Garden Glow Lights Up Missouri Botanical Garden Starting Nov. 17th

Holiday Events at The Missouri Botanical Garden, Butterfly House, and Shaw Nature Reserve

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Sixth Annual Garden Glow presented by Wells Fargo Advisors runs nightly from November 17 to January 1. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. with last entry at 9 p.m.

The expanded event features more than 1 million lights, photo opportunities, food, drinks and music. New this year, visitors will encounter a 24-foot pixelated tree in Spoehrer Plaza when they enter the Garden. Glow will also have a new interactive area where visitors can “play” flower xylophones while the lighting changes with the beat they play. Santa will visit Garden Glow from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights November 26 through December 13.

Ticket prices vary by date, and range from $3 to $18. Visit www.mobot.org/glow for more information and to purchase tickets. Garden Glow is open on Thanksgiving- come to the Garden to walk off the turkey!

Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show, 11.17-1.1: Stop by the holiday flower and train show, which will celebrate the History of Flower Shows at the Garden. Dating back to the 1900s, flower shows have been presented in different styles and venues at the Garden, but always in a beautiful display for the public to enjoy. The Garden’s model trains will surround garden-scale groupings of building models and landscapes, depicting a view of four seasons. Colorful ribbons of blooming plants surround the train beds, representing the Garden’s history of chrysanthemum, poinsettia, orchid, and spring flower shows through the years. Daytime admission is $5 per person (ages 3 and up) in addition to Garden admission. Evening admission is included with Garden Glow.

Holiday Wreath Auction, 11.16-1.1: This display features creations from some of St. Louis' finest florists. Designs range from traditional to whimsical and are sold by silent auction bidding, with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. Included with regular admission.

Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House, 11.17-1.1: See the Victorian country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw decked for the holidays in Victorian style. This year, the exhibit will focus on the cultural popularity of plant décor in the home, sharing the roots of some of our favorite holiday plantings. Garden clubs will take inspiration from one traditional plant group to create displays that represent a Victorian trend. New this year, two recently re-opened upstairs bedrooms will be part of the exhibit. Open nightly during Glow and daily Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Chanukah | Festival of Lights, 12.2: from noon to 4 p.m. A traditional Jewish holiday celebration that includes festive Israeli music and dance, a menorah-lighting ceremony and Chanukah merchandise provided by local vendors and the Garden Gate Shop.

Saturday with Santa, 12.8: from 1 to 4 p.m. Christmas Carols in the Garden. Whisper your Christmas wishes to Santa Claus, rub noses with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, listen to festive holiday carols and enjoy a free ride with your friends and family to see holiday decor at the Tower Grove House and Kemper Center.

Kwanzaa | Festival of the First Fruits, 12.26: from noon to 4 p.m. Kwanzaa is a Swahili term that means “first fruits,” and this contemporary African-American holiday centers around the feast table of the harvest. A Kwanzaa ceremony highlights a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and authentic African drumming and musical performances.

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield

Winter Jewels, 11.6-12/31: daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Mondays. The Butterfly House transforms into an enchanted land. Escape the cold and experience Winter Jewels. Visit a fierce dragon and noble knights at the castle, discover tropical jewel-toned butterflies and fairies in the fairy garden in the Conservatory, and make new friends in the Gnome Forest, which will include games and forest insect displays. Tuesday through Friday, join us at 11 a.m. for Books & Butterflies, our themed story time featuring special guest hosts of local heroes, authors, mascots, animal friends, and more. See the website for a Books & Butterflies guest schedule. Included with regular admission.

Supper with Santa, December 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at the Butterfly House, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Before making his big trip around the world, Santa is stopping by the Butterfly House! Don't miss Supper with Santa, where fun family memories are sure to be made. Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner, provided by Noodles & Co. See how the butterflies get into the holiday spirit with night strolls through the Tropical Conservatory. Santa's Workshop stations offer children the chance to make fun crafts and join in on reindeer games in the Gnome Forest. After dinner, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa with Mrs. Claus. Guests will take home a souvenir photo with Santa. Space is limited, and reservations can be made via the website. $20 per person and $15 for Garden members. Free for infants 12 months and under.

The Butterfly House is located in Faust Park in Chesterfield at 15193 Olive Blvd.

Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit

Holiday Wreath Making Classes, 12.7 & 12.14: will be offered at Shaw Nature Reserve on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Enjoy the fireside as you make a beautiful holiday wreath of fresh greens and other natural materials from Shaw Nature Reserve. You will learn a basic weaving technique to create your wreath. Bring pruning shears and garden gloves. The Dec. 7 class is “Little Nature Explorers Wreath Making from Natural Materials.” On Dec. 14, there will be two sessions of Holiday Wreaths from Natural Materials, one from 10 a.m. to noon and another from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required.

Shaw Nature Reserve is located at 307 Pinetum Loop Rd in Gray Summit.

The Garden’s gift cards make great holiday gifts and can be used to purchase tickets for regular or special event tickets at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House or Shaw Nature Reserve. Gift cards can be used at all three locations and online through our website for tickets, memberships, classes, dining or shopping. Available for purchase at the Garden, Butterfly House and online.