Adventure is the name of the game for October, and our local offerings* don’t disappoint, from traditional “haunted” haunts for Halloween to singular immersive experiences such as a fairy tale tea party and the highly anticipated blockbuster “Beyond Van Gogh” exhibit.
*Due to the ongoing concerns about COVID-19, be sure to check each event’s web page to learn more about specific health and safety protocols and requirements.
WHAT: BEYOND VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
WHEN: Various times; through Nov. 21
WHERE: Starry Night Pavilion at the Saint Louis Galleria
Immerse yourself in color, light and sound and see Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic paintings like you’ve never seen them before.
The eye-popping “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is a three-dimensional exhibit created by some of the world’s best audiovisual designers to breathe new life into Vincent van Gogh’s masterworks such as “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers,” “Café Terrace at Night” and “Irises.” Adding to the experience is a symphonic score interspersed with the artist’s own words as the larger-than-life projections ebb and flow, focus and refocus, and morph from one masterpiece to the next.
From $34 (adults), $20 (children ages 5 to 15); vangoghstlouis.com
WHAT: MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY
WHEN: Various times; Oct. 6 to Dec. 12
WHERE: The Alice (5800 Gravois Ave., 63116)
If fairy tales are more your cup of tea, then climb down the rabbit hole and join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the pop-up concept bar has attendees creating their own liquid concoctions “under the watchful eye of the Mad Hatter.” The 90-minute theatrical “alternate reality” experience includes two bespoke Wonderland cocktails (non-alcoholic versions are available), as well as opportunities to play croquet with flamingos, paint the roses red, solve riddles and sample “Eat Me” cake.
$43 to $45.50 (adults 21 and older); TheAliceCocktailExperience.com
WHAT: FABULOUS FOX THEATRE GHOST TOURS
WHEN: Various times; Oct. 9, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
WHERE: Fox Theatre
Considered among the most haunted places in St. Louis, the Fox Theatre is once again opening its doors to explore the untold history of the many ghost sightings and unexplained occurrences that have been reported there through its 90-year history.
The behind-the-scenes tours are programmed in conjunction with the St. Louis Paranormal Research Society, and include both the theater’s history provided by Fox tour guides and “ghost” stories from the Paranormal Society following its investigation and analysis of the theatre’s “hot spots” of paranormal activity.
Tarot card readings will be available for an additional charge. Food and beverage service will not be available during the tours.
$40 (garage parking included); fabulousfox.com
WHAT: BOO AT THE ZOO
WHEN: 5 TO 8:30 p.m. nightly, Oct. 15 to 31
WHERE: Saint Louis Zoo
For a family friendly Halloween outing, enjoy festive decorations, entertainers, special food and drink menus, and more at Boo at the Zoo.
New this year are the not-too-scary creatures roaming the Dinoroarus exhibit, plus take in the Halloween-themed displays such as Skeleton Soiree, Monster Mash, Flutter Forest, Pirate Pointe and Halloween Town, among others. Two animal exhibits will be open during Boo at the Zoo, including the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium, where you can view turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, lizards and snakes, and the Bayer Insectarium for spiders, centipedes, beetles and other invertebrates.
The entertainment lineup includes Juggling Jeff, Oh My Gosh Josh and Enchanted Events character singalongs, as well as magicians, stilt walkers, music and more.
Advance tickets required; $12 (general admission), $10 (zoo members), free for children younger than 2; stlzoo.org/boo
Nibbles & Nosh: Sipping on Limoncellos, Falling for Pumpkins & Van Gogh-Inspired Fare
