Dec3Thu
Lake Saint Louis Mayor's Tree Lighting
Meadows Clock Tower · Lake Saint Louis, MO
- When
- Thursday, Dec 3
- Time
- 5:30–7 p.m.
- Price
- Not listed
December 2026St. Louis · The Gateway City
December in St. Louis with little kids.
18 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around St. Louis in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.
3 listings
Dec 1 to Dec 6
Dec5Sat
Breakfast with Santa at Savor St. Charles
Savor St. Charles · 221 N. Main Street, St. Charles, MO 63301
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- 9–10:30 a.m.
Dec6Sun
Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade
Pearce Hall, 317 W. Pearce Blvd., to the Station 1 Firehouse · Wentzville
- When
- Sunday, Dec 6
- Time
- Tree lit at 5:30 p.m.; parade about 6
- Price
- Free
3 listings
Dec 28 to Dec 31
Dec31Thu
Countdown to Noon at Buder Library
St. Louis Public Library – Buder Branch · 4401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11am–1pm; countdown at noon
- Price
- Free
Dec31Thu
Countdown to Noon: Disco Party! at Carpenter Library
St. Louis Public Library – Carpenter Branch · 3309 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63118
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:30am–12:30pm
- Price
- Free
Dec31Thu
Family Fun: Noon Year’s Eve Party at WingHaven Library
St. Charles City-County Library – WingHaven Branch · 7435 Village Center Dr, O’Fallon, MO 63368
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11am–noon
- Price
- Free
12 listings
Open for weeks at a time
Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.
Dec1to 31
Garden Glow
Missouri Botanical Garden · St. Louis, MO
- When
- Nov 13 to Jan 2
- 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.
Dec1to 30
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
St. Louis Union Station · 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, MO
- When
- Nov 13 to Dec 30
- Time
- Departures 4:30, 6, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
- Price
- Event parking $5 per car
Dec1to 31
WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis)
World Wide Technology Raceway · 1905 Collinsville Road, Fairmont City, IL 62201
- When
- Nov 13 to Jan 3
- Time
- 5–10 p.m.
- Price
- $35 per car (up to 8); $50 limos/activity vans; $100 large vehicles
Dec1to 24
Santa Photos at Plaza Frontenac
Plaza Frontenac · 1701 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131
- When
- Nov 14 to Dec 24
- 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
Dec1to 4
Kirkwood Festival of Trees
Kirkwood Performing Arts Center · 210 E. Monroe Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122
- When
- Nov 21 to Dec 4
- Time
- Hours vary; Nov 21 kickoff 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Price
- Free; raffle tickets $5
Dec1to 24
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions
Historic Main Street · Historic Main Street, St. Charles, MO
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 24
- Time
- Opening day noon–8:30 p.m.; Fri 6–8:30, Sat noon–8:30, Sun noon–5
- Price
- Not listed
Dec1to 23
Santa at Wild Lights
Saint Louis Zoo · St. Louis, MO
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 23
- Time
- Last entry 8:15 p.m.
- Price
- Included with Wild Lights admission ($19; members $16; under 2 free)
Dec1to 24
Santa Photos at Saint Louis Galleria
Saint Louis Galleria · 1155 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 24
- 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
Dec1to 30
Wild Lights
Saint Louis Zoo · St. Louis, MO
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Time
- 5–8:30 p.m. (last entry 8)
- Price
- $19; members $16; under 2 free; tickets on sale now
Dec5to 12
Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Brookdale Farms
Brookdale Farms, The Barn · 2547 Twin River Park Rd, Eureka, MO 63025
- When
- Dec 5 to Dec 12
- Time
- 9–10:15 a.m. and 10:30–11:45 a.m.
- Price
- Kids 3–13 $35; adults 14+ $20; under 3 free but need a ticket (+ tax and fee)
Dec5to 20
PJs and Pancakes with Santa cruise
Gateway Arch Riverboats · St. Louis riverfront, MO
- When
- Dec 5 to Dec 20
- Time
- 9:30–11:30 a.m.
- Price
- $45 ages 3+; ages 0–2 free but need a ticket
Dec6to 20
Breakfast with Santa at The Magic House
The Magic House · Kirkwood, MO
- When
- Dec 6 to Dec 20
- Time
- Reservation times 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.; private playtime 8:30–10:30 a.m.
- Price
- $25; members $20; tables of 6 minimum; nonrefundable
Guides
More December guides for STL
Santa visits in STLBreakfasts, photos and Santa trains
Christmas lights in STLDrive-thru and walk-through displays
Indoor play for toddlersCold or rainy days in STL
Ice skating for kidsHoliday rinks, prices and skate aids
Christmas break with kidsWhat’s open Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Every year in STLAnnual events by month, with last year’s datesKeep planning
More for little kids in STL
November: 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 charge
Indoor play in STLIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in STLStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchIce 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 flaggedChristmas markets in STLChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in STLWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
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 ThursdayGood questions
December in STL: the FAQ
18 dated listings so far, including Lake Saint Louis Mayor's Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Breakfast with Santa at Savor St. Charles (Dec 5), Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade (Dec 6) and Countdown to Noon at Buder Library (Dec 31). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.
Wentzville Tree Lighting & Spirit of the Season Parade (Dec 6), Countdown to Noon at Buder Library (Dec 31), Countdown to Noon: Disco Party! at Carpenter Library (Dec 31), Family Fun: Noon Year’s Eve Party at WingHaven Library (Dec 31) and Kirkwood Festival of Trees (Nov 21 to Dec 4). For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in STL.
13 start this December: Lake Saint Louis Mayor's Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Breakfast with Santa at Savor St. Charles (Dec 5), Garden Glow (Nov 13 to Jan 2), THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride (Nov 13 to Dec 30) and WonderLight's Christmas (St. Louis) (Nov 13 to Jan 3), plus 8 more below.
Cold or rainy days are on indoor play for toddlers in STL, with ages, prices and hours from each place’s own site.
Season dates, prices and skate aids are on the ice skating page.
Holiday hours for Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are on the Christmas break page.
Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.
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 Nov 8, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.
The checked list, every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in STL that weekend.
