Celebrate the Holidays at Gateway Arch National Park
ST. LOUIS—The sights and the sounds of the season come alive at Gateway Arch National Park! The National Park Service invites locals and out-of-town guests to celebrate the holidays with an array of events that are free and open to all ages.
“The holiday season is a wonderful time to re-experience Gateway Arch National Park,” says says Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann, Director of Education for Gateway Arch National Park. “We invite our friends, neighbors and out-of-town guests to enjoy festive free concerts and living history events, and explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch and take a Tram Ride to the Top.”
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS: Wednesdays, Dec. 4, 11 & 18; 12 to 1 p.m. at the Old Courthouse
Local bands perform popular holiday tunes in the Old Courthouse Rotunda:
- December 4: Starlifter Protocol Combo of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base
- December 11: Mehlville High School Choir
- December 18: Vita Cantus Choir
AN 1819 ST. LOUIS CHRISTMAS: Saturday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Courthouse
It’s December 1819, and Missouri is still trying to become a state. Learn about Missouri’s struggle for statehood while enjoying music and dancing from the time period. (Music and dancing start at noon.) Historical clothing is not required to participate.
A 1770 TWELFTH AFTERNOON BALL: Saturday, Jan. 4; 12 to 4 p.m. at the Old Courthouse
Celebrate the end of the holiday season as St. Louisans did in 1770. The Twelfth Afternoon Ball recognizes the completion of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the beginning of a new social season that culminates with Mardi Gras. This year’s ball highlights music, food and dancing from 1770. Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole will perform 18th-century music, Deborah Hyland will lead dances from the time period, and food historian Suzanne Corbett will demonstrate historical food recipes common to St. Louis dinner tables during the 1770 holiday season. King’s Cake will be served, and the king and queen of Mardi Gras will be crowned. Historical clothing is not required to participate.
HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION
The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse will close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24. Both the Arch and Old Courthouse are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
HOLIDAY REMINDERS
The Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch sells out early and often. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tram ride tickets in advance at gatewayarch.com/buytickets. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time. For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only.
Gateway Arch National Park does not have designated on-site visitor parking. A list of parking locations near the park can be found at getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the park.