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Drive through holiday lights are the best way to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your life while still staying safe. Fortunately, St Louis has more drive through holiday lights this year than ever before. Grab some hot cocoa and an ugly Christmas sweater and jump in the car for some holiday lights hopping. Here are all the best places to see drive through holiday lights in St Louis this year!
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Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis City
Winterfest at Kiener Plaza
As of now, it seems like the details for Winterfest at Kiener Plaza are still being hashed out. It appears that this is going to be a drive through holiday lights event hosted by the Gateway Arch Foundation in downtown St Louis. There is conflicting information that mentions walking in Kiener Plaza and seeing lights and holiday photo ops, but other places clearly mention driving around the plaza to see lights. This is going to be one of our first drive through holiday light stops this year, so as soon as I know more I will report back. Here’s what we know so far…
When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Every night of the week from 5pm – 9pm.
Where?: Kiener Plaza. 500 Chestnut Street, Downtown St Louis, 63101
How Much?: Free!
To read the conflicting information about the walk-through lights event, check out this link for the Festival of Lights in Kiener Plaza. I will be attending Winterfest as quickly as possible to try and get some clarity on what’s going on at this event at the Arch. Check back soon for more information.
Brewery Lights Drive-Thru at Anheuser-Busch
I was a little worried this light display wasn’t going to happen this year. The Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch have always ben a quintessential part of my festivities in St Louis. They really churn up quite the crowd at the Brewery Lights (how can they not, there’s free beer involved…) There is no way they could host this event the same they have in years past. It made me sad to think we might miss out.
Instead of doing things the usual way, this year they’ve converted the Brewery Lights Experience into a drive through holiday light event! Enter the Brewery from Arsenal Street and they’ll tell you where to go from there. While there might not be free beer this year, you’re guaranteed to see some of the same light displays you’ve grown to love (like the tunnel of lights!) and Clydesdales wearing their green and red coats.
When?: Thursdays – Sundays, November 27th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Lights are on display every night between 5pm and Midnight. Brewery lights are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve, but instead will be open Monday – Wednesday before Christmas.
Where?: Anheuser-Busch Brewery. 1200 Lynch Street, Soulard, 63118. Enter on Arsenal Street!
How Much?: Like every year, this event is free to attend. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Anyone who makes a reservation in advance is entered to win a prize pack! They are also accepting donations for the St Louis Area Foodbank, so please consider bringing a few packaged food items with you on your visit.
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane isn’t exactly an official drive through holiday light display. It’s hosted by a neighborhood who has collectively agreed to love Christmas decorations. The first time I visited Candy Cane Lane, I was expecting to see a bunch of houses all decorated for the holidays. Instead, what we got were archways of lights across the streets, and coordinated light displays between neighbors. It’s a truly beautiful thing to see.
Candy Cane Lane is likely going to be packed this year. It usually is. More than most years, I think people will be flocking to this spot. Roads are narrow, traffic is (mostly) one way, and everyone is driving by slowly to enjoy the holiday lights. But keep in mind this is a neighborhood. These are people’s houses, not a public park. Be respectful of the hosts of this beautiful event so they keep bringing it back every year.
There are a few other blocks that host their own holiday lights near Candy Cane Lane, so spend some time driving around the neighborhood to see all the lights that are set up.
When?: No official start date. It might be up right now, if not it will be there very soon. They’re on every night of the week. Maybe don’t bombard these neighborhoods on the holidays so they can have some peace with their families.
Where?: 6500 Murdoch Avenue, The Hill, 63109 (right by Ted Drewes)
How much?: Free! This event is free to attend, but they usually collect donations for a local charity. Don’t be a scrooge. Bring some cash and help spread some cheer.
Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Louis County
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
The holiday lights at Tilles Park are a staple of the drive through light displays. Odds are, you’ve visited this one before. It’s one of the best in St Louis. The light displays are synced up to the radio for a fully immersive and totally festive experience.
When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 2nd, 2021 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. It is only opened to carriage rides on Saturday nights, and is closed on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
Where?: Tilles Park, 9551 Litzsinger Road, Ladue, 63124.
How much?: $10 per car. Pay with cash (exact change only, please!) at the entrance, or book online in advance. But if you book online, there will be a service fee tacked on. If you’re driving an abnormal vehicle (like a tour bus) they’re going to charge you more.
For more info or to buy advanced tickets, visit the Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park Website.
Holiday Fun at Grant’s Farm
Grant’s Farm opened their property to personal vehicle traffic for the first time ever during Halloween of 2020, when they hosted a spooky drive through experience. They brought back the same drive through concept for a holiday lights display at the farm, where visitors drive their own vehicles through the park. This experience is synced up to a holiday radio feed, and each vehicle is given a bag of treats when they arrive to enjoy during the drive.
When?: November 27th – December 31st, Thursday – Sunday. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and instead opened on Monday – Wednesday the weeks of Christmas and New Years. (Check out their ticket calendar at the link for some clarity here.)
Where?: Grant’s Farm. 10501 Gravois Road, Crestwood, 63123.
How much?: $40 per car, plus a $4 service charge. If you want to add on their “Fa-la-la-la Bundle” which includes four bottles of water, kettle chips, cookies, and a pair of stuffed clydesdales, it will set you back an additional $40.
Learn more about the Holiday Fun at Grant’s Farm or buy your tickets now on their website.
Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Jellystone
Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Jellystone is a family tradition for a lot of St Louisans. When I first moved to St Louis, I was invited to join in with a friend and her own family’s tradition of visiting the drive through lights at Jellystone. Her entire family rented a wagon where everyone piled in and we all got to enjoy the beautiful holiday lights together from the open air carriage. It was a magical experience and I quickly learned why so many people make this a yearly tradition.
This year brings new restrictions, and Santa’s Magical Kingdom looks a bit different than return visitors might be used to. There are no photos with Santa this year, and the gift shop is limited to a reduced capacity. But the drive through light experience is promised to be just as magnificent as ever before.
When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 10th, 2021. Available every day, including holidays. Open 5:30pm – 10:30pm on weeknights, or 5:30pm – 11pm on weekends. They recommend if you would like to avoid the crowds to stop by after 9pm.
Where?: Jellystone. Right Next to Six Flags. 5300 Fox Creek Road, Eureka, 63069
How Much?: $25 per car. Admission is cash only and paid when you enter. Vehicles larger than an SUV will pay an additional fee. There are also carriage rides available.
The website for Santa’s Magical Kingdom is really well thought out and full of everything you need to know about visiting this event. I recommend you check out the website before visiting.
Drive Through Holiday Lights in St Charles County
Lot of Lights at the Family Arena
The Family Arena in St Charles has transformed its parking lot into a giant light display for the holiday season. They boast a drive through light tunnel and millions of lights on display. Plus holograms, a laser lights show, and a dedicated holiday music station.
When?: November 27th, 2020 – January 2nd, 2021. Every night from 5:30pm through 10pm weekdays or 11pm weekends and holidays. It will be closed on December 7th for a private event.
Where?: The Family Arena. 2002 Arena Parkway, Saint Charles, 63303
How much?: $25 per car, plus $4.50 in fees.
Learn more about the Lot of Lights at the Family Arena or buy tickets by clicking here.
Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park
The Celebration of Lights display at Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon Missouri is a particularly unique drive through holiday light experience. Instead of being one, collective display of lights, there are small sections of light displays each set up by a different organization. The Teamsters, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, libraries, and schools all set up their own light displays, competing for first place. Because of this competition style, the displays get more and more creative every year. Sometimes depicting holiday movies, pop culture events, or more traditional displays of Santas and reindeers.
There are two nights dedicated to foot-traffic only if you’d rather walk through the outdoor displays. Please be advised, there is no mask mandate in St Charles County, and based on personal experience you will likely not see a lot of masks being worn at this outdoor event.
New this year, all reservations must be made in advance through booking on their website or in person by purchasing tickets at the Renaud Center. These advance tickets also apply to the walk through events.
When?: November 27th – December 30th, 2020. Daily from 6pm to 10pm on weeknights, and 6pm to 11pm on weekends. Closed on December 25th.
Where?: Fort Zumwalt Park. 1000 Jessup Lane, O’Fallon, MISSOURI 63366
How Much?: $12 per vehicle, $5 for foot traffic on December 7th or December 8th only. There are additional nights where sleigh rides, carriage rides, and train rides are offered. Please see their website for more information on these additional ways to experience Celebration of Lights.
Purchase tickets to Celebration of Lights Here.
Drive Through Holiday Lights in the Metro East
Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine hosts a drive through light display every year. In addition to drive through lights, they’re also hosting a Christmas Tree Display (available to view in person or online), a petting zoo, and carriage rides. These holiday lights do have a religious focus, and feature a nativity scene. If you’re looking for a secular light display, this might not be the one for you.
When?: November 20th – December 31st, 2020. Open daily from 5pm – 9pm.
Where?: 442 South DeMazenod Drive, Belleville, 62223
How Much?: The lights are free to view, but donations are requested.
For more information, visit the Way of Lights website.
WonderLight’s Christmas at World Wide Technology Raceway
This professionally designed light display is hosted at the Indy Car Racetrack in Madison, Illinois. Visitors get to drive through two full miles of synchronized holiday lights at this display, making it the longest synchronized light show in St Louis. The matched up soundtrack is 50 minutes long, so you’ll never run out of holiday music to listen to during your drive. We are looking forward to experiencing this one for the first time this year. More details (and photos) coming soon!
When?: November 20th, 2020 – January 3rd, 2021. Visit any night of the week, including holidays. Open from dusk until 10pm every night, rain or shine.
Where?: World Wide Technology Raceway. 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL 62060
How Much?: Unlike most other light displays, tickets are sold to each individual person in your vehicle. Tickets are $7 per person, or $30 for up to seven people.
Check out this website for more information about the WonderLights at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland at Horner Park
When?: The drive through lights begin on November 20th. There is currently no end date posted, but as soon as one becomes available, I will update. If you’re worried about missing these lights, be sure to stop by before December 25th. They’re open 5pm – 9pm on weekdays, or 5pm – 10pm on weekends. Weather permitting.
Where?: Horner Park. 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon, IL 62254. There is also a Horner Park in the Chicago metro area, using the address is likely the easiest way to be sure you find the right place.
How Much?: Free! These lights are free to attend. This event is put on completely by volunteers. They ask for donations at the entrance to help them bring back these lights year after year.
Check out Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland website for more information about visiting.
Christmas Wonderland at Rock Springs Park
Rock Springs Park in Alton, Illinois has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a drive through lights experience returning this year. They boast four million lights on display and an exclusive radio station streaming all your favorite Christmas tunes.
When?: Christmas Wonderland Opens November 27th, 2020 and will be up “through late December.” Check this one out early if you don’t want to miss it!
Where?: Rock Springs Park. 2100 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002.
How much?: These lights are available for a donation. They suggest $7 per car, or $1 per person for vehicles that hold more than ten people.
There isn’t an official website, but check out this article from Enjoy Illinois to learn more about Christmas Wonderland.
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