The holidays
Tree lightings, light displays, visits with Santa, holiday markets, Nutcracker and carol performances, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations in St. Louis, updated every day.
Annual events, checked against each organizer's own page. Confirm details there before you go.
Friday, November 13 · Departures 4:30, 6:00, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Ticketed train ride based on the holiday story, with a trip to the North Pole and Santa, running through December 30.
St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market St.
St. Louis Union Station Polar Express official site →Saturday, November 21 · Ceremony 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 5:45 p.m., drone show 6:30 p.m., fireworks 7 p.m.
Winterfest's opening-night lighting of The Salvation Army tree of lights, followed by a drone show and fireworks.
Kiener Plaza, Downtown
Gateway Arch Park Foundation →Saturday, November 21 · 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 12-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Free seven-week winter celebration with an outdoor ice rink, themed weekly events and a New Year's Eve fireworks show; runs through January 3, 2027.
Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., Downtown
Gateway Arch Park Foundation →Friday, November 27 · 5-8:30 p.m. (last entry 8 p.m.)
Walk-through holiday light display at the zoo on select nights, with s'mores fire pits and Santa visits through December 23.
Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, Forest Park
Saint Louis Zoo →6 holiday events for 2026 on St. Louis’s local calendars. Updated every day.
Light displays, drive-throughs and tree-lighting ceremonies.
Photos with Santa, breakfasts and letters to the North Pole.
Shop local makers for the holidays.
Ballet, choirs, concerts and holiday theater.
Menorah lightings and celebrations across traditions.
Crafts, story times and holiday fun for kids.
Everything else on local calendars this season.
Add your event to the St. Louis calendar. Staff review every submission before publication.
Christmas Day is Friday, December 25, 2026.
This page lists upcoming holiday events in St. Louis from local calendars, including libraries, the city, venues and organizers. It updates every day as calendars post new dates.
The “Holiday lights and tree lightings” section lists public light displays and tree-lighting events on local calendars, with dates and links to each organizer.
Use the "Share an event" form. Include the date, time, place and the organizer’s link; a person reviews it before it appears.
