The holiday season is coming alive in downtown St. Louis with Winterfest – the festival of twinkling lights, ice-skating and more – set against the backdrop of the Gateway Arch.
The free, family-friendly event has become a St. Louis tradition, attracting tens of thousands of people every year.
“New York may have Rockefeller Plaza, but it doesn’t have the shadow of the Gateway Arch,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation, who held a news conference Friday in anticipation of Winterfest’s opening festivities.
The eighth annual event at Kiener Plaza, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 31, officially kicks off with the Festival of Lights on Saturday, Nov. 18, beginning with a ceremony at 5:10 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Salvation Army tree of lights at 5:40 p.m. The evening will also feature holiday-themed performances, vendor booths and exhibits, and a fireworks finale after the tree lighting.
Earlier in the day on Nov. 18, the Winterfest 5k and Kids Fun Run take place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The Winterfest 5k is the only official race to run through the grounds of Gateway Arch National Park, with proceeds benefitting the Gateway Arch Park Foundation and its work of conservation, preservation, education and community programs designed to support the archgrounds. Click here to register.
During Winterfest, Kiener Plaza will be aglow with 100,000 twinkling lights. A Winterfest favorite is ice-skating, with skate rentals available for $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 15 – or bring your own skates and skate for free. On Friday, skate rentals for children are free; and on select Sundays, Try Hockey Free is open for children ages 4 to 9. Both are courtesy of the St. Louis Blues.
“We want to touch as many kids and families and bring Enterprise Center ice to all of St. Louis in the heart of downtown,” said Chris Zimmerman, president and CEO of the St. Louis Blues, who also spoke during the news conference.
Other highlights include the Igloo Village (separate reservations and an additional fee required), S’mores Stations ($15 per kit of four s’mores), appearances from princesses and superheroes, and a New Year’s Eve “Neon Lights” celebration with fire dancers, party favors and fireworks under the arch.
This year, craft cocktails and beverages from Pour Decisions STL, as well as a rotation of local food trucks, will also be on hand.
Winterfest is open Fridays, from 4 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 8 p.m. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. From Dec. 26 to 31, Winterfest will be open daily, with extended hours of operation from noon to 8 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, click here.
