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.

The 60th annual festival includes activities for the family to enjoy: a parade; craft show; carnival; fish fry; and free entertainment.

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.

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.

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.

The sheep at Missouri Town 1855 are sheared of their winter coats. Fiber artists demonstrate the complete process of shearing, washing, carding, dying, spinning, weaving and knitting. Enjoy viewing these important skills of our ancestors.

Celebrate the holiday season with a variety of events and activities. This year's theme is A Month of Holiday Magic. Among the events scheduled is a special piano recital at the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., featuring Civil War music. See the Web site for a complete schedule of events.

A Christmas lights tour of Branson. Sit back and enjoy sparkling cider while listening to your favorite Christmas music in one of our luxurious limousines. Tour includes a tuxedoed chauffeur, non-alcoholic champagne, bottled water and candy canes. Basic two hour tour includes: The Strip (76 Country Blvd.); downtown Branson; Branson Landing Blvd.; Hilton Convention Center; drive past Shepherd of the Hills and Inspiration Tower; the entrance to Silver Dollar City; Indian Point enchanted forest; and the Festival of Lights.

Four-passenger luxury sedan, $125; 10-passenger limousine, $225; 24-passenger bus, $360.

This light park focuses on true meaning of Christmas, Jesus and his mother, Mary. The festival features 4,000 strings of lights. At the Shrine of St. Patrick's Church. Admission is free.

Come to the May Amphitheatre in Kiener Plaza, where a celebrity will flip the magic switch that will bring downtown Saint Louis alive with lights, followed by dazzling fireworks with the Old Courthouse and The Gateway Arch as a backdrop. After the official program, join Santa in a procession along Seventh Street to Macy's, for the unveiling of the holiday windows, photo opportunities, music and entertainment, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee.

This holiday celebration includes musical performances, shopping and free activities for all.

Join the community-wide celebration as all of Branson is aglow for the holidays. The Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through will delight everyone with a magical one-mile drive illuminated with more than 175 displays.

Located off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Roark Valley Road at Expressway Lane, behind the Sight and Sound Theatre. Family vehicle, $10; family season pass, $20; mini-coaches (12-28 seats), church vans and limos, $25; full-size motor coaches, $50.

View more than 300 nativities from around the world. Enjoy four choirs as they present holiday music. Shop in the Nativity Store, featuring olivewood items made in Bethlehem. There is a silent auction of one-of-a-kind nativities. Chili, soup and pie will be available Sunday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.,  for a donation. Donations benefit Habitat for Humanity of Saline County. Held at Covenant Presbyterian Church: Sat., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Saint Louis University Museum of Art is pleased to host the U.S. inaugural exhibition of The 12th Hungarian Cartoon Festival: A Dialogue of Cultures. The exhibition opens at 6 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 23, and continues until Dec. 20. In 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the Hungarian Culture Foundation, initiated a cartoon competition to commemorate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The first-time international competition invited cartoonists worldwide to submit their works related to the topic, “Dialogue of Cultures.” The result was an exhibition that contained 77 cartoons originating from 25 countries. The caricatures astonish, amuse, and allow for an unlimited amount of personal interpretation. They offer an illustration of the value and diversity in history, traditions and cultures. Some of the works, while seemingly depicting the most every day occurrences, reach almost philosophical heights. This first-time event for the St. Louis area is sponsored by The Hungarian-Missouri Educational Partnership and the Thomas Jefferson School, located in Sunset Hills.

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.

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.