’Tis the season to celebrate! Communities across Missouri welcome the holidays with an array of special events. Discover festive sights, sample delicious food and drink, and indulge in sweet treats. Enjoy live entertainment and historical traditions, and shop for everyone on your list.
Victorian Festival of Christmas
Hannibal, select days, Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
Step back in time for a Victorian-style celebration in Hannibal, boyhood home of Mark Twain. Horse-drawn carriages, carolers and decorated storefronts bring out the holiday spirit in this historic Mississippi River town.
Hall of Trees
Excelsior Springs, Dec. 9
Admire a creative collection of Christmas trees decorated by businesses and organizations in Excelsior Springs. Located in the Hall of Waters, the trees surround the world’s longest water bar in a 1930s art deco building that once housed a mineral water health resort.
Christmas Country Church Tour
Southeast Missouri, Dec. 14-15
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season on the Christmas Country Church Tour. The self-guided tour features 38 churches – some over a century old – scattered across the countryside. From simple one-room wooden structures to brick-and-mortar masterpieces, the churches are draped in holiday décor that reflect each community’s heritage.
Christmas on the River
Parkville, Dec. 1
A fireworks display over the Missouri River tops off an evening of musical performances, arts and crafts displays, and seasonal treats. Hop on a hayride through English Landing Park, join Santa for a photo and shop for gifts at specialty holiday vendors.
Kristkindl Markt
Hermann, Dec. 2
Hermann’s German heritage shines during the holiday season with traditional Christmas markets. The Kristkindl Market at Stone Hill Winery is filled with an array of German-inspired crafts, food, entertainment and more.
Krampusnacht Downtown
St. Joseph, Dec. 10
Experience a slightly sinister side of the holiday season during Krampusnacht Downtown. Learn the story of Krampus, a character from European folklore. The celebration includes a community parade and Yuletide fire show. Costumes are encouraged.
An Old Time Christmas
Branson, Nov. 4 – Dec. 30
A Missouri Christmas classic, Silver Dollar City’s holiday festival is a sight to behold. Bask in the glow of millions of twinkling lights, board the steam train for a Christmas carol sing-along, take in the holiday shows and savor the flavors of the season.
This is just a sampling of the festivities you can discover in Missouri this winter. Check out more holiday events in each region of the state.
More Holiday Events in Missouri
Northeast
- Polar Express Train Ride, St. Louis, Nov. 17 – Dec. 30
- Holiday Fare Wine Trail, Hermann, Nov. 18-19
- Winterfest, St. Louis, Nov. 18 – Dec. 31
- Garden Glow, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Nov. 18 – Jan. 6
- Ameren’s Thanks for Giving Parade, St. Louis, Nov. 23
- Holiday Parade of Lights, Washington, Nov. 24
- St. Charles Christmas Traditions, St. Charles, select dates Nov. 24-Dec. 24
- Wild Lights, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Nov. 24 – Dec. 30
- Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration, St. Louis, Nov. 24 – Dec. 31
- Victorian Festival of Christmas, Hannibal, select dates Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
- Christmastime in Hermann, Nov. 25 – Dec. 25
- Mark Twain’s Annual Birthday Bash, Hannibal, Nov. 25
- Olde Fashioned Christmas, Washington, Nov. 26
- Victorian Festival of Christmas, Hannibal, Nov. 26-Dec. 24
- Kimmswick Old Fashion Christmas Festival, Dec. 1-3
- Crawlin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Washington, Dec. 2
- Maplewood Christmas Tree Walk, St. Louis, Dec. 1
- Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street, St. Louis, Dec. 2
- Santa on the Amtrak, Washington, Dec. 1
- Kristkindl Markt at Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, Dec. 2
- Weihnachtsfest, Hermann, weekends Dec. 2 – Feb. 12
- Santa at the Market, Washington, Dec. 9
- Christkindl Markt at Hermannhof, Hermann, Dec. 9-10
- Downtown Washington Holiday Tour, Washington, Dec. 10
- Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour and Market, St. Louis, Dec. 10
- Cookie Walk, Hermann, Dec. 15
- 12 Bars of Charity, St. Louis, Dec. 16
Northwest
- Weston Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting, Weston – Nov. 11
- Festival of Lights, Powell Gardens, Kingsville, Nov. 16 – Dec. 30
- Lane of Lights, Excelsior Springs, Nov. 18 – Nov. 25
- Hall of Trees, Excelsior Springs, Nov. 18 – Dec. 29
- Mistletoe Market, Excelsior Springs, Nov. 19
- Elf Factory – Excelsior Springs – Nov. 19
- Plaza Lights, Kansas City, Nov. 23 – Jan. 14
- Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Kansas City, Nov. 24
- Merry Market, Kansas City, weekends Nov. 24 – Dec. 17
- Holidays Downtown, St. Joseph, Nov. 25-26
- Christmas on the River, Parkville, Dec. 1
- Holiday Homes Tour, Excelsior Springs, Dec. 2
- A Christmas Celebration at Missouri Town 1855, Lee’s Summit, Dec. 2
- Hometown Holidays, Liberty, Dec. 2
- Historic Candlelight Homes Tour, Weston, Dec. 2-3
- Cocktails & Candy Canes, Excelsior Springs, Dec. 9
- Krampusnacht Downtown, St. Joseph, Dec. 10
Central
- Sip n Shop, Jefferson City, Nov. 4
- Holiday Mart JC, Jefferson City, Nov. 9
- Cole Camp Christbaumfest, Cole Camp, Nov. 18
- Christmas Parade and Lighting Ceremony, Clinton, Nov. 24
- Christmas Market at the Depot, Fulton, Nov. 24-25
- Moberly Christmas in the Park, Moberly, Nov. 26 – Dec. 23
- Magic Tree Festival, Columbia, Nov. 30
- Chriskindlmarket, Cole Camp, Dec. 1
- Living Windows, Jefferson City, Dec. 1
- Living Windows Festival, Columbia, Dec. 1
- Christmas on the Square, Camdenton, Dec. 1-2
- Kaysinger Christmas, Warsaw, Dec. 1-2
- Candlelight Tours of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion, Jefferson City, Dec. 1&4
- Christmas on Main Street, Lighted Parade, Bazaar, Crocker, Dec. 2
- Capital City Festival of Lights, Jefferson City, Dec. 2-31
- Annual Holiday Craft & Antique Fair, Waynesville, Dec. 2
- Holiday Craft Show, Sedalia, Dec. 2
- Moberly’s Christmas Festival, Moberly, Dec. 2
- Holiday in the Park, St. Robert, Dec. 3
- Moberly Mega Tree, Moberly, Dec. 6-26
- Christmas on the Square, Waynesville, Dec. 7
- Light Up Pulaski County, Dec. 7-26
- Journey to Bethlehem, Crocker, Dec. 8-9
- A Hallmark Christmas in Warsaw, Dec. 9
- Dixon Hometown Christmas, Dixon, Dec. 9
- Christmas in Richland, Parade, Bazaar, Dec. 9
- Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade, Lake Ozark, Dec. 9
- Lincoln Christmas Parade & Craft Fair, Lincoln, Dec. 9
- Lincoln Holidays Homes Tour, Dec. 10
- Vietnam-Era Pinning Ceremony, Waynesville, Dec. 15
Southeast
- Alleé Alumeé, Ste. Genevieve, Dec. 1, 12, 15
- Cape Girardeau Christmas Tree Lighting, Cape Girardeau, Nov. 24
- Victorian Christmas Tours – Glenn House, Cape Girardeau – December
- Holiday Artisan Market, Cape Girardeau, Dec. 2
- Holiday Open House, Cape Girardeau, Dec. 2
- Le Reveillon: French Christmas at Felix Valle House, Ste. Genevieve, Dec. 2
- Brazeau Annual Christmas Walk, Brazeau, Dec. 2
- Holiday Christmas Festival, Ste. Genevieve, Dec. 2
- Christmas Country Church Tour, Perryville, Dec. 14-15
- La Guignolee Watch Party, Ste. Genevieve, Dec. 31
Southwest
- An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Nov. 4 – Dec. 30
- Home for the Holidays at Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Nov. 6 – Dec. 31
- North Pole Adventure at Shepherd of the Hills, Branson, Nov. 10 – Dec. 30
- Mayor’s Tree Lighting Holiday Show, Springfield, Nov. 18
- Joplin Christmas Parade, Joplin, Dec. 2
- Holiday Season Arts & Crafts Show, West Plains, Dec. 2-3
- West Plains Annual Christmas Parade, West Plains, Dec. 9