AmerenUE Thanksgiving Day Parade--Nov 26

Head downtown for the Midwest’s best holiday parade featuring colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus!

The AmerenUE Thanksgiving Day Parade will wind through downtown St. Louis to kick off the holiday season starting at 8:45am. The two millionth Eagle Scout, Anthony Thomas will serve as the Honorary Grand Marshal. The parade begins at North 4th Street and Washington Avenue, proceeds South on North 4th Street to Market Street, continues West on Market Street and concludes at 14th Street.

Way of Lights--Nov 20

The Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine is one tradition that my family does every year. The kids love to see all of the lights and it presents a beautiful telling of the Christmas story. There are also lots of fun activities to do inside and out!

Drive through 1 1/2 miles of breathtaking displays of over one million lights which focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Through sparkling lights, electro-art sculptures and creative displays, the Shrine celebrates the birth of our Savior. There's a free petting zoo and choir performances many nights. In addition you can tour the Christmas tree room where there are many beautifully decorated Christmas trees with a theme of "Christmas through the years." There's also an interactive children's village where kids can make ornaments and watch puppet shows!

The Way of Lights is open from 5-10pm starting November 20 and ending January 3, 2010.

Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights--Nov 20

It's the start of the Christmas decorating season with Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights!

On November 20 at 6:30pm, Christmas lights are simultaneously turned on in downtown St. Louis and downtown Clayton for the official start of the holiday season. Special holiday activities starting at 4:30pm and a fireworks display after the lighting will be held at each location (Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis and Memorial Park in the St. Louis County Government Center in Clayton). Concluding the event in Kiener Plaza after the fireworks display will be a walking procession led by Santa up 7th Street to Macy's for the unveiling of the holiday windows.

Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour--July 31-Aug 2

Head on down to St Louis Union Station for a little Christmas in July (and August)!

Amidst a winter wonderland with holiday décor and Christmas carolers, this free family event offers visitors an exclusive 3D sneak peak of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the making of the movie with artifacts and character designs housed in real train cars. Radio Disney invites kids to enter for a chance to become a Movie Surfer representing their hometown and get a chance to appear on Disney Channel by filming their very own Movie Surfer’s segment. Guests will also have a chance to win an HP TouchSmart PC and HP Photosmart wireless printer.

The tour will be open from 9am to 7pm on Friday and Saturday and from 9am to 4pm on Sunday. For more information, see the Disney Christmas Carol Train Tour website.

Big Band Christmas--Dec 6 and 7

The 25th Annual Cherokee Antique Row Cookie Spree offers shoppers free cookies, candy, and hot cider while they hunt for unique holiday gifts December 6-7, 2008 from 10AM-5PM. Featuring Live Music from "Cool Blue Jazz" at 2114 Cherokee both days from 1-4PM.

Located in the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District, home to Antique, Vintage and Specialty Shops, Art Galleries, Restaurants, Mansions & Museums! Enter to Win a Miller Ham.

The sheer variety of the stores along Cherokee begs for a visit. Don't miss this opportunity to check out one of the hidden gems of St. Louis!

The Loop Holiday Walk--Dec 6

On Dec 6, from noon to 6pm, stroll on over to the Delmar Loop for plenty of holiday treats! While the shops are obviously hoping you'll buy something, you can also just wander through sampling lots of goodies and enjoying the beautiful holiday decorations.

Here are a few of the freebies:

Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Get your picture taken with everyone’s favorite snowman, Frosty--free if you bring your own camera! ($2 if you want a picture taken and don't have a camera!)

Cold Stone Creamery
6662-B Delmar
Sample holiday cakes, pies, and ice creams and enter to win a free cake for your holiday gathering!

Faces in The Loop
6265 Delmar
Face in the Loop will have candy canes and hot cocoa to warm you up!

Little Shark Athletic Company
6176 Delmar
Taste Clif recovery hot chocolate and electrolyte hot cider!

Noodles & Co.
6310 Delmar
If you're in the Loop for lunch or dinner, get a free dessert at Noodles & Co. with the purchase of a regular size entree, soup, salad, or trio!

Melting Pot
6683 Delmar
Try some delectable Melting Pot hot chocolate, sure to take the chill off!

St. Louis Bread Company
6630 Delmar
721-7995
Taste some of Bread Co.'s amazing holiday breads and pastries!

Ziezo
6394 Delmar
Warm up at Ziezo’s Holiday Russian Tea Party. Try traditional Russian tea created from a vintage recipe, served spiked or not, depending on your preference and home-made Russian desserts and chocolates.

In addition, many stores are offering free gifts with a purchase.

All That Glitters--Dec 5

Clayton will be kicking off the holidays in style with a FREE event in downtown Clayton on Friday, December 5, from 6-8pm.

The City of Clayton, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and Clayton business owners welcome all to the festivities on December 5 in downtown Clayton, which will include carolers, horse drawn carriage rides and chestnuts roasting on open fire and the finale--a fireworks display at 8pm in Shaw Park.

For more information, call 314-802-7763.

Clayton Holiday Champagne Stroll--Nov 23

Stroll along Clayton Road from Brentwood Boulevard to Hanley Road and experience warm holiday greetings, refreshments, and special activities--all for FREE! The champagne stroll will start at noon and go until 5pm. Visit the many unique, beautifully decorated shops and boutiques along Clayton Road.

For more information, call 314-725-2622.

Kirkwood Holiday Walk--Nov 22

Holiday Walk
Saturday, November 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There will be fun for the entire family at Downtown Kirkwood's Holiday Walk in downtown Kirkwood Saturday, November 22 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Preview fabulous finds for the holidays and share some holiday cheer too! If you need fresh decorating, gift giving and entertaining inspiration this season, Downtown Kirkwood has everything you need. Whether it's a special holiday theme for your table, a new twist on trimming your tree or great food for your party-you'll find it here. Plus, you'll also find lots of ideas to help you look and feel your best this season. Visit our Holiday Happenings page to view sales and specials at Downtown shops and Restaurants this holiday season.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will entertain the children. Adults will want to get their first look at holiday gifts offered by Downtown Kirkwood's specialty stores-many of which will feature free refreshments and special offers. A holiday wreath on the door is a sign a merchant is offering something special for the event. Connecting the activities will be the Holiday Trolley which will offer free rides around historic Downtown Kirkwood from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are several trolley pick-up and drop-off locations throughout downtown Kirkwood including the Kirkwood Train Station, Kirkwood Farmers' Market, E. Jefferson and Woodbine Center.

Headquarters for children's activities will be the Kirkwood Train Station, 110 E. Argonne where Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in downtown Kirkwood at 10 a.m. Santa will greet his admirers and letters to Santa will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mrs. Claus will captivate young listeners with her holiday stories beginning at 11:00 a.m. If parents desire a photo souvenir, Santa will pose for photos with children taken by members of the Kirkwood Police Explorer Scouts for a $5.00 donation to the Scouts. The Lucille Rapp Tumblers and Dancers, Kirkwood Children's Chorale and The Statesmen Singers will also perform during the event.

During the Downtown Kirkwood Holiday Walk, Youth in Action (YIA) a nonprofit community service organization, will be accepting donations for Nurses for Newborns and Make-A-Wish Foundation at the train station. Canned food, baby food and cash donations will be collected. Free coffee, from Kaldi's Coffeehouse, cookies from McArthur's Bakery and hot chocolate will also be available. Kirkwood Kiwanis will also be offering free grilled hot dogs near the historic Kirkwood Train Station.

For parking, download a Kirkwood parking map here.

The Holiday Walk is coordinated by Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District with support from Argonne Gallery, The Bug Store, Kaldi's Coffeehouse, Lace Photography, McArthur's Bakery and the Shannon Shop. The downtown Kirkwood organization serves business and property owners in downtown Kirkwood through marketing, public area enhancements and administration of Kirkwood Farmers' Market.

Way of Lights--Nov 21-Jan 4

The Lady of our Snows annual light display opens this evening, Nov 21, and will continue until Jan 4, 2009. From the website:

"Drive through 1 1/2 miles of breathtaking displays of over one million lights which focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Through sparkling lights, electro-art sculptures and creative displays, the Shrine celebrates the birth of our Savior.

Petting Zoo
Make a truly unique memory at the petting zoo (free admission).

Heavenly Photos
Visitors of all ages can don angel attire and have a picture taken amidst a shimmery cloud background.

Advent Concert
Our Advent Concert begins with Matthew Baute a "music missionary" and features the choir of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows along with professional instrumentalists from the St. Louis area performing, Haydn's Missa Brevis Sancti Foannis de Deo. Click here for more information.

Community Choir Stage
Nightly, area choirs and musical ensembles take the stage to provide beautiful sounds of the season. Click here for a schedule of choir performances.

Christmas Tree Room
Decorators and designers from the St. Louis/Metro East display their best creations showcasing Christmas around the world.

Interactive Children’s Village And Puppet Show
Children of all ages will delight in learning about the most special Christmas gift, Jesus, in this sparkling Lil’ Angels’ Classroom filled with an interactive puppet show and a variety of free, hands-on activities.

Christmas Wreath Display/Silent Auction
A variety of wreaths created by florists and designers from the St. Louis/Metro East area will be on display throughout the Visitors Center. Silent Auction bids will be taken throughout the season with proceeds assisting in the on-going work of the Missionary Oblates throughout the world.

Trolley Rides
Departing from the Visitors Center, the trolley takes visitors on a journey throughout the lights."

I have included activities that I believe to be free and excluded ones that I know incur a cost. Indoor activities run from 5-9pm and the outdoor lights are open from 5-10pm. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve/Day, the activities will be closed but the lights will still be open.

The Shrine is located in Belleville, IL. Directions to the Shrine can be found here.

Anheuser-Busch brewery lights--Nov 21-Jan 2

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery Christmas Lights display opens on Friday, Nov. 21, and runs through January 2, 2009. Over 800,000 lights give a festive glow to the brewery on Pestalozzi St.

In fact, nearly all of the spectacular lights are placed on the grounds along Pestalozzi Street. The atmosphere is private, and under the cover of darkness, this area provides fertile ground for anyone planning a romantic evening.

The buildings along Pestalozzi are lined with a single strand of lights, making them look more primitive than they really are. The simplicity of this design allows for the complexity of the tree designs to shine through, literally. Each of the trees appears to have been caught in a perfectly woven spider web. Though the web is made of red or white Christmas lights, instead of a spider's silk, the symmetry and complexity of the designs are still mesmerizing.

To get to the brewery, take Grand south to Interstate 44 east, merge onto Interstate 55 south, take exit 206C, turn left onto Arsenal, left onto 12th Street, right onto Lynch, and right onto 9th Street. That runs into Pestalozzi Street.