Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around St. Louis (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Central Time
We list 4 family events around St. Louis for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Winterfest at Kiener Plaza
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 – Sun, Nov 29 (Thursdays through Sundays, Nov 21 – Jan 3) · Thu–Fri 4–8pm; Sat–Sun noon–8pm (holiday hours may differ)
- Cost
- Free to attend; ice skate rental costs extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s downtown winter festival: outdoor ice skating, s’mores, cozy igloos and a rotating lineup of free activities for all ages, a short walk from the Gateway Arch.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Nov 27 – Dec 20, plus Christmas Eve) · Opening day Nov 27 noon–8:30pm; Fri 6–8:30pm; Sat noon–8:30pm; Sun noon–5pm; Dec 24 11am–2pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Historic Main Street turns into a Dickens-style Christmas village with costumed Legends of Christmas, carolers, roasting chestnuts and photos with Santa. A free sensory-friendly experience is offered.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around St. Louis over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Winterfest at Kiener Plaza (St. Louis, Nov 26 – Nov 29, free) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Nov 27 – Nov 29). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near St. Louis are free?
1 event on our list is free: Winterfest at Kiener Plaza (St. Louis, Nov 26 – Nov 29).
Which St. Louis-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including St. Louis (3) and St. Charles (1).
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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