![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
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As the temperature decreases and the holiday season takes over St. Louis, festive attractions offer families and friends in the area countless ways to celebrate. For those that are looking for a way to spend their holiday, St. Louis offers something for everyone. Whether you want to shop, eat, walk or drive, here are the top five attractions to get into that holiday spirit.
St. Louis Polar Express Train Ride
Located at the St. Louis Union Station, the annual St. Louis Polar Express Train Ride can’t be missed. Inspired by the 2004 film “The Polar Express,” this experience transforms you into guests on a journey to the North Pole. While on the train, attendees can interact with the conductor, characters and Santa with his elves.
The experience begins at the St. Louis Union Station Train Park, where guests meet their conductor who invites them on board. Once the train departs, attendees are encouraged to read the classic children’s book and are treated to hot chocolate and warm cookies. Soon after arriving at the North Pole, Santa and his elves visit guests with a special gift for everyone.
Tickets start at $39 for the Coach ticket, which includes forward-facing seating. Customers can upgrade their tickets to first class for $49, which includes pods of four seats facing each other with a small table in between, complimentary Polar Express mugs and a digital photo download. If they wish, attendees can upgrade even higher and purchase a Premium ticket. With this, attendees can choose to either sit on the second floor with a full 360-degree view of the outside or on the lower floor in a premium lounge area; premium tickets start at $100.
To purchase tickets, customers must order on their official website.
Wild Lights
Visitors can enjoy a stroll through the St. Louis Zoo during its annual holiday light festival, which runs through Dec. 28. Tickets range from $12 to $18 and can be purchased through the zoo’s website, with discounted prices available for members.
Throughout the zoo, light displays illuminate themed areas along the walking path. The event also features craft stations for children, a 4D theater showing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and a Wild Explorer virtual reality experience.
While the festival is an annual tradition, this year includes several new additions, including a Holiday Market offering festive ornaments and souvenirs and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
Garden Glow
Garden Glow, held at the Missouri Botanical Garden, is a recurring event featuring a variety of light displays. The lights surround some of the Garden’s most iconic locations like the Rose Garden, Tower Grove House and the Climatron.
Visitors can purchase hot chocolate and make s’mores at private fireplace rentals located throughout the garden. Pop-up cafés serving churros, hot chocolate and pretzel bites are available throughout the path. Visitors may also reserve a table at the Botanical Garden’s on-site restaurant.
According to their website, Garden Glow features “more than two million dazzling lights,” with this year having a light installment expansion.
General admission tickets cost $24 for non-member adults and $12 for non-member children. Member pricing is $19 for adults and $10 for children. Same-day tickets increase by $2 after 4:30 p.m.
The Garden Glow will be open and operating until Jan. 3.
WonderLight’s Christmas
For those that prefer not to walk, WonderLight’s Christmas offers an alternative as St. Louis’s largest drive-through Christmas light show. Located at World Wide Technology Raceway, the drive-through features more than one million Christmas lights along with holiday music. Visitors are encouraged to carpool with their friends to enjoy the festive atmosphere together. According to Explore St. Louis, the event features “shooting stars, falling snowflakes, dancing candy canes and enchanting tunnels of light.”
The price is $30 per car which can carry up to eight passengers and $100 for larger vehicles such as buses and RVs. The event runs from Nov. 14 to Jan. 4 nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
Winterfest
Winterfest, hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, returns to Kiener Plaza for its 10th season and runs through Jan. 4. The event features a public ice-skating rink, heated igloos, cafés, s’mores stations and more than 100,000 lights.
According to their website, “Winterfest is open most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with extended days/hours on Friday December 26 to 31 from Noon to 8 p.m.”
New this year, Winterfest has partnered with Sophie’s Artist Lounge to host DJ performances on Dec. 20 and 27.
Character visits will also be occurring with Rudolph and Clarice appearing on Dec. 21, Elsa and Olaf on Dec 28, Captain America and Princess Tiana on 31 and Descendants on Jan 4.
Movies such as “The Grinch,” “Mufasa,” and “Frozen” will also be available for families and friends to watch.
In addition, visitors can shop from local vendors during the holiday market on Dec. 20 from 12 to 5 p.m..
