Holiday Activities for Your Budget

St. Louis is a fun place to live during the holidays. The crisp breath of cold, snowy air and the warmth of a fire indoors make us nostalgic and appreciative of the season. With so many fun things to do this year, spend some time stress-free while enjoying a holiday activity with your loved ones. We’ve made a list of holiday activities for you to try while following your budget. Whether you’re looking for low-cost Christmas activities or an experience to splurge on, check out these holiday activities you can find around St. Louis.

Holiday Lights

• View the Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. Every year, the St. Louis Zoo lights up with Wild Lights to celebrate the holiday season. Your family can enjoy spotting the animals before participating in holiday activities. This year, the event features new displays, themed areas, and lots of lights! Tickets go on sale in October. Wild Lights take place on select nights from November 29 through December 29.
• Sip and see the Brewery Lights at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. While Brewery Lights are at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis, there’s plenty of fun for the kids too. The kids can enjoy the nightly parade with the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Winter Wonderland area. For those making it a date night, enjoy self-guided festive tours, the VIP fire pit, and free beer below hundreds of twinkling lights. Tickets typically go on sale in October for the event starting in mid-November.
• Walk the Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden is stunning year round. Adding holiday cheer only makes it a more magical experience. Stroll through the garden with over two million lights, rain or shine! The whole family can enjoy the model train exhibits, visiting Santa Claus, and meeting our favorite Snow Queen and Snow Princess. Plus, certain nights have tickets available at a discount.
• Drive through the Holiday Lights at Grant’s Farm. Driving through Grant’s Farm to view the Holiday Lights is a popular choice for the family because of the synchronized music on the radio and the warmth from the cold. There are more ways to experience the festive fun too. This year, you can walk through the farm at designated times to take your tour at a more leisurely pace while enjoying seasonal food and drink. You can also book breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus or keep warm with a group of up to 12 at a VIP fire pit.

Holiday Events

• Experience the magic of Jingle at CarShield Field. Jingle is a new event this year for the whole family. Opening in late November at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Missouri, visitors can ice skate along a trail, sing along to festive songs, and more. Alcoholic beverages and shopping from local artists are appealing attractions for those 21 and older. No holiday experience is complete without a visit from Santa Claus. Plus, you might spot The Better Way to Bank there too! Tickets are on sale now.
• Ride the Polar Express train ride at St. Louis Union Station. This holiday tradition returns November 15 for the 20^th year. First Class and Premium riders will receive a commemorative 20^th Anniversary Mug. All riders will journey to the North Pole as they listen to the movie soundtrack. Wearing festive pajamas and drinking hot chocolate add to the fun. Sensory-friendly cars are available on select nights so everyone can enjoy the experience.
• Stroll through the Holiday Window Walk at Third Degree Glass Factory. On the third Friday of every month, the Third Degree Glass Factory hosts glass blowing demonstrations, live music, and special exhibits for free! on November 15, the district is hosting its first annual Holiday Window Display, and they need you to vote on the best one! December 20 also features and ugly sweater contest for visitors.
• Make memories with St. Charles Christmas Traditions. This holiday festival in historic St. Charles brings the holiday spirit to life in the streets. Yuletide nostalgia and fantasy await visitors walking down Main Street. On the weekends, you can embark on a scavenger hunt for your favorite Christmas characters. Those who desire a sensory-friendly experience should RSVP to secure a spot.

Budget-Friendly Holiday Activities

• Stream a holiday movie marathon. Whether you enjoy old classics like It’s a Wonderful Life or anticipate the newest movies on the Hallmark channel, a holiday movie marathon is a low-cost experience to relish with friends and family. Cozy up next to the fireplace and soak in the new memories.
• Host a holiday bake-off. Gather your friends for a night of festive treats with a holiday bake-off. Many people have their favorite recipes like pumpkin pie or peppermint bark. Put them head-to-head with a panel of hungry judges and savor the friendly competition.
• Create DIY decorations. While DIY decorations might not the most aesthetic, making them is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. Simple crafts like paper snowflakes for your windows and recycled card ornaments are budget friendly ideas. Filling mason jars with candy canes and colorful candy make an easy centerpiece. Faux wreaths are more time consuming to make but can be reused every year.
• Participate in a white elephant gift exchange. Curious to learn about what your friends and family have been hoarding? Find out when you do a white elephant gift exchange. In this fun game, everyone brings used item to gift to someone else. To shake it up, play with a variation like “Rob Your Neighbor” or the “Left-Right Game.”

While there are so many things to do during the holiday season, holiday activities can be fun while sticking to your budget. No matter what your financial situation looks like this year, you can find a holiday activity that sticks in your budget. Plus, experiences make great gifts too! Enjoy the season St. Louis!