Ice skating, holiday lights and other festivities are back in Kiener Plaza at the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis for Winterfest.
The sixth annual event by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation promises to be “bigger, brighter and better” than ever. All the top crowd-pleasers are making a return, including the public ice skating rink, cozy igloos, Winterfest Night Markets, holiday-themed food and beverages, music and lights. The New Year’s Eve celebration is back, as well, and will culminate in a fireworks show.
Grand opening festivities held Saturday, Nov. 20, started with the inaugural Winterfest 5k Run/Walk, which took participants from Kiener Plaza through the arch grounds and back. Following the race, the ice rink officially opened to the public, with skaters treated to a free skate on Opening Day. That night, the Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights, hosted by Holidays in St. Louis, kicked off with a tree lighting, live entertainment and fireworks.
Winterfest, presented by Bank of America and World Wide Technology, is open every day through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (2 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day). From Dec. 27 to 31, extended hours are from noon to 8 p.m.
Ice skate rentals are $12 for adults and $7 for children 3 to 15 years old. Guests skate for free with their own skates. Children’s skate rentals are free on Fridays and daily from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, courtesy of the St. Louis Blues.
A complete list of hours of operation and programming can be found on the official Winterfest event page.
