A winter celebration featuring visual and performing arts, musicians, storytellers, dancers, magicians, actors, puppeteers artists. The theme is Wonderland. Festivities kick-off with a grand procession leading the way to the main stage, located at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Lindell Avenue. Fireworks at 9 p.m. and at midnight.

This is the 80th annual presentation of the world famous Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The event is held at the corner of Wyandotte and Nichols Road, just south of 47th Street. More than 80 miles of lights outline every building within Kansas City's famous Country Club Plaza shopping, dining and entertainment district.

A local celebrity flips the switch Thanksgiving evening at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks immediately follow. Enjoy live musical performances from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. All parking garages throughout the Plaza are free. The lights remain lit nightly, through 17 January.

This holiday parade features colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus. It winds through downtown St. Louis to kick off the holiday season.

The springtime celebration which includes a carnival, music, a baby contest and, most importantly, a garden and yard show with crafts and food vendors.

Enjoy a day of free music and entertainment, crafts, antiques, flea markets, flowering baskets, all kinds of strawberry treats, children's activities, antique cars, carriage rides, home tours by costumed guides, and concessions. Admissions to grounds is free; extra charge for home tours or carriage rides.

Charleston becomes a floral wonderland as thousands of colorful dogwoods and azaelas come into bloom. Activities include: home tours, candlelight tour, plant sale, arts and crafts show, a parade (one of the area's largest), an old-fashioned ice cream social, art show, piano concerts (featuring 16 pianists), carriage rides, toy train exhibit.

A multicultural celebration featuring traditional dance, music, ethnic food, cultural and educational exhibits, folk art demonstrations, and an international market. Admission and entertainment are free. Located outdoors in Tower Grove Park, one block from the International District. A free shuttle service will be available throughout the park.

Come to our 33rd annual Heritage Reunion offers more than 300 arts and crafts, food, and fundraising booths. The event features: country music; dancing; period entertainment from the 1800s; horse and mule obstacle course demonstrations; antique small engines; tractors; threshing; and lots of food. There is a parade on Saturday; a church service on Sunday. Trolleys are available to take visitors to and from the outlying areas. Several lots require a $3 fee for parking. Structures of interest include: the Wommack Mill; Bell Hotel; Miller's Cabin; Blacksmith Cabin; Duke School House; Farm Machinery Museum; and other restored buildings on the square. We are 12 miles north of Springfield, on Route 125 east of Route 65. Free admission.

Enjoy entertainment, two nights of fireworks, free activities for kids, a carnival and midway, plus lots of great food. Free parking at Fort Zumwalt North High School and at Christian High School; free air-conditioned shuttles to the fairgrounds.

Tour the General Daniel Bissell House by candlelight. This once a year event is the only time of the year the Bissell House is open to the public. The house will be decked out in holiday splendor. Hot apple cider and cookies will be served.

Admission: $7; younger than 6, free. Please call 314-544-6224 for exact tour times and reservations.

Hitchcock meets hilarious in this madcap comic thriller, a juicy spy story mixed with a dash of Monty Python mayhem. A young man bored with his life falls in with a mysterious woman claiming to be a secret agent and soon he’s the target of a cross-country manhunt with a shadowy organization called The 39 Steps on his trail. Four ridiculously talented actors take on more than 150 roles in a plot packed with intrigue, international danger, an on-stage plane crash, old-fashioned romance, high-spirited comedy and a death-defying finale.

Presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Performed in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre. No seat is more than 20 rows from the stage. Assistive listening headsets, available free, may be picked up at the Loretto-Hilton Center thirty minutes prior to the performance. Tickets start at $15. On days when there is no evening performance the box office closes at 5 p.m.

Filled with whimsy and magic, this must-see musical tells the tale of two young lovebirds from neighboring families who steal glances and keep their romance a secret from their feuding fathers. Little do the kids know that their dads are actually good friends who’ve hatched a plan--with the help of a mystical band of a traveling players--to get the pair down the aisle.

Honored with a Tony Award. Presented in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre. No seat is more than 20 rows from the stage. Assistive listening headsets, available free, may be picked up at the Loretto-Hilton Center thirty minutes prior to the performance. On days when there is no evening performance the Box Office closes at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $15.

Hiding in an Amsterdam attic with her family and others, a young Jewish girl writes in her diary of her hopes, aspirations and observations of life under Nazi occupation. Caught up in a world of hate she couldn’t comprehend, Anne Frank grows as a young woman, ready for life and love just at the moment her dreams come to an end. Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-honored, this classic drama is a reminder that hope, courage and love can survive in even the darkest places and times.

Presented in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre. No seat is more than 20 rows from the stage. Assistive listening headsets, available free, may be picked up at the Loretto-Hilton Center thirty minutes prior to the performance. On days when there is no evening performance the Box Office closes at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $15.

The only thing little Ralph Parker hopes to find under the tree is a Daisy Brand Red Ryder BB rifle. He doesn’t simply want it, he’s consumed with an aching desire for it. A deceptively dangerous playground dare, an unforgettable visit with a department store Santa and a bizarre, gaudy radio contest prize are among the vivid childhood memories told with warmth and a sleigh-load of laughs. Bring the whole family for a nostalgic, heartwarming kid’s-eye-view of the holidays.

Presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Performed in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre. No seat is more than 20 rows from the stage. Assistive listening headsets, available free, may be picked up at the Loretto-Hilton Center thirty minutes prior to the performance. Tickets start at $15. No performances on Dec. 24 or 25.

This event is kicks off the City of Salem’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations to be held during 2010. There will be a costume contest for the best costume from the period 1860-1910. The costume ball will be held at the city hall auditorium.

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, this annual barbeque contest is a tasty treat. There are games, entertainment, and delicious food. Held at the Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo grounds.

An Old Time Christmas is nationally recognized by media from USA Today to Good Morning America and Southern Living as one of the best holiday light shows in America. You will be dazzled by the acclaimed five-story, special effects Christmas tree and an all-encompassing sound and light show on the square. Features include a musical production of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol; the colorful Holiday Light Parade; a dramatic production of the Living Nativity; the interactive musical show Frosty; and more than four million lights throughout the park.

An Old Time Christmas is included with admission to Silver Dollar City: $50; ages 4-11, $40; younger than 4, free.

A kick-off celebration for the holiday season. Enjoy an evening filled with local celebrities, holiday stage productions and an amazing fireworks display synchronized to holiday music. This event sets the stage for opening night of Christmas In The Park.

Activities begin Thursday, with a pet show at 6:30 p.m. and a band concert at 8 p.m. On Friday, enjoy the car show, sanctioned barbecue cook-off, and a concert. Saturday’s events include a 5k run, 2k walk, a kid’s fun run, Rotary breakfast, kids contests, parade, pedal tractor pull, veterans recognition, and fireworks. Most events are free. Held at McCorkle Park.

Attend this holiday open house at the Watkins family home, where you can enjoy holiday caroling, reading of family letters, free samples of traditional holiday treats, flaming of the plum pudding demonstrations, and an opportunity for children to visit with Father Christmas. Activities at the visitor center include kid’s crafts, live traditional holiday music and a performance by the Lathrop Singing Mules grade school choir. Admission is free.

The St. Louis County Community Chorus, under the artistic direction of Merry E. Keller, will perform their annual holiday concert in the Keating Center at Kirkwood High School.

Visit a mid-19th century community as the residents prepare for Christmas. The aroma of hearth cooked meals and the sound of period music will put you in a festive mood. Recent immigrants will demonstrate their ethnic traditions as they keep their heritage alive with their special customs.

The Ozarks Christmas Village is a Christkindl Market featuring music, traditional Christmas food, vendors and entertainment. The White Christmas Nativity Collection, a private collection of hundreds of nativity sets from the late Mrs. Peggy White, will be on display. In this indoor event, booths are set up to simulate a village on a Christmas evening. Stroll through a city park light display; visit Santa's house; enjoy Santa's playground (bounce house); and listen to the musical entertainment. Shop for Christmas gifts, drink some hot chocolate or wassail. Admission: one can of food per person. Held at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds.

An evening of music celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; featured Christian artists, Downhere, Jason Gray and Lanae'Hale. The doors will open at 5 p.m.; the concert begins at 6 p.m. Held at the Join Willott Road Community Church.

Get into the spirit of the season by enjoying Christmas music, a choir and hot chocolate while waiting for the lucky winner to pull the switch illuminating McCorkle Park. Santa arrives shortly thereafter via fire truck. The parade, at 2 p.m. Saturday, starts at Chestnut and Seminary, heading north on Chestnut to Second, east to Walnut, north to Third, ending at Third and Pine. Admission is free.

This celebration highlights the music, food, customs and decorations of an early French Christmas celebration known as Le Reveillon. Costumed guides explain the early 1800s customs. The dining room is filled with traditional foods of the period. Musical entertainment is provided, along with the buche de Noel, yule log cake. Admission is free. Presented at the Felix Valle House State Historic Site.

A two-mile drive-thru light display with more than 86 arrays. Located at the Osage Beach City Park. Bring the kids on Saturday night, December 5, 12 and 19 to meet Santa.

The 33rd Annual Championship Racking Horse Show will exhibit horses and riders in Western or English tack and attire in various racking horse gaits in several classes.

The Vienna Boys Choir returns for their annual visit to the Cathedral Basilica. These talented and charming young performers represent more than 500 years of choral tradition. Tickets: $42, $32, $22.

The Gramy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer returns to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Don't miss your chance to hear this orchestra of voices in live performance. Following the concert, an exclusive Patron reception with Chanticleer will be held in a private residence in the Central West End. Tickets: $37, $27, $17.

A new St. Louis tradition, the fifth annual Christmas at the Cathedral concert with the 150-voice Archdiocesan Adult Choir, 20-piece Orchestra, 90-voice Children’s Choir, and five-octave Handbell Choir all in the heavenly setting of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Buy your tickets early; this concert sells out quickly. Tickets: $47, $37, $22.

The Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1978 as an outgrowth of the need for the symphonic repertoire of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to be broadcast throughout Russia for the benefit of its citizens. We are honored to present this world-class orchestra for you to experience in live performance. The concert, presented at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, features an all Tchaikovsky program which includes Romero and Juliet; Violin Concerto in D Major with Nadzeda Tokareva, soloist; and Symphony No. 2 in C minor Op. 17, Little Russian. Tickets: $42, $32, $22

The virtuosi of Canadian Brass has made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet has an affinity for baroque music. All members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of brass players. To that end, they will be joined on stage at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis by high school students selected to participate in All-State Band and Orchestra. Tickets: $37, $27, $17.

Papa and Jackie Wright narrate and perform The History of Christmas. This warm, candlelit show, features mambas, drums and various instruments. It will leave you in the holiday spirit. Tickets go on sale November 28. Cost, $6 (limit 10 per person).  At First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.

Jonathan and Tessa Dowell will perform Celtic, Appalachian, Ozark, and modern blues music on the McSpadden custom maple Mountain Dulcimer. Jonathan and Tessa took first place in the Southern Regional Dulcimer Ensemble Championship in 2008 and 2009. Jonathan was first runner up at the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship, 2009. Presented at The Fair Grove Farmers Market.

The Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters Christmas Celebration filled with the joy and music of the holiday season. Santa Claus joins Tony, Janet, Kathy and Mimi to teach the true meaning of Christmas. At The Welk Resort Theatre.

The Hughes Brothers magically transform the present into an old-fashioned Christmas wonderland to bring you the season’s best vocal harmonies, exciting dances, inspiring instrumentals, using the charm and great humor everyone loves about these five multi-talented brothers. That’s not all; the show is filled with festive surprises. Your heart will melt as the stage is turned into a toy land and thirty Hughes kids make their appearance in a most unexpected way. The brothers share hysterical Christmas wishes and Mama Hughes’s traditional Swedish Pepparkakor cookies with the audience. See Santa in a new light when he explains the symbols of Christmas in this moving Christmas presentation.

Make your season happy. Holiday Hit Parade" features a bright mix of high-spirited tunes, beautiful classics, and unusual takes on holiday favorites presented by the Gateway Men's Chorus. Held at Washington University's Mallinckrodt Building,

Lynne Davis launched her career by taking First Prize at the prestigious St. Albans International Organ Competition in England. Since then, her activities have included being a member of international organ competition juries and giving concerts, masterclasses and lectures about French organ literature and its history. Her unique living and working experience in France gives her the status of world authority in all French organ repertoire. This concert, presented at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, is part of the St. Louis French Festival, spearheaded by Cathedral Concerts. Tickets: $12.

Bluegrass Christmas music and dance in the spirit of Christmas past, featuring The Ozark Christmas Band; The Martin's Dancers; The Ozark Spirit Cloggers; Bluegrass Ballet; Flew Dance Studio; Drama Force; and Santa. Tickets go on sale November 1st at Leach Theatre’s box office and from any Rolla Noon Kiwanis member. Tickets: $10; younger than 7, free.

This dinner will be served by candlelight in the Old Ordinance Room, a powder magazine built in the early 1800s. Dinner will be served by volunteers and St. Louis County employees in period Civil War clothing. The evening includes wine, a four-course dinner, and a short presentation by Civil War reenactors.

Admission: $50 per person. Reservations are required. This event sells out fast, so call early.

The culmination of Kansas City Ballet’s 52nd season includes world premieres by Toni Pimble and Jessica Lang, and a new ballet titled Who Cares?, set to 16 show stoppers by George Gershwin. Balanchine’s choreography brings pizzazz, class, high kicks, and upbeat energy to this ballet. Single tickets on sale Sep. 1, 2009. Tickets range from $25-$75.

Experience the rapturous vocals of Baritone Jubilant Sykes singing Gospel selections and Aaron Copland's Old American Songs. The concert includes Aaron Copland's ballet that he wrote for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Appalachian Spring, in a concert that will resonate with vibrant heritage and culture, leaving you breathless. Concert held in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Tickets $9-$17. Season tickets available.

Guests will revel in an elegant and magical Victorian holiday celebration at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Kansas City. Enjoy shopping for unique holiday gifts at the Silent Auction and Nutcracker Market and dine on a delicious three course lunch. The enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends will delight guests with a swirl of dancing and so much more. After the luncheon, it’s a short walk to the magnificent Music Hall for the 2 p.m. matinee of Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Tickets range from $60 for a child up to $1,500 for a table of 10 and are on sale beginning October 26, 2009. Each child will receive a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Enjoy our annual holiday pops concert featuring combined area choirs and a performance of Robert Kapilow's version of the popular holiday story The Polar Express. In addition to these enchanting selections, you’ll hear other yuletide favorites such as music from Home Alone, traditional selections such as Choruses from Messiah, and Ron's annual trumpet and vocal surprise. Concert held in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Matinee, free; 7:30 p.m. $17-$9. Season tickets available

The 43rd Annual Ballet Ball will celebrate the fascinating rhythm of dance with a Gershwin inspired evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Muehlebach Hotel. Patrons will be swept back to the Jazz Age as they enjoy Kansas City Ballet performing a sneak peak excerpt of George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, a delightful crowd pleaser full of pizzazz, class and high kicks. Proceeds benefit the Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Ballet School. Ticket start at $250.

Kansas City Ballet’s 52nd season continues with Robert Hill’s Piano Concerto Number 2; Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane; and Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena. Lambarena is an irresistible fusion of Bach and traditional African rhythms. Single tickets on sale Sep. 1, 2009. Tickets range from $25-$75.

Holiday magic sparkles as the curtain goes up for Kansas City Ballet’s enchanting presentation of The Nutcracker, accompanied by a live orchestra. Featuring elaborate scenery, stunning choreography and vibrant costumes, Clara’s magical adventure captures the imaginations of all ages. More than 200 Kansas City Ballet School students perform alongside the 25 Kansas City Ballet company dancers. Tickets on sale October 26.

The full Missouri State University Choirs will join us for a powerhouse performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. This truly awe inspiring work is one of the signature works of the 20th century; the opening, O Fortuna, has been used countless times for dramatic effect in film and television. The excitement of the evening will swell higher with performances including world class soloist Kathleen Kim, a regular at the Metropolitan Opera, the 2008 Hellam Competition winner Ben Gulley, and the vocals of diverse Baritone Elem Eley. Concert held in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Single tickets: $9-$17. Season tickets available.

Featuring Nobuyuki Tsujii, the Gold Medalist of the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the most prestigious Piano competition in the world. Tsujii, who was born blind, started playing the piano at age 2. He memorizes music after listening to his teacher's recordings. In keeping with the Valentine theme, the Symphony will perform Wagner's Act III prelude to Tristan and Isolde and Manuel de Falla's fiery and sonorous Spanish ballet El Amor Brujo, which will feature luminous local Mezzo Soprano Leah Hamilton Jenkins. Concert held in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Single tickets $9-$17. Season tickets available.

Join us on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River for another unforgettable weekend as we host some of the nation’s best storytellers, along with outstanding regional tellers, including: Donald Davis, Minton Sparks, Syd Lieberman and Kevin Kling.

Look back at life the way it was in the 1900 Ozarks Hills as we celebrate the rich forest heritage and the pioneer spirit that made everyday life in the hills possible. See demonstrations of soap making, tie hacking, spinners, paddle makers, blacksmiths, forestry tools, and local forest products. Early logging and mill equipment on display. Fishing and archery for the kids. Shuttle service is available for overflow parking. Held at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center.