The Best Christmas Lights around St. Louis

One our family’s favorite holiday traditions is to drive around and look at the colorful light displays. Some of these trips are through elaborate set ups in various parks with millions of lights. Other displays are put up by festive homeowners who go all out to celebrate the season. No matter which side of the river you are on, here is a list of some great spots to check out this year.

*List has been updated with new events and dates for 2023!

Lights in Illinois

World Wide Technology Raceway Wonderlight’s Christmas – Madison, IL
The largest synchronized light display in the St. Louis area will return to the metro-east this season at World Wide Technology Raceway. The Wonderlight’s Christmas display features more than 1-million lights each moving in sync to Christmas music. The show features things like floating snowflakes, shooting stars, giant dancing trees, and five immersive tunnels of light along a 2 mile drive through path.

Where: 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL
When: November 17th – December 31. Open 5-10 p.m. daily
Cost: Tickets are $30 per car. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to enter during 2 hour time slots.

Rock Springs Park Christmas Wonderland – Alton, IL
More than 4 million lights are on view at this drive through display at Rock Springs Park. View cascading waterfalls of lights and lighted trees and displays. They also host a special walk through night to walk the several miles of lights. Alton is also home to some beautiful old homes and worth a drive through the historic districts to see the grand homes in full Christmas decorations.

Where: 2116 College Ave., Rock Spring Park, Alton, IL 62002
When: Open November 24-December 27, Monday – Friday: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Walk through only night is November 27.
Cost: Suggested donation is $10 per car or $1 per person for vehicles with 10 people or more.
Walk through night is $1 per person, cash only.

Winter Wonderland – Lebanon, IL
Lebanon’s Horner Park will once again light up with the Christmas Winter Wonderland. This park features a variety of handcrafted cut outs of various holiday characters, thousands of lights, and a huge waving Santa display. New surprises show up each year on this cute and fun display put on entirely by volunteers.

Where: Horner Park, 11109 Widicus Road, Lebanon, Illinois
When: November 17 – December 31,
Sunday – Thursday 5 p.m.- 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are welcome and normally collected upon entering.

Christmas in Carlyle – Carlyle, IL
Carlyle will kick off the holiday season with their lighted parade the day after Thanksgiving. That same evening, the beautiful light display will light up city park. This is one of our favorite small town displays. Keep an eye for Piper the Penguin. This lighted penguin moves around the park. If you find him, you can enter to win!

Where: 1096 Lake Road, Carlyle, Illinois
When: On November 24th, the Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks at 7:30 p.m. at the City Park. The light display is open November 24- Jan 7, 5 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Cost: Free. Donations are welcome and normally collected upon entering.

Christmas in the park – Breese, IL
The small town of Breese puts on a cute display of lights in Northside Park. This free walk through display offers great photo ops. Santa is often in his cottage on weekends to visit with the kids.

Where: N 10th St, Breese, Illinois
When: Typically the lights are on display from Thanksgiving weekend through December.
Cost: Free

Way of Lights – Belleville, IL
Visiting the Way of Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady Snows is a yearly annual tradition for many metro-east families. This beautiful drive through display features over one million lights depicting the Journey to Bethlehem.

The Visitor’s Center hosts a quilt raffle, decorated trees, and a Lego display. Additional activities include camel & pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Families can enjoy discounts on these activities on Family Tuesdays.

Where: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. Demazenod Dr. Belleville.
When: November 17- December 31
Visitor Center open 10 am -9 pm and Tree Display open noon – 9 pm
Outdoor Light Display: 5-9 p.m. nightly (Other exhibits are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas & New Year’s Day but lights are still on.) 
Cost: Free for light display although donations are welcome. Free plush animal with donation of $17 or more.
Lego Display is $5 for anyone ages 4 and up. Camel rides are $8. Carriage rides are also available for additional charge. Family nights on Tuesdays include discounts on activities.

Bethalto Christmas Village – Bethalto, IL
Bethalto Christmas Village is a free, walk through event designed to share the Spirit of Christmas throughout the community and region. The Arboretum in Bethalto will have a one mile walk past lighted trees, glass cottages filled with winter scenes, and more.

On weekends, adjacent Central Park typically hosts Santa in the gazebo, vendor markets, barrel car rides for children, and more. Beverages and food can be purchased. 
Where: E Central St, Bethalto, IL 62010
When: Arboretum light display open daily at 5 p.m. from November 25 – January
Central Park attractions will be open 5 to 8 p.m. November 25-26, December 2-3, 9-10, 16- 17.
The Bethalto Victorian Christmas walk is December 10, 4-7 P.M.
Cost: Free

Boonie’s Farm Christmas – Worden, IL
Boonie’s Farm is worth the drive for Christmas lights and family fun. Their special Farm Christmas event includes lights, wagon ride, Santa photos, tubing hill, barrel train, play snow, farm animals, games, photo ops, holiday market, concessions, and more.

Where: 8863 Dustman Road Worden, IL
When: Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 20-23 (5-9:00 P.M.)
Cost: Tickets are $11 online or $15 at the gate. Ages 2 and under are free.

Coulterville Holiday Light Display – Coulterville, IL
This small town goes all out for Christmas in an impressive display. Coulterville’s Light Display now spans 15 blocks with two million lights and 600 figures. The City Park features a walk through display of another million lights and decorations. Highlights include a life size Candyland, Frozen ice palace, and Santa’s Playland. Kids can hunt for Blizzard the Elf before stopping at the local DQ for a free Blizzard treat if they find him.

Fri, Sat, and Sun nights include special visits from Santa and his friends plus free hot chocolate, treats, and goodie bags for kids.
Where: 102 W Grant St, Coulterville, IL 62237
When: December 1nd – December 27th, nightly dusk – 9 p.m.
Weekend special kids activities are 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free

American Farm Heritage Museum Christmas Lights Wonderland – Greenville, IL
The American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville is a great place to visit any time of year to learn about rural history and ride the miniature train. In December, the grounds light up with a beautiful display of light boxes filled with holiday scenes. You can view the lights by car, train, or walking!

The miniature train runs on weekends through a special North Pole light display. Hill’s Fort is also open on Friday and Saturday evenings to view a historical reconstructed fort. Santa also makes an appearance on Friday and Saturdays.

Where: 1395 Museum Ave Greenville, IL
When: Lights open daily from 5-9 p.m. November 24th – December 31st.
Train rides on Fri, Sat, Sun. evenings.
Cost: Free to drive or walk through lights, but donations welcome. $5 for train ride for anyone over age 2.

Willoughby Farm – Collinsville, IL
This cute and free farm park has a small and lovely light display each holiday season. Visit during the day to explore the hiking trails, visit the farm animals, and let the kids run around the play area. At dusk the lights turn on for a fun and festive walk through display. The towering lighted Christmas tree in the Bank Barn makes a great photo spot.

Where: 631 Willoughby Ln, Collinsville, IL
When: Dates have not been posted yet for 2023, but typically lights are on for the month of December
Cost: Free

The Lights at Cedarhurst – Vandalia, IL
The Lights at Cedarhurst is a newer light display that began in 2022 on the campus of the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. Visitors can enjoy over 1 million lights as they walk the one-mile trail with photo ops, warming fire pits, family activities, and special holiday events.

Where: 2600 Richview Road, Vandalia, IL
When: November 18th – December 31. Open 5-9 p.m. Fri, Sat., and Sundays.
Cost: Tickets are $15 per adult, $5 for kids 2-10 (under 2 free.) Kids have free admission on special family nights on November 26, December 10, and December 31.

Downtown Jerseyville – Jerseyville, IL
The charming town of Jerseyville hosts a special country Christmas festival the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The festival kicks off a display of 150,000 lights at Dolan Park, Rotary Park, the courthouse, and the historic city center.

Where: Dolan Park, Rotary Park, the courthouse, and the historic city center
When: Lights begin Thanksgiving weekend and run through December
Cost: Free

Centralia Foundation Park – Centralia, IL
Each holiday season, Centralia Foundation Park comes alive with the Fantasy of Lights display. Experience twinkling candy canes, golfing Santa, or Rudolf catching some rays. Don’t forget to visit 600 N Pleasant for more Christmas displays.

Where: 600 N Pleasant Ave Centralia, IL
When: Lights begin Thanksgiving weekend and run through December, 5-11 p.m.
Santa is usually at his cottage on Fridays and Saturdays 6-8 p.m.
Cost: Free

Residential Light Displays

There are several homes throughout the metro-east that put on an impressive displays as well. Make an evening of it to check out these streets.
*List is being updated as displays are confirmed. It’s possible an address may be listed that had lights last year, but not this year. Please let me know if you find any corrections!

You can also find a list and map of lights on the St. Louis Holiday Light Hopping site.

Looking for more holiday events around the metro-east? Check out a full list of Christmas activities and events at Madison County Mom.

Lights in Missouri

Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden – St. Louis, MO
Garden Glow surrounds visitors with a spectacle of dazzling installations and nearly two million lights. The display features photo opportunities, traditional holiday music and festivities, and delicious food and drinks as the Garden is transformed around into a winter wonderland. Santa Claus will be on site November 21–22, 28–29, December 5–6, 12–13 from 5-9 p.m.

Where: 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO
When: November 18th – January 6th. Open at 4:30 or 5:00, depending on the date, last entry at 8:30. Closed November 23, November 27, and December 24–25
Cost: $5-$24 per person. Specific Wednesdays are Family Nights with $5 kids admission. Tickets available online.

Wild Lights at the Zoo – St. Louis, MO
Wild Lights are back and better than ever this year at the St. Louis Zoo with many new attractions. Take a walk on the wild side past animal themed displays, fun photo opportunities, free craft, free parking, entrance to Penguins and Puffins, the Insectarium, and over one million lights. Admission includes entrance to the 4D Theater and Conservation Carousel.

Where: 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110
When: Select nights November 24- December 30th from 5:00-8:30 P.M.
Cost: $11-$15 for members, $11-$18 for non members depending on the date. Children under 2 are free. Tickets are available online.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom – Eureka, MO
Santa’s Magical Kingdom is one of the largest light displays in the area. Millions of lights are on view along with a tunnel of dancing lights, model St. Louis Arch, Toy Land, and 300′ tall lighted “waterfall.” Kids can drop off a letter to Santa in the North Pole mailbox. Kris Kringle’s general store will be open this year with a selection of gifts and personalized ornaments.

Where: 5300 Fox Creek Rd, Pacific, MO
When: November 17th – January 7th
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday
5:30 pm to 10:30 pm Sunday-Thursday (Reduced hours Dec 26-Jan 7 of 5:30-10:00 P.M.)
Cost: $35 per carload. Admission is cash only (paid when exiting), an ATM is available in the general store. Train and old fashioned wagon rides are also available for $16 per person and include admission.

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park – St. Louis, MO
St. Louis County Parks transforms Tilles Park each holiday season into a Winter Wonderland. One of the most popular displays in the area, visites can view more than a million twinkling lights, various holiday scenes, a tunnel of lights, a toy factory, holiday bells, a bubbling stream and Santa and his reindeer. The walk through nights have been discontinued for 2023.

Where: 9551 Litzsinger Rd, St. Louis, MO (Traffic must enter from southbound McKnight Road)
When: November 22nd through December 30th from 5:00-9:00 p.m. (Closed Christmas Eve.)
Cost: $20 per carload, payable by cash only or by credit card online in advance. Carriage ride costs varies by size of the household group and tickets are available online. Walk nights are $8 per person.

Holiday Fun at Grant’s Farm – St. Louis, MO
Grant’s Farm holiday light display is back again and expanded this year. Guests can drive through or enjoy one of the walk through nights to view one million lights. Guests will start off with a view of “Inspiration Hill,” including the famous Clydesdales. They will drive past the North Pole and a brilliant light tunnel on the way to the Busch Family Estate House. Visitors will view a magnificent, 50-foot illuminated tree and the grand finale at the farm’s historic Main Gates.

Where: 10501 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays 5-9 p.m. November 29th-December 13th for drive through event.
Walk through nights are select dates November 24th-December 30th.
Cost: $29 per vehicle to drive through, reservations required online.
Walk through is $12 per person plus $16 parking fee, reservable online. Carriage rides are $149-$199 for groups up to 9 people.

Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights & Winterfest – St. Louis, MO
In collaboration with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, thousands of lights will shine on Keiner Plaza downtown each weekend. Visitors can expect a whimsical lighting experience, a fabulous animated projection show, photo ops, and the Salvation Army Tree of Lights.

Where: 500 Chestnut St, St. Louis, MO 
When: November 18th – December 31. The holiday lights are on daily while special Winterfest events including ice skating, igloos, and winter markets are held Fridays 4 – 8 p.m., weekends 12 – 8 p.m., and daily December 26-31 from 12 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

Anheuser Busch Brewery Lights – St. Louis, MO
This annual Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch is back to a walk through event with over a million lights, a dazzling light show, lighted tree, fire pits, igloos, and kids area with train rides and an ice maze. A parade kicks off each night at 7:30 with floats, trolleys, and the famous Clydesdales.

The lights are also free and open to drive through on Mon, Tues, and Wed. nights starting November 20th. (Drive through lights closed Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 4, 6, 12, 13, 25.)

Where:  1200 Lynch Street, enter off Arsenal Street, drive up and down Pestalozzi Street 
When: Select nights November 18th – December 30th
Cost: $12 per person for adults, $5 for kids 6-20, 5 and under free. Drive through nights are free.

Anheuser Busch Brewery Lights – St. Louis, MO
This annual Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch is back to a walk through event with over a million lights, a dazzling light show, lighted tree, fire pits, igloos, and kids area with train rides and an ice maze. A parade kicks off each night at 7:30 with floats, trolleys, and the famous Clydesdales.

The lights are also free and open to drive through on Mon, Tues, and Wed. nights starting November 20th. (Drive through lights closed Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 4, 6, 12, 13, 25.)

Where:  1200 Lynch Street, enter off Arsenal Street, drive up and down Pestalozzi Street 
When: Select nights November 18th – December 30th
Cost: $12 per person for adults, $5 for kids 6-20, 5 and under free. Drive through nights are free.

St. Louis Union Station – St. Louis, MO
Union Station dazzles with lights, decorated trees, and fun photo spots both inside and out. You can also take a ride on the Polar Express, a spin on the lighted Wheel, or enjoy the aquarium, mirror maze, ropes course, carousel, mini golf, selfie Express, and many more fun activities! Don’t miss the free fire and light show on the lake near the Aquarium entrance or the giant Christmas tree and free light show on the ceiling of the Grand Hall.

Where: 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO
When: The light show on the Grand Hall ceiling runs year round on the hour (may be closed for private events.) The fire and light show runs daily on the hour from 12-9 p.m. but we have also seen it run on the half hour as well, especially during the holidays. Other activities are available at various times and fees.
Cost: Free for the lights, but a fee to park and for other activities

Celebration of Lights – O’Fallon, MO
Celebration of Lights is a drive-through holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches and businesses. All tickets must be purchased in advance.

Where: 1000 Jessup Lane, O’Fallon, MO
When: November 24th – December 30th, open 6–9 p.m. daily; Closed Christmas Day.
Celebration of Lights is closed to vehicles on November 27, December 3, 4 & 5, and December 11.
Walk through nights are December 3, 4, and 5th.
Cost: $15 per vehicle. Walk through event is $6 per person. Specialty rides are additional cost.

Lost Hill Lake Grove of Lights – St. Clair, MO
Lost Hill Lake Events is holding its second annual Grove of Lights Holiday Experience. Each weekend visitors can enjoy a walk through holiday light display with photo ops, cozy bon fires, free hot chocolate and s’mores, vendor market, Santa visits, and kids crafts and activities. Bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the charity toy drive.

Where: 2300 Mill Hill Rd. St. Clair, MO
When: Dec 1-2, Dec 15-17, Dec 22-23. 5 – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for children over 3.

Lights of Christmas – Arnold, MO
This free family light display at First Baptist Church of Arnold features the Christmas train express, snowman family, gingerbread village, and live nativity. The final stop will be in front of the 3-story Christmas light display with over 80,000 lights and a15-minute music and light show.

Where: 2012 Missouri State Rd. Arnold, MO
When: December 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th
3 Nightly 15-minute presentations at the top of each hour – 6pm, 7pm and 8pm
Cost: Free

Big Joel’s Winter Wonderland – Wright City MO
Big Joel’s Safari glows in December with Christmas lights, photo ops, hot cocoa, s’mores, plus a seasonal animal display. Walk through this animal park to enjoy the decorations and meet the critters.

Where: 2012 Missouri State Rd. Arnold, MO
When: Wednesday – Sunday, Nov. 24th-Dec 19th. plus Dec 20-23 and 26-30th.
4:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Cost: $10 per person, under 2 free.

Residential Light Displays

There are a huge amount of festive home to view around St. Louis. Here are some must sees.
*List is being updated as displays are confirmed. It’s possible an address may be listed that had lights last year, but not this year. Please let me know if you find any corrections!

You can find many more residential displays around St. Louis and a map and driving routes at Holiday Light Hopping.

Do you know of any other great light displays to add to the list?