Downtown St. Louis gets its happiest glow of the year when Winterfest returns to Kiener Plaza from November 21 to January 3. Presented by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, this beloved holiday festival turns the plaza into a cheerful winter playground for families, friends and visitors of all ages.
Favorite traditions are all back: gliding across the outdoor ice rink, trying curling, toasting treats at the s’more stations and warming up inside cozy igloos, all positioned under 100,000 twinkling lights. A holiday-themed market and café add seasonal shopping and snacks, and appearances by princesses and superheroes keep younger guests smiling between laps around the rink.
The season opens on November 21 with the free, family-friendly Festival of Lights in Kiener Plaza, featuring the lighting of The Salvation Army Tree of Lights, real reindeer, photo opportunities with local mascots and a fireworks finale. The festivities also kick off with the Winterfest 5K and Kids Fun Run, the only routes through Gateway Arch National Park that support the park, and the celebration closes with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Kiener Plaza sits just steps from the Old Courthouse, making Winterfest an easy addition to a downtown holiday day out. Check Explore St. Louis before you go for the latest schedules and details on skating and igloo reservations.
Photo: Miranda Munguia / Explore St. Louis
