St. Louis · MO / IL
Things to do with kids in St. Louis — December 2026
106 family events in December 2026. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Central Time.
What’s on now in St. Louis →Events
- Community
Through Dec 23
Belleville Christkindlmarkt
Public Square
- Crafts and cookies
Through Jan 5
Downtown Belleville Gingerbread Contest Window Displays
Downtown Belleville merchant windows
All ages
- Outdoors
Through Jan 3
Enchanted Fairy Gardens at the Butterfly House
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
With admissionAll ages
- Community
Sat, Nov 14
Garden Glow
Missouri Botanical Garden
From $6All ages
- Nutcracker and shows
Through Jan 2
Holiday Flower and Train Show at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden – Emerson Conservatory (Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center)
With admissionAll ages
- Community
Through Dec 4
Kirkwood Festival of Trees at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Nov 28
Saint Louis Ballet: The Nutcracker 2026
Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL
Paid
- Santa visits
Through Dec 24
Santa on the Square
Santa's House, Public Square
- Santa visits
Through Jan 3
Santa's Magical Kingdom Drive-Through Holiday Lights — Eureka
Santa's Magical Kingdom at Jellystone Park St. Louis Eureka
From $35All ages
- Train rides
Through Dec 30
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station
St. Louis Union Station
Paid
Nov19ThuCommunityThrough Jan 3
Weirdly Wonderful Holidays at City Museum
City Museum
PaidAll ages
Nov27FriLight displaysThrough Dec 30
Wentzville Holiday Night Lights Drive-Thru
Rotary Park
From $15
Nov27FriLight displaysThrough Dec 30
Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
Saint Louis Zoo
From $19All ages
- Markets and festivals
Through Jan 3
Winterfest at Kiener Plaza
Kiener Plaza
FreeAll ages
Dec2WedArts & craftsWed, Dec 2
Irving Berlin's White Christmas at The Rep
Loretto-Hilton Center (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Mainstage)
PaidAll ages
Nov27FriCommunityFri, Nov 27 · 12:00 PM
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions
Historic Main Street, St. Charles
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Oct 28 · 2:30 PM
Wildcat Wednesday (Teens, Wright City)
Wright City Branch, Scenic Regional Library
Ages 11–17
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Nov 5 · 6:00 PM
Craftumentary at Buder Library
Buder Library, St. Louis Public Library
Dec3ThuSanta visitsThu, Dec 3 · 6:30 PM
Pizza with Santa (The Great Elf Sleepover)
Eureka Community Center
With admission
Nov19ThuSports & playThu, Nov 19 · 4:00 PM
Pokemon Trading Card Club at Kirkwood Public Library
Kirkwood Public Library
FreeAges 6–12
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Dec 3 · 5:00 PM
Police Tree Trimming at the St. Peters Justice Center
St. Peters Justice Center
All ages
Dec3ThuSanta visitsThu, Dec 3 · 6:30 PM
Story Time with Santa! (Deer Run Branch)
Deer Run Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- Nutcracker and shows
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:30 PM
A Christmas Carol (The Alpha Players) — Florissant
James J. Eagan Center
From $12
Nov27FriArts & craftsFri, Nov 27
Festive Fridays at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum
Free
- Community
Fri, Nov 27 · 5:00 PM
Free Horse-drawn Trolley Rides
Trolley stop, 1st block of East Main St.
Free
Nov6FriSTEM & discoveryFri, Nov 6
Free Public Telescope Viewing: Star Parties and Solar Sundays
McDonnell Planetarium (Saint Louis Science Center)
FreeAll ages
- Community
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Maplewood Christmas Tree Walk
CNB Bank Park, downtown Maplewood
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30 PM
St. Peters Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holly-Day Market
St. Peters City Hall
FreeAll ages
Dec5SatCommunitySat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
American Girl Doll Holiday Party at Middendorf-Kredell Branch
Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
All ages
- Outdoors
Sat, Nov 7 · 8:00 AM
Beginner Bird Walks in Forest Park
Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center, Forest Park
Nov29SunSanta visitsSun, Nov 29 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa at Eckert's Belleville Farm
Eckert’s Belleville Farm
Paid
Dec5SatArts & craftsSat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Family Fun: Ugly Sweater Party at Spencer Road Branch
Spencer Road Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- Crafts and cookies
Sat, Dec 5 · 8:00 AM
Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk & Kids' Dash
Belleville Parks & Recreation office
From $30
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM
Holiday Open House with Santa Visits (Glen Carbon Library)
Glen Carbon Centennial Library
- Santa visits
Sat, Nov 21 · 8:30 AM
Pancakes with Santa at St. Louis Union Station
St. Louis Union Station – Grand Hall
Paid
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM
Passport to the World: Italian Holiday Opera at The Magic House
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
With admission
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 5:30 PM
Santa Saturdays at Holiday Night Lights
Kolb Building, Rotary Park
With admission
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:30 AM
STEM Lab: Elephant Toothpaste at Machacek Library
Machacek Library, St. Louis Public Library
Ages 5–10
Nov29SunCrafts and cookiesSun, Nov 29 · 1:00 PM
The Apprentice Chef: Gingerbread House (ages 7–11)
Kitchen Conservatory
From $60Ages 7–11
- Markets and festivals
Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM
Town and Country WINTERFEST
Town Square
FreeAll ages
- Santa visits
Sun, Dec 6 · 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Santa at The Magic House
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
From $25
Dec6SunCookingSun, Dec 6 · 5:00 PM
Heir and a Parent: Nice List Nibbles — Kitchen Conservatory
Kitchen Conservatory
From $130Ages 7–11
Dec6SunLight displaysSun, Dec 6 · 5:00 PM
Holiday Night Lights 5K and Fun Run
Rotary Park
PaidAll ages
- Hanukkah
Sun, Dec 6 · 12:00 PM
The J's Hanukkah Celebration at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden – Bayer Event Center
FreeAll ages
Dec6SunTree lightingsSun, Dec 6 · 5:30 PM
Wentzville Annual Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
Historic Downtown Wentzville (parade starts at Pearce Hall)
Dec7MonSTEM & discoveryMon, Dec 7 · 2:00 PM
Homeschool Explorers: Snow Science at McClay Branch
McClay Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec7MonCrafts and cookiesMon, Dec 7 · 6:00 PM
I Can't Believe It's Not a Gingerbread House at Kirkwood Public Library
Kirkwood Public Library
Free
Dec8TueArts & craftsTue, Dec 8 · 4:30 PM
Crafternoon: Snow Globe at Kingshighway Library
Kingshighway Library, St. Louis Public Library
Ages 5–12
- Crafts and cookies
Wed, Dec 9 · 4:00 PM
STEM Lab: Paper Gingerbread Houses at Baden Library
Baden Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Community
Wed, Nov 11 · 11:30 AM
Story Time at the Sachs Museum (Missouri Botanical Garden)
Missouri Botanical Garden – Sachs Museum (historic Museum Building)
With admissionAll ages
Dec10ThuHanukkahThu, Dec 10 · 4:00 PM
Chanukah at the Arch
Kiener Plaza
Free
- Dec10ThuSanta visits
Thu, Dec 10 · 10:00 AM
Santa Visits the Library! (Spencer Road Branch)
Spencer Road Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec11FriNutcracker and showsFri, Dec 11
COCA Ballet Eclectica: The Nutcracker
Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA
From $31
Dec11FriCommunityFri, Dec 11 · 10:00 AM
Downtown Belleville Cookie Stroll
Downtown Belleville
All ages
- Outdoors
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:30 PM
Owl Prowl at Rockwoods Reservation
Rockwoods Reservation
All ages
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa at the St. Peters Rec-Plex
St. Peters Rec-Plex – North Food Court
From $11Ages 2–8
Dec12SatCommunitySat, Dec 12 · 1:00 PM
Family Day Out: Disney Karaoke Party at Buder Library
Buder Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Outdoors
Sat, Dec 12 · 7:00 AM
Learn to Fish: All About Trout (Forest Park Hatchery)
Forest Park Hatchery
Ages 6+
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 21
On-Stage Performance Series at The Magic House
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
With admissionAll ages
Dec12SatNutcracker and showsSat, Dec 12
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra)
Powell Hall (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra)
Paid
Dec12SatCommunityThrough Dec 13
Winter Celebrations at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum
Free
- Light displays
Sat, Dec 12 · 10:30 AM
Winter Solstice Lanterns at Cabanne Library
Cabanne Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Hanukkah
Sun, Dec 13 · 3:30 PM
Hanukkah Pop-Up at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Sun, Dec 13 · 3:00 PM
Northwinds Hometown Holiday Concert — Florissant
James J. Eagan Center
From $10
- Arts & crafts
Mon, Dec 14 · 6:00 PM
Kids Crafts: Cocoa Gnomes at Carondelet Library
Carondelet Library, St. Louis Public Library
Ages 5–10
- Community
Mon, Dec 14 · 4:00 PM
Winter Celebration Open House at Cabanne Library
Cabanne Library, St. Louis Public Library
Dec15TueSanta visitsTue, Dec 15 · 5:00 PM
Movie and Craft: Elf (2003)
Corporate Parkway Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- STEM & discovery
Tue, Dec 15 · 4:30 PM
STEM Lab: Elephant Toothpaste
Kingshighway Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Dec16WedMarkets and festivals
Wed, Dec 16 · 9:30 AM
Family STEM - Winter Wonderland
Deer Run Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- Outdoors
Thu, Oct 22 · 10:00 AM
Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site
Mastodon State Historic Site
Free
Dec18FriArts & craftsFri, Dec 18
Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Fabulous Fox
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Paid
- Community
Fri, Nov 20 · 5:00 PM
Free Family Night at The Magic House
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
With admission
- Sports & play
Fri, Dec 18 · 7:00 PM
Holiday DJ Skate at the St. Peters Rec-Plex
St. Peters Rec-Plex
With admission
Dec18FriNutcracker and showsFri, Dec 18
Mercy Holiday Celebration with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Powell Hall
Paid
- Outdoors
Fri, Dec 18 · 6:30 PM
Owl Prowl at Busch Conservation Area
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area (St. Louis Regional Office)
All ages
- Sports & play
Fri, Dec 18 · 6:00 PM
Yeti, Set, Throw! Indoor Snowball Play — Hazelwood
Hazelwood Community Center
From $13Ages 5–12
Dec19SatCommunitySat, Dec 19 · 10:30 AM
ASL Storytime at Carpenter Library
Carpenter Library, St. Louis Public Library
Nov7SatCookingSat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM
Family Cooking with Lydia Gwin at Kirkwood Public Library
Kirkwood Public Library
Free
Nov21SatArts & craftsSat, Nov 21 · 2:00 PM
Family Film and Crafternoon at Central Library
Central Library, St. Louis Public Library
Ages 5–17
- Dec19SatArts & crafts
Sat, Dec 19 · 2:30 PM
Family Fun: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Party
Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- Dec19SatCooking
Sat, Dec 19 · 10:30 AM
Heir and a Parent: A Harry Potter Christmas (kids 7–11 with a parent)
Kitchen Conservatory
From $140Ages 7–11
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM
Hot Cocoa Party
Buder Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Outdoors
Sat, Dec 19 · 5:30 PM
Night Hike on the Busch Hiking/Biking Trail
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area (St. Louis Regional Office)
All ages
- Dec20SunCooking
Sun, Dec 20
Heir and a Parent: Ready for It, Swifties? — Kitchen Conservatory
Kitchen Conservatory
From $135Ages 7–11
Dec20SunNutcracker and showsSun, Dec 20
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Fabulous Fox
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Paid
Dec21MonArts & craftsMon, Dec 21
COCA School’s Out Camps (Winter Break)
COCA – Center of Creative Arts
Paid
Dec21MonCookingMon, Dec 21 · 10:00 AM
Cookie Walk at Eckert's Belleville Farm
Eckert’s Belleville Farm
Paid
- Dec21MonTrain rides
Mon, Dec 21 · 5:30 PM
Family Fun: Polar Express Party at McClay Branch
McClay Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec21MonTrain ridesMon, Dec 21 · 4:30 PM
Polar Express Pajama and Movie Night
Divoll Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Community
Mon, Dec 21 · 3:30 PM
Winter Party at Walnut Park Library
Walnut Park Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Dec22TueCrafts and cookies
Tue, Dec 22 · 12:30 PM
Escape Room: Gingerbread House (Corporate Parkway Branch)
Corporate Parkway Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec22TueSports & playTue, Dec 22 · 4:00 PM
Kids Challenge Room: Blast Off!
Kingshighway Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 22 · 10:30 AM
Santa's Workshop (Hazelwood)
Hazelwood Community Center
From $15Ages 5–8
Nov25WedSports & playWed, Nov 25 · 1:00 PM
Kids Game Day at Central Library
Central Library, St. Louis Public Library
Ages 5–12
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 31
Nature Center Saturdays with MDC volunteer naturalists
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
- Dec28MonArts & crafts
Mon, Dec 28 · 2:00 PM
Let's Explore: World Celebrations at Middendorf-Kredell Branch
Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
- Community
Tue, Dec 29 · 10:00 AM
Winter Getaway at the Missouri History Museum: Winter Carnival and A Filipino Christmas
Missouri History Museum
Free
- Dec30WedCooking
Wed, Dec 30 · 1:00 PM
The Apprentice Chef: Midnight Snacks (ages 7-11) — Kitchen Conservatory
Kitchen Conservatory
From $55Ages 7–11
Dec31ThuCommunityThu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Countdown to Noon at Buder Library
Buder Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Community
Thu, Dec 31 · 11:30 AM
Countdown to Noon: Disco Party!
Carpenter Library, St. Louis Public Library
- Dec31ThuNew Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Family Fun: Noon Year's Eve (Corporate Parkway)
Corporate Parkway Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec31ThuNew Year’s EveThu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Family Fun: Noon Year's Eve Party at WingHaven Branch
WingHaven Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Dec31ThuNew Year’s EveThu, Dec 31 · 5:00 PM
Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party at City Museum
City Museum
Paid
Dec31ThuMarkets and festivalsThu, Dec 31 · 4:00 PM
New Year's Eve Neon Nights Celebration and Fireworks at Winterfest
Kiener Plaza
Free
- New Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 10:00 AM
Noon Year's Eve at the Missouri History Museum
Missouri History Museum
Free
Dec31ThuNew Year’s EveThu, Dec 31 · 10:00 AM
Preschool Party: Noon Year's Eve (Kisker Road)
Kisker Road Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Ages 3–5