Christmas Time Around St. Louis

Christmas Time, Rothenberg ob der Tauber, Germany
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The Christmas season abounds with special events, holiday concerts, light displays and more in and around St. Louis


LIGHTS Let the illumination wash over you at the Way of Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows near Belleville, Illinois, November 20-January 3 The multi-faceted holiday event features electro-art sculptures and creative displays, camel rides ($5-$4), pet¬ting zoo, Christmas Tree Room, choirs, Laser Light Show: The Birth of Jesus ($3), Children's Village, puppet show, carriage rides and more www.snows.org. 442 S De Mazenod Dr., off Rte. 15 in Belleville, Illinois, 314 2413400or 618 397.6700. Map 1-8D. At Winter Wonderland, the road through Tilles Park is flanked by more than one million lights in a dazzling cavalcade of illuminated dis-plays, November 25-January 3. Open to vehicular traffic and carriages Su-F 530-930pm, carriages only Sa 5:30-9:30pm, reserved through MetroTix, 1-4 persons $67, group rates. Cars $9. www.metrotix.com. 9551 Litzsmger Rd. at McKnight Rd. 314.534.1111. Map 5-3E.


SANTAS GALORE The charming Main Street Historic District in St. Charles pulls out all the holiday stops in its month-long St. Charles Christmas Traditions event, November 27-December 26. There's a Santa Parade every Sa and Su at 1.30pm, shops and res-taurants open Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays until 9pm, carolers, chestnuts, storybook characters and Santas from around the world. Las Posadas finds Mary & Joseph looking for shelter in a procession down Main St on December 5 at 6.30pm. www histoncstcharles. com. Main St. Historic District, in St. Charles, 800 366 2427. Map 3.
HISTORIC HOMES Three of St. Louis' premier historic homes-

Campbell House Museum, Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion, Eugene Field House—open up for holiday decorations, costumed reenactors, refreshments and more during the Historic Homes Holiday Christmas Tour, December 3 from 3-8pm. $25 adults, $5 children under 13 www.stlouis.missoun org/501c/chm/ 634 S. Broadway, downtown 314 421.0325 Map 2-5G.

The Samuel Cupples House on the Saint Louis University campus hosts its annual Holiday Rooms in Bloom event, featuring floral dis¬plays by St. Louis' premier florists, December 3-6. Th 5:30-7:30pm tree lighting and carols, F 11am-6pm, Sa 11am-4pm, Su 11am-2pm www cupples.slu.edu. Located one block west of Grand and one block south of Lmdell, 314 977.3575. Map 6-8C. It's a taste of a pioneer Christmas at the Daniel Boone Home Annual Candlelight Tour, featuring costumed reenactors, caroling, decorations and refreshments, December 4-5,11-12. $15 adults, $10 children 4-11. www.lmdenwood edu/boone 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, Missouri 636.798.2005. Map 1-3C
DOWNTOWN America's Center delivers the Christmas Spirit with Holiday Magic, a seasonal village filled with decor items, gifts, art demonstrations, light show, carnival rides, cooking demonstra¬tions, gingerbread houses, live entertainment and more, December 4-6. $10 adults, $6 children 5-12, free children under 5. www. stlhohdaymagic com 8th St and Washington Ave., downtown 314 992.0631. Map 2-4C.

MUSIC There's a tune for every taste this season in holiday concerts around the city. Christmas with John Tesh—December 5 at 7 30pm at the Family Arena, $30-$60 www metrotix.com. 2002 Arena Pkwy, 1.5 miles south of the S Fifth St. exit off 1-70,314.534.1111 Map 5-1C Trans Siberian Orchestra—December 12 at 3 & 8pm, $22.50-$55.50, Scottrade Center, www.scottradecenter.net 14th and Clark streets, downtown, 314.241.1888. MetroLink-Civic Center. Map 2-3E Blind Boys of Alabama—December 12 at 8pm, $42-$47,