Ready for holiday fun in Jefferson City? Let our guide show you all the festive happenings! From Jefferson City residents to holiday guests, our guide highlights the season's top events and activities.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where dazzling lights transform the gardens into a winter wonderland. Additionally, the Gateway Arch Park Winterfest offers a range of outdoor activities, including ice skating and festive food vendors. And the Lights of Joy is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a spectacular display of holiday lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Jefferson City
- Lights of Joy (Branson)
- Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis)
- GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium (Kansas City)
- Gateway Arch Park Winterfest (St. Louis)
- Let there Be Lights (Branson)
- North Pole Adventure (Branson)
- Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens (Kingsville)
- The Trail of Lights (Branson)
- St. Charles Christmas Traditions (St. Charles)
- Holiday Park and South Pole (St. Joseph)
See these and even more events listed below!
Jefferson City Holiday Light Displays
Lights of Joy
What to Expect:
Synchronized LED light displays with various themed areas.
Description:
Branson's Lights of Joy is a drive-through Christmas light display featuring over 300 super bright, all-LED displays. The attraction includes iconic images like Noah's ark, a Nativity scene, and a forest of Christmas trees, making it a great family outing.
Where: Branson | More Info: Lights of Joy
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light display with interactive installations.
Description:
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden features over two million dazzling lights transforming the iconic garden into a rich display of mesmerizing moments.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
What to Expect:
Lantern festival with intricate lighted sculptures.
Description:
GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium features a one-mile path of intricate lighted sculptures, including elements like Atlantis and dinosaurs, and an enchanted forest and fairy garden. Crafted by 151 artisans using over 34 tons of steel and 89,000 feet of fabric, the festival offers a unique nighttime journey filled with photo ops, concessions, and entertainment.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
What to Expect:
Extensive light display in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Powell Gardens transforms into a spectacular winter display with over 20 miles of lights, creating a breathtaking holiday atmosphere.
Where: Kingsville | More Info: Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
North Pole Adventure
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday activities and light displays.
Description:
Explore a festive holiday experience featuring thousands of Christmas lights, Santa's workshop, and over 30 family activities, including a ropes course and hayride.
Where: Branson | More Info: North Pole Adventure
Holiday Park and South Pole
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light displays.
Description:
Holiday Park and South Pole are meticulously decorated parks in St. Joseph, MO, featuring lit entrances, driveways, houses, and other festive decorations. These winter displays are the result of volunteer efforts and community involvement, making them a cherished holiday tradition.
Where: St. Joseph | More Info: Holiday Park and South Pole
Let there Be Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Let There Be Lights is a two-mile drive-thru Christmas light display at Promised Land Zoo, featuring LED lights, zoo animals, and interactive exhibits like the Candyland Courtyard and New Yak Yak Yak baby yak petting zoo. Visitors can also take photos with Santa.
Where: Branson | More Info: Let there Be Lights
The Trail of Lights
What to Expect:
Animated scenes with music and a complimentary hot cocoa donation initiative.
Description:
The Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills Homestead features millions of multi-colored Christmas lights and themed animated displays, winding through 160 acres of the homestead.
Where: Branson | More Info: The Trail of Lights
Jefferson City Other Holiday Activities
Gateway Arch Park Winterfest
What to Expect:
Ice skating and s'mores under 100,000 twinkling lights.
Description:
Winterfest at the Gateway Arch features ice skating, s'mores stations, and heated igloos under 100,000 twinkling lights, along with St. Louis Blues try hockey and family-friendly New Year's Eve fireworks.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Gateway Arch Park Winterfest
St. Charles Christmas Traditions
What to Expect:
A blend of storytelling, history, and fairy tale whimsy in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
St. Charles Christmas Traditions is a festive celebration blending storytelling, history, and fairy tale whimsy. Guests are welcomed into a world of yuletide nostalgia and fantasy with international ambassadors, hot-roasted chestnuts, and timeless Christmas melodies. The event features unique displays like Oh Christmas Tree Evolution and the Holiday Food Hall, endless opportunities for holiday shopping, and a Sensory-Friendly Experience for guests with sensitivities.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: St. Charles Christmas Traditions
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Columbia (27 miles)