The St. Louis weekend events guide for Thanksgiving weekend: Thursday, November 26th through Sunday, November 29th, 2015. Have a great holiday! For info on Thanksgiving Eve events aka “Blackout Wednesday”, check here.

Small Business Saturday: The annual holiday shopping tradition where neighborhoods rally together to support local small businesses. Many small businesses participate with discounts and special offerings. Check for participating companies in the St. Louis and surrounding areas here: Small Business Saturday, and shop small this Saturday.

Date: Nov 28
Time: All day
Place: Participating businesses

Downtown

Guns ‘n Hoses: The 29th annual event features boxing and mixed martial arts matches between police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel from Missouri and Illinois. The event benefits The BackStoppers, a nonprofit organization that assists families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. Ticket prices for the 2015 Guns ‘N Hoses event are $35, $25 and $15.

Date: November 25
Time: 6-10pm
Place: Scottrade Center

Hungry Turkey 5K Run: Kick off Thanksgiving Day while eliminating the guilt of gobbling up yummy eats later in the day. A first-class, chip-timed event, The Hungry Turkey is run in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. The Hungry Turkey features quality hooded sweatshirts for all participants, age group awards and prizes for beating The Hungry Turkey. The event also raises funds for a local charity during the holiday season. Registration is $42. Get a $5 coupon by donating 5 canned goods at any Big River Running Company store. The post-race awards are at 8:30am followed by the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Date: November 26
Time: 7:30am
Place: Market and 16th

Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade is in its 31st year. Over 130 parade units are expected, including musical floats and displays, giant helium balloon figures, animal units, restored antique cars and firetrucks, and marching bands from around the St. Louis region. As always, Santa Claus will be present to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas at the end of the parade.

Date: Nov 26
Time: 8:45am
Place: 7th and Market – West on Market

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

Quilt National 2015: Quilt National fans from throughout the Midwest will experience 39 exquisite quilts from around the world. One Missouri artist is featured, long-time Quilt National veteran Springfield’s Pam RuBert, known for her whimsical, cartoon-style quilts. As Safe Connections’ most established event, Quilt National will continue to directly support services to reduce the impact and incidence of domestic and sexual violence. Proceeds benefit Safe Connections’ programs and services. Admission is $10 at the door.

Date: Nov 27 & 28
Time: 10am-3pm, 11am-7pm
Place: Peabody Opera House-1400 Market St

Blues vs Blue Jackets: With a 1-3 loss to the Blue Jackets in the away game, the Blues come home to play them in the final game of November. Come out for the holiday weekend and support St. Louis hockey. Tickets start at $39.

Date: Nov 28
Time: 7pm
Place: Scottrade Center

Central

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

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 27 & 28
Time: 9am-3pm
Place: 129 Woods Mill Rd, Manchester

Holidays in The Loop: Celebrate the season in the Delmar Loop with free, family-friendly activities. Shop small businesses on Saturday and listen to the sounds of the Victorian Carolers Quartet and hang out with Jack Frost and the elves. From 2-4:30, a Budweiser Clydesdale will be at Fitz’s Root Beer. Take pictures and then enjoy the tree lighting ceremony at 4:30pm.

Date: Nov 28 – Dec 19
Time: 12-4:30pm
Place: Delmar Loop

West County

16th Annual Chesterfield Turkey Trot: The Annual Chesterfield Turkey Trot is a great way to spend time with family and exercise before the big meal so you can really indulge! Start Thanksgiving Day the right way and sign up for the 5K or 1K Kids Fun Run. 5K RUN at 8:30am is for all ages. Long sleeve t-shirts are available to the first 3,500 registrants. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers and to the top three males and females each age group. $29 through the 24th or $35 on race day. The Kids Fun Run is at 9:30am. Trophies will be given to the top boy and girl to place. All kids will receive a participation medal at the end of the race. Registration is $11.

Date: Nov 26
Time: 8:30am
Place: Chesterfield Amphitheater

St. Charles

Christmas Traditions: This annual month long festival celebrates the best of the holiday season. From the boisterous cheer of our legendary Christmas figures and joyful singing of our harmonious carolers, to the unique shopping and dining opportunities found along the festively decorated brick lined streets, Christmas Traditions offers something special for everyone. Enjoy chestnut roasters, the Holiday Kissing Ball, Santa’s Cottage, a GingerBread Contest, and Christmas photo shops.

Date: Nov 27-Dec 24
Time: Fri: 6:30pm – 9pm, Sat: 11am-9pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Place: Main St, St. Charles

Illinois

Belleville’s Chriskindlmarkt & Santa Parade: This Christmas Market, on the City’s main market square, next to the famous fountain dates back to the mid-16th Century. The Market is officially opened by Belleville’s own Christkind. Enjoy live music from Vibraphone on the 27th from 4-6pm and Sunshine Boys from 7-9pm. And Uber Cool will perform from 7-9pm on Nov 28th. Belleville Holzschnitzer Woodcarving Club Demonstration held Saturday, November 28 from 10am-4:00pm. There will be food and retail vendors, a kids scavenger hunt to find Gustav. Visit Santa-Opening Day is Nov 27. Visit Santa from 1-4pm. At 6:00pm the Sing-a-Long begins with caroling and the official turning on of the downtown lights with Mayor Mark Eckert. Santa Claus will then make his appearance to greet everyone before returning to his house to visit with children approximately from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The Santa parade will begin at 17th and Main Street and will proceed east on Main Street to Forest Avenue at 10am.

Date: November 27
Time: 8am
Place: Main St – Downtown Belleville

For more info on holiday light displays now open, click here: Holiday Lights in St. Louis.

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