Last updated: November 11, 2024
Enjoy the magic of the holidays in Wasco with our detailed guide. From longtime Wasco inhabitants to curious tourists, our guide offers something for every festive soul.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of St. Charles Christmas Traditions, where you can experience beautifully decorated streets and characters from classic holiday tales. With festive crafts and local vendors, the St. Charles Holiday Homecoming showcases the charm of the season with unique gifts and community spirit. And you definitely don't want to miss Christkindlmarket, a delightful celebration inspired by the traditional German market, featuring authentic food and handmade items. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Wasco Holiday Light Displays
St. Charles Holiday Homecoming
- What to Expect
- Spectacular holiday light displays and festive community activities.
- Description
- St. Charles Holiday Homecoming is a two-day event featuring the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony, a free holiday movie screening, and the Electric Christmas Parade. Enjoy lighted photo opportunities and visit Santa's House throughout the holiday season.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : St. Charles Holiday Homecoming
Lighting of the Lights Ceremony
- What to Expect
- Community-driven lighting ceremony with a special guest from the North Pole.
- Description
- The Lighting of the Lights Ceremony is a festive event where the community comes together to kick off the holiday season with a spectacular display of holiday lights in the 1st Street Plaza.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Lighting of the Lights Ceremony
Holiday Photo Opportunities
- What to Expect
- Lighted photo installations throughout the holiday season.
- Description
- Brighten up your holiday season with our lighted photo opportunities at the Municipal Building. Snap a photo for your family Christmas card and tag @stcalliance and @travelstcharles.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Holiday Photo Opportunities
Wasco Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
- What to Expect
- Authentic German-style holiday market with live performances and unique shopping.
- Description
- The Christkindlmarket Aurora is a traditional German-style holiday market at RiverEdge Park, offering unique shopping, family-friendly events, and intercultural activities. Visitors can enjoy live performances, international and local vendors, and a variety of festive activities.
- Where
- Aurora | More Info : Christkindlmarket
Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show
- What to Expect
- Handcrafted items in a festive holiday setting.
- Description
- The Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show at the Prairie Events Center in Kane County Fairgrounds features handmade arts and crafts, including jewelry, photography, paper crafts, and unique apparel. The event is filled with lighted trees, Christmas music, and an antique sleigh, creating a warm country Christmas atmosphere. Whimsical folk art and holiday-themed items like homemade soup mixes and handmade soap are also showcased.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show
Wasco Holiday Shows and Entertainment
St. Charles Christmas Traditions
- What to Expect
- Blending storytelling, history, and fairy tale whimsy in a festive celebration.
- Description
- St. Charles Christmas Traditions is a festive celebration blending storytelling, history, and fairy tale whimsy. Guests are welcomed into a world of yuletide nostalgia and fantasy where reindeer fly, sugarplums dance, and international ambassadors share unique holiday customs. The event features a holiday feast for all senses, including genuine hot-roasted chestnuts, pageantry, and timeless Christmas melodies. Main Street is transformed into a festive district with unique displays and endless opportunities to find the perfect gift. Wednesday evenings bring Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to life with a stroll through 1840s London.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : St. Charles Christmas Traditions
Santa Parade
- What to Expect
- Iconic procession of holiday figures with international Santa ambassadors.
- Description
- The Santa Parade is a spectacular procession featuring beloved holiday figures, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, marching down historic Main Street. The event is accompanied by Victorian carolers singing timeless melodies and an international delegation of global Santa figures dressed in cultural attire from their home countries.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Santa Parade
Wasco Other Holiday Activities
Electric Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Spectacular holiday parade with lighted floats and Santa Claus.
- Description
- The Electric Christmas Parade in St. Charles features beautifully lighted parade floats, high school marching bands, and a special guest, Santa Claus, as it travels down Main Street between 6th Street and 4th Avenue.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Electric Christmas Parade
Santa's House
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday experience with Santa Claus.
- Description
- Visit Santa's House to drop off letters, share holiday gift wish lists, and take pictures with Santa Claus.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Santa's House
Candlelight Procession
- What to Expect
- Historic candlelit procession reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey.
- Description
- Join the candlelit procession along South Main Street in St. Charles as Mary and Joseph seek shelter, symbolizing their journey to Bethlehem. The event features readings, carols, and the lighting of a yule log, preserving a centuries-old tradition that began in the mid-1970s.
- Where
- St. Charles | More Info : Candlelight Procession