When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn, Main Street Saint Charles transforms from a bustling shopping district to a holiday wonderland. From the twinkling lights to the fresh pine roping and wreaths to the thousands of handmade red bows, the stage is set for one of the most engaging holiday traditions in the mid-west. The stage is set for Saint Charles Christmas Traditions!
Welcome to a place where Christmas past and present become one, where storybook characters come to life before your very eyes, and where the typical hustle and bustle of the holiday season melts away and allows you to enjoy the yuletide sights, sounds, and magic of yesterday.
Welcome to Saint Charles Christmas Traditions. This month long festival features Santas from around the World and Magical Legends of Christmas including Jack Frost, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Ebenezer Scrooge to name but a few.
If you venture to Saint Charles during this magical time, here are your top 10, can’t miss experiences!
1 – The Santa Parade
Guests line Main Street to watch the as a cavalcade of Santas and Christmas Legends make their way to Frontier Park. Cheer and celebrate as your favorite characters come together and Main Street comes alive with the music, pageantry, and spectacle of this special event. Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm
2 – Los Posadas
On the first Saturday in December, the streets will transform for an annual re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s Journey to Bethlehem. This Spanish tradition will start with a candle-lit procession and end with Christmas carols around the Yule Log bonfire in Frontier Park. On December 3 at 6:30pm
3 – Candlelight Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
The cozy Chauncy House in the Missouri First State Capitol is where you’ll find author Clement Clarke Moore performing a special reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. With a cozy fire and musical accompaniment, you’ll have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30pm
4 – Window Shopping on Main Street
While you’re meeting and greeting all of your favorite Christmas Characters, be sure to take some time to window shop. Every inch of Main Street is decorated and the unique shops will inspire you to peek inside and find a treasure of your own. Shops are open late during the Festival
5 – Main Street Krampusnacht
Wednesday evenings will find a few of Santa’s naughtier friends on North Main Street. Krampus, the Mouse King, Belsnickle and even the Krampusnacht Wassailiers will be out and about to scare you into the Holiday spirit! Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm
6 – Land of Sweets Dance Party
Join the Nutcracker Suite as they twirl, tap, and taffy twist at the gazebo in Kister Park. Waltz with Clara or the Nutcracker Prince, show Drosselmeyer your skills, and learn some sweet moves from the Sugar Plum Fair herself. Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm
7 – Meet Santa’s Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen – now get the chance to meet some of their antlered brethren up close. Join the Reindeer Flight Instructor and a few of his special friends in the backyard of the Missouri First State Capitol State Historic Site as he regales you with funny stories about his reindeer pals. December 17 & 18 from 3 to 5pm
8 – Marshmallow Roast with the Legends of Christmas
If a chill nips at your nose on Friday night, take a walk to the Bike Stop Café to enjoy a Marshmallow Roast with some of your favorite Christmas Legends. Tall stacks of marshmallows (and even taller tales) will be shared around the fire. Fridays from 7 to 8:30pm
9 – Meet Jack Frost and His Icy Friends
Have you been given the cold shoulder from your favorite icy friends? Now is your chance to visit in person with the infamous Jack Frost, Susie Snowflake, and Snegurochka during their ice block party on Main Street. This hoopla is “snow” joke! Berthold Square on Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm
10 – Follow the Trail of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Immerse yourself in the sweet indulgence of all Main Street has to offer, explore the hard candy paradise at Sugar Cubed, delve into the decadent fudge at Riverside Sweets, bite into a super scoop homemade chocolate chip cookie at Grandmas Cookies, try an original recipe – caramel coated delight at Kilwins, or sip on a specialty coffee from Picasso’s.
For a complete listing of events, visit www.historicstcharles.com.
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