Holiday arts guide: 33 things for families to do in St. Louis this season

Browse handmade gifts, and enjoy live entertainment, visits with reindeer, demonstrations and holiday treats at this annual event modeled after authentic German Christmas markets.

When Nov. 23 through Dec. 23 • Where Public square, Main and Illinois streets, downtown Belleville • How much Free • More info bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com

Walk through a winter wonderland of lights, decorated cottages, Christmas trees, a live Nativity and live entertainment. Plus, visit Santa and buy a few gifts at vendor booths.

When 5-8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 15 • Where Central Park, behind the village hall, 213 North Prairie Street, Bethalto • How much Free • More info bethaltochristmasvillage.com

Bob Kramer’s Marionnettes have entertained St. Louis audiences for more than 45 years.

When Nov. 23 through Dec. 31 • Where Bob Kramer’s Marionnette Theatre, 4143 Laclede Avenue • How much $14 for adults, $12 for children and seniors; reservations required • More info 314-531-3313; kramersmarionnettes.com

Kids can watch a chef flip pancakes into the air, make a holiday craft to take home, explore the Magic House and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

When Various times, Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 • Where Magic House, 516 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood • How much $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members; reservations required • More info magichouse.org

Stroll through Augusta by the light of more than 1,000 luminaries, and enjoy the shops and galleries at the town’s 36th annual Christmas walk. Ride in the free antique trolley, listen to the roaming carolers, toast a few chestnuts and visit Santa on his throne in the Olde Wine Hall. During the day, shop the Christmas Market starting at 11 a.m.

When 6-10 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 • Where Augusta • How much Free • More info augusta-chamber.org

Enjoy prizes, hot chocolate and pictures with Santa at this fun hunt for kids ages 2 to 10. Bundle up, and arrive early to decorate a hunting bag. The search begins promptly at 10 a.m.

When 10 a.m. Dec. 8 • Where Kirkwood Park, 111 South Geyer Road, Kirkwood • How much $5 by Dec. 6, $10 day of event • More info kirkwoodmo.org

Sip hot apple cider and listen to carolers while learning about Christmas on the frontier in the early 1800s. Reservations are recommended.

When 6-10:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15 • Where Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park, 1868 Highway F, Defiance • How much $10 in advance, $15 at the door • More info 636-798-2005; sccmo.org

The streets and buildings of Kimmswick will be decked for the holiday season, carolers will stroll the streets, horse-drawn trolley rides will be available and shopkeepers will serve refreshments. Santa arrives at 11 a.m. to visit with children at the Christmas Parade; he’ll light the Christmas tree at the Kimmswick visitor center that evening.

When 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 17 • Where Kimmswick • How much Free • More info 636-464-6464; gokimmswick.com

The Imaginary Theatre Company presents a new musical adaptation of Mary Griggs Van Voorhis’ short story “The Boy With the Box” as part of the monthly Visiting Artist Series.

When Noon and 2 p.m. Dec. 1 • Where Magic House, 516 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood • How much Free with museum admission • More info magichouse.org

Enjoy free hot chocolate, treats and a sing-along, learn more about birds, and try your hand at building a gingerbread house. Santa Claus, elves and birds will be available for photos, and there will be a special visit by Elsa and Anna from “Frozen.”

When 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 15 • Where World Bird Sanctuary, 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park • How much $5 • More info 636-225-4390; worldbirdsanctuary.org

Acrobats and aerialists perform to holiday songs played by a live orchestra. Cirque Musica has several productions that tour the world, and this one, “Wonderland,” will keep you on the edge of your seat.

When 6 p.m. Dec. 2 • Where The Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles • How much $45-$98, $10 for parking • More info familyarena.com

The National Museum of Transportation celebrates the holidays by opening the region’s largest holiday train display. Plus, see the train display that once sat in the windows at the now-shuttered Famous-Barr/Macy’s store downtown. Miniature-train rides are also available, along with Santa and live reindeer or a helper on Saturdays in December. Santa arrives by helicopter at 10 a.m. Nov. 24.

When Train display on view Nov. 23 through Jan. 6 • Where National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood • How much Free with $8 adult admission, $5 for children ages 3-11; $5 for miniature train rides • More info transportmuseumassociation.org

Husband-and-wife team Tyce and Mary Nielsen of Duo Transcend, finalists on “America’s Got Talent,” will feature their gravity-defying act in this production that combines circus and holiday magic.

When 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 • Where Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Boulevard • How much $39.50-$125 • More info 314-534-1111; metrotix.com

See themed parade floats illuminated with thousands of lights and walking groups dressed in holiday costumes. Floats and vehicles must have a minimum of 1,000 lights each. Santa appears on a special float. The parade is sponsored by GLOW (Great Ladies of Waterloo).

When 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 • Where From Gibault Catholic High school on Porta Westfalica Route to downtown Waterloo • How much Free • More info waterlooglow.com

The Harlem Globetrotters return to perform their silly, stupendous stunts on the basketball court.

When 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 • Where Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue • How much $23.50-$132.50 • More info 1-800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com

More than 50 costumed characters will wander the streets of this monthlong holiday festival, where visitors can mail a letter to Santa and visit his cottage, enjoy roasted chestnuts and enter a gingerbread contest. Don’t miss the Santa parade at 1:30 p.m. on opening day and on Saturdays and Sundays, and the tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on opening day.

When Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 23 through Dec. 24 • Where Main Street in St. Charles • How much Free • More info stcharleschristmas.com

Those who crave the smell of fresh-baked bread and goodies during the holidays can get tips and sample treats from Ellen King. She is the head baker at Hewn Bakery in Evanston, Ill., and author of “Heritage Baking: Recipes for Rustic Breads and Pastries Baked with Artisanal Flour from Hewn Bakery.”

When 7 p.m. Dec. 6 • Where Left Bank Books, 399 North Euclid Avenue • How much Free • More info 314-367-6731; left-bank.com

Musicians will perform at historic churches and other downtown venues at this festive event, which also includes an art show and sale, free pictures with Santa, and open houses at some historic sites.

When 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7-9 • Where Downtown Ste. Genevieve, Mo. • How much Free • More info visitstegen.com

Celebrate aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat, where you can enjoy a DJ playing holiday tunes, a dinner buffet with all the trimmings and a cash bar. The boat also offers a special “PJs and Pancakes” cruise with Santa Claus on the mornings of Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, as well as a New Year’s Eve cruise. The holiday dinner and Santa cruises are new this year.

When 7:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, Dec. 1-15; riverboat boards at 7 p.m. • Where Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, 50 South Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard • How much $50-$53 for holiday dinner cruise, $30-$33 for ages 3-12; $38 for PJs and Pancakes cruise, free for ages 2 and younger • More info gatewayarch.com

Sing along during an interactive screening of “White Christmas,” the 1954 holiday classic starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. Audience members will receive a goody bag filled with props to use during the movie. Arrive 30 minutes early and test your knowledge of Christmas movie trivia.

When 7 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 2 p.m. Dec. 8 • Where Wildey Theatre, 252 North Main Street, Edwardsville • How much $15, $12 for ages 60 and older, $10 for students and ages 18 and younger • More info wildeytheatre.com

Stop by the visitor center or go online to buy a cookbook, which contains favorite cookie recipes from 25 participating shops. Visitors also get a map and a gift bag to collect cookie samples. Shops will be open late, buildings will be decorated for Christmas and luminaries will light the way. The Historic Burgess Howe House, circa 1840, will be decorated and open for free tours during the weekend.

When 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2 • Where Kimmswick • How much $25, tickets limited • More info 636-464-6464; gokimmswick.com

Ring in the new year a few hours early at the Magic House. Kids can make their own noise-makers and wish wands, pose for a keepsake photo and dance the day away.

When 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 31 • Where Magic House, 516 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood • How much Free with museum admission • More info magichouse.org

Board a train departing Union Station for a round-trip journey to the “North Pole.” Passengers will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to a reading of “The Polar Express,” Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book that became a movie.

When Nov. 24 through Dec. 30 (no rides Christmas Day) • Where Union Station, 1820 Market Street • How much $45 and up; meal packages sold separately • More info 314-942-6942; stlpolarexpressride.com

This Belleville tradition began in 1952 and is the largest parade in southern Illinois. It’s sponsored by the Optimist Club of Belleville and features floats, marching bands, dance groups and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Because of construction, this year’s parade will start at North Third Street and go down West Main Street, through the public square, and down East Main Street to North Oak Street.

When 10 a.m. Nov. 23 • Where Downtown Belleville • How much Free • More info bellevilleoptimist.org

For the first time, the caretakers and owners of 26 historic homes, museums and private residences will open their doors on one day to show off their holiday finery and tell stories about the structures’ history. Customize your tour to see Civil War sites, African-American sites, country homes and more.

When 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1 • Where Various locations • How much Fees vary by location • More info historicsaintlouis.org

Explore the evolution of the holiday season beginning with the Civil War in the 1860s to the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Take a walk through decorated rooms, with docents in historical attire leading the way.

When 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8 • Where Faust Park, 15185 Olive Boulevard, Chesterfield • How much $10 in advance for adults, $12 at the gate; $5 for children 4-12 (cash only, credit cards can be used in advance) • More info 314-615-8328; stlouisco.com/parksandrecreation

The Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown has more than 130 entries, including floats, giant helium balloons, restored antique cars and firetrucks, and marching bands from around the region. And, as he does every year, Santa Claus ushers in the holiday season at the end of the parade.

When 8:45 a.m. Nov. 22 • Where Parade starts at 20th and Market streets, travels east to Broadway • How much Free • More info christmasinstlouis.org

See four historic St. Louis homes and sites decked in holiday splendor. Tours will be given, and light holiday refreshments will be served at each location.

When 3-8 p.m. Nov. 29 • Where Campbell House Museum, 1508 Locust Street; Field House Museum, 634 South Broadway; Chatillon-DeMenil House, 3352 DeMenil Place; Old Courthouse, 11 North Fourth Street • How much Self-guided $20 in advance, $30 day of tour; bus tour $30 in advance, $40 day of tour • More info campbellhousemuseum.org

Lebanon celebrates its Victorian heritage with a weekend that includes a parade and photographs with Father Christmas, children’s activities, horse-drawn carriage rides ($5), live entertainment and holiday treats.

When Nov. 16-18 • Where Lebanon • How much Free • More info lebanonil.us/victorian-holiday

Activate creature power with Martin and Chris as they combine a live stage show with animation. What amazing facts will you learn?

When 1 and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 • Where Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market Street • How much $22-$97 • More info 1-800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation will once again bring an ice rink to Kiener Plaza. Opening day hours are noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 17 with the Festival of Lights from 4 to 8 p.m. Check the calendar for other events, including free skate rental from 8 a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving Day and a New Year’s Eve party at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 8 p.m.

When Rink open 4-8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Nov. 18 through Dec. 23; open noon-8 p.m. daily, Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 • Where Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut Street • How much Free rink entry, skate rental is $12 for adults, $7 for kids • More info archwinterfest.com

The St. Louis Art Museum celebrates cultures from around the world with performances, treats and family art activities daily. A Kwanzaa celebration Dec. 30 includes an afternoon of performances.

When 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 8-9 • Where St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park • How much Free • More info slam.org

Solo skaters and synchronized skaters from the Rec-Plex glide through their original programs and join beloved holiday characters.

When 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 5 p.m. Dec. 8 • Where St. Peters Rec-Plex, 5200 Mexico Road, St. Peters • How much $6.50-$9.50 • More info stpetersmo.net