November

What: “Action/Abstraction: Pollock, de Kooning and American Art, 1940-1976”
When: through Jan. 11
Where: St. Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum, Forest Park
Information: (314) 721-0072, www.slam.org

What: American Royal
When: Throughout November, various dates
Where: Kansas City, American Royal complex, 1701 American Royal Court
Info: www.americanroyal.com. Full slate of events–including horse shows, rodeo, concerts, barbecue and more–on Web site.

What: Carousel of the Arts Festival/Gallery Walk
When: Now through Nov. 20
Where: Osage Beach, various locations
Info: (800) FUN-LAKE, www.funlake.com. A special event during the festival is a Gallery Walk at the lake, featuring 14 gallery or exhibit locations representing hundreds of artists.

What: An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City
When: through Dec. 30
Where: Branson, Indian Point Road
Info: (800) 831-4FUN, www.silverdollarcity.com. The park is open Wednesday–Sunday with favorite attractions, including “A Christmas Carol” theatrical performances, as well as new surprises, namely Frosty, amidst the glow of over 4 million dazzling lights. AAA members can purchase discounted tickets.

What: Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights
When: through Dec. 31
Where: Branson, The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead
Info: 417-334-4191, http://theshepherdofthehills.com. This 2-1/2 mile Christmas Adventure includes three-dimensional mechanical displays with themed music and story lines.

What: Holiday Wreath Exhibition
When: Nov. 21–Jan. 4
Where: St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Center
Info: (314) 577-5100, www.mobot.org. Admission: $8 for those 13 and older; 12 and under free. An exhibition of unusual, magnificent wreaths created by some of the area's finest floral designers.

What: Holiday Market
When: Nov. 21 and 22
Where: Lake Ozark, Lodge of Four Seasons, Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Info: (573) 365-3000, www.4seasonsresort.com. Approximately 70 artisans from around Missouri will be on hand for the holiday gift show.

What: 27th Annual Weston Christmas Homes Tour
When: Nov. 21–23
Where: Weston Historic Shopping and Dining District, 526 Main St.
Info: (816) 640-2909, http://westonmo.com/visit/main.html. Admission: $25 for evening tours, $10 for day tour, Groups of ten rates for Sunday.

What: Festival of Lights
When: Nov. 21–Dec. 31
Where: Springfield, downtown, various locations
Info: www.itsalldowntown.com. A six-week holiday celebration with activities ranging from musical performers and shopping to free fun for kids and adults. KIcks off the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ends by bringing in the New Year at First Night Springfield.

What: Handel's "Messiah"
When: Nov. 22
Where: Independence, Community of Christ Auditorium, 1001 W. Walnut
Info: 816-471-0400, www.kcsymphony.org. Performed by the Kansas City Symphony and Chorus with Community of Christ's 220-person Independence Messiah Choir. A 91-year tradition in Independence. Tickets: $10–$35. Performance at 8 p.m.

What: 38th Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Extravaganza
When: Nov. 22-23
Where: Cape Girardeau, Osage Community Centre and Show Me Center
Info: (573) 334-9233, www.capearts.org. More than 300 high-quality crafters will be on hand at two locations to offer their hand-crafted products. Tickets are $5 for both days, $3 on Sunday.

What: Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Concert
When: Nov. 24 and 25
Where: St. Louis, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd.
Info: (314) 533-7662, www.stlcathedralconcerts.org. Ticket line, (314) 534-1111, $20–$40.

What: Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House
When: Nov. 25–31
Where: St. Louis, Tower Grove House, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd.
Info: (314) 577-5100, www.mobot.org. See the Victorian country home of garden founder Henry Shaw decked for the season with wreaths, garland, floral centerpieces, greenery and a holiday tree. Younger visitors can look for old-fashioned toys hidden throughout the house.

What: Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov. 26
Where: St. Louis, downtown Kiener Plaza and St. Louis County Government Center, 41 S. Central Ave., Clayton
Info: (314) 436-6500, www.christmasinstlouis.org. Christmas lights are simultaneously turned on in downtown St. Louis along with a fireworks display and downtown Clayton for the official start of the holiday season. Holiday activities will be held at each location. Free admission.

What: Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights and Window Unveiling
When: Nov. 26
Where: St. Louis, downtown Kiener Plaza & Macy's in St. Louis Centre, 601 Olive St.
Info: (314) 641-2882, www.macys.com

What: Gardenland Express
When: Nov. 26–Jan. 4
Where: St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Center, 4344 Shaw Blvd.
Info: (314) 577-9400, www.mobot.org. Cost is $3 plus garden admission. Eight G-scale model trains traverse a mountainous landscape through detailed winter scenes in miniature.

What: Ameren St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade
When: Nov. 27
Where: St. Louis, downtown, Washington and Fourth streets
Info: www.christmasinstlouis.org. The Midwest’s best holiday parade kicks off at 8:45 a.m. with floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus.

What: Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov. 27
Where: Kansas City, Country Club Plaza, 47th & Central
Info: (816) 753-0100, www.countryclubplaza.com. With the flip of a switch at 6:45 p.m., over 80 miles of multi-colored bulbs illuminate the Country Club Plaza district as nearly 300,000 spectators applaud the start of the holiday season. Free.

What: Enchanted Village of Lights
When: Nov. 27–Jan. 1
Where: Laurie, fairgrounds
Info: (573) 374-8776, www.cityoflaurie.com. Twenty-seven-acre drive-through park with more than 200 exhibits. Free, but donations are accepted.

What: U.S. Bank Wild Lights
When: Nov. 28–Dec. 14
Where: St. Louis, zoo, Forest Park
Info: (314) 781-0900, www.stlzoo.org. Weekend light display. Admission $5, children younger than 2 are free. Park free on south lot.

What: Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov. 28
Where: Kansas City, : Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd.
Info: (816) 274-8444, www.crowncenter.com. The 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree, one of the nation’s tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Free. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

What: Christmas Parade of Lights
When: Nov. 30
Where: Cape Girardeau, Capaha Park to Broadway
Info: (573) 335-5681. Beginning at dusk, the parade of lights, music and floats will put you in the Christmas spirit.

December

Historic Homes Holiday Christmas Tour
When: Dec. 4
Where: St. Louis, Campbell House Museum, DeMenil Mansion, Cupples House, Eugene Field House, Scott Joplin State Historic Site and the Old Courthouse
Info: (314) 771-5829. Celebrate the holidays the way your ancestors did with lavish holiday decorations in some of St. Louis’ top historic, Victorian-era sites.

What: WinterFest Arts Festival
When: Dec. 5–7
Where: Springfield, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy
Info: (888) 476-7849, www.HammonsHall.com. Free. Shop and enjoy great music on four beautiful lobby levels-and don't miss the exciting performances in the theater.

What: Loop Holiday Walk
When: Dec. 6
Where: St. Louis’ The Loop neighborhood
Info: (314) 725-4466, www.visittheloop.com. Family fun with arts, crafts, children’s area, food, music, entertainment and more.

What: 25th Annual Cherokee Antique Row Cookie Spree
When: Dec. 6 and 7
Where: St. Louis, Cherokee Antique Row
Info: (314) 678-0161, www.cherokeeantiquerow.com. Six tree-lined blocks of historic homes and antique, collectible and specialty shops is transformed into a wonderland of festival fun with cookies for everyone. Carolers will court shoppers with traditional holiday song while street vendors offer hot cider and kettle corn.

What: Breakfast with Santa
When: Dec. 7
Where: St. Louis, The Magic House Children's Museum, 516 S. Kirkwood Road
Info: (314) 822-8900, www.magichouse.org. Reservations required, $18 per person. In addition to a special appearance by Santa, the event will feature pancakes prepared by the renowned flapjack-flipping company, Chris Cakes. The ticket price includes a complete breakfast of pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee as well as unlimited playtime in the museum, a framed photo with Santa Claus and a creative holiday activity to take home.

What: Springfield's Downtown Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 13
Where: Springfield
Info: (417) 831-6200, www.itsalldowntown.com. Pre-parade activities in Park Central Square.

What: The Magic House Expansion Grand Opening
When: Dec. 19
Where: The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum, 516 S. Kirkwood Road
Information: (314) 822-8900, www.magichouse.org. Admission is $7.50. The Magic House opens to its new 25,000-square-foot addition to the public.

What: Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits
When: Dec. 30
Where: St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd.
Info: (314) 577-5100, www.mobot.org. This contemporary African-American holiday centers around the feast table of the harvest. A Kwanzaa ceremony highlights a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays and authentic African drumming and musical performances.

What: First Night®–Saint Louis
When: Dec. 31
Where: Grand Center, St. Louis
A “Kaleidoscope” of colors, lights, music and dance unfolds from 6 p.m.–midnight on New Year’s Eve in Grand Center for the annual family friendly visual and performing arts festival celebrating the coming of the New Year. The celebration includes a variety of live music, visual arts, children's activities, outdoor light installations and grand fireworks displays at 9 p.m. and midnight. Grand Center is located on Grand Boulevard between Lindell and Delmar. Admission buttons will be available in advance starting Dec. 1 at local Borders and Dierbergs locations for $8 for adults and $4 for children. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 children on the day of the event. Children under 5 are admitted for free.
Info: Visit www.grandcenter.org and click on "shows and events"