Best Christmas Lights in St. Louis
DEC 3, 2018
There's something about St. Louis at Christmas time. I fall in love with this city all over again. I mean, have you seen the movie Meet Me in St. Louis? There’s a reason why the Smith family decided not to move to New York once they had Christmas in St. Louis.
Christmas lights in St. Louis are on another level. Here are some of the best places to get your twinkle fix.
Enjoy over 1-million lights at the #StlZoo #WildLights. Fire pits are scattered throughout the light displays to keep you warm and for making s'mores. On the weekends, you will encounter storytellers, live performances and carolers. The penguins and insects will be open for visitors. They even offer a sensory night with quiet areas on Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bonus, your ticket includes admission to the Conservation Carousel and to see The Polar Express in 4D. If you are a U.S. Bank customer you can receive a buy one, get on free ticket when you show your U.S. Bank debit or credit card.
Select Nights, Nov. 23 – Dec. 30 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
2. Ladue Home Lights Show - Toys for Tots
Is there anything more thrilling than stumbling upon a massive light display? If you take a drive down Ladue Rd. between highways 270 and 141, you will do just that! You will find 125,000 lights tuned to a radio station that move and twinkle to your favorite Christmas tunes. The home uses the light display to collect money for Toys for Tots. In past years, the display has collected more than 3,000 toys for kids in need.
The funniest part of the display is what you will see in the neighbor’s yard, but I will let that be a surprise!
3. Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden
The #MissouriBotanicalGardens #Gardenglow boasts over 1-million lights with special effects and features. As you wander down the light-filled paths, you can stop at warming stations along the way. There are also places to make s'mores and indulge in festive, holiday drinks. Decorate magnetic snowmen and snap a picture with your new buddy. Tour the Tower Grove House decked out for the holidays, or conquer the light maze.
5 – 10 p.m. | Last entry at 9 p.m.
Dan's Emerald Forest is like a scene straight out of A Christmas Story. The trains, the lights, the hot chocolate - it's enough Christmas to make your eyes boggle. Watch the trains make their way through the little town that fills Dan's front yard. If you look closely, you can even see trains chugging in and out of the basement windows. Dan wrote a poem about his experience creating the Emerald Forest. It is a true passion of his, that he loves sharing with visitors every year.
Wed. – Thur. 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. – Sat. 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Daily during Christmas and New Year’s weeks
5. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights
Looking for family fun? The Brewery is the place to go. With over 1-million lights, specialized beer, food and entertainment, do you really need to go anywhere else? Kids can ride the Brewery Express Train in the kid zone and catch a holiday movie classic on the big screen. Roast marshmallows around a fire pit, meet the clydesdales or go ice skating. You will not run out of activities to do! You also have the option to purchase packages like, the Fire Pit Fun package or the Clydesdales VIP package. Check their website for more packages and times.
6. Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
The horse drawn carriage ride is what really wins me over at this Christmas lights display. Their carriages can hold anywhere from 2 - 24 people. If you are thinking of something more romantic, you could go with the Sweetheart carriage. But if you need to fit the whole family, Santa's Sleigh would be a better option. They also have 6 person and 9 person sleighs. You also have the option of driving through the park.
There is nothing like neighbors rallying together to create a dazzling lights display for the community. This St. Louis Hills neighborhood lights up their street every year, even stringing lights over the street. I prefer parking and strolling down the lane versus driving. The line of cars to drive down the lane can get backed up, causing you to be waiting in line for awhile. Bonus, the neighborhood is right behind Ted Drewes, so you can finish the night off with some frozen custard and pick up your Christmas tree while you're at it.
8. Silver Dollar City - An Old Time Christmas
Now, this isn’t a St. Louis light display, but it is one of the best Christmas light displays in the country and it is just four hours south of our lovely city. Let me tell you, with over 6.5 million lights, it is worth the short trek! Every building is blanketed in twinkling lights, leaving you in awe and wonder. CNN Travel even included it as one of the seven best places to see Christmas lights in the USA. You will also meet Santa, Rudolph™, Clarice™ and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster™. Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade is the perfect way to end the night.
399 Silver Dollar City Railroad
Is there a St. Louis Christmas lights destination that you would add to the list?