Travel Destinations Missouri How to Celebrate the Holidays in St. Louis and Saint Charles, Missouri Saint Charles and St. Louis—less than 30 miles apart on opposite sides of the Missouri River—could bookend a weekend of holiday light festivals. By Ginger Crichton Ginger Crichton Ginger Crichton is a contributing editor for Midwest Living and Dotdash Meredith Travel, and has worked for the brands in various roles since 2008. She has more than 30 years' experience as a journalist, including editing and writing for both magazines and newspapers. A native Virginian, she holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. Her passion is travel, and since moving with her family to the Midwest 16 years ago, she has road-tripped extensively throughout the region. When she's at home in Des Moines, you might find her at the gym, volunteering at a food pantry or puzzling over the latest New York Times Spelling Bee. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 20, 2023 Saint Charles, Missouri, Christmas Traditions festival. Photo: Emily Lansche Katski/@dogwoodchannelcat Their personalities are completely different, but the historic riverside town of St. Charles and the major metro of nearby St. Louis both offer plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays. St. Charles Christmas Traditions, in its 49th year, opens November 24, 2023, and runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 24. Visitors can expect Victorian carolers, shopping and dining along historic Main Street, storytelling and holiday lights. On Wednesday evenings, Main Street hosts A Christmas Carol Stroll; imagine walking down the foggy streets of 1840s London and meeting characters from the Charles Dickens classic. U.S. Bank Wild Lights fills the St. Louis Zoo with a million lights on select nights from November 24 to December 30, 2023. (Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) In addition to seeing animal-themed light displays, you can buy s'mores to roast at a fire pit, ride on the Conservation Carousel, visit the Penguin & Puffin Coast, and hear holiday carolers roaming around the zoo. Courtesy of Grant's Farm The 2023 Holiday Lights at Grants' Farm offers both drive-through and walk-through options, as well as optional carriage rides and VIP firepits. The route starts at Inspiration Hill (where you might see Clydesdales in the distance), goes through the German-style Bauernhof featuring a light show synchronized to holiday music, the Tiergarten decorated as the North Pole, and a light tunnel on the way to the Busch Family Estate, aglow in gold. Garden Glow. Courtesy of Tom Incrocci/Missouri Botanical Garden Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Gardens runs November 18, 2023-January 6, 2024. A million lights twinkle and flash around the garden, illuminating landmarks like the greenhouse geodesic dome and water features. Look for hot chocolate, s'mores and other snacks to purchase along the Garden Glow path or buy Dine and Glow tickets for a full meal. Private firepits are also available for rental. Steinberg Skating Rink. Steve Jett/Courtesy Forest Park Forever The Steinberg Skating Rink—the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest—typically starts its winter season in mid-November and is open every day, including holidays, through the end of February. Ice Skating is Especially Magical at These 10 Outdoor Locations In O'Fallon, about 35 miles west of downtown St. Louis, Fort Zumwalt Park is merry and bright with more than a million lights during the annual Celebration of Lights. Visitors can drive or stroll through the park, or, on designated nights, take carriage, train and sleigh rides. Open most nights November 24–December 30. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit