Holiday lights near St. Louis for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 31 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 3 holiday light events around St. Louis for Oct 31 – Jan 15: 2 displays running for weeks and 1 one-night event. 1 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around St. Louis. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Thu, Dec 31 (Select nights Nov 14 – Jan 2 (closed Nov 16–20, Nov 26 and Dec 24–25; Nov 20 is adults-only)) · 5–9:30pm most nights; 4:30–10pm Dec 12–30 (last entry 8:15pm or 8:45pm)
- Cost
- Nonmember adults $22–$25 and kids 3–12 $6–$12 depending on the night; same-night tickets bought at or after 4:30pm cost $2 more
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than two million lights along the Garden’s paths, with holiday music and photo spots. Family Nights (Nov 23, 24 and 30, Dec 1–3) drop kids’ tickets to $6, and Monday, Nov 30 is a calmer Sensory Night with a Santa visit. Rain or snow event; tickets often sell out from mid-December.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Dec 30 (Select nights Nov 27 – Dec 30) · 5–8:30pm (last entry 8pm)
- Cost
- $19 general admission; Zoo members $16; children under 2 free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Over a million lights across the Zoo, s’mores over firepits, a kids’ craft, the carousel and a few animal houses, plus visits and photos with Santa every night through Dec 23. Monday, Dec 7 is a sensory-friendly night. Popular dates can sell out.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · Ceremony 5:30pm, tree lighting 5:45pm, drone show 6:30pm, fireworks 7pm
- Cost
- Free to attend
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Winterfest’s opening-night finale: the lighting of The Salvation Army tree of lights, then a drone show and fireworks.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around St. Louis in 2026?
2 light displays on our list run for weeks: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, Nov 14 – Dec 31) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Nov 27 – Dec 30).
Which holiday light events near St. Louis are free?
1 light event lists free admission on the official page: Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights (St. Louis, Sat, Nov 21).
How much do ticketed light displays near St. Louis cost?
Prices from the official pages: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nonmember adults $22–$25 and kids 3–12 $6–$12 depending on the night) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo ($19 general admission). Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near St. Louis?
Yes. 1 light event on our list has Santa: Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Nov 27 – Dec 30). Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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