Last updated: November 11, 2024
It's holiday time in Saint Charles! Dive into our guide to discover all the seasonal events and activities. From Saint Charles natives to holiday tourists, this guide ensures you enjoy the festive spirit.
One of the highlights of the season is the St. Charles Christmas Traditions, featuring engaging characters in period costumes that bring the wonder of Christmas past to life. The Santa Parade is another festive occasion, showcasing vibrant floats and cheerful holiday music that captivates audiences of all ages. And the Tree Lighting Ceremony is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it marks the official start to the holiday celebrations with a stunning display of lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Community lighting ceremony with Santa Claus.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a community event where the city is illuminated with a spectacular display of holiday lights, kicking off the holiday season with Santa Claus in attendance.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Spectacular holiday parade with festive floats and live performances.
Watch over 60 beautifully lit parade floats, antique cars, bands, and walking groups travel quaint downtown streets. Join Santa Claus at the end of the parade for the tree lighting at the gorgeous Christmas tree at the corner of Main and Elm Streets.
Where: Washington | More Info: Holiday Parade of Lights
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa's reindeer and craft stations.
Join the Eureka Parks & Recreation Department for a festive celebration to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy hot cocoa, fun crafts, and entertainment on stage while taking photos with Santa's reindeer, the Show-Me Reindeer. Hot cocoa and cookie decorating are available, along with craft stations. Write your letter to Santa and place it in the mailbox; bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want a response.
Where: Eureka | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday celebration with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and festive activities.
Winter Wonderland in Ferguson, MO, features Santa, Mrs. Claus, Grinch Carolers, hot chocolate, and a vendor village with balloon twisting and lots of lights.
Where: Ferguson | More Info: Winter Wonderland
Large-scale holiday light display with local organization involvement.
Celebration of Lights is a holiday light display held at Fort Zumwalt Park in O'Fallon, Missouri. Each scene is designed and funded by local organizations, churches, and businesses. The event attracts more than 13,000 vehicles each year and over 10,000 individuals during the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll.
Where: Fort Zumwalt Park | More Info: Celebration of Lights
Interactive holiday light displays and festive activities throughout the museum.
City Museum transforms into a holiday paradise with dazzling light displays, specialty eats and drinks, visits with Santa, and storytelling with Mrs. Claus.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Weirdly Wonderful Holidays
Extended shopping and dining hours during the parade.
The Kimmswick Christmas Parade & Open House is a festive event where shops and restaurants stay open late, offering extended hours for holiday shopping and dining. The parade starts at 11am, making it a fun-filled family event.
Where: Kimmswick | More Info: Christmas Open House & Parade
International holiday customs and festive musical performances.
St. Charles Christmas Traditions is a month-long celebration featuring international holiday customs, Victorian carolers, and festive decorations. Guests can explore unique holiday traditions, meet international Santas, and enjoy a variety of musical performances. The event includes a Santa Parade, a Christmas Carol stroll, and sensory-friendly experiences.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: St. Charles Christmas Traditions
International delegation of global gift givers marks the parade's grand finale.
The Santa Parade is a spectacular event where iconic holiday figures march down Main Street, accompanied by carolers singing classic and modern holiday tunes. The parade culminates with an international delegation of global gift givers heralding the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via a horse-drawn carriage.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: Santa Parade
Interactive Dickensian affair with Victorian characters and settings.
Join Saint Charles Christmas Traditions for "A Christmas Carol" Stroll, where Main Street USA transforms into 1840s London. Walk in the footsteps of Ebenezer Scrooge and encounter memorable scenes and characters from Charles Dickens' classic. Collect six commemorative Chapter Cards retelling the tale as you experience the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: Christmas Carol Stroll
Musical journey through holiday music history with narration.
Join the esteemed Saint Charles Christmas Traditions carolers for a special concert that takes audience members on a musical journey through holiday music history, featuring a lineup of cherished melodies with narration highlighting the little-known history and backstory of each song.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: Sounds of the Season: A Celebration of Caroling History
Commemorative Polar Express mugs and sensory-friendly excursions.
The Polar Express train ride at St. Louis Union Station features beautifully decorated trains taking passengers on a journey to the North Pole. Interact with Polar Express characters, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and listen to a reading of the classic book. Santa Claus visits every good little boy and girl, giving them a magical gift of Christmas.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Polar Express at St. Louis Union Station
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
The Nutcracker at Touhill Performing Arts Center features a classic ballet with elaborate sets, costumes, and dancing, narrated by Tom Sudholt of Classic 107.3. This holiday tradition includes a condensed version for younger audiences and offers a variety of performances.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: The Nutcracker at Touhill Performing Arts Center
Classic tale of redemption presented in a family-friendly show.
A Traditional Christmas Carol is a heartwarming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring Mr. Scrooge's journey towards redemption in a way that remains true to Dickens' words.
Where: Florissant | More Info: A Traditional Christmas Carol
High-energy magic show with world-class illusionists.
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays is a mind-blowing spectacle featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions, dazzling audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays
Figure-skating performance of the classic holiday ballet.
The Nutcracker on Ice is a holiday show featuring a full cast of figure-skating favorites performing a 20th-year rendition of the beloved holiday tradition. The event includes a canned food drive benefiting the St. Louis region through Operation Food Search.
Where: Webster Groves | More Info: Nutcracker on Ice
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet features an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, creating memories for friends and family of all ages.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
Victorian Santa Claus in a historic train depot setting.
Visit the Historic KATY Train Depot in Frontier Park to meet Victorian Santa Claus. Explore his special workshop, learn about lesser-known reindeer, and capture high-quality professional photos as a souvenir of your visit.
Where: St. Charles | More Info: Photos with Victorian Santa Claus
Community parade with floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus visit.
The Belleville Santa Parade is an annual event hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville, featuring floats, marching bands, dance groups, and a visit from Santa Claus. The parade takes place in downtown Belleville, showcasing community spirit and holiday cheer.
Where: Belleville | More Info: Belleville Santa Parade
Underwater-themed holiday decorations and activities.
Scuba Claus is a holiday event featuring underwater-themed decorations and activities at the St. Louis Aquarium, creating a unique and immersive holiday experience.
Where: St. Louis | More Info: Scuba Claus
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and community engagement.
WinterFest in Festus, MO, features a full day of activities including Breakfast with Santa, craft and food vendors, face painting, balloon twisting, ice skating, inflatables, petting zoos, pony rides, and a decorated cookie challenge with age-specific divisions.
Where: Festus | More Info: WinterFest
Santa visits with children and pets, with no professional photographer.
Santa's House is a festive event where Santa visits children of all ages and their well-behaved pets at the corner of Main and Mill Streets. There is no charge for visits, and attendees are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items for donation to the Ozark Food Pantry. Cash donations support the JeffCo Shop Cop.
Where: Festus | More Info: Santa's House
Continental breakfast with Santa and holiday activities.
Join Santa at the Rec-Plex North Food Court for a continental breakfast, crafts, and Christmas carols. Enjoy pastries, yogurt, fruit, granola, juice, coffee, and hot chocolate. Kids can decorate their own donuts. Every child can pose for photos with Santa and his elves.
Where: St. Peters | More Info: Breakfast with Santa
