ST. LOUIS — The ninth annual Winterfest by the Gateway Park Foundation opens Saturday at Kiener Plaza.

Popular attractions are back this season, including Chef Juwan Rice at the Winterfest Café, ice skating, Igloo village and s’mores stations.

“Last year more than 65,000 visitors came to celebrate the holidays with us in the heart of Downtown St. Louis,” said Ryan McClure, executive director at Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

“This demonstrates a key part of our mission—bringing free, family-friendly programming to the Arch grounds and surrounding areas like Kiener Plaza—and also, the event’s growth shows what we already know: Winterfest is now a St. Louis tradition.”

On Saturday, there will be an opening day celebration with a Winterfest 5K and a one-mile fun run/walk that takes participants on a scenic route through Kiener Plaza starting at 7:30 a.m.

Guests also can enjoy free ice skating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There also will be performances, vendors and the Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights at 5 p.m.  

A ceremony to switch on the Salvation Army Tree of Lights will take place at 5:40 p.m.

There will be a new holiday pop-up this year called The Lodge, where guests can enjoy a specially curated menu of seasonal cocktails and warm drinks, games, portrait opportunities and winter-themed bites by UKRAFT Brunch Café.

The Lodge experience will be located across 7th Street from Kiener Plaza at 701 Market Street. Tickets include a complimentary drink with proceeds going to support the Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

Guests can meet their favorite princesses and superheroes on Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, from noon to 1 p.m. They also can catch them at The Lodge from 1-1:30 p.m.

For those who like to sing, guests can sing “carol-oke” with friends and family on Dec. 6 and 31.

There will be a “Neon Nights” celebration on New Year’s Eve starting at 6 p.m. with a fireworks display at 8 p.m.

Winterfest’s will continue through Dec. 31. Operating hours are Fridays from 4-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. 

Winterfest will be closed on Dec. 24-25 and will reopen with extended hours from Dec. 26-31, with daily operations from noon to 8 p.m.

For a full list of events, tickets and parking information, visit the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s website.