What to do in St. Louis for the Holidays

Compiled by Staff

The pandemic changed some of the St. Louis holiday traditions for the past two years but many are back– and many never left, including the drive-through holiday light shows that have long been traditions in the Greater St. Louis Area.

The annual poinsettia show at the Jewel Box is still there but it is obvious they are in need of funding and the $1 admission will not help with what they need to rekindle the great holiday poinsettia shows of the past. Another tradition that is lacking is the Ritz Carlton in Clayton. While they have pretty lighted garland up their stairs and other touches of holiday cheer, there is no gingerbread display and the restaurant is not open for lunch. We stopped by for some Christmas cheer of their creme brulee and the gingerbread house that in the past has been a holiday destination. Neither were happening– so since we were in the neighborhood, we ended up at Protzel’s Deli  on Wydown. Their gooey butter cake was even better than the creme brule would have been. Their homemade chicken salad was great too, and we think this famous Jewish deli is a perfect stop for a holiday outing with a friend.

Grant’s Farm has their light show and new for 2021 is the Busch Family Estate. 

In August of this year (2021) it was announced that members of the Busch family who own Grant’s Farm announced they they would take over its operations from Anheuser-Busch. The Busch ancestral home is decorated with lights and is on the tour. The drive-thru event called Holiday Lights Drive-Thru and runs Nov. 19 – Jan. 2  Click Here for Schedule  Reservations are required for all visits and space is limited.

 

Many local restaurants are decked out for the holidays and some people are opting for ordering online and picking up holiday feasts to take home.

There are also many holiday pop-up bars, which our Food and Travel Editor Suzanne wrote about. To read about them CLICK HERE.

For a fun holiday activity, take the family to a local Drury hotel. You can enjoy the indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, special happy hour with dinner every night and a hot cooked breakfast. If you go to DruryHotels.com and use the promocode SPORTS you will get a discount. Remember to always ask for the promocode SPORTS on any trip to a Drury Hotel– anywhere in the country on any date. STLSportsPage has a special arrangement with the Drury Hotels and this discount is offered to our readers. The Downtown Drury hotels (several of them) have close access to downtown holiday attractions and the Brentwood location would be good for shopping. It is in walking distance to many stores. Any location will just offer you that feeling of “getting away” during the hectic time of the holidays and having some fun with your family.

 

 

Your best bet for finding holiday activities is the Explore St. Louis website. We will list a few hi-lights here and you can click on the tabs for more info,

Joy Winter Wonderland

 FREE
DECEMBER 13, 4:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
New to St. Louis Union Station this year, the Joy Winter Wonderland is open to the public on the Purina Performance Plaza. Guests will… Read More 

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

 $45 – $75
DECEMBER 13, 4:30 PM TO 7:15 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
This year the beautifully decorated trains take you on a journey to the North Pole as you interact with the Polar Express characters, Santa… Read More 

Way of Lights

DECEMBER 13, 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since… Read More 

Garden Glow

 $18 – $20
DECEMBER 13, 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
Celebrate the season with over one million dazzling lights, fun new experiences and traditional favorites!   Enjoy s’mores, festive… Read More 

U.S. Bank Wild Lights

 $10 – $12
DECEMBER 13, 5:00 PM TO 8:30 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
U.S. Bank Wild Lights returns for 2021 brighter and better than ever! Visitors are invited to walk through the world-renowned Saint Louis… Read More 

WonderLight’s Christmas

 $7 – $30
DECEMBER 13, 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
WonderLight’s Christmas is returning to the greater St. Louis area for the 2021 season! Come see over 1 million LED lights… Read More 

Dasher’s Lightshow – A Christmas Drive Thru

 $30 – $35
DECEMBER 13, 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
A Christmas light show drive-thru designed for you to experience the magic of the Holidays safely in the comfort of your vehicle. Invite… Read More 

Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park

 $8 – $160
DECEMBER 13, 5:30 PM TO 9:30 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
Presented by St. Louis County Parks.   Start a new holiday tradition or continue a favorite one at the 36th Annual Winter Wonderland… Read More 

Pictures with Santa

DECEMBER 14, 10:30 AM TO 8:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
‘Tis the season for visits with St. Nick. Make this holiday magical by visiting St. Nick! Santa’s helpers have been working hard… Read More 

Holiday Magic at The Magic House

 $12
DECEMBER 14, 10:30 AM TO 5:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
Celebrate the magic of the holidays all month long at the Holiday Magic experience at The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum,… Read More 

Joy Winter Wonderland

 FREE
DECEMBER 14, 4:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
New to St. Louis Union Station this year, the Joy Winter Wonderland is open to the public on the Purina Performance Plaza. Guests will… Read More 

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

 $45 – $75
DECEMBER 14, 4:30 PM TO 7:15 PM

|RECURRING EVENT (SEE ALL)
This year the beautifully decorated trains take you on a journey to the North Pole as you interact with the Polar Express characters, Santa… Read More 

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For the latest news and features in St. Louis Sports check out STLSportsPage.com. Rob Rains, Editor.