Explore St. Louis

Does anyone recall the Seinfeld episode where Festivus was introduced to popular culture? Weary of the rampant consumerism of Christmas, character Frank Costanza invented an alternative holiday with unusual traditions. The offbeat holiday struck a chord with many viewers and a cult phenomenon was born.

Those who celebrate Festivus enjoy a quirky kind of fun such as decorating a Festivus pole instead of a Christmas tree and participate in the Airing of Grievances in which each person tells each and everyone else all the ways they've disappointed him/her over the past year, and after a Festivus dinner, The Feats of Strength are performed. Traditionally, Festivus is not over until the head of the household is wrestled to the floor and pinned.

The Downtown St. Louis Merchants Association has planned a Festivus celebration. Everyone can join in the fun of Festivus - a holiday celebration for us all. St. Louis Downtown Merchant members include specialty retailers such as Casa Semplice, a special place for people who are passionate about cooking and entertaining at home, St. Louis Union Station, a national historic landmark and Macro Sun International, a center for international fashions, hand-crafted jewelry, and home décor.

The schedule for Festivus is:

Friday December 1st 6:00 PM - 9:00 PMThis year, St. Louisans may submit their grievances at a Festivus reception at Mosaic Restaurant, sponsored by Alive Magazine. The entry with the most votes will be announced by KMOX on-air personalities. The winner will receive a prize pack from downtown retailers and will be a celebrity judge for the Feats of Strength competition.

Saturday, December 2nd 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PMThis will be the first year for “Feats of Strength” in St. Louis, but it is sure to be remembered. This event will be held on the parking lot on 11th street between Locust and St. Charles. Events will include: Christmas Tree Tossing, Oiled Arm Wrestling and Tag-Team-Tug-O-War (bring your team of three or more for a competition that is sure to end with everyone in stitches).

What is it about the holidays that “get you going?” Is it the commercials, decorations, the anticipation of family visits or the smell of freshly cut pine trees? For many it is a trip to the Jewel Box in Forest Park for the annual “Christmas Poinsettia Show.”

Picture hundreds of beautiful poinsettias in red, white and pink intricately placed throughout the Jewel Box – transforming the Art Deco floral conservatory into an attraction of holiday splendor.

The “Christmas Poinsettia Show” will have its’ grand opening at 11 a.m., on Friday, December 1. Jewel Box hours are: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 - 11 a.m., Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday. On Christmas Eve, the show will offer special hours opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 2 p.m. Christmas Day the Jewel Box will be closed, but visitors will have through January to experience this magnificent show.

Let the “Christmas Poinsettia Show” become a part of your family tradition. The Jewel Box is located at Wells and McKinley drives in Forest Park.

Happy Holidays.

After the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade is over and the turkey leftovers are stored, it's time to make plans for the long holiday weekend. There's no better place than St. Louis to celebrate the most magical time of the year.

Holiday light displays are shining at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Winter Wonderland in Tilles County Park and Santa's Magical Kingdom at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. Plus, the Saint Louis Zoo gets in on the act at the U.S. Bank Wild Lights, November 24 & 25 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.

If you thought Grant's Farm was just a summer attraction, think again. The Magic of the Holidays event begins November 24 and continues until December 1. At the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, the 4th Annual Indian Market Days take place from November 24 - 26 where you can shop for authentic Native American jewelry, arts and crafts and much more.

The candles are ablaze at Eureka's Annual Candlelight Walk November 24 - 26. Shops are filled with decorations and antique, art and specialty shops are brimming seasonal goods. The historic Old Courthouse is celebrating a Century Christmas from November 24 through December 23. Concerts take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons around the 25-foot Christmas tree covered with Victorian decorations. You can learn about St. Louis holidays in the past by visiting the galleries.

St. Charles Christmas Traditions -- the annual celebration of the holidays -- begins on November 24 and continues through December 23 along South Main Street. Historic characters, international santas, Christmas carolers, free commemorative trading cards, crafts for kids plus over 100 unique stores are highlights.

The Saint Louis Science Center in Forest Park is the place to see the OMNIMAX movie "Santa vs. The Snowman" throughout the holiday season. And the Gardenland Express: Gateway to the West chugs through the Missouri Botanical Garden until New Year's Day with G-scale trains and miniature versions of St. Louis' attractions and beautiful seasonal plants and flowers.

Get out your mittens and tighten your skates, Steinberg Rink in Forest Park is now open for the season.

You and your pals can glide around the ice surrounded by the beautiful park and the Central West End neighborhood skyline from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The rink is open every day, including holidays.

Skating fees are $6 for adults and children 12 and under skate for just $5. Don't have your own blades? Skate rental is $2.

Steinberg is the largest outdoor rink in the Midwest. Group rates are available for schools, youth organizations and scouts. Group reservations are required and are based on availability.

The Steinberg Café has full food service with a menu that includes appetizers, snacks, sandwiches, burgers and pizza with beer and wine are available for adult skaters.

Get your popcorn and take a seat for some of the best new films in the world. The St. Louis International Film Festival is underway and it's a movie lover's dream.

The impressive list of films, documentaries and short subjects (click here for the highlights) is augmented by special events, including a workshop at Noon, Saturday, November 11, at the Tivoli Theatre in the Loop on creating trailers and promos in the A/V marketplace; a 4 p.m. book signing on Saturday at Star Clipper in the Loop; and a new filmmakers forum on Sunday at noon. Monday and Tuesday, November 13-14, Kodak offers a "Stop By, Shoot Film" learning opportunity at the Centene Center for Arts and Education. Participants can learn how to use a 16 mm camera and shoot their own scene in less than 2 hours.

Tickets to the Festivals films, which are shown at the Tivoli, the Saint Louis Art Museum, Plaza Frontenac and Webster University, are $10 each at the individual box offices. Get the details at www.cinemastlouis.org.

It's everything you ever wanted to know about penguins, but were afraid to ask. Saturday, November 4, the Saint Louis Zoo is paying homage to the tuxedoed birds from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Festivities take place in and around the Penguin & Puffin Coast habitat. You can join in a scavenger hunt to learn true penguin facts, make crafts and find out about penguin behavior.

A special guest will be on hand from the new animated penguin movie "Happy Feet" and Tap Heritage will perform.