The St. Louis weekend events guide for Thursday, November 19 through Sunday, November 22, 2015.

Downtown/Midtown

30th Annual Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights Kick-off Lighting Ceremony: Kick off the Christmas light season at Anheuser-Busch this Thursday. At 6pm a formal lighting ceremony will take place at 6pm. Tour the lights for free. In addition to the lights, there are S’mores, beer sampling, food, and a fire pit. S’more kis are $2.50. Food stations include: chili, chicken tenders, brats, toasted ravioli, and more. Food tokens can be purchased for $5.

Date: Nov 19
Time: 6pm
Place: Anheuser-Busch Brewery-1200 Lynch

Blues vs Sabres: It’s the St. Louis Blues Military Week. The Blues face off against the Buffalo Sabres. There are many opportunities to support military members this week. Volunteers from H.E.R.O.E.S. Care will be at each entrance to collect donations that will be sent to the troops. Or donate to purchase seats for the military. Each purchased package will go to military personnel and their families. All packages include a ticket to the November 16th or 19th game, a hot dog, and a medium soda. Fans can purchase autographed mystery pucks outside section 119 for $30 each. All pucks are autographed by members of the 2015-16 Blues team and wrapped in foil to conceal the signature.

Date: Nov 19
Time: 7pm
Place: Scottrade Center

Polar Express at Union Station: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ comes to life on a journey to the enchanted beauty of “the North Pole” where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake present for every good boy and girl. Enjoy live music, photos with Santa and shopping with the Holiday Magic vendors. A great addition to the Polar Express Train adventure is the holiday festive dinner buffet and special panoramic light show. Dinners are available for $25 per adult and $20 for children 12 and under, plus tax and fees, children under 2 years of age are free with paid adult.

Date: Nov 20-Dec 30
Time: First ride: 4:30pm
Place: Union Station-1820 Market St

Whiskey in the Winter: An annual event that features over 300 whiskies from around the world along with great whiskey cocktails, whiskey-inspired food stations, and educational seminars from whiskey industry experts. Unlimited tastings of a variety of whiskeys including single malt and blended Scotch, bourbon, Irish, Tennessee, Canadian, Missouri, and Japanese whiskies. In addition, enjoy A Hot Toddy Slam! on the Gamlin Whiskey House patio on Thursday, Nov 19 to see who will reign as the Hot Toddy Champion! Representatives from eight different whiskey brands will present their take on this classic cold-weather cocktail.

Date: Friday, Nov 20
Time: 7pm
Place: Hyatt Regency-315 Chestnut

3rd Annual Centennial Wine Expo: Sample 120-180 wines from around the world. Enjoy live entertainment by the Eschmann Lane Jazz Experience. Order wine with special discounts, perfect for holiday gifts. Tickets are $39.50+tax. Add $20 for a premium selection tasting which includes light appetizers.

Date: Nov 21
Time: 6-9pm
Place: Moulin Events-2017 Chouteau

Festival of Lights Kick-off Event: Christmas in St. Louis kicks off with the festival of lights. The event begins at 4:30pm inside the spectacular Grand Hall at Union Station featuring Mrs. Claus serving children hot chocolate and cookies followed by a host of family entertainment that includes: Kingsbury Place Singers, St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, Muny Kids Touring Troupe, Allegro – COCA’s student vocal ensemble, and Wash U Accapella Group. Outside Union Station along Aloe Plaza, holiday revelers will enjoy food truck concessions, music, live reindeer and carriage rides before the official lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights and fireworks at 6:30pm. Entertainers performing outside near the Salvation Army Tree of Lights at Aloe Plaza include: St. Louis Osuwa Taiko and the Salvation Army Brass Band.

Date: Nov 21
Time: 4:30-7pm
Place: Union Station & Aloe Plaza

Blues vs Redwings & Fan Takeover: In addition to military week, the Blues are celebrating Movember this month. They have teamed up with Movember Foundation to help commit men to living happier, healthier, longer lives. Come out to the game and celebrate the ‘stache. Grow one or stick one on to show your support for the mustache and its ability to generate conversation about men’s health. Purchase limited edition mustache pucks autographed by current Blues players and Hall of Famers Brett Hull, Al MacInnis and Bernie Federko. A limited amount of pucks will be sold for $30 each at Section 119 to benefit the men’s health movement. Enjoy Cardinal Nation’s fan street festival before the game with activities inside the restaurant and on Clark Street. Enjoy a brass band, street hockey, Slapshot Challenge, Fredbird, Louie and the Blue Crew, Blues and Cardinals Alumni bartenders – all for free and for all ages.

Date: Nov 21
Time: Fan takeover: 4-6pm, Game: 7pm
Place: Ballpark Village & Scottrade Center

The FOCUS Affair: FOCUS St. Louis’ new signature event celebrates the 40th anniversary of Leadership St. Louis as well as connecting with old FOCUS friends and connecting with new ones. Tickets are $100 and include: open beer and wine bar, small plates and sweets, live entertainment, complimentary parking, silent auction for one-of-a-kind experiences including: throwing out the first pitch at a Cardinals baseball game, enjoying cocktails on the set of Watch What Happens Live with Bravo’s Andy Cohen, hopping aboard a flight to NYC for a taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and more. Each ticket purchased for this event helps to support the mission and work of FOCUS.

Date: Nov 21
Time: 7-11pm
Place: Magnolia Hotel-421 N 8th St

2nd Annual Boots & Badges 5K: Help support police and firefighters by raising money for Backstoppers to support the families of first responders killed or injured in the line of duty. Advanced registration is $35 or $40 day of. Awards for the top 3 winners in age group and gender. Registration includes memorial finisher medal, commemorative firefighter or police race t-shirt, and official after party at Hooters in Kiener Plaza.

Date: Sunday, Nov 22
Time: 8am
Place: Downtown Stl-Market St & 7th St

Central

Third Friday Ornament Party: Discover a beautiful selection of limited edition, handmade Signature Ornaments by the artists at Third Degree. Watch glassblowers demonstrate how they work with hot glass during hourly glassblowing demonstrations. The signature drink of the evening is the “Thankya!” Bourbon Punch. Enjoy eats from Russo’s Trucktoria. Make your own gifts: paperweight, flame-worked glass beads, fused glass jewelry or nightlight ($35). East Gallery presents its new installation: “Into the Mind” by Mark Witzling. Enjoy live music from acoustic rock and blues by Maple Jam Band followed by fiery feats by the St. Louis Fire Technicians.

Date: Friday, Nov 20
Time: 6pm
Place: Third Degree Glass Factory-5200 Delmar

Garden Glow: The third annual Garden Glow features a million lights surrounding visitors with a spectacle of unique installations amid some of the Garden’s most iconic locations. Enjoy interactive photo opportunities, traditional holiday music and festivities, delicious food and drinks and more as the Garden is transformed around you into a winter wonderland. This year’s Garden Glow includes expanded installations, more family photo opps, specially priced family nights, and Dine and Glow, a fixed-price menu of comfort foods served in Sassafras until 8pm.

Date: Nov 21-Jan 2
Time: 5-9:30pm
Place: Missouri Botanical Garden-4344 Shaw Blvd

Open Door Holiday Bazaar: 3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar Hosted by the Open Door Auxiliary Board will feature Star Wars Collectibles. Enjoy themed booths with photos with Santa, pet gifts, holiday merchandise, handcrafted greeting cards, baked goods, gift baskets, lottery tree, and Blues raffle tickets. Lunch will be available.

Date: Nov 21
Time: 9am-3pm
Place: Kirkwood Community Center-111 S Geyer Rd

13th Annual Fair Trade Market: The largest Fair Trade Market in the United States. The market offers thousands of handmade items including art, clothing, handcrafts, musical instruments, games, sporting goods, home décor, food, books, toys, jewelry and more from over 50 countries with an average price of just $20, live entertainment and food. In addition, the event will feature special giveaways, movie showings, scarf-tying demonstrations, family activities, food sampling, information on Fair Trade and some surprises.

Date: Nov 21 & 22
Time: 9am-3pm
Place: 129 Woods Mill Rd, Manchester

St. Charles

Treasure Chest’s Holiday Craft & Expo: The only 3-day Holiday Show in St. Charles County. This 8th annual show features over 150 booth filled with unique arts, crafts, gifts and more. Shop for home décor items; seasonal items such as wreaths and table decorations, hand-formed dough ornaments made by Santa’s Helper, hand-turned wooden salt and pepper mills, handmade decorative dish towels, flavored olive oils, delicious jellies, jams, and fudges, even Goose Poop! Shop for the kids: bows, headbands, toy cars and trucks, puzzles and books. There will be jewelry, accessories, clothing, quilts, skin care products, and much more. Free admission and parking.

Date: Nov 20-22
Time: Fri: 12-7pm, Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 10am-4pm
Place: St. Charles Convention Center

Illinois

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Celebration: A pre-celebration to gear up for the 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with some favorite larger-than-life characters: Angry Birds, Dino, Scrat, Power Ranger, Ronald McDonald, and more. Plus, head over to Macy’s for an afternoon of Peanuts activities, perfect for the whole family! Get creative at our arts and crafts table where you can color in your very own ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ coloring book.

Date: Nov 21
Time: 10am-9pm
Place: Macy’s – 200 St. Clair Square

Mills Apartments