A Spirited Holiday Past at BCA - 12.05.26

Saturday, December 5 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Step back in time this holiday season at Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum!

Join us at the Historic Hotchkiss Chapel for A Spirited Holiday Past, a free, family-friendly day featuring refreshments, guided walking tours, historic holiday games, and a special presentation exploring the fascinating iconography found throughout Bellefontaine.

Stop by to enjoy refreshments and explore Bellefontaine on your own, or choose one of our special activities to experience even more of the history, art, and traditions of the season.

FREE ADMISSION — REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Registration Details:

• Admission: This event is free, but registration is required and attendance is limited to 300 total guests.

• Waiver Required: All registered attendees must sign a liability waiver prior to participating.

• General Admission: If you would simply like to stop by for refreshments and explore Bellefontaine on your own, select the Free General Admission ticket.

• Tours & Activities: If you would like to participate in a guided walking tour, Historic Holiday Games, or the Iconography Presentation, select the corresponding GA + Tour/Activity ticket option when registering. Your activity ticket already includes general admission, so you do not need to select a separate General Admission ticket.

• Space is Limited: Tours, games, and the presentation have limited capacity and require advance registration. Please reserve your preferred activity early.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• 10:00–11:00 a.m. — History Walking Tour
• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Iconography Presentation
• 12:00–1:00 p.m. — Iconography Walking Tour
• 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Historic Holiday Games
• 1:00–2:00 p.m. — History Walking Tour
• 2:00–3:00 p.m. — History Walking Tour
• 3:00–4:00 p.m. — Historic Holiday Games

ABOUT THE HISTORIC HOLIDAY GAMES

Have you ever wondered how your ancestors enjoyed the holidays in days gone by? Now is your chance to step back in time and take part in activities that made the holidays merry.

Our hosts from the Mourning Society of St. Louis will guide you on your journey into the past and share their knowledge of games enjoyed by generations before us.

ABOUT THE GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Each guided walking tour lasts approximately one hour and covers less than a mile of light terrain.

History Walking Tours will focus on historical stories, architecture, and iconography throughout Bellefontaine.

The Iconography Walking Tour will focus on the imagery and symbols engraved on different monuments and explore their meanings.

ABOUT THE ICONOGRAPHY PRESENTATION

Interested in the fascinating symbols found throughout Bellefontaine? Join us for a free seated presentation featuring some of the different symbols you may see within Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum and their meanings.

ABOUT A SPIRITED HOLIDAY PAST

Each December, Historic St. Louis member sites come together to present A Spirited Holiday Past, a special one-day celebration at historic sites, museums, and homes throughout the St. Louis region.

Participating venues are decorated with festive flair, with many offering special entertainment and seasonal activities, including costumed presentations, music, and more.

Join us at Bellefontaine as we celebrate the season while exploring the history, traditions, art, and stories that connect us to holidays past.

For more information about A Spirited Holiday Past and all participating venues, please visit the Historic St. Louis website or their Facebook event page.