What to do with kids in St. Louis over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus seven dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
St. Louis Union Station · 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, MO
Good to know: Same site sells Pancakes with Santa.
Saint Louis Galleria · 1155 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 6 evenings (Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14, Dec 15).
Plaza Frontenac · 1701 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 8 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8…).
Historic Main Street · Historic Main Street, St. Charles, MO
Good to know: Costumed Christmas characters stroll Main Street all season.
Missouri Botanical Garden · St. Louis, MO
Good to know: 2M+ lights. Children = 12 and under.
Saint Louis Zoo · St. Louis, MO
Good to know: S'mores, Santa, 4D Rudolph, carousel; expanded onto Historic Hill.
World Wide Technology Raceway · 1905 Collinsville Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201
St. Louis Public Library – Buder Branch · 4401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
Good to know: Buder’s yearly daytime New Year’s bash: storytime, face painting, New Year’s crafts, a kid-friendly DJ and a live band, then everyone counts down at noon.
St. Louis Public Library – Carpenter Branch · 3309 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63118
Good to know: Music, dancing, bubbles and a sparkly countdown to noon, aimed at ages 0–8. Heads-up for sensitive kids: flashing lights, sudden loud sounds and bubbles.
St. Charles City-County Library – WingHaven Branch · 7435 Village Center Dr, O’Fallon, MO 63368
Good to know: Crafts, games, snacks and a toast to the new year, for preschoolers through grade 5 and their families.
Missouri Botanical Garden · St. Louis, MO
Good to know: 2M+ lights. Children = 12 and under.
World Wide Technology Raceway · 1905 Collinsville Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in STLEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in STLEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in STLFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in STLIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in STLStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in STLHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in STLParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in STLKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in STLParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in STLPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in STLBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in STLChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Playgrounds in STLParks with a playground, restrooms and sheltersBirthday party places in STLStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth sports in STLSoccer, T-ball and basketball for ages 0–6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in St. Louis this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Of the two places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; City Museum and Saint Louis Zoo are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.
Open with posted hours: City Museum (10 a.m.–8 p.m.), Saint Louis Zoo (9 a.m.–2 p.m.). On the calendar: THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, Santa Photos at Saint Louis Galleria, Santa Photos at Plaza Frontenac and Saint Charles Christmas Traditions.
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.
On the calendar for Jan 1: Garden Glow and WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis). Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Garden Glow, Wild Lights and WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis). Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
The month’s dated listings are on the December page, and rink dates and skate aids are on the ice skating page.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in STL, through the holidays.
