The Christmas season is upon us, and a great way to celebrate is a drive through the amazing light displays in our surrounding areas.

The biggest light show in the STL area is the Anheuser-Busch Brewery show. It brings cheer to St. Louis and adds life to downtown, along with offering live music, an ice rink and fire pits to warm your frozen hands. You can pop out to the show 5-10 pm, Thursday through Sunday, until December 30th.

A more kid-oriented option is the Botanical Gardens. The lights are displayed from 5-10 pm. The Gardens have many lit up trees, lights over the ponds and there is a lit-up tunnel to take photos in. There is also live music, shops for souvenirs and snacks if you get hungry. The last chance to see this amazing display is on January 1st!

If you would like a more religious scene, you can visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. This display depicts Jesus’s birth scene in a very beautiful display surrounded by lights. It is open from 5-9 pm Monday through Thursday, and 5-10 pm on the weekends.

An easy option for families is the St. Louis Zoo. An adventure through the different animal exhibits is always fun but is much more exciting with the added lights! You can see the Wild Lights display 5:30-8:30 pm on various weekdays. There is also the “Holiday Zootique” for the parents while the kids listen to holiday stories.

Tilles Park is also an incredible sight during Christmas time. The display is available every night from 5:30-9:30 pm until January 2nd. It has a drive-through display, but it is encouraged to experience the lights from a horse-drawn carriage to truly get the full effect. They have carriages that hold up to 24 people, and they even offer hot chocolate and dessert!

The most convenient option for most of us is the O’Fallon Celebration of the Lights. Since it is in Fort Zumwalt Park, it is basically in our backyard. From fat Santa statues to tunnels of lights and moving Christmas scenes, the Christmas spirit is alive and ready for you to get in the holiday mood! You have the chance to see these on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6-9 pm, and from 6-10 pm on Friday and Saturday until December 30th.

These many options available to us in the area are sure to get you into the winter spirit. All of these displays are only available for the Christmas season, so don’t wait! Grab your hot chocolate and head out to celebrate!