Light Up the Square
+ Pet Parade
Mark Your Calendars for 2026 and get a jump start on the costumes!
Lafayette Square James “Jim” King Pet Parade * Saturday, December 5, 2026
Costumes are strongly encouraged — for both pets and humans!
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
- Best Homemade Costume
- Most Holiday Spirit Costume
- Most Original Costume
- Best Group Costume
- Best St. Louis Representation
- Grand Prize Winner – receives a special surprise!
A rich history.
Lafayette Square is one of St. Louis’s most vibrant historic neighborhoods, known for its restored Victorian homes and Lafayette Park, the city’s oldest public park, established in 1836. Once a post–Civil War enclave for St. Louis’s elite, the area declined after the 1896 tornado but was revitalized beginning in the 1970s when residents launched preservation efforts. Designated the city’s first historic district in 1972, Lafayette Square today blends architectural beauty, community spirit and a deep connection to St. Louis’s past.
