Historic Holiday Traditions at the Old Courthouse
The National Park Service invites visitors to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season with Historic Holiday Traditions at the Old Courthouse, where they can enjoy live holiday concerts in the Old Courthouse Rotunda and a historic holiday ball. All events are free and open to the public. The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North Fourth Street in Downtown St. Louis.
“What better way to celebrate the holiday season than at the Old Courthouse?” says Rhonda Schier, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation. “We invite everyone of all ages to visit the historic courthouse, take in its beautiful authentic Victorian holiday d’cor, enjoy live music from talented local groups and mark the end of the holiday season with a historic ball in the courthouse rotunda.”
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS
- Wednesday, December 6, noon: Second Nature Horns (4-piece jazz group)
- Wednesday, December 13, noon: Mehlville High School Madrigal Ensemble (vocal performance)
- Wednesday, December 20, noon: Liberty Clarinet Quartet of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base
1768 TWELFTH AFTERNOON BALL: Saturday, Jan. 6; 12-4 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the holiday season as St. Louisans did in 1768. 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 1768. 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 historic food recipes common to St. Louis dinner tables during the 1768 holiday season. King’s Cake will be served, and the king and queen of Mardi Gras will be crowned. Free and open to all ages. Historic clothing not required to participate.
HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION
The Gateway Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse will close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24, and are closed on Christmas Day, December 25. On Tuesday, December 26 the Old Courthouse will open at 8 a.m. and the Arch will open at 9 a.m. Both the Arch and Old Courthouse are closed New Year’s Day.
PARKING AND ROAD CLOSURES REMINDER
A list of downtown St. Louis parking locations within walking distance of the Arch and Old Courthouse is available at http://getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the Old Courthouse. Visitors are encouraged to check www.gatewayarch.com/directions for up-to-date information on road detours and construction news before their visit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.nps.gov/jeff or www.gatewayarch.com; or call 877-982-1410. Reservations are not required, but large groups should call 314-655-1614 to alert the Old Courthouse of their attendance. Tickets are not required to enter the Arch at this time.