Find fun holiday activities at Missouri’s state parks and historic sites in December

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 17, 2023 – Holiday activities abound in the St. Louis region.

• Saturday, Dec. 2: Le Réveillon at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
  Revel in the spirit of an early Missouri French Christmas during Le Révellion at Felix Vallé State Historic Site Saturday, Dec. 2, starting at 1 p.m. All activities are free and open to the public. No registration is required, but seating is limited for the lecture. Felix Vallé State Historic Site is located at the corner of Second and Merchant streets in Ste. Genevieve. The day’s schedule follows:
  • 1-3 p.m.: Paper filigree with Lisa Palmer of Never Bored Creations LLC. Drop in to learn the art of paper filigree and make your own holiday ornament.
  • 1-4 p.m.: Free tours of the Felix Vallé House.
  • 2-4 p.m.: Enjoy traditional dances performed by Dance Discovery, a St. Louis-based dance troupe that performs historically faithful social dances from the 1600s to the present.
  • 4 p.m.: Enjoy “Our French and German Christmas Customs” by Robert Mueller. Learn about the history of Ste. Genevieve’s holiday traditions during this informative lecture.
  • 5-8 p.m.: Enjoy candlelit tours of the Felix Vallé House and experience Le Réveillon, a traditional feast held after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Interact with interpreters in period dress and enjoy special desserts, including buche de Noel.
     
• Saturday, Dec. 9: Nature’s Decor at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
  Deck the halls with boughs of holly…The holidays are just around the corner and the team at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is in the mood to decorate! They’ll show you how to use nature’s resources to create wonderful winter wreaths. Participants should bring a grapevine wreath and pliers, and the park team will provide everything else for decorating. The event is for participants 13 and older, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and there will be two sessions from which to choose. To register, visit icampmo.com. Participants should meet in the basement of the visitor center at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood.
   
• Saturday, Dec. 9: Candlelight Christmas Concert at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
  In the warm glow of the candlelit legislative chambers, Rick Thum and Friends will evoke memories of a historic past and bring to life some well-known holiday songs and the stories behind these old-time favorites. These merry melodies are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. This event usually sells out fast, so don’t delay in getting tickets to experience this holiday experience. Tickets can be purchased starting Nov. 17 at the interpretive center. Cost is $12 each with a limit of four per person. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 636-940-3322. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at 200 S. Main St. in St. Charles.
   
• Saturday, Dec. 9: A Very Peck Christmas at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
  Take a break from the wrapping, baking and decorating to come enjoy a simpler time on the Missouri frontier! You’re invited to step back in time and experience the ambiance of shopping by candlelight in the 1820s Peck Bros. Dry Goods and Hardware Store. Products for sale will include, but not be limited to, old-fashioned toys and games, candy, lye soap, handmade items and Christmas ornaments. Enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with your family to discover these unique old-time items that are perfect as stocking stuffers or small gifts. The event begins at noon and runs through 9 p.m. at 200 S. Main St. in St. Charles.
   
• Monday, Dec. 11: Homeschool Hour at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Mastodon State Historic Site is hosting Homeschool Hours to serve its local homeschool communities. Homeschoolers of all ages are invited to join in the fun, educational activities focused on selected park topics. Homeschool Hour begins at 10 a.m. and takes place inside the historic site’s museum at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. Adults must remain with their children during the program. Registration is required as space is limited and can be done by visiting icampmo.com. Each program’s lesson plan is available upon request one week prior to the program. Email emily.lange@dnr.mo.gov for more information.
   
• Thursday, Dec. 14: Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site! Each Toddler Thursday focuses on a different topic and includes activities and a craft. This program is free, but registration is appreciated and can be done by visiting icampmo.com or calling 636-464-2976. The event will take place inside the museum auditorium at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. 
   
• Sunday, Dec. 17: Hike and Hot Chocolate at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Enjoy the outdoors during winter! Walk along the 0.5-mile Wildflower Trail and learn about how various organisms in the park react to the winter weather. Afterward, warm up with some hot chocolate. This hike is for ages. Be sure to dress for the weather. This program will start and end at the museum entrance, located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. The trail is a moderately difficult loop trail with natural and boardwalk surfaces including stairs. This free program starts at 2 p.m., and registration is required and can be done by visiting icampmo.com or calling 636-464-2976.
   
• Thursday, Dec. 21: Sunrise Solstice Hike at Mastodon State Historic Site
• The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, but there’s still plenty of time to get outside. Meet at the Spring Branch Trail trailhead before sunrise (7 a.m.) and learn about the solstice while hiking the trail. This a great way to start the day and get excited about the longer days to come. The trailhead is located in the historic site’s picnic area at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial. Spring Branch Trail is a flat 0.8-mile loop on a packed gravel surface. This is a free program, but registration is required and can be done by visiting icampmo.com or calling 636-464-2976.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.