Features
Tis the season to be jolly: holiday activities deck the halls of St. Louis
Audrey Raymond
Mar 18, 2008 - 11:34:20 AM

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season brings the prospect of a break from school and free time to dedicate to the many festivities that St. Louis offers. Bright light displays illuminate the landscape  and bring the community together. Winter break will be memorable with seemingly unending ways to celebrate the season.

Steinberg Skating Rink
A classic winter afternoon outing for St. Louisans, Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park is celebrating its 50 year anniversary this year.  Adult skating at the rink is $6 with a $2.50 skate rental fee.
Also, for the holiday season, Steinberg offers additional events.  For younger children, Steinberg has a Skate with Santa and his Reindeer afternoon on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 from 1-3 pm, where “Santa” visits the rink.  Steinberg also introduces extended hours for the holiday season, with the rink open from 10 am. to midnight from Dec. 14 to Jan. 1.
“Steinberg Skating Rink is an awesome place to go for a fun night with friends,” said Topher Jackson (9).
Voted the “Most Romantic Place in St. Louis” by the Post-Dispatch last year, Steinberg Skating Rink’s wintry, fun atmosphere is the perfect destination for a winter night out.

Our lady of the Snows
Way of Lights
Few can forget the joys of childhood holidays, when the holiday season was the best part of the year and children waited eagerly for Santa. Now, as high school students, many may feel overwhelmed by the stress of crowded shopping malls and finals the week before winter break.
However, the Way of Lights presented by the shrine of Our Lady of the Snows attempts to return to the joyous Christmases of childhood with their theme “Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child.”
The Way of Lights is open now through Jan. 6 from 5-10 pm. This 38th annual event features lighted displays with a Christian focus that portray the journey to Bethlehem and the Nativity scene. Way of Lights creates entertainment through its over-the-top displays, using over one and a half million lights in the entire exhibit.  
“Our Lady of the Snow’s Way of Lights was so cool.  All the different lighted trees were spectacular,” said Rachel Richardson (9).
Highlights of the Way of Lights are a life-size Lego nativity scene and camel rides, which are offered for a small fee.
For those who have previously attended, Way of Lights does offer a new feature this year: a 17-minute laser light show that tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Tickets to the laser show are $3 per person, and it shows until Tues. Jan. 1 from 5-9 pm.
Way of Lights is an ideal outing for families, as it  also offers a Christmas tree display, free puppet show, and arts and crafts.
Wild Lights at the
 St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo celebrates the holidays with family-friendly events and animal themed light displays throughout the zoo.  
The Wild Lights event is open from Dec. 7 to 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm with $5 admission.
The exhibit features the following light displays: Penguins in Paradise, Flamingo Lagoon, Butterfly Garden, Candy Cane Lane, and singing bullfrogs that croak “Jingle Bells.”  Colorful leaping fish, shooting stars, and sparkling snowflakes also illuminate the zoo’s walkways.
 “The holiday light display at the Zoo, despite being under-appreciated and freezing cold, is both magical and entrancing to viewers of all ages,” said Alyssa Avery (12).
    The Wild Lights also offers activities geared towards kids with costumed characters that walk through the zoo and make-your-own-ornament arts and crafts at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Craft Corner.
Tilles Park Winter
Wonderland
For those looking for Christmas spirit and exciting light displays without having to brave the cold, Tilles Park’s Winter Wonderland in Ladue offers elaborate, lighted, holiday scenes that can be viewed from the comfort of one’s own car.
Utilizing more than one million lights and 15 miles of extension cords, the Winter Wonderland display has about 30 display areas with characters and scenes throughout its 20 min. driving tour.  Also, a canopy of lights covers 75 acres of the park’s forest.
“Tilles Park’s Winter Wonderland is really exciting because there are lights everywhere and it gets you in the mood for Christmas,” said Paige Lape (12).
The Winter Wonderland display is sponsored by KMOX and Bethesda Health Group, and the lighted scenes are created and designed by St. Louis County Parks Dept. employees.
This year marks the 22nd year of the well known St. Louis holiday destination.  The Winter Wonderland will be open until Tues., Jan. 1 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm., Sunday-Friday.  The entrance fee is $9 per car, but larger vehicles have an increased fee.

St. Louis Ballet Nutcracker
Familiar sights and sounds of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite can be seen at Washington U.’s Edison theatre, for St. Louis Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker Suite. A new twist will be put on the classic ballet, as the setting is changed from Germany to St. Louis during the 1904 World’s Fair.
“It will be really good this year. We have all new sets and the dancers are really strong,” said Ariane Rinehart (9) who will be dancing the role of Clara, a young girl whose Christmas gift is brought to life in her dreams.
“The Nutcracker is a great family holiday tradition. Everyone should come see it!” said Irene Hasse (12), who will be dancing in the Waltz of the Flowers, the Snowflake variation, and the Dance of the Reed Flutes.
Choreography is by Gen Horiuchi, artistic director of St. Louis Ballet, the only resident professional ballet company.
      Downtown Macy’s
Macy’s department store brings the holiday spirit to downtown St. Louis, hosting “Breakfast with Santa” and visits with Santa on weekends throughout December.
Macy’s also regenerates an old-time Christmas tradition with elaborate, animated window scenes.  The brightly decorated window displays stand out in the city landscape, attracting passing shoppers and pedestrians. Five scenes along Olive St. portray the theme “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Clause,” telling the story of a young girl who has doubts about Santa. The display also creates the traditional model train scene.  
On the sixth floor of the downtown Macy’s, shoppers can enjoy breakfast and holiday cheer with Christmas songs, jugglers, clowns, and costumed characters at “Breakfast with Santa.”
Breakfasts are Dec. 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 at 10 am.  Tickets are $8.50 per person and reservations must be made beforehand by calling 1-800-835-9718.
Santa also visits Macy’s to listen to wish lists and take pictures with shoppers for “Saturdays with Santa” Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22.
Santa’s Magic Kingdom
With the weather getting colder each day, even the thought of going outside can make one shiver. Santa’s Magical Kingdom, which was voted best light display and family attraction in St. Louis, allows you to enjoy all the sights of the holidays through the windshield of your car. As one rides through the pathways lit with over two million lights, Elf Land, Santa’s workshop, and a gingerbread house are seen along the way.
“Santa’s Magical Kingdom really puts me in the Christmas spirit. I love the lights!” said Brooke Kelly (10).
Santa’s Magical Kingdom is located in Eureka’s Jellystone Park. It is up and running every night until Jan. 6, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm. The cost is $17 per car, and $30 for larger vehicles.

Grant’s Farm
Magic of the Holidays
Grants Farm will be transformed into a winter wonderland this season for the Magic of the Holidays celebration. With activities ranging from interactive story telling to penguin meet and greets, anyone attending this event will surely be mesmerized by the magic that is the holidays. Watch as acrobats, singers, and dancers show Ebenezer Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas in Charles Dickens’s classic holiday play, A Christmas Carol.
This event will be available for 11 days; starting December 15, 18-23, and 26-30, from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. Admission is free, and parking is $20.

Missouri Botanical
Gardens Activites
All people celebrating Kwanzaa are welcome at the Missouri Botanical Gardens this season. The traditional African holiday is to be celebrated with African drumming and musical performances, story telling and a feast of African delicacies. This event is from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, December 28. Admission is free with entrance to the garden.
         First Night at             
          Grand Center
A St. Louis New Years Eve tradition since 1992, First Night is a safe alternative to dangerous celebrations New Years can bring.
Ring in the New Year with live music and theatre, plenty to eat and fireworks at midnight.
This is an alcohol-free, family friendly event, fun for all ages.  People will begin gathering for First Night at 5:30 pm. on Grand Blvd. between Lindell and Grandel Square.


Carriage Rides at
Westport Plaza
The holiday season is all about giving, and Westport Plaza is doing their part by offering free festive carriage rides. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all the sights of Westport nightlife. One also will have the chance take home a photo of them and Santa free of charge!
Even if your wallet is empty this holiday, an exciting night is waiting for you at Westport Plaza.
Carriages are strolling every Saturday and Sunday in December, and Santa will be in town on December 15 from 2:00 pm to 5 pm.  


Ted Drewe’s
A St. Louis destination since 1941, Ted Drewes continues to draw business and ice cream lovers even in the frigid month of December. The ice cream stand sells a variety of flavors of ice cream as well as Christmas trees leading up to Christmas.
At both the Chippewa and Grand locations, Ted Drewes sells handmade wreaths and the “Dottie trees,” Ted’s finest trees

Planning winter break will be a breeze with a variety of ways to embrace the holidays. Outdoors or indoors, relaxing or exciting, St. Louis’s holiday hotspots promise  unforgettable days and lively evenings.
With events spanning from Christmas to New Years, even Scrooge would be in the spirit of Christmas after visiting the numerous St. Louis events.



Ways to get in the Holiday Spirit
Watch classic Christmas movies like A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
“I listen to 102.5 for all the Christmas music every time we’re in the car,” said Andrea Klipsch (9).
Drink cold weather favorites like hot cocoa and eggnog.
“I drink hot chocolate and wrap presents,” said Courtney Maltagliati (10).
For Catholics, get an Advent calendar, with a small piece of chocolate for each day leading up to Christmas.
Fill your stomach with Christmas cheer: make holiday cookies like gingerbread cookies or sugar cookies.  Christmas shaped cookie cutters can add extra festivity.
“I go sledding with Alicia Ubriaco on Crestwood hill and then trudge home to the toasty fire and make little gingerbread families,” said Lindsey Oettle (10).
Volunteer for a charity to get in the spirit of giving. At LHS, one could give a toy to the NHS New Toys for Kids Drive.
Decorate a Christmas tree. Help hang lights and ornaments and reach to put the angel on the top. Also, stringing popcorn with a needle and thread and draping over the tree gives a homey touch.
Go caroling. No one can deny a cheerful rendition of Jingle Bells or We Wish you a Merry Christmas.
Give some spare change to a Salvation Army bell ringer, seen in front of local stores.
Make a gingerbread house with plenty of icing, gumdrops, m & m’s, candy canes, licorice, and whatever else is needed to make the house a masterpiece.
Make a homemade gift for a cheap, personal way to show one’s thoughtfulness. Possibilities are a photo collage, a batch of cookies, or a mix CD.




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