O’Fallon Decks the Halls

Ready or not, the holiday season is here. Whether you’re already in the spirit or you’re digging in your heels, it’s time to get started on planning your holiday schedule.  

Patch has rounded up some of the best holiday events coming up for O’Fallon residents. Which ones will you attend?

Laugh your way through the holidays. O’Fallon TheatreWorks will put on a production of , a comedy written by Mark Landon Smith. The play will be performed at , located at 100 North Main St., with performances beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2. Other 8 p.m. performances will include Dec. 3, Dec. 9 and 10. There will be two matinee performances at 2:00 pm on Dec. 4 and Dec. 10. Discounted tickets are available in avance by calling 636-474-2732, or at the , located at 2650 TriSports Circle. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors age 65 and up. Tickets can be bought at the box office the day of the performance for $2 extra per ticket.

Take a holiday tea. On Dec. 3, the Historic Heald Home, located at 1000 Jessup Drive in , will hold a holiday tea. Residents may attend for $15 per person, and non-residents for $18 per person. Advance registration is required. Call 636-379-5502, email mseymour@ofallon.mo.us or visit the city's website to register.

Celebrate the “reason for the season.” is hosting a luncheon it’s calling “Birthday Party for Jesus.” In addition to lunch, participants will be treated to Christmas crafts, pictures in the manger scene, a Christmas Wreath Raffle and the Christmas story, read by good old St. Nick. The event will be held at the on Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Tammy D. at 636-314-4590 or by visiting Our Lady's Inn's website.

Remember our veterans. The O’Fallon Veterans Commission will hold a Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony on Dec. 4 to honor and remember Americans who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The public is invited to attend this free event. Call the O’Fallon Veterans Commission Information Line at 636-379-5490 or visit the website for more information.

Shop kid-free. Need to get some holiday shopping done and don’t have a babysitter? The is hosing “Mom’s Afternoon Out” on Dec. 8 for kids ages six weeks to five years. The cost is $10 per child. Reservations must be received by Tuesday, Dec. 6. Call the Service Center at 636-379-0092 to register.

Offer a helping hand. Give back to the community by helping to feed the hungry. The Cornucopia of Care Food Drive is happening now and will continue until Dec. 17. Canned and boxed food, as well as personal items, are being collected at four O’Fallon locations, including the , , , and . If you want to volunteer to help with the food drive, contact the Volunteer Services Department at 636-379-5507, or by email at volunteer@ofallon.mo.is. 

Celebrate with lights. O’Fallon’s 19th Annual is a holiday lights display on a grand scale. It features traditional and whimsical holiday scenes along a one-mile route through the , located at 1000 Jessup Dr. No reservations are needed for a drive-through view. Visit the display from 6-9 p.m., Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday and from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The display will be open from Nov. 25 until Dec. 30. Admission is $9 per car, $15 per van and $1 per person for tour busses (with a minimum of $25 per bus.) On Tuesday nights, get special pricing of $7 per non-commercial vehicle. A portion of the proceeds is donated to local non-profit organizations. For more information, call Marsha Seymour at 636-379-5502 or email her at mseymour@ofallon.mo.us. You can also visit the city's website. 

Get VIP treatment. If you want to see the 19th Annual Celebration of Lights in style, consider making a reservation for a city train ride, sleigh hayrides or horse-drawn carriage rides through the park. Train rides, which must be reserved in advance, cost $7 per person, ages 12 and up, and $5 for kids ages one to 11. Infants under one year are free, but reservations must be made for everyone. Sleigh hayrides cost $100 for groups of 25. Call 636-379-5502 for reservations for city train rides or sleigh hayrides. Horse drawn carriage rides are priced from $10 per passenger to $175 for wagons holding up to 14 passengers. Private carriage reservations can also be made for $50 for two passengers and $10 extra for each additional passenger, up to four. Call Carousel Farms and Carriage Company 636-390-4403 to reserve a carriage ride.

Stroll your way through the holiday. If you’d rather walk through the Celebration of Lights display instead of riding or driving, you’re in luck. On Dec. 13, families are invited to stroll through the display. Participants can also join in holiday caroling, have pictures taken with Santa and enjoy food and beverages. Vendors will also be selling holiday crafts and unique gifts. A shuttle is available from the free parking lot. Admission is $2 for people ages three and older. Kids under three get in free. For more information, call the Office of Tourism and Festivals at 636-379-5614 or email msteinmann@ofallon.mo.us.