Missourians don’t have to travel far to get into the Christmas spirit. The website OnlyInYourState.com offers these suggestions for cities in the Show-Me State.
- St. Charles celebrates the holidays in a huge way for the entire month before Christmas. During its annual Christmas During the Traditions festival, the historic town is filled with wandering carolers, Santas from around the world, and beautiful holiday décor accompanying great shopping and dining opportunities.
- Springfield has many events going on, including the Festival of Lights through December 31.
- Warrensburg held its annual Dickens Christmas with horse and wagon rides, carolers strolling down the streets, live music in local businesses, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a tree lighting ceremony and much more.
- Branson features An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City through December 30, with five million lights, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, two live shows and a parade. It’s a top pick of events nationwide, too!
READ: Don’t miss Silver Dollar City for Christmas!
- Kansas City celebrates with the traditional Plaza lights, which continue through mid-January.
- Lee’s Summit again features Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake Park, with 300,000 lights, 175 animated figures, Christmas décor and colors..
- The Lake of the Ozarks region offers a number of special events in towns such as Laurie, Osage Beach, Camdenton and Linn Creek.
- Ste Genevieve, the oldest city in Missouri, offers festivals that showcase its French heritage.
- Hermann is home to a number of seasonal events, many of which reflect its German heritage. St. George Catholic Church also pulls out all the stops, with décor including over 30 decorated trees.
- Nevada holds its Lights on the Lake event through January 1.
- New Madrid’s Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site offers a taste of a traditional Victorian Christmas at the antebellum home, decorated with hundreds of feet of fresh pine roping, Christmas trees, ribbons and trimmings.
- Independence spotlights its rich history. Spirit of Christmas Past Heritage Homes Tours are available through the end of December. Tour locations include the Vaile Mansion, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home.
- St. Louis lights up the Missouri Botanical Gardens with its annual Garden Glow, a million lights and unique installations amid the garden’s iconic locations, which provide many photo opportunities.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice