What's New in The Lou: December 24th

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Your 2025 “Best in The Lou” WINNERS! 🎉🎉🎉

From kid-approved adventures and indulgent desserts to big-screen escapes, these “Best in The Lou” 2025 award winners are all about making memories in St. Louis👇

🍦 Best Sweet Treats: Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery

Proudly born in The Lou, Clementine’s is the go-to for ice cream lovers who want a little edge with their scoop. Boozy “Naughty” flavors for adults, classic “Nice” options for all, and delicious seasonal drops turn your dessert into an experience.

🐘 Best Family Outing: The St. Louis Zoo

It’s iconic for a reason. The St. Louis Zoo continues to wow families with world-class animal habitats, beautifully walkable grounds, and experiences that feel just as magical on your tenth visit as your first. And that FREE admission still hits every time.

🎬 Best Movie Theater: Ronnie’s 20 Cine & IMAX

When St. Louis wants the full movie-night experience, Ronnie’s delivers. This local staple has evolved over the decades and now includes massive screens, plush seating, and a great food & beverage experience.

🌟 The Holiday Buzz

Kwanzaa begins this weekend! See how you can celebrate around town.

• Kwanzaa Celebration (Saint Louis Art Museum)- The museum’s annual Kwanzaa celebration is an immersive cultural experience. The free program includes live performances, interactive workshops, scavenger hunts and art‑making sessions. Visitors can learn about the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa while creating symbolic crafts like zawadi. The day culminates with storytelling, dance and a Griot Gathering where local performers share poetry and music. 10 am-8 pm.

• Kwanzaa Festival of the Fruits (Missouri Botanical Garden)- Celebrate Kwanzaa through art, culture, food, and nature during a full morning of activities honoring the Seven Principles. Enjoy hands-on art and well-being stations, local vendors, seed giveaways, gardening and nutrition demos, a guided tour of the George Washington Carver Garden, a microgreens cooking demonstration, and a vibrant West African dance and drum performance. 9 am-1 pm.

 🎉 New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Adults Only:

• Big Daddy’s Soulard Party- Celebrate with an all-inclusive buffet, beer, wine & spirits, DJ music, and a champagne toast. 7 pm-12:30 am.

• NYE Live! at Ballpark Village- Big NYE party with two music stages, DJs, a New York-style ball drop, and champagne toasts. 7 pm-12 am.

• Boom Boom Room Burlesque NYE- Catch burlesque, aerial acts, dinner, open bar, DJ dancing, and a champagne toast to the new year. 7 pm- 1am.

• Ritz-Carlton NYE Lounge- Ring in 2026 with live entertainment and a premium champagne bar in the Lobby Lounge. 9 pm-12:30 am.

• Casa Loma Ballroom: Cheers Darling- Dance the night with burlesque, drag, aerials, music and an optional midnight buffet upgrade. 8:30 pm- 1:30 am.

• Jazz St. Louis’ NYE with Victor & Friends- Celebrate with two jazz performances featuring standards, originals, and classics. Shows at 8:30 pm and 11 pm.

• Live! by Loews “Midnight in Havana”- Party with Caribbean-themed entertainment, passed apps, and open bar. 9 pm-1 am.

• Molly’s in Soulard NYE Bash- One of the biggest NYE blowouts with six open bars, DJs, balloon drops, and a champagne toast. 9 pm-1:30 am.

• None of the Above NYE- Celebrate in speakeasy style with crafted cocktails, small bites and DJ vibes at City Foundry. 8 pm-12 am.

Family Friendly:

• Ultimate Ninja’s Chesterfield Noon Year’s Eve- Designed especially for kids who want all the excitement without the late bedtime. Expect obstacle course challenges, open play, and a festive countdown to noon complete with a balloon drop and cheers. 10 am-12:30 pm.

• City Museum Family New Year’s Eve Party- Fun for all ages with dancing, crafts, karaoke, and an 8 pm balloon drop so kids can ring in the new year at a family-friendly hour. 5-9 pm.

• Winterfest New Year’s Eve “Neon Nights” at Kiener Plaza- A festive early-evening celebration with a DJ, fire dancers, princesses & superheroes, party favors, and fireworks around 8 p.m. under the Gateway Arch. 4-8 pm.

• Noon Year’s Eve at the Missouri History Museum- Family celebration with two giant balloon drops (11 am & noon), live music, storytime and crafts- perfect for little ones who can’t stay up late. 10 am-1 pm.

🎄 The Holiday Roundup

We have covered SO many holiday experiences over the last month. Many of you may have family in town to entertain or simply may be wondering how to spend your days off over this last week of the holiday season! Below is a summary of the fun experiences around The Lou that are still open.

Lights/Experiences:

• Home Alone in Concert (Powell Hall)- Shows Saturday at 2 pm & 7 pm. Sunday at 2 pm.

• Winterfest (Kiener Plaza)- Runs through January 11.

• WonderLight’s Christmas (World Wide Technology Raceway)- Runs through January 4 (open on holidays), 5-10 pm. Price: $30 per standard car.

• Santa’s Magical Kingdom (Jellystone Park Resort)- Runs through January 4 (open on holidays), 5:30-10:30 pm, end time 10 pm after Christmas. Price: $35 per standard car.

• Garden Glow (Missouri Botanical Garden)- Runs through January 3 (open November 14 members only, closed Nov 17, 27, Dec 24, 25), time and price varies by night.

• The Polar Express Train Ride (Union Station)- Runs through December 30, Departures at 4:15 pm, 6 pm, 7:15 pm (8:30 pm added select nights).

• Winter Wonderland (Tilles Park)- Runs on select nights through Jan. 3 from 5-9 pm. $20 per standard car.

• Wild Lights (St. Louis Zoo)- Runs through Dec 28 from 5–8:30 pm. Tickets range from $12-$18.

• Celebration of Lights (Fort Zumwalt Park)- Runs through Dec. 30 from 6-9 pm. $16 per standard car.

• Candy Cane Lane (6500 block of Murdoch)- Free, but donations are accepted for various charities.

• Holiday Lights (Grant’s Farm)- Runs select nights through Dec. 30. Price and time varies by night.

• Brewery Lights (Anheuser Busch Brewery)- Runs through Dec. 30 (excluding holidays). 5-9:30 pm. Adults $12, Minors $7, Free 5 and under.

• Way of Lights (Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville)- Runs through Dec. 31. 5-9pm nightly. Free but donations are appreciated.

• Weirdly Wonderful Holidays (City Museum)- Runs through January 4.

Food/Drinks:

• Sleigh Shed (The Train Shed in Union Station)- Runs through Dec 30.

• Sippin’ Santa (Planter’s House)-  Runs through Dec 28.

• Miracle STL (Small Change STL)- Runs through Dec 28.

• Moose Mug Lounge (Angad Arts Hotel)- Runs through Dec 31.

• Up On The Rooftop (360 Rooftop Bar)- Runs through Dec 28.

• The Floating Sleigh (The Riverboat)- Runs through Dec 28.

• CANE (Steve’s Hot Dogs Delmar)- Runs through Jan 10.

• Cocktails and Claws (4 Hands/Peacemaker Kirkwood)-  Runs through Dec. 31.

• Merry Moves (World Chess Hall of Fame)-   Runs through Dec. 31.

• Polar Patio Popup (Side Project Pizza)- Runs through Jan. 4.

• Bling! (The Wolf)- Runs through Dec. 31.

• The Iced Fountain (The Fountain on Delmar)- Runs through Jan. 11.

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ST. LOUIS NEWS + UPDATES 📰 

• Little’s Loft Play Café opens– Little’s Loft Play Café is a new kid-friendly indoor playspace and cafe opened in downtown Kirkwood, offering a contained, nature-inspired play gym for ages 0–7 alongside a café where parents can relax and watch their children play. The space also features sensory-friendly areas, family amenities, and a menu of food and drinks, all designed to provide a welcoming community hub for families.

• County Executive Sam Page won’t run again- On Dec. 18, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page announced he would not seek a third term in 2026. Page’s decision comes amid an indictment over alleged election‑law violations, though he maintains the choice isn’t tied to the cases.

WEATHER FORECAST 🌡️ 

Friday
69° ☀️ | 9% rain | 🌬 12 mph

Saturday
67° 🌤 | 12% rain | 🌬 8 mph

Sunday
48° ☀️ | 18% rain | 🌬 17 mph

Monday
31° 🌤 | 0% rain | 🌬 13 mph