The upcoming holiday season can be made magical for anyone, including senior adults. Thankfully, seniors and their loved ones can enjoy plenty of holiday activities in and around St. Louis this year. So, let’s start the holiday season off right!
ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY LIGHTS
One of the most popular holiday activities in St. Louis, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights tour features more than a million lights and runs from November 22 through December 30. Reservations are required and can be booked online. They are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Private packages, which include fire pits, are available for groups. A variety of foods will be featured at the Biergarten, and free parking is included with your reservation.
In most cases, the tour is a walking tour, but for those who might need to avoid walking and cold temperatures, a free drive-thru experience is available on select dates.
WILD LIGHTS AT THE ST. LOUIS ZOO
The U.S. Bank Wild Lights event takes place during select holiday season nights at the zoo. Attendees will enjoy winter-themed treats, as well as access to Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Sea Lion Tunnel. Wild Lights runs 5-8:30 p.m. November 29 through December 29.
High demand is the norm, and popular dates fill up quickly. Ticket and date information can be found on the St. Louis Zoo website, and advance online tickets are required.
Unlike the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights tour, this is ONLY a walking tour, though wheelchairs are welcome.
GARDEN GLOW AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Garden Glow, which is open November 16 through January 4, is a dazzling display of two million lights complete with s’mores, festive drinks and great photo opportunities. You can even meet Santa himself on select nights!
Similar to the Brewery Lights event, the Garden Glow is ONLY a walking tour, but wheelchairs are welcome. Purchase tickets online.
CANDY CANE LANE
During the holiday season, Murdoch Avenue is transformed into “Candy Cane Lane,” as the residents who live in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood decorate their homes and neighborhood streets with thousands of lights and festive decorations. Hundreds of people enjoy this free tour of lights every year. Pro tip: start your evening at nearby Ted Drewes for frozen custard or hot chocolate!
As this is a drive-through experience, seniors who have difficulty walking can fully enjoy this celebration from the comfort and warmth of their cars.
WINTER WONDERLAND IN TILLES PARK
Enjoy a drive through more than one million twinkling lights at the annual Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park. This display is open November 22 through December 30 from 5-9 p.m. You can enjoy the lights while staying cozy in your car during this tour!
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT BETHESDA SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES
Every year, Bethesda Health Group’s senior living communities (excluding Memorial Care Center in Belleville, IL) are adorned with twinkling holiday lights. Each campus is different and provides a great opportunity for you and your loved ones to enjoy easily accessible holiday lights displays. Drive through Bethesda Southgate’s “Winter Wonderland” or surround yourself with beautifully lit trees lining the streets of The Oaks at Bethesda. For many, including Bethesda Director of Business Development Carrie Wetzel, Bethesda’s holiday lights are a yearly tradition.
“Not only do I go look at them – my daughter helped set them up at Southgate for the last few years for their event. And last year, we did caroling outside of Bethesda Gardens with my church,” Carrie says.
Bethesda Southgate’s free Walking Holiday Lights Tour takes place December 7th from 6pm-8pm and will feature a vendor fair, characters, holiday treats, and more.
SANTA’S MAGICAL KINGDOM
Some call this the Midwest’s most spectacular holiday light display, as it is filled with animated scenes, dazzling special effects, and millions of shimmering lights. Santa’s Magical Kingdom is open nightly November 17 through January 5, including the holidays. Located in Pacific, Mo., next to Six Flags, you can drive through 35 acres of holiday magic. Or for a special treat, experience all the sights and sounds of the Kingdom aboard the Santa Express Train or on a festive Old Fashion Holiday Wagon ride!
GRANT’S FARM HOLIDAY LIGHTS
The Grant’s Farm Holiday Lights tour can be experienced by car, on foot, or around a VIP fire pit! Tune in to your radio and twinkle into the night as you witness this exclusive light display. Senior adults can enjoy the show with loved ones from the comfort of their own vehicle. Reservations are required.
ST. CHARLES CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
For nearly half a century, Saint Charles Christmas Traditions® has made the holiday spirit of the past come to life for the young and young at heart. This festival features a variety of holiday activities like global Santa figures dressed in the cultural attire of their home countries, carolers in the historic district, roasted chestnuts fresh from an open fire, and more! The event runs November 29 through December 24. See the website for hours of operation on each day.
ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is offering a variety of holiday shows throughout the month of December, including their Mercy Holiday Celebration, a treasured tradition full of your favorite carols and sounds of the season.
Buy tickets online.
ST. LOUIS UNION STATION POLAR EXPRESS™ TRAIN RIDE
Beautifully decorated trains take passengers on a fantasy journey to the North Pole as they interact with the Polar ExpressTM characters, as well as Santa Claus and his elves.
Families are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas for the experience. The Polar ExpressTM runs November 15 through December 30.
Check out Bethesda’s blog to find more senior-friendly local activities to try this season.
