Christmas parades 2026St. Louis · The Gateway City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in St. Louis, 2026.

In 2026, Christmas parades near St. Louis run Nov 21 through Dec 6. One of them is a parade of lights. Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade is Nov 21. Belleville Santa Parade is Nov 27 and is free to watch. This page lists seven parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade: Nov 21 · 2 p.m. Plus 3 more.4 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at Winterfest: Nov 21 · Ceremony 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 5:45 p.m., drone show 6:30 p.m., fireworks 7 p.m. Plus 2 more.3 lightingsIs it free?4 of 7 are free to watch; the rest list a price.4 freeDaytime or after dark?4 daytime, 3 in the evening. Each card is marked.3 evening

Last checked · 7 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

21NovSatAmeren Missouri Festival of Lights at WinterfestTree lighting · Ceremony 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 5:45 p.m., drone show 6:30 p.m., fireworks 7 p.m.21NovSatAmeren Thanks-For-Giving ParadeParade · 2 p.m.27NovFriSaint Charles Christmas TraditionsLighting festival · Opening day noon–8:30 p.m.27NovFriBelleville Santa ParadeParade · 10 a.m.28NovSatSantaFest: O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday ParadeParade · 2026 time not posted yet28NovSatMiracle on St. FrancoisLighting festival · 1–7 p.m.6DecSunWentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season ParadeParade · Tree lit at 5:30 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around STL

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Nov27Fri

Belleville Santa Parade

Downtown Belleville · Belleville, Ill.

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
10 a.m.
Price
Free to watch

Good to know: The Optimist Club walks Santa to his house on the Public Square the morning after Thanksgiving. The fountain lights up that evening at 6.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near STL

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov27to Dec 24

Saint Charles Christmas Traditions

Historic Main Street · Historic Main Street, St. Charles, MO

Lighting festivalEvening
Time
Opening day noon–8:30 p.m.; Fri 6–8:30, Sat noon–8:30, Sun noon–5
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Costumed Christmas characters stroll Main Street all season.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov28Sat

Miracle on St. Francois

955 St. Francois St. · Florissant

Lighting festivalDaytime
Time
1–7 p.m.
Price
Not listed

Good to know: A holiday street festival with a golf cart parade. It’s outdoors in any weather, so dress for it.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s added

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in STL

Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at WinterfestNext: Nov 21, 2026Ameren Thanks-For-Giving ParadeNext: Nov 21, 2026Saint Charles Christmas TraditionsNext: Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in STL

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Good questions

Christmas parades in St. Louis: the FAQ

Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 2 p.m. (Downtown). Belleville Santa Parade: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 10 a.m. (Belleville, Ill.). SantaFest: O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 2026 time not posted yet (O’Fallon, Ill.). Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, Tree lit at 5:30 p.m.; parade about 6 (Wentzville).

Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at Winterfest at Kiener Plaza: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Ceremony 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 5:45 p.m., drone show 6:30 p.m., fireworks 7 p.m. Saint Charles Christmas Traditions at Historic Main Street: Nov 27 – Dec 24, Opening day noon–8:30 p.m.; Fri 6–8:30, Sat noon–8:30, Sun noon–5. Miracle on St. Francois at 955 St. Francois St.: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 1–7 p.m.

Four of the seven we list are free to watch: Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at Winterfest, Belleville Santa Parade, SantaFest: O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade and Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade, Belleville Santa Parade and SantaFest: O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

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 every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in STL that weekend, parades included.

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