Riley Mullgardt
Print Editor
As the holiday season gets closer, St. Louis starts to get a bit brighter.
The lights show everything from traditional Christmas scenes and the 12 Days of Christmas, to Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. While there are other events showing lights, two stand out from the others.
At the St. Louis Botanical Gardens, the annual “Garden Glow” has begun. Starting Nov. 17, and ending on New Year’s Day (not including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). It is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the pricing for the glow varies on the day attended.
The garden has so many lights it lights up the sky. There are also fire pits at almost every corner offering smores and hot cocoa to be purchased. Carolers stand around and sing Christmas songs to entertain those eating the smores or drinking the hot chocolate.
There are paths to get around the gardens, and cut throughs that lead to the exit if the attraction is too long.
On “Regular Admissions” nights, adult prices are $18 for the public and $14 for members. For children ages three to 12, the public must pay $10, and members must pay $6.
On “Merry and Bright Bargain Nights” adults pay $16 for public and $12 for members. Children pay $10 for public and $6 for members.
“Family Night’s” costs are $16 for public adults, $12 for adult members and $3 for all children; member or not.
In addition to the “Garden Glow,” the Tilles Park’s “Winter Wonderland” is starting! These lights have been a tradition since 1985. Those interested can walk, drive or ride in a carriage.
“I love going and seeing the [Winter Wonderland] lights every year. It really makes me get into the holiday spirit after a stressful week or so of finals. They’re stunning and just really fun,” senior Caroline Mund said.
Cars and carriages are from Sunday through Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and carriages only on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The walk, however, has already passed. This attraction is not open on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Carriages must be reserved in advance and the pricing depends on the amount of people that are attending.
A “Sweetheart Carriage,” two people, costs $55, a “Snowflake Carriage,” six people, costs $80, a “Candy Cane Carriage,” nine people, costs $120, and “Santa’s Sleigh,” up to 24 people, costs $12 a person.
The car pricing is based on the size of the vehicle or the number of people in a carriage.
A “family vehicle” cost $10, a limousine cost $20, a commercial transport van cost $40, and a tour bus cost $90.
To reserve a carriage, go to http://www.metrotix.com, call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or go to the Fox Theater box office.
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