Celebrate the Season at Gateway Arch National Park
ST. LOUIS—The National Park Service invites visitors to take in the sights and the sounds of the season and celebrate the holidays at Gateway Arch National Park. All events are free and open to all ages.
“We welcome all to visit the historic courthouse, take in its beautiful authentic Victorian holiday décor, enjoy live music from talented local groups and mark the end of the holiday season with a historical ball in the rotunda,” says Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann, Director of Education for Gateway Arch National Park.
AN 1818 ST. LOUIS CHRISTMAS: Thursday, Nov. 29; 3 to 8 p.m.
The Old Courthouse is a stop on this year’s St. Louis Historic Holiday House Tour on Thursday, November 29. From 3 to 8 p.m., the Old Courthouse hosts “An 1818 St. Louis Christmas,” featuring historical holiday music, dancing, refreshments and other activities. (Music and dancing will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the rotunda.)
The St. Louis Historic Holiday House Tour also features stops at the Campbell House Museum, the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion and the Field House Museum. Tickets are $20-$40 and can be purchased by calling 314-421-0325.
A SPIRTIED HOLIDAY PAST: Saturday, Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Old Courthouse takes part in A Spirited Holiday Past, in which 26 historic houses, museums and privately-owned homes in St. Louis join together for one grand tour. Visit the Historic Saint Louis website learn about the participating sites. The Sperreng & Truman Middle School Fiddlers will perform holiday music from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Old Courthouse Rotunda.
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS: Wednesdays, Dec. 5 & 12; 12 to 1 p.m.
Join us in the Old Courthouse Rotunda for a free concert featuring popular holiday tunes.
- December 5: Starlifter Jazz Combo of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America
- December 12: Mehlville High School Choir Select Ensemble
A 1769 TWELFTH AFTERNOON BALL: Saturday, Jan. 5; 12 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the holiday season as St. Louisans did in 1769. The Twelfth Afternoon Ball at the Old Courthouse recognizes the completion of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which leads to Mardi Gras. This year’s ball highlights music, food and dancing from 1769. 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 1769 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
Tram rides sell out early and often during the holiday season. It is strongly encouraged to purchase your Tram Ride to the Top tickets in advance at www.gatewayarch.com/buytickets. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time. Entrance to the Museum at the Gateway Arch is free.
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 preferred parking locations near the park can be found at http://getaroundstl.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.nps.gov/jeff or www.gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
ABOUT: The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are part of Gateway Arch National Park, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch, which features the Tram Ride to the Top, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the documentary film Monument to the Dream, The Arch Store and The Arch Café, is open daily during the winter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Old Courthouse is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO 63102. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Programs and events at the park are made possible by the generous support from our cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development. To purchase Arch tickets, go online to www.gatewayarch.com, call 877-982-1410, or visit the Arch Ticketing & Visitor Center at the Old Courthouse.