Celebration of Lights Set To Light Up Fort Zumwalt Park Starting Nov. 25

The switch is set to be thrown on Friday, Nov. 25 for O’Fallon’s annual Celebration of Lights holiday lights display at Fort Zumwalt Park. 

The drive-through display is open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 30 but will be closed on Christmas, Dec. 25.  It features scenes designed and paid for by local organizations, churches and businesses.

The event began in 1991 and has attracted more than 8,000 vehicle each year, and as many as 5,000 people who have walked through it on a special Walk-Through Night. 

The display is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday, and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The display is closed to vehicle traffic on Monday nights.  Train rides are permitted on Monday by reservation only. 

The fees for viewing are:

• $9 for cars, $15 for commercial vans, $1 per person on buses ($25 minimum).
• Tuesday night special - $7 for all non-commercial vehicles.
• $1 off any regular admission with canned food (not valid on Tuesdays or Walk-Through Night).  

A special Walk-Through Night will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13.  The cost is $2 per person with children, age 2 and under, free.  No pets are allowed at this event.

Visitors may walk along the illuminated display route and enjoy holiday music, visit with Santa, fireworks and booths filled with holiday crafts, gifts and festival food. A fireworks display will be held at 7:25 p.m. 

Walk-Through Night parking will be at the First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, 8750 Veterans Memorial Parkway; O’Fallon Christian Church, 9380 Veterans Memorial Parkway; and at  O'Fallon Christian Church, 9380 Veterans Memorial Parkway. 

Special carriage, trade and sleigh rides are also available during the celebration by advanced reservation only.   Carriage ride fees are: 

• Private carriage reservations are $50 for two passengers; $10 for each additional passenger for up to four adults, or smaller families.
• Private wagons – $175 for wagons holding up to 14 passengers.
• Community wagons – $10 per passenger.
• Children 4 and under are free but must sit on a paying adults' lap.
• Call to ask about same-day community rides (subject to available space).

Rides are approximately 30 minutes. Riders are encouraged to bring blankets for extra warmth. Snacks and drinks are permitted on wagons, only. 

To schedule your ride, call Carousel Farms and Carriage Company at 636-390-4403. 

A credit card is required to hold your reservation; however you may pay by cash, check or credit card. A 12 hour cancellation notice is required. Failure to show up after a reservation will result in a credit card charge. Prices do not include gratuity for driver. 

The special 20-minute train rides are available only on Mondays only – Nov. 28, and Dec 5, 12, 19 and 26.  The time slots for the rides are 6:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. Reservations are required. The costs are: adults - $7; children (ages 1 - 11) - $5. To schedule a ride, call 636-379-5502. 

Riders are encouraged to bring blankets for extra warmth. Children under age 1 ride free. 

Sleigh rides will be available on Tuesdays and Thursday, except on Dec. 13. Time slots each night: 6 and 7 p.m. Reservations are required.

The cost is $100 for groups of 25 (including children seated on your lap). To schedule a ride, call 636-379-5502. 

Rides are approximately 25 minutes. Riders are encouraged to bring blankets for warmth

Each holiday season, O'Fallon businesses team up with O'Fallon's Celebration of Lights offers great discounts to drive-through light display visitors.

For more information about the list or the celebration, check  with the city of O’Fallon’s website at www.ofallon.mo.us or by calling the city at 636-379-5614. 

Directions to Fort Zumwalt Park:

From Interstate-70, take Bryan Road (Exit 216). Turn south on Bryan Road. Take a left at Veterans Memorial Parkway (South Outer Rd.). Drive 1.5 miles and take a right on Jessup Lane into Fort Zumwalt Park.