Even if you’re not Catholic, perhaps you have driven down Lindell and seen one of St. Louis’ most unique edifices, The Cathedral Baslica. Also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral, it is a Catholic cathedral in the Central West End that was completed in 1914. In his new book published by Reedy Press, author John Gunther explores this glorious addition to the landscape of St. Louis — its history, architecture, and significance.

Operation Food Search is fighting an uphill battle to resolve food insecurity. The statistic is staggering: Nearly one in three children in the city of St. Louis doesn't know where their next meal is coming from. Leading the charge to make a dent in the hunger crisis, Operation Food Search is pushing beyond the traditional food bank model to tackle hunger with both urgency and innovation.

A development called Container on Vessel could dramatically change the volume of the area’s river traffic. Instead of shipping products from Asia to Los Angeles or New York and trucking them across the country, products can be unloaded at Gulf ports and put on specially designed vessels and bring them up the Mississippi to St. Louis. The project could take an already thriving port system to the next level. The all-water north-south trade lane that connects the Midwest to the lower Mississippi River from there goes to worldwide destinations.

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum opens Resilience–A Sansei Sense of Legacy. Told from the point of view of Sansei (third generation) Japanese Americans, the retrospective is an exhibition of eight artists whose work reflects on the effect of EO9066, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the forced imprisonment of all Japanese Americans living on the west coast of the United States, and the effect on subsequent generations. The exhibit is timely and of significance in present day America.

This January, Clementine’s Ice Creamery celebrates Veganuary, a global movement that encourages people to explore a plant-based lifestyle during the first month of the year. Whether guests go fully vegan or want to make more mindful choices, Veganuary is all about discovering delicious swaps that don't sacrifice flavor.  All month long, Clementine's Ice Cream will be unveiling new, vibrant dairy-free flavors. From refreshing sorbets to luxuriously creamy coconut-based scoops, there will be something to please every palate! 

For more than 40 years, a woman harbored a quiet dream about a piece of property in Huntleigh. She was in her 20’s when the yen began; by the time she was in her 60’s the dream became a reality. She and her husband closed on the desired four acre property in 2019 and found themselves standing at the threshold of creating something extraordinary. With the help of architect William D. Cover and interior designer Ken Stückenschneider, they realized a home in the St. Louis suburbs on land that overlooks rolling meadows and old polo fields that feels both brand new and at the same time as though it's been standing for a century. The new residence was well worth the 40-year wait for a dream realized. Learn more.

Chamber Project St. Louis kicks off the new year with DANCE BREAK: Fancy Footwork, an energetic, rhythm-driven chamber music program inspired by dance traditions from around the world. The concert takes place Sunday, January 18 in the Club Room (upstairs) at the Schlafly Tap Room, offering audiences an intimate, upbeat musical experience paired with great local beer and good company. A second performance featuring the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Dancers will take place at the university’s Dunham Hall on Wednesday, January 28th.

Happy New Year, connoisseurs of fine wines. Throughout 2026, we will sharing with you recent wine discoveries of globetrotting wine expert Vicki Denig. She will feature five recent standouts in each issue. As a wine and travel journalist, as well as a Certified Specialist of Wine, based between New York and Paris, she will detail the history and nuances of the vintages and let you know why you might want these gems in your cellar. Bonjour!

Recently, Kenny Scharf — one of the luminaries of New York’s 1980s East Village art explosion and a close contemporary of Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol — touched down in Midtown to paint a new mural for the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. For a few electrifying days, the alleyways behind Washington Avenue were transformed into something resembling a 1980s downtown NYC studio. Scharf called the mural “Kranzbergville For EVA” — forever, infinite, ever-expanding. Come with us as he creates this enduring work of art which will be seen forever on an edifice in St. Louis.

For decades, Bissinger’s — one of the oldest names in American confectionery — and the Abel family’s Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company have been guardians of that craft. Today, they’re doing something harder: translating hand-made heritage into modern growth, with a bold expansion plan that plants the St. Louis chocolate story in two of America’s most competitive arenas — Nashville and New York City. Hit the sweet spot by reading the whole story and seeing the treats that made them a household name.

As soon as the final bottle of champagne is popped on New Year’s Eve, more and more people are hitting the reset button on the booze and skip it New Year’s Day — in fact for all of January. Dry January is a popular New Year's resolution that started out as a short term detox whose purpose was to undo the excesses and indulgences of the holiday season. Today, for a number of reasons, although the month is cold, Dry January is hot. Everywhere you look it is trending with multitudinous ways do what alcohol helps most people do — unwind, connect with others, and have fun. Here we explore the trend that is catching fire.

As 2026 dawns, 5,280 circular Waterford crystal discs will fall from the sky on the ball in Times Square. Like fine Waterford crystal, 2026 rings in the fourteenth year that Sophisticated Living St. Louis has brought you the finest. Get a sampling here of what 2026 has to offer in the pages of the January/February issue of St. Louis’ leading luxury lifestyle magazine.

Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to a brand new year with this selection of family-friendly and grown-up special events throughout St. Louis. From West County to the Downtown St. Louis folks will be ringing in 2026 in style. Whether you’ve got little ones who want to celebrate at 12pm or you want to party till 12am, we’ve curated a list of special ways to do it. Happy New Year, everyone. May it be the best year yet.

The recent release of St. Louis Parks, 2nd Edition by NiNi Harris and Esley Hamilton is an exploration of how dedicated green spaces in the St. Louis have flourished and spread throughout the region since its founding. St. Louisans are rich with the gifts they have inherited from their civic ancestors. Foremost among these gifts are the public parks—city parks, county parks, state parks, and the Gateway Arch National Park. Although it is winter, the parks are still thriving with activity. Take a trip here.

The age-old question is here next week — What is there to do in St. Louis between Christmas and New Year’s?? What is there to do for winter break?? We’ve pulled together a mix of can’t-miss St. Louis activities perfect for families, students home from school, and anyone looking for indoor activities to escape the cold. Here’s a list of fun things to do for Winter Break 2025.

Missouri is now entering its third year of adult-use cannabis, joining a growing list of states where legal access has reshaped how people connect and celebrate. Cannabis is no longer relegated to counterculture – it’s become a modern lifestyle choice, embraced by professionals and wellness-minded consumers alike. No longer does holiday entertaining only revolve around a familiar ritual: a cocktail poured, a wine uncorked, a toast raised. Today, those celebrations are evolving. Cannabis continues its steady move into the mainstream, edibles and tinctures are emerging as a sophisticated, intentional alternative for adults 21 and over.

Just in time for Hanukkah 2025, the St. Louis Jewish Community Center (the J) successfully hosted it’s annual J’la gala at the Factory in Chesterfield, with a record-breaking 550 guests and over $600,000 raised. The gala honored Jane Tzinberg Rubin for decades of service on both the St Louis and North American JCC Boards, and Ken Rubin for his leadership role with local organizations the support the St Louis J. 

2026 is on the horizon, and many high-end St. Louis destinations will help you ring in the new year in style. From all-inclusive events, to sit-down prix fixe menu experiences, celebrate New Year’s Eve & Day with Champagne toasts, raw bars, prix fixe menus, and more at places ranging from the glamorous Ritz Carlton’s Lobby Lounge, to None of the Above, the speakeasy-style cocktail lounge located underground at City Foundry STL.

Privé Padel has brought the global movement of padel to America’s Heartland. Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Watch a match, and it's easy to see why: It's a frenetic pace with balls bouncing off the walls and players running everywhere. It’s a fusion of tennis, squash, and pickleball. Most padel courts are outdoors, such as the one at the Montauk Yacht Club on Long Island in the town of East Hampton. There is one indoor padel court at Padel + Pickleball Club in Olivette, MO. There are plans afoot by Privé Padel to pepper St. Louis and the Midwest with more courts.

Recently, two luxury concept cars were introduced to the world. Milan, Audi unveiled its Concept C, an all-electric, athletic, and minimalist two-seat sports car. Bentley Motors also launched its concept car, the EXP 15. See for yourself here the majesty of both of these fine motor conveyances in both still photographs and video. Find out why Audi and Bentley are providing a glimpse into the future of motoring.

While we are all scrambling to get our holiday decor, shopping, and menus together, what is on our bar doesn’t need to be an added stress. A few versatile spirits and mixers can transform your bar from a disorganized mess into a curated work of beverage art. Jennifer Brian, the self-proclaimed Cocktail Evangelist released her first book, Classic Cocktail Revival, this past September. Learn about tips here to create a home bar and drinks to ensure a happy holiday for all.

‘Tis the season for… GIVING. It’s time to open your pocketbooks and give back to those less fortunate. On December 2nd, St. Louis and the world did just that by celebrating #GivingTuesday 2025, the global day of unity and giving. If you didn't get a chance to help out on Giving Tuesday a similar way to help is through our Sophisticated Giving program. It is a conduit for the year-round spirit of giving in St. Louis and in sister cities where Sophisticated Living is published.If you are a subscriber, your 2026 register will land on your doorstep packaged along with your January/February issue of Sophisticated Giving.

The clock is ticking toward the end of 2025. Although precious few days remain there are still some ways that you can take advantage of the time that you have to save megabucks when it’s time to file in 2026. Although it may be true that you do have until April 15, 2026 for some things, with others you have until December 31, 2025. Following are some ways that you can take advantage of laws old and new brought to you by the Missouri Historical Society.

About 800 people attended Saint Louis Fashion Fund's annual "Speaking of Fashion" speaker series - in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis and Caleres - featuring globally acclaimed fashion designer Carolina Herrera Creative Director Wes Gordon The nationally recognized speaker series has featured American fashion legends such as Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg and the late André Leon Talley. There was also a special guest appearance by Supermodel, Super Entrepreneur and former St. Louisan Karlie Kloss.

Jim Slattery has had his own restoration, furniture design and fabrication business called Gilders Tip for almost 40 years. He is a master gilder, sign writer, and expert at the art of gold leafing. He creates impossibly beautiful precious metal into frames, signage, tabletops and liturgical furnishings. Learn more about his craft and his story here.

MR. BLUE SKY‍ ‍plays tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra, one of the greatest bands of the 1970’s and ‘80’s on Saturday, December 13th. They create all the majestic splendor that is the music of ELO, as the band was known. With a Focus on the band’s hits from the 70s, 80s and latest records, and mixing in selective deep cuts, Mr. Blue Sky produces the ultimate ELO experience. Whether you knew them back then, or want to discover the band that sold over 50-million albums worldwide, this concert will be a gift to your senses for the holidays.

More than 100 guests attended a special fundraiser on the Opening Night of Broadway's sensational hit "The Notebook, The Musical" at the Fabulous Fox. The event raised more than $30,000 benefiting three nonprofits - Memory Home Care Solutions, The Caregiver Club and Alzheimer's Association of Greater Missouri - to help raise awareness and vital funding to find a cure for dementia. See highlights from the evening here.

Brandon Benack, Truffles Restaurant’s long time executive chef, a master of hand-rolled pasta, is now making house calls. He shows up to your house looking like he's about to commit a crime. He’s got a gun case slung over his shoulder and a massive cutting board tucked under his arm. Fear not. That case holds his collection of antique pasta-making tools. That cutting board becomes the stage for the resurrection of centuries-old Italian pasta traditions that most people have never seen. He is the “pasta assassin.”

From ragtime and jazz to civil rights and community life, Mill Creek’s legacy comes alive through never-before-seen images and stories when the Missouri History Society unveils its Mill Creek: Black Metropolis exhibit, A Journey Into a Lost Community’s Legacy at the Missouri History Museum. It will run from November 15, 2025, through July 12, 2026. Focused on the remarkable, powerful, richly textured neighborhood, the exhibition will restore the long-silenced story of Mill Creek Valley, a dynamic, vast African American neighborhood that was erased yet never forgotten.