Featured Cultures at Lanterns 2025
ST. LOUIS, MO - USA
Located inside and outside the South Lobby of the Cabe Theater Building
Lanterns 2025 celebrates the vibrant history and the cultural institutions that make St. Louis great. Take a trip back in time to experience elements of the 1904 World Fair, including fair food favorites such as turkey legs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes. Families can play lawn games on our ball diamond paying tribute to the St. Louis Cardinals.​
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The St. Louis vista features a full bar where visitors can get any type of drink they like, with a special spotlight on Anheuser-Busch beers and the city's signature Purgatory cocktail. Toasted ravioli with marinara sauce and servings of ooey gooey butter cake round out the vista's culinary treats.
Immerse yourself in one of the world's oldest cultures when you visit our China vista! Sample Chinese cuisine favorites such as sesame chicken, beef broccoli, and chicken lo mein, along with vegetable fried rice, vegetarian egg rolls, and fried dumplings. Pair your choice of dishes with a Tsingtao beer or a shot of Chinese sake.
Local artists will be on hand to share examples of Chinese orthography, fan painting, and origami, some of which you can buy and take home!​​​
PORTUGAL
​Located on the concrete pad west of
Swan Lake, just past the theatre building (map)
Experience the sweet and spicy flavors and rich cultural traditions of Portugal! Here you can relax by the lake enjoying Fado music while storytellers share traditional Portuguese folk tales. Children can decorate their own Barcelos roosters and sardines, both of which are important symbols of Portugal's national identity.
Admire beautiful azulejos tiles and blue hydrangeas while sampling piri-piri chicken skewers, pão com linguiça, and pastéis de nata. You can pair these tasty treats with Portuguese tea or coffee, port or madeira wines -- or even Ginja (cherry liqueur) shots in chocolate cups!
AUSTRALIA
Located on the Green on the north side
of Swan Lake, by the lakeside pathway (map)
Crikey, mates! We've got a fun barbie planned for you at Lanterns 2025! Get your photo taken with our model of the Sydney Opera House or with an actor dressed up as Australia's famous crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin. You might even spot a crocodile floating in Swan Lake!​
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Enjoy prawn skewers along with grilled fruit and veggie skewers -- and be sure to try a slice of Lamington cake. Adult beverages include Foster's beer, Yellowtail wine, and Bramble cocktails. Kids can try Australia's signature Fluffy Duckling drink while they decorate their own boomerangs!
NEVERLAND
​Children's programming sponsored by
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
Located around the Butler Gazebo (map)
New in 2025, Neverland is a fantasy land for children of all ages designed around characters and stories from J.M. Barrie's classic story, Peter Pan. Get photos with your favorite Peter Pan characters in front of the set pieces used on stage in Wildwood's recent production!​
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You'll find kid-friendly treats here including "croc bites" (chicken nuggets), macaroni and cheese, and popcorn -- as well as Blue Lagoon slushes with candy topping and Tinkerbell's Magic Potion color-changing sour candy. Adults can sample blue coconut margaritas or Hook's Poison shots.
GERMANY
Located at the top of Butler Hill (map)
Get a taste of Oktoberfest in April when you visit the Germany vista at Lanterns 2025!
Butler Hill will be transformed into a German biergarten where you can enjoy traditional German folk songs and dances along with brats, soft pretzels, Dusseldorf mustard, and apple strudel for dessert.
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Adults can quaff their thirst with Hefeweizen beer and Jagermeister shots, while kids and adults alike will enjoy Diamond Bear root beer.
