Celebrate the holidays in Springfield with our ultimate event guide. Whether you've lived in Springfield for years or just for the season, this guide maximizes your festive experience.
This holiday season, immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, where charming light displays and holiday performances create a delightful backdrop. Another highlight is Bass Pro’s Santa’s Wonderland, featuring stunning holiday decorations and interactive experiences for kids of all ages. And the Big Cedar Lodge Home for the Holidays is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning displays and festive activities throughout the lodge. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Springfield
- Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas (Branson)
- Big Cedar Lodge Home for the Holidays (Ridgedale)
- Bass Pro’s Santa’s Wonderland
- Springfield Annual Christmas Parade
- Mayor’s Tree Lighting
- Lights of Joy (Branson)
- A Christmas Carol at the Springfield Little Theatre
- GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium (Kansas City)
- Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis)
- FEZtival of Trees
See these and even more events listed below!
Springfield Holiday Light Displays
Gardens Aglow
What to Expect:
Botanical-themed light festival with 200,000 lights.
Description:
Gardens Aglow is a botanical-themed light festival in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, featuring over 200,000 festive lights that accentuate the unique structures and landscaping. The event includes various light features and food vendors, making it a beautiful winter display of nature.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Gardens Aglow
Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with an 8-story animated Christmas tree.
Description:
Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas features over 6.5 million twinkling lights, an 8-story animated Christmas tree, and live holiday shows daily. The event includes Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, Christmas in Midtown with 1.5 million lights, and festive family entertainment.
Where: Branson | More Info: Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas
Big Cedar Lodge Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday light display with various festive activities.
Description:
Big Cedar Lodge Home for the Holidays features over 4 million twinkling lights, ice skating, visits from Santa, and holiday tram tours. Guests can enjoy hot cocoa, s'mores, and festive activities throughout the property.
Where: Ridgedale | More Info: Big Cedar Lodge Home for the Holidays
Lights of Joy
What to Expect:
Synchronized LED light displays celebrating Christmas with various themed scenes.
Description:
Lights of Joy is a drive-through Christmas light display in Branson, MO, featuring over 300 LED light displays, including whimsical prehistoric holidays, Santa Safari, and a giant Christmas train. It is an attraction that is fun for all ages and makes a great family outing.
Where: Branson | More Info: Lights of Joy
Celebration of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique holiday light display with local organization involvement.
Description:
Celebration of Lights is a holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park in O'Fallon, Missouri. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches, and businesses. The event attracts more than 13,000 vehicles each year and over 10,000 individuals during the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll. Visitors can drive through the display or take specialty rides like hayrides and trolley tours.
Where: O'Fallon | More Info: Celebration of Lights
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
Over two million dazzling lights in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden features over two million dazzling lights, transforming the iconic garden into a richly lit and mesmerizing display of holiday lights and decorations. The event includes various exhibits, such as the Fire and Light display, Botanical Luminaries, and the Twinkling Tunnel, as well as festive food and beverage options. Visitors can also meet Santa, enjoy family photo ops, and explore the Holiday Floral Show.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden
GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
What to Expect:
Handmade lanterns and interactive exhibits.
Description:
GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium features a one-mile path of intricate lighted sculptures crafted by 151 artisans, including elements like Atlantis and dinosaurs, and an enchanted forest and fairy garden. The event includes photo ops, concessions, and entertainment, with special features like access to the Sobela Ocean Aquarium on Wednesdays and seasonal-themed lanterns.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with unique Crystal Chambers in the Conservatory.
Description:
The Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens transforms the botanical garden into a spectacular winter display with holiday lights, featuring Crystal Chambers in the Conservatory. Visitors can stroll along a lighted outdoor path, enjoying the natural beauty of Powell Gardens during the holiday season.
Where: Kingsville | More Info: Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens
North Pole Adventure
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with diverse activities for all ages.
Description:
Explore a festive holiday attraction featuring thousands of twinkling lights, visits to Santa's Workshop, and over 30 family activities, including a ropes course, hayride, and petting zoo.
Where: Branson | More Info: North Pole Adventure
Springfield Holiday Markets and Shopping
$100 & Under Market
What to Expect:
Local artists selling handmade holiday items.
Description:
The $100 & Under Market is an annual event where local artists sell their handmade holiday items, showcasing the community's talented makers and creators.
Where: Springfield | More Info: $100 & Under Market
417 Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans selling handmade crafts and seasonal items.
Description:
The 417 Christmas Market in Springfield, MO, offers a festive atmosphere with local artisans selling handmade crafts, ceramics, jewelry, and seasonal items. Enjoy the aromas of hot mulled wine and blooming citrus, and explore the diverse array of vendors showcasing their unique creations.
Where: Springfield | More Info: 417 Christmas Market
Springfield Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol at the Springfield Little Theatre
What to Expect:
Classic Dickens tale brought to life through music and drama.
Description:
A heartwarming musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, following Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey from miserly recluse to a beacon of kindness.
Where: Springfield | More Info: A Christmas Carol at the Springfield Little Theatre
Mayor’s Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live performances by local artists and cultural institutions.
Description:
The Mayor's Tree Lighting is an annual event where Springfield Mayor Ken McClure officially lights the 48-foot holiday tree in Park Central Square. The event features local performing artists, holiday storytime, selfies with Santa, free ice skating, and horse-drawn carriage rides. It is a celebration that brings the community together with diverse entertainment and activities.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Scuba Claus
What to Expect:
Diving Santa and elf in an aquarium setting.
Description:
Scuba Claus and Peppermint the Elf dive in a fish-filled aquarium while Mrs. Claus reads "Twas The Night Before Christmas" at Wonders of Wildlife.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Scuba Claus
FEZtival of Trees
What to Expect:
Exquisitely decorated Christmas trees with a CrafterVendor Village and local talent performances.
Description:
The FEZtival of Trees is a festive holiday event featuring exquisitely decorated Christmas trees, a CrafterVendor Village, and local talent performances. Guests can buy raffle tickets to win their favorite tree, and Santa will make daily appearances.
Where: Springfield | More Info: FEZtival of Trees
Springfield Annual Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional parade with festive floats and live performances.
Description:
The Springfield Annual Christmas Parade is a cherished community event where residents gather to celebrate the holiday season with festive floats, musical performances, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Springfield Annual Christmas Parade
The Christmas Post at Stained Glass Theatre
What to Expect:
Nostalgic musical comedy celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
Description:
The Christmas Post is a Broadway-style musical comedy that brings to life the nostalgic days of The Saturday Evening Post. It tells the story of ordinary Americans rediscovering their faith in Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.
Where: Ozark | More Info: The Christmas Post at Stained Glass Theatre
Springfield Other Holiday Activities
Bass Pro’s Santa’s Wonderland
What to Expect:
Free studio-quality photos with Santa.
Description:
Bass Pro Shops' Santa's Wonderland offers free photos with Santa, holiday giveaways, games, and activities for families to create lasting memories.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Bass Pro’s Santa’s Wonderland
Victorian Festival of Christmas
What to Expect:
Downtown shops transform into Living Windows.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season in Historic Downtown Hannibal with special events each weekend, including Small Business Saturday, Mark Twain's Birthday Bash, Tree Lighting ceremony, and the Hannibal Jaycees' Christmas Parade.
Where: Hannibal | More Info: Victorian Festival of Christmas
Gateway Arch Park Winterfest
What to Expect:
Ice skating and heated igloos under twinkling lights.
Description:
Winterfest at the Gateway Arch is a six-week winter celebration featuring ice skating, s'mores stations, and heated igloos under 100,000 twinkling lights. The event includes try hockey free, visits from princesses and superheroes, and a family-friendly New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Gateway Arch Park Winterfest
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Nixa (12 miles)