FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Anne Carroll, Marketing Director
Christmas in St. Louis
314-345-9908 | [email protected]
Festival of Lights – Celebrating our Heritage, Culture and Traditions
Historically, the Festival of Lights committee under the direction of Christmas in St. Louis has helped to kickoff the Christmas season in our city with a talent and music festival culminating with the Mayor turning on the holiday lights and a fireworks display in Downtown St. Louis.. The 2014 Festival of Lights will be held in the newly renovated Union Station on Saturday, November 22nd. Plans are underway to provide more talent performances, a variety of children activities, and appearances by a variety of mascots continuing in the tradition of providing a family friendly event.
The Salvation Army, a long-time partner of the Festival, will display their Tree of Lights across the street from Union Station in Aloe Plaza. Mayor Francis Slay will light the majestic tree along with the fireworks display at dusk. Plans are underway for food trucks to join the festivies around the plaza and there will be an appearance by Santa who is arriving by train at Union Station.
Visit our website often to view details as they become available.
A Thanksgiving Day Tradition
Celebrating its 30th year, the 2014 Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade will step off at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 24 from the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street in downtown St. Louis.
The parade will be broadcast live on KMOV-TV Channel 4’s “Great Day St. Louis,” which won an Emmy for its coverage of the 2010 parade.
In addition to dozens of magnificent floats and colorful helium balloons, the parade will feature area marching bands and the annual Battle of the Bands Contest. As a Christmas in St. Louis partner, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission’s (CVC) Holiday Magic team will once again participate in this year’s parade. The Holiday Magic mascot, Snowflake, will also be on hand.
The annual Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade is hosted by Christmas in St. Louis along with presenting sponsor Ameren Missouri. The parade charitable recipients are the Academy of St. Louis and the Miriam Foundation.
Free Arch, Courthouse Holiday Events
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will present St. Louis Christmas Past, Holiday Traditions at the Gateway Arch. It is a day after Thanksgiving kick off of the holiday season, featuring extended hours, holiday programs and decorations. Holiday revelers will also be treated to a St. Louis Christmas Past Noon Concert Series Nov. 30, Dec. 7. Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.
The Old Courthouse will also unveil Victorian holiday decorations and kick off the holiday season with appearances by local performers. During the holidays, visitors can admire a series of paintings at the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch as this national touring exhibit combines America’s stunning history and landscape with the talent of nationally recognized American artists.
About Christmas in St. Louis
Christmas in St. Louis christmasinstlouis.org is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting activities that inspire people to show their unique holiday spirit while enhancing the texture and heritage of the St. Louis community. For more information, follow us on facebook.com/ChristmasInStLouis.
###
MEDIA NOTE: For photography of the Parade and the Festival of Lights, send e-mail to [email protected]. For photography of Holiday Magic, send an e-mail to [email protected]