# Christmas break with kids in St. Louis, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 2 places’ holiday hours; 12 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **City Museum**: Christmas Eve 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “December 24, 2026 10am – 8pm December 25, 2026 Closed” Source: https://citymuseum.org/hours (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Saint Louis Zoo**: Christmas Eve 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Zoo closed Jan. 1, 2027 (New Year's Day): Zoo closed” Source: https://stlzoo.org/visit/hours-and-prices (checked 2026-10-21)

## Christmas Eve

- **THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride** at St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, MO. When: Nov 13 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: Departures 4:30, 6, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. Price: Event parking $5 per car. Same site sells Pancakes with Santa. Official page: https://www.stlpolarexpressride.com/ (checked 2026-11-03)
- **Santa Photos at Saint Louis Galleria** at Saint Louis Galleria, 1155 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1103 (checked 2026-11-03)
- **Santa Photos at Plaza Frontenac** at Plaza Frontenac, 1701 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131. When: Nov 14–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. 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…). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0981 (checked 2026-11-03)
- **Saint Charles Christmas Traditions** at Historic Main Street, Historic Main Street, St. Charles, MO. When: Nov 27 – Dec 24. Time: Opening day noon–8:30 p.m.; Fri 6–8:30, Sat noon–8:30, Sun noon–5. Price: Not listed. Costumed Christmas characters stroll Main Street all season. Official page: https://www.discoverstcharles.com/events/christmas-traditions/ (checked 2026-10-21)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Garden Glow** at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO. When: Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 24–25; Nov 16–18 not listed). Time: 5–9:30 p.m. (Dec 12–30 mostly 4:30–10 p.m.); last entry 8:15 / 8:45. Price: General admission nonmember $24, child $12 (member $19 / $10); premium nights $25 / $12; family nights $22 adult, $6 child; same-day +$2 after 4:30 p.m. 2M+ lights. Children = 12 and under. Official page: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/events-classes/signature-events/garden-glow (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Wild Lights** at Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO. When: Select nights Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: 5–8:30 p.m. (last entry 8). Price: $19; members $16; under 2 free; tickets on sale now. S'mores, Santa, 4D Rudolph, carousel; expanded onto Historic Hill. Official page: https://www.stlzoo.org/events/wild-lights (checked 2026-11-03)
- **WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis)** at World Wide Technology Raceway, 1905 Collinsville Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201. When: Nightly Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, including holidays. Time: 5–10 p.m. Price: $35 per car (up to 8); $50 limos/activity vans; $100 large vehicles. Official page: https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/st-louis (checked 2026-11-03)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Countdown to Noon at Buder Library** at St. Louis Public Library – Buder Branch, 4401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–1pm; countdown at noon. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a383b72414ef43d00979b09 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Countdown to Noon: Disco Party! at Carpenter Library** at St. Louis Public Library – Carpenter Branch, 3309 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63118. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a32e66743b41b3d006f26cf (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Family Fun: Noon Year’s Eve Party at WingHaven Library** at St. Charles City-County Library – WingHaven Branch, 7435 Village Center Dr, O’Fallon, MO 63368. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Crafts, games, snacks and a toast to the new year, for preschoolers through grade 5 and their families. Official page: https://stcharles.librarycalendar.com/event/noon-years-eve-party-338746 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Garden Glow** at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO. When: Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 (closed Nov 26, Dec 24–25; Nov 16–18 not listed). Time: 5–9:30 p.m. (Dec 12–30 mostly 4:30–10 p.m.); last entry 8:15 / 8:45. Price: General admission nonmember $24, child $12 (member $19 / $10); premium nights $25 / $12; family nights $22 adult, $6 child; same-day +$2 after 4:30 p.m. 2M+ lights. Children = 12 and under. Official page: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/events-classes/signature-events/garden-glow (checked 2026-10-18)
- **WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis)** at World Wide Technology Raceway, 1905 Collinsville Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201. When: Nightly Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, including holidays. Time: 5–10 p.m. Price: $35 per car (up to 8); $50 limos/activity vans; $100 large vehicles. Official page: https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/st-louis (checked 2026-11-03)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in St. Louis with kids?
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.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in St. Louis?
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.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in St. Louis?
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in St. Louis?
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.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in St. Louis?
Garden Glow, Wild Lights and WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis). Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

### Where are the rest of the December plans in St. Louis?
The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/ice-skating/).

### How do you check these holiday hours?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).