Celebrate New Year’s Eve at First Night
Posted on December 31st, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Are you looking for a way to spend an alcohol-free evening with family or friends? Consider First Night New Year’s Eve celebration as Grand Center is transformed into an under-the-sea arena with fun and entertainment from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Enjoy more than 150 artists and performers as they come to life against a backdrop of under-the-sea aquarium lights and projections. The Fanta-sea celebration will include more than 25 musical entertainers, exibits such as the making of a 15-ton sand sculpture and comedian/magician Justin Kredible. The Muny kids will be performing and Buckets and Tap Shoes from Minneapolis will perform their drumming and flashlight dancing.
There will be limited indoor venues and seating and all is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A fun feature this year – a 40-foot wall made of Post-It Notes. Visitors are encouraged to post their new year’s wishes.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. on the Boeing Stage at Grand and Lindell Blvds. and entertainment will continue until 11:30 p.m. The early fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. The countdown to the new year begins at 11:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at midnight.
For a detailed schedule of events and where to park go to www.grandcenter.org.
The price is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Ages 5 and younger are free. Buttons can be purchased at all area Borders and Dierbergs locations. Select Schnucks locations that will sell buttons are: Culinaria at 315 9th St., Ladue Crossing at Hwy. 170 and Ladue Rd., Lindell at 4171 Lindell Blvd., Richmond Center at Clayton Rd. and Big Bend Blvd. and Webster Groves at Big Bend and Elm St.
Tags: Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis Culture, St. Louis Holidays
Wild Lights at the Zoo Sparkle This Season
Posted on November 29th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
The St. Louis Zoo goes a little wild and crazy with the holiday lights every year. The U.S. Bank Wild Lights is a colorful light display that features more than 500,000 Christmas lights and animated light displays, which visitors can view while walking through the exhibits. There are also plenty of activities for the kids,
including making Christmas ornaments, a holiday puppet show and carousel rides. Adults can do some shopping at the Holiday Zootique (visitors receive an automatic 10 percent discount on purchases during Wild Lights with St. Louis Zoo Members receiving a 20 percent discount on such purposes). The Wild Lights display is open Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23 and 26-30. Tickets are $4 for St. Louis Zoo members and $5 for non-members (children under 2 are free). Parking is free at the Zoo’s South Parking Lot. Come out for a roaring good time and spectacular light display.
For more information, visit http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/wildlights.
Tags: Forest Park, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holidays, St. Louis Zoo
It’s a Wonderful Weekend in The Lou
Posted on December 4th, 2009 by Erin Callier
There’s so very many holiday things happening in St. Louis this weekend that we’re just going to cut to the chase . . . lay them out for you, so the penciling-in can begin.
First off, there’s the first annual St. Louis Holiday Magic at downtown’s America’s Center from Dec. 4-6. Holiday Magic is essentially an indoor holiday carnival with over 40,000 lights, live music, shopping, a beer and wine garden, cooking demos and tons more. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12.
For more info on this event, visit the St. Louis Holiday Magic Website.
Every year during the holiday season, the Saint Louis Zoo hosts Wild Lights, a holiday wonderland with thousands of colorful lights, seasonal tunes, rides, shopping at the Zootique, plus tons of other festive attractions. 
Grab a hot chocolate and stroll through the Zoo under the moonlight. This is one of St. Louis’ most enchanting holiday activities. Remaining Wild Lights evenings include Dec. 4-6, Dec. 11-13, Dec. 11-23, and Dec. 26-30. For more on Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo, click here.
Shop one-of-a-kind gifts during the Loop Holiday Walk on Sat., Dec. 5 from noon-6 p.m. This all-day, family-oriented event includes arts, crafts, a children’s area, food, live music, entertainment, discounts from many of the Loop’s popular boutiques and retailers.
In town for just six performances from Dec. 3-6, the Joffrey Ballet will present The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Satisfy your visions of Sugar Plum Fairies dancing in your head and get your tickets to this very limited St. Louis engagement.
Click here to purchase tickets.
No matter what your heritage, enjoy festive Israeli music and dance, a menorah-lighting ceremony, and a traditional “shuk,” or marketplace at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Chanukah:Festival of Lights. Festivities are free with Garden admission.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the Botanical Garden’s wildly popular holiday train show, Gardenland Express.
Every weekend during the holiday season, St. Louis’ newest gem, the City Garden, will feature several festive events, including carols, lights, free guided tours and holiday movies on Fridays & Sundays at 5 p.m.
Also new this year to the St. Louis holiday scene, The Anheuser-Busch Brewery will host Friday Night Lights each (you guessed it) Friday evening until Christmas. No, this is not over-dramatized high-school football played by a bunch of Texans, Friday Night Lights at the Brewery include extended, moonlit tours of the Brewery and light displays.
The Tour Center will stay until 9 p.m., offering free guided evening tours through the Clydesdale Stables, Brew House and Bevo Packaging facililty.
Every Friday and Saturday in Dec., Wesport Plaza will offer free carriage rides, and other festive happenings at this St. Louis dining and nightlife hot spot.
Every Saturday in December, the Historic St. Charles Christmas Traditions really kick into high-gear. From 11 a.m.-9 p.m., the charming Main Street shops extend their hours & offer festive goodies, while “Legends of Christmas,” like Kris Kringle, Scrooge, The Nutcracker, Mrs. Claus and many others stroll the cobblestone streets, entertaining visitors and kicking the holiday spirit up several notches.
Other classic holiday factors during the St. Charles Christmas Traditions, include chestnuts roasting, a daily Santa Parade, beautiful lights, carolers, and outdoor ice-skating on the riverfront.
For more info on the St. Charles Christmas Traditions, click here.
Tags: Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour, City Garden, Historic Downtown St. Charles, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holiday Magic, St. Louis Holidays, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Nutcracker, Westport Plaza, Wild Lights
A Crafty Approach to Holiday Shopping
Posted on December 4th, 2009 by Erin Callier
As the holiday’s kick into full gear and the shopping malls swell with frenzied shoppers, St. Louis offers many non-mall gift-buying opportunities for those looking for something a little more unique for their equally unique loved ones. 
Over the weekend of Dec. 4-6, St. Louis will host a trifecta of arts & crafts shows that promise a multitude of eclectic, one-of-a-kind finds for everyone on your list. Now, these aren’t your grandmother’s arts & crafts shows, but don’t leave here at home cause she’ll probably find something she likes too! Like last weekends Rock & Roll Craft Show at Third Degree Glass Factory, these shows offer an edgy alternative to this classic concept.
From Dec. 4-6, the Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show at the Mad Art Gallery will feature St. Louis’ biggest collection of alternative arts and crafts in one spot. Shop handmade clothing, jewelry, toys, housewares, photography and much, much more. Admission is free to this shopping craft-stravaganza. For more information click here.
On Sat. Dec. 5, just a hop and a skip from the Mad Art Gallery in Soulard, Off Broadway will host Artropy, a showcase of jewelry, textiles, photography, mixed-media, glass work, eco-fashions and other handmade goods from hyper-talented local artisans. As one of St. Louis’ hottest indie music venues, Off Broaday will surely not disappoint with this off-beat art show.
Also on Dec. 5, the Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale will take place just down the street from Artopy. An indoor/outdoor celebration off handmade goods, the Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale will feature over 25 artists and printmakers from the tri-state area, offering a spectacular variety charming, wacky, eclectic and gorgeous goods.
Local businesses will feature artists from throughout the Midwest, live music and other festivities, making this one of the more unique holiday shopping experiences around.
Click here to learn more about the event and to get an idea of the goods you may find at this sale.
Tags: Artropy, Big Ass Indie Arts & Craft Show, Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale, Firecracker Press, Mad Art Gallery, Off Broadway, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holidays, St. Louis Shopping
Friday Night Lights at Anheuser-Busch
Posted on November 28th, 2009 by Erin Callier
As one of St. Louis’ most beloved and well-attended attractions, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis is a must-see during any trip to the Gateway City, but for three nights in December, it will become infinitely more marvelous when they stay open late for tours that will display their holiday spirit en masse. 
On Dec. 4, 11, & 18, the Brewery will extend their hours until 9 p.m. for special evening tours of the Brewery, which will be lit by more than one-million lights. In addition to the holiday whimsy, of-age guests cans sample fresh brews and browse the gift shop.
After touring the Brewery in all of its festive glory, make a night of it in picturesque Soulard. Stroll down the street and dine at Frazer’s Restaurant & Lounge or Sage Urban American Grill, two neighborhood eateries that offer refined comfort food and super inviting atmosphere, the perfect compliment to the charming holiday cheer you’ll surely experience at the Brewery.
For more information on the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and what to do in and around it, visit the Concierge Preferred Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour Guide.
Tags: Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour, Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge, Sage, Soulard, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Events, St. Louis Holidays, St. Louis On a Budget
A New Icy Tradition in St. Charles
Posted on November 20th, 2009 by Erin Callier
This holiday season, Historic Downtown St. Charles promises a moment straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. For the first time ever, a temporary outdoor ice rink will be installed in Frontier Park, directly along the Missouri riverfront. 
Part of St. Charles’ on-going Bicentennial anniversary celebration, this outdoor ice rink will be open for the public from Friday, Nov. 27 through Monday, Jan. 4 2010, in conjunction with the 2009 St. Charles Christmas Traditions, where old-fashioned Christmas storybook characters, Victorian carolers, Santas from around the world, carriage rides, holiday shopping, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire complete this holiday scene that is Norman Rockwell meets It’s a Wonderful Life meets Meet Me in St. Louis, all wrapped into one, very traditional Christmas bow.
Glide along 120 x 50-feet of frozen holiday fun, sip hot cocoa as you watch the Missouri River flow by, then head up to Main Street to stroll along the festive cobblestone streets.
If you partake in just one of the many holiday festivities happening in and around St. Louis this season, the St. Charles Christmas Traditions are hard to top.
Click here for the ice rink hours.
Admission: Adults $6, 12 & Under $5
Skate Rental: $3
For more on outdoor ice-skating in St. Louis, read this previous CP blog.
Tags: Historic Downtown St. Charles, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holidays