# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 7 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/christmas-parades/
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## Christmas parades

- **Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade** at Downtown St. Louis, Downtown. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: 2 p.m. Price: Not listed. 42nd year, with musical floats, dance groups, drumlines and marching bands. Official page: https://explorestlouis.com/whats-new/holiday-fun-in-st-louis/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Belleville Santa Parade** at Downtown Belleville, Belleville, Ill. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 10 a.m. Price: Free to watch. 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: https://www.belleville.net/586/Holiday-Events (checked 2026-10-31)
- **SantaFest: O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade** at Downtown O’Fallon, O’Fallon, Ill. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 2026 time not posted yet. Price: Free. A nighttime parade of lit-up floats with Santa saved for last. Afterward, head to Community Park for a free Santa party and the city tree lighting. Official page: https://ofallonholidayparade.com/ (checked 2026-10-31)
- **Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade** at Pearce Hall, 317 W. Pearce Blvd., to the Station 1 Firehouse, Wentzville. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: Tree lit at 5:30 p.m.; parade about 6. Price: Free. The tree goes on at Luetkenhaus and Pearce, and then the parade heads to the firehouse. Cookies and cocoa wait at the end, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Official page: https://www.wentzvillemo.gov/community/events/annual-tree-lighting-and-spirit-of-the-season-parade/ (checked 2026-10-31)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at Winterfest** at Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: Ceremony 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 5:45 p.m., drone show 6:30 p.m., fireworks 7 p.m. Price: Free. Opening day of Winterfest, with the lighting of The Salvation Army tree of lights. Skating is free all day on opening day. Official page: https://www.archpark.org/events/Winterfest (checked 2026-10-21)
- **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)
- **Miracle on St. Francois** at 955 St. Francois St., Florissant. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 1–7 p.m. Price: Not listed. A holiday street festival with a golf cart parade. It’s outdoors in any weather, so dress for it. Official page: https://florissantvalleyofflowers.com/miracle25/ (checked 2026-10-31)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at Winterfest](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/events/ameren-missouri-festival-of-lights-at-winterfest-kiener-plaza/): next dates Nov 21, 2026
- [Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/events/ameren-thanks-for-giving-parade-downtown-st-louis/): next dates Nov 21, 2026
- [Saint Charles Christmas Traditions](https://littlesweekly.com/st-louis/events/saint-charles-christmas-traditions-historic-main-street/): next dates Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026

## 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

### When is the Christmas parade in St. Louis in 2026?
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).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in St. Louis?
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.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in St. Louis free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).