Drive through the lights without booking, or build a longer outing around a wagon ride, Santa photos, and a stop at Kringle’s. At Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Eureka, you choose how much to add.
We’re at Jellystone Park St. Louis Eureka, next to Six Flags, off I-44 at Exit 261. Our 2026 season runs every night from November 20 through January 3, 2027. Family vehicle admission starts at $35, with no advance ticket needed for the drive-through.
Which Holiday Things to Do Near Me Need a Booking?
Only the rides need an online reservation for your Kingdom outing. Start with these holiday activities for families, then choose the extras your evening allows.
| Time You’re Setting Aside | Choose From | Published Price | What to Arrange |
| An hour | Drive-through lights and the North Pole Mailbox | $35 per family vehicle; $40 Saturdays | Bring cash and your child’s letter; no drive-through ticket |
| Two hours | A shared wagon ride and the Snack Shack | $18 per rider, plus refreshments | Book a ride; bookings for two or more people waive vehicle admission |
| A whole evening | Santa photos, a handwritten ornament, or a Private Wagon | Ornament: $18.95; Private Wagon: $75 for the first two riders, then $18 each | Book the Private Wagon; check Santa dates and ask about photo pricing |
| Staying home | A personalized Letter from Santa | Compare packages on the order page | Order online and check delivery options |
These are time budgets for choosing activities, not guaranteed visit lengths. Allow for traffic, queues, and ride check-in before deciding what fits.
An Hour to Spare: Keep It to Lights and Letters
The drive-through and North Pole Mailbox make the simplest plan because neither needs an advance booking. Bring your child’s letter already written so it’s ready to drop off along the way.
You’ll drive through millions of lights across 35 acres, including the four-story Kingdom Doors and a Gateway Arch replica with its own light-show fireworks. Preview the Kingdom’s displays for a look at what you’ll see.
You pay admission in cash as you exit. The $35 family vehicle price rises to $40 on Saturdays, and both include tax. Larger vehicles, including 12- to 15-passenger vans, have a separate $60 admission rate.
We open at 5:30 p.m. nightly. Closing time is 10:30 p.m. through December 24, then 10 p.m. from December 25 through January 3.
If your evening has a firm cutoff, keep the plan small and leave room for delays. A weeknight outside Christmas week generally has fewer visitors than a weekend, according to our hours and visitor information.
Two Hours Set Aside: Consider a Wagon Ride and the Snack Shack
A ride adds a scheduled departure to your evening, so choose that time before adding anything else. Check the booking calendar first, since the lights stay open on dates when some rides don’t run.
The Shared Wagon and the Admission Waiver
The Old Fashioned Holiday Wagon costs $18 per person and gives you an open-air view of the lights. We provide blankets, and you can bring your own. Children ages 2 and under ride free on an adult’s lap.
Booking a wagon or train ride for two or more people waives your vehicle admission. Two $18 shared-wagon seats total $36, just $1 more than a $35 carload visit. Four paying riders total $72 before snacks or other purchases.
Public wagons skip nine December dates, including December 23 and 24. On operating nights, departures run every half hour until 10 p.m.
Through December 10, the first Monday-through-Thursday wagon leaves at 6:30 p.m. Friday-through-Sunday departures start at 5:30 p.m., as do operating nights after December 10.
The Santa Express for Train Fans
The Santa Express Train is another $18-per-person option, with seating three to a row. It runs Monday through Thursday from November 23 through December 10, departing at 5:30 and 6 p.m.
The train’s earlier seasonal finish matters if you’re choosing between St. Louis Christmas activities for a particular night. Our Santa Express train guide explains the ride in more detail.
Check In, Ride, Then Finish the Drive
Arrive 30 minutes before your ride, except for 5:30 p.m. departures, which have a 5:15 p.m. arrival time. Stop at the Gingerbread House after the first tunnel for parking directions, then check in inside Kringle’s General Store.
Rides leave on schedule, and we can’t hold them for late guests. Read the cancellation terms before booking: rides run rain or shine, with refunds only when we cancel for snow, ice, or another unforeseen circumstance.
The ride doesn’t cover the half-mile section of the drive-through route. Afterward, you can drive through the Kingdom to see that section and drop letters in the North Pole Mailbox.
The Snack Shack serves chocolate chip cookies baked fresh each evening, hot cocoa, coffee, pretzels, popcorn, and hot dogs. Budget for refreshments separately from your ride fare.
Check ride dates and book your departure before planning the rest of the evening.
A Whole Evening: Add Santa, an Ornament, or a Private Wagon
With more time available, choose the addition your family wants most. You can include a Santa photo or ornament without booking a wagon, and a private ride replaces shared-wagon seats rather than adding a second ride.
Santa Photos Through December 23
Santa visits inside Kringle’s General Store every night from November 20 through December 23. If meeting Santa is the main reason for coming, choose your date around that earlier finish.
We text the professional photos to your phone; printed photos aren’t available. Outside cameras and phone photography aren’t permitted during the Santa visit. Check our Santa photo details and ask about pricing before purchasing.
A Handwritten Ornament From Kringle’s
Our elves personalize ornaments by hand for $18.95 each. Choose from hundreds of styles, including family designs, and ask what wording fits your selection.
Kringle’s has no separate entrance, so shopping is for Kingdom guests. Choose your ornament during your visit rather than planning a separate shopping stop.
Browse Kringle’s General Store and save a few personalized ornament wording ideas before you come. Check names and spelling before the elves begin lettering.
A Private Wagon for Your Family
The Private Wagon seats up to 12 people and costs $75 for the first two riders, then $18 for each additional paying rider. Four paying riders total $111, compared with $72 for four shared-wagon seats.
That $39 difference buys a wagon for your group alone. It changes who shares the ride with you, rather than requiring another activity in your evening.
Private wagons depart every half hour from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on operating nights. Six December dates have no Private Wagon rides, so check its schedule separately from the public wagon calendar.
Staying Home: Send a Personalized Letter From Santa
A Letter from Santa gives children an at-home option when a visit to Eureka doesn’t fit. It also works for a child who lives too far away to join your outing.
Our letters include details you provide, such as your child’s name, accomplishments, and Christmas wishes. Choose digital delivery by email or a printed letter sent by mail, with Classic, Premium, and Deluxe package options.
Check the Santa letter timing guide alongside current ordering information, especially for mailed delivery. Then personalize your child’s Letter from Santa.
Quick Answers Before You Choose Your Evening
What Can We Do With a Short Evening?
At Santa’s Magical Kingdom, choose the drive-through and North Pole Mailbox for the simplest outing. Add other stops only if your evening allows.
Where Is the Kingdom in the St. Louis Area?
Santa’s Magical Kingdom is in Eureka, next to Six Flags at Jellystone Park. Take I-44 Exit 261, then follow Fox Creek Road to the entrance.
Which Activities Need a Reservation?
Book train and wagon rides online. For a drive-through visit without a ride, bring cash and pay admission as you exit.
What Should We Decide Before Adding a Ride?
Check your visit date, available departures, and required arrival time before booking. Count paying riders separately from children ages 2 and under riding on laps.
Can a Ride Replace the Entire Drive-Through?
Train and wagon rides skip the half-mile section of the route. You can drive through afterward to see that section and use the North Pole Mailbox.
Can We Combine Santa and a Wagon on December 23?
Santa visits on December 23, but public and private wagons don’t run that night. Choose an earlier available wagon date to include both activities.
What Happens if We Miss Our Ride?
Santa’s Magical Kingdom can’t hold a departure for late guests. Seats on a later ride aren’t guaranteed, so call if you’re running late.
How Does a Private Wagon Differ From Shared Seats?
A Private Wagon reserves the wagon for your group, while public-wagon bookings purchase shared seats. Choose between them based on privacy, availability, and budget.
Can We Visit Kringle’s Without Entering the Kingdom?
Kringle’s General Store has no separate shopping entrance and serves Kingdom guests. Plan ornament shopping as part of your outing rather than a standalone stop.
How Much Is a Lights-and-Wagon Visit for Four?
Four paying public-wagon riders total $72 at $18 each, with vehicle admission waived. Snacks, ornaments, and Santa photos are separate purchases.
What Can We Choose if We Can’t Visit?
A personalized Letter from Santa works for children who can’t visit Eureka. Choose email or mailed delivery, then check current ordering and delivery information.
How Do We Start Planning Our Visit?
For rides, check available departures and book online. For a drive-through outing, check hours and admission, then bring cash and your child’s letter.
Choose the Part of the Evening That Matters Most
You don’t need to fit every activity into one visit. When choosing things to do for Christmas, start with the lights and mailbox, then add a ride or keepsake if your schedule allows.
For a ride night, check available departures and book your wagon or train first. For a drive-through visit, check our hours and admission, bring cash, and head to Eureka.
Questions about your plans? Call 636-938-5925 or use our visit-planning form before you come.
