Places to Go, Things to Do

More holiday events during December

The schools let out during December and Places to Go; Things to Do includes more holiday activities and events with the you and your family in mind.

But, first a Special Note: In the November Places/Things, YSL.com featured seven Holiday Light Shows in the St. Louis metro area. While most of them started in November, they are continuing during December and, in some cases, beyond.

So, be sure to review that November feature if you're looking to do your holiday lights tours in December. To go to last month's Places/Things, click here.

(Each month, YSL.com looks for activities that are especially for kids and their families. We focus mostly on things to do that have little or no admission charges.)

Botanical Garden hosts 3 holiday events

In December, the Missouri Botanical Garden has built special events around three religious holidays.

"Christmas Carols in the Garden" will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. The events will be from 1-5 p.m. on both days.

"Chanukah Festival of Lights" will be Sunday, Dec. 21, from noon to 5 p.m.

"Kwanzaa: Festival of First Fruits" will be Tuesday, Dec. 31, from noon to 4 p.m.

You can get further details by going to www.mobot.org.

Two shows at Old Courthouse downtown

An 1808 Missouri Frontier Holiday will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Old Courthouse on the Gateway Arch grounds.

The event is from noon to 4:30 p.m. The event features frontier music, dancing and food. There will be kids activities also.

For information, call (314) 655-1700 or visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

The Old Courthouse also will be the scene of holiday concerts during the Dec. 3-17 period. The concerts are free.

For information on dates and times, call (314) 655-1700 or visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

Skating with Santa at Steinberg rink

The outdoor Steinberg skating rink in Forest Park is open and there will be two times to skate with Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Skating with Santa will be Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13. The time is from 1 to 3 p.m.

Tickets for kids 12 and under are $5.50.

For more details on the Skating with Santa as well as the general hours for the rink, call (314) 367-7465 or visit www.steinbergskatingrink.com.

Raja's 16th birthday at the Zoo

One annual event in December has nothing to do with the holidays. Raja, the zoo-born elephant, is a December child.

December 27 is Raja's 16th birthday and the St. Louis Zoo will be holding a birthday party. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information, call (314) 781-0900 or visit www.stlzoo.org.

Daniel Boone's Home Candlelight tours

The annual Candlelight Christmas Tours will be held Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 at the Daniel Boon Home and Boonesfield Village at Defiance. The tours are held 6 to 10 p.m.

There will be 19th Century decorations, candles, lanterns and bonfires.

For information and directions call (636) 798-2005 or visit www.lindenwood.edu.

Winter Getaway at the Museum

The Missouri History Museum begins a series of Winter Getaways during December and extending them over the New Year's weekend.

If the joyous holidays are giving way to the post-holiday winter blahs by the end of December, the Museum has an answer. And it's free.

Saturday, Dec. 27, there will be a Penguin Party from noon to 2:30 p.m. There will be storytelling along with crafts, puppets, puzzles and more.

Sunday, Dec. 28, will be Family Film Day of the film "Happy Feet." The screening will be at 2 p.m. But, there will be tours before and crafts and storytelling afterwards.

Monday, Dec. 29, there will be a Felix the Penguin's family tour, drop-in Make and Take workshops and a film, "The Great Fire of 1849." Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30, will be Family Fun Day with entertainer Babaloo and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Babaloo is mostly for younger kids but magician Blake Douglass is for kids of all ages.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, will have a repeat of the Felix the Penguin and drop-in craft workshops. But, the movie will be "The Tragical Comedie of the French, Spanish, French, American Ville de Sainte Louis."

Thursday, Jan. 1, and Friday, Jan. 2, also have Felix the Penguin tours, drop-in craft workshops and new movies.

For information, call (314) 746-4500 or visit www.mohistory.org.

The City Parks' Children's Garden Club

The weather outside might be cold but the monthly meeting of the St. Louis City Parks' Children's Garden Club will be held in Saturday, Dec. 6. This month's meeting is titled "Enjoy Holiday Decorations."

The December meeting is at the Sherwood's Forest Nursery and Garden Center at 2651 Barret Station Rd. The session starts at 9 a.m.

For information on this gardening series, check www.stlouisco.com/parks.

Earthways Center's Public Tour Days

December is a good time to take a look at energy-saving practices at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Earthways Center at 3617 Grandel Square in midtown St. Louis.

The center is a century-old Victorian house which has been renovated to demonstration energy-efficient materials, systems and practices.

Guided tours are at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. No reservations are needed. Admission is $3.

For details, visit www.earthwayscenter.org.