(credit: Christmas In St. Louis’ Facebook)
St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade
N. 4th St. and Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 345-9908
www.christmasinstlouis.org/parade
Date: Nov. 28, 2013
The St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:45 a.m. on the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street in downtown St. Louis. St. Louis native Mary Engelbreit, a well-known graphic artist and illustrator, is the Honorary Grand Marshal. The parade will feature 130 musical floats and displays, marching bands, giant helium balloon figures and animals from around the greater St. Louis area. The parade concludes with Santa Claus wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. For a parade route map click here. To view what the parade has to offer, click here.
(credit: stlholidaymagic.com)
St. Louis Holiday Magic
America’s Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
(800) 325-7962
www.stlholidaymagic.com
Dates: Nov. 29, 2013 to Dec. 1, 2013
St. Louis Holiday Magic is St. Louis’ kick-off event for the Christmas season. Hosted by America Center, the holiday festival has something for the entire family. There are carnival rides, a trackless train, face painting and special events all included in the admission price. Santa is there for the kids, and photos with Santa are additionally priced. Holiday shopping featuring a host of local St. Louis vendors and national vendors is also available. Preview what’s new for Christmas, get decorating ideas and prepare for a day of Christmas adventure. For a look at last year’s festival, click here.
(credit: historicstcharles.com)
17th Annual Holiday Night Lights Drive Through Light Display
Rotary Park
2577 West Meyer Road
Foristell, MO 63348
(636) 332-9236
www.historicstcharles.com
Date: Nov. 29, 2013
The Annual Holiday Night Lights opens on Friday, November 29th. Treat yourself to one mile of lighted holiday scenes and sparkling tunnels in the warmth of your own vehicle. The magical colorful lights will get you in the Christmas spirit and mesmerize your kids.
(credit: Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Christmas Traditions
Historic Main St.
230 S. Main St.
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 946-7776
www.historicstcharles.com
Leave the modern style of St. Louis for a charming visit to the past in St. Charles village. Here the brick streets are lined with small shops, and the sounds of horses’ hooves from the carriages will remind you of Christmas past. As you walk through the village visiting the unique shops and restaurants. you will hear the sweet holiday music of the fife. As the daylight dims, the streets are filled with holiday lights and shoppers bustling through the cobblestone streets.
(credit: missouribotanicalgarden.org)
Garden Glow 2013 Light Exhibit And Gardenland Express
Missouri Botanical Gardens
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577‑5100
www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
The Garden Glow 2013 Light Exhibit is a new evening event for 2013. Visitors will enjoy thousands of twinkling lights while taking in some of the most celebrated attractions. Walkways will become sensory light tunnels exploding with visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays will delight everyone in the family. If you’re looking for a daytime event, the Missouri Botanical Gardens has the Gardenland Express, which features G-scale trains from several eras that ride 900 feet of track through a holiday landscape complete with poinsettias, flowers and other plants. For pictures of last year’s event, click here.