12/19/2023
What’s New in the Lou, and Merry Christmas! With family visiting for the holidays, this is the perfect weekend to hang out around town. Check out an old classic, or try one of the unique events listed below!
Friday, December 22:
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet - The beloved family tradition is back at the Fabulous Fox. Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet.
Ugly Sweater Party at Tinsel Tavern in Ballpark Village - Enjoy full access to Tinsel Tavern while sipping on our festive cocktails, rockin' around the Christmas trees with a local DJ playin the best holiday remixes, dressing your best (or worst) for a chance to win the Ugly Sweater or best beard contest! Click the link to get your tickets!
Saturday, December 23:
Last day of Q Brothers Christmas Carol - In this laugh-out-loud hip-hop remix of Dickens’ classic tale, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Hip-Hop Past, Present, and Future. As Scrooge is shown the path of rhythm and redemption, will he throw off his selfish chains and get down to the beat?
Last day of LIT, a Christmas Pop-up Experience - Head down to Molly’s in Soulard for an immersive Christmas experience that includes outrageous decor, Christmas-themed food, costumes, music, photo ops and more!
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer - The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage of the Fabulous Fox this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph.
Sunday, December 24:
CHRISTMAS EVE - LAST DAY! Christmas Traditions Festival - From the Sugar Plum Fairy to Ebenezer Scrooge, all your favorite Christmas characters can all be found strolling along Main Street in Historic St. Charles. The quaint shops and restaurants located in the restored historic buildings that line the cobblestone streets, are all beautifully decked out for Christmas and are open late for the Festival.
CHRISTMAS EVE! Weirdly Wonderful Holidays - Enjoy Winter Holiday fun at the City Museum during this month long celebration. Enjoy visits with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus and holiday light displays throughout the museum, specialty drinks and eats. This event will continue on select dates through December 31, but there are some activities that are unique to Christmas Eve!
All Weekend Long!
Winterfest - It’s back for its eighth year from Nov. 18 through Dec. 31, in Kiener Plaza! Although it is not open on Christmas day, it will be open every day from Friday, December 22, through the weekend, and then it will reopen on Tuesday, December 26 and run through the end of the year. Check out the ice skating, s'mores stations and igloos underneath 100,000 twinkling lights in the shadow of the Gateway Arch.
The Polar Express Experience - This year the beautifully decorated trains take you on a journey to the North Pole as you interact with the Polar Express characters, Santa Claus and his elves. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ is the magical story of a boy's search for the real meaning of Christmas, based on the beloved children's book.
Holiday Flower and Train Show - Immerse yourself among festive installations of poinsettias and other seasonal favorites presented alongside the newly planted permanent displays of Mediterranean species throughout the Emerson Conservatory in the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Garden is closed all day on Christmas.
Celebration of Lights - Celebration of Lights is a holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park in O'Fallon, Missouri. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses. It’s also not too late to get tickets for the trolley ride through the display. All tickets must be purchased in advance and can be found at the link. Not open on Christmas Day.
Garden Glow - This annual holiday event will feature Christmas card worthy photo opportunities, traditional holiday music, holiday activities, and delicious food and drinks - all the while enjoying one million lights on gorgeous holiday displays! While Garden Glow will not happen on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you should definitely check it out before it leaves on January 6
Need a change of scenery on Christmas Day (but not sure what’s open and what’s closed)? Here are some fun things that are open on the 25th!
Steinberg Ice Skating Rink is open 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Christmas Day, and those generous hours continue through the end of the year. It’s a fantastic way to show off Forest Park to out-of-town relatives, and it’s a great workout after a day of delicious food. $10 to skate, $6 for skate rental.
Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park, a St. Louis area holiday tradition since 1987, is open on Christmas! Winter Wonderland can be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle Monday through Sunday until December 30.
If brews from 4Hands and Mighty Kind, snacks, ugly art, and non-holiday tunes sound like a good way to spend Christmas, then head to 31art gallery for their annual Ugly Art Exchange and Island of Misfit Toys Party. The event provides a perfect escape for anyone who could use a break from more traditional Christmas activities. In its third year, the bash includes new coloring pages and a bracelet-making station. Free admission. 4–8 p.m.
In the spirit of A Christmas Story, RSVP on Facebook if you’d like to join a group having dinner at the Joy Luck Chinese Buffet in Brentwood on Christmas night. Everyone’s welcome, and dinner is set to start around 5:15 p.m.
See if your favorite movie theater is open! You’ll be surprised to find that many theaters are open on Christmas Day. This year, you can see Wonka, Ferrari, The Color Purple, and more.
As always, I’m available to help you with your real estate needs, and I’m never too busy to help anyone you know that needs to buy a home, sell a home, or invest in real estate. Just give me a call or shoot me a text.
