carriage. Either way, for those families who love lights, you can't go wrong with these best bets.

Holiday Night Lights
Rotary Park in Wentzville twinkles with holiday cheer during Holiday Night Lights. The one-mile light display is open to vehicle traffic only, except on Dec. 12, which has been set aside for families to walk through the displays from 6 to 8 p.m. After the walk-through, families can enjoy free refreshments and visits with Santa in the park's Kolb building. Admission for the walk-through night is $3 per person, and free for children under 6. Admission to Holiday Night Lights is $8 per car or $1 per person per bus or van carrying more than seven people.

When to Go: Holiday Night Lights is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 25 through Dec.11. The display will open daily from Dec. 15-30 and will be closed on Christmas day.

Holiday Night Lights, Rotary Park, 636-327-5101, 2577 W. Meyer Road, Foristell, Mo., 63348

Way of Lights
Drive through 1.5 miles of displays using more than one million lights, electro art displays, and life-size biblical statues that take you on a scriptural Journey to Bethlehem. Other activities available include a petting zoo, children’s village with hands-on activities, a tree room, animal rides, carriage rides, and more. It's free to drive through the light display, but additional costs apply for other activities, including the animal and carriage rides.

When to Go: Way of Lights is open Nov. 18 through Jan. 1. Indoor activities are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but families can still drive through and see the lights on those days. The indoor activities are available from 5 to 9 p.m., and the outdoor light display is open from 5 to 10 p.m.

Way of Lights, The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 618-397-6700, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville, Ill., 62223

Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park is celebrating its 26th year. The one-mile path includes more than a million lights in more than 30 displays that feature favorite holiday characters and festive scenes as well as a canopy of lights glistening throughout 75 acres of forest. It costs $9 for family vehicles; $15 for limousines; $30 for commercial transport vans; and $75 for tour buses. Carriage ride tickets vary by number of people and size of carriage; they are sold through Metrotix .

When to Go: Winter Wonderland is open Nov. 23 through Jan. 1. Winter Wonderland is closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and on Saturdays the park is open to carriage rides only. The park is open from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Winter Wonderland, Tilles Park, 9551 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis, Mo., 63124

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Walk through the Zoo's holiday wonderland of spectacular light displays. You’ll be enchanted by whimsical light displays including a snowflake flurry walk, poppin’ prairie dogs, an illuminated penguin colony, a fantasy butterfly garden and charming gingerbread village, a festive locomotive, flamboyant flamingos, numerous trees ablaze in lights and much more. Wild Lights is $4 for zoo members, $5 for general public, and it's free for children under two.

When to go: Wild Lights is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Nov. 25 through Dec. 11; daily from Dec. 16-23; and daily Dec. 26-30.

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo, 314-781-0900, One Government Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63110

(Photo courtesy of Howard Oldham/Saint Louis Zoo)

Santa's Magical Kingdom
Drive through a spectacular holiday light display that features animated scenes, special effects, and millions of shimmering lights. The Tunnel of Dancing Lights is back by popular demand. It's as long as a football field and features state-of-the-art lighting animation. Driving through Santa's Magical Kingdom costs $19 for family vehicles, $30 per limousine, commercial transport van or small bus. Train and wagon rides through the kingdom, and photos with Santa are available and are an additional fee.

When to Go: Santa's Magical Kingdom is open every day from Nov. 18 through Jan. 7. The Kingdom is open from 5:30-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 5:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Santa's Magical Kingdom, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort, 636-938-5925, next to Six Flags in Eureka, Mo. (exit #261 from Interstate 44)

Christmas Wonderland
More than 2.5 million lights twinkle against the backdrop of Rock Spring Park. The display is set up by the "Grandpa Gang," a group of retirees and volunteers. The group donates a portion of the admission price to local charities.. A special walk-through night is planned on Nov. 28 from 6-9 p.m.; admission that evening is $1. Admission is generally a suggested donation of $7 per car or small van, and $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. Carriage rides are $25 for the first person and $5 for each additional person and are available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

When to Go: Christmas Wonderland is open Nov. 25 through Dec. 26. Hours are Monday through Friday 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 5 to 9 p.m.

Christmas Wonderland, Rock Spring Park, 800-258-6645, 2100 College Ave., Alton, Ill.

More light displays are listed in the St. Louis Sprout Calendar!

Winter Wonderland of Lights, Horner Park,  Lebanon, Ill.

O'Fallon's Celebration of Lights, Fort Zumwalt Park, O'Fallon, Mo.

Christmas Candlelight Walk, Downtown Augusta, Augusta, Mo.

After living and writing in St. Louis for almost 15 years, Meredith Boggess has plenty of good things to share about her adopted hometown. She and her husband recently welcomed their first daughter into their home on The Hill, and, despite the sleepless nights, they are still awash in that new parent glow. Contact Meredith at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it




Best Bets articles represent the views and the research completed by St. Louis Sprout & About journalists and are not driven by advertising or requests by vendors or venues. Best Bets do not imply an endorsement of a business or activity.

Add Comment