Schedule:

Opening day ceremony

Santa parade - noon

Parade route: 100 block of north main to the 400 block of south main, to the katy depot in frontier park)

Ring in the opening of the 50th season of saint charles christmas traditions® as all of the legends of holiday folklore join together to welcome victorian santa claus back to historic main street. Follow behind your favorite christmas traditions® characters as they come together for an entrance procession to frontier park where santa and mrs. Claus will cut the ceremonial ribbon, marking the official start of the holiday season. Note: the opening day procession route will go from the 100 block of north main to the 400 block of south main before turning into frontier park and proceeding to the katy depot for the opening day ceremony.

Tree lighting ceremony - 5 pm

Location: berthold square (200 block of south main)

Join christmas traditions’® iconic victorian caroling quartet, the cobblestone wassailiers as they lead the countdown to illuminate the official saint charles city christmas tree (decorated in golden splendor for the festival’s 50th anniversary)

Santa’s cottage - north pole distribution outpost #636 - 12:45 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: the historic katy depot in frontier park

The historic katy train depot in frontier park has been a saint charles landmark since it opened in 1893. But not many people know that during the holiday season, santa uses it as a special workshop outpost as he counts down to christmas eve. Mr. Claus wants to let you in on the secret as he welcomes you to become an “honorary elf," as you explore the workshop, get a glimpse of his busy mailroom, and witness the majestic reindeer hall of fame, where you can learn some of the stories of santa’s lesser-known reindeer (you know…the ones that didn’t have a red nose).

Photos with victorian santa claus - 12:45 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: the historic katy depot in frontier park

Enjoy a private audience with victorian santa claus in his parlor where you can share a christmas wish list, take a photo, and make a special holiday memory.

Oh christmas tree: the evolution of an icon - 12:45 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: the historic katy depot in frontier park

Perhaps no image is as associated with the holiday season as the christmas tree. For centuries these festive evergreens have not only provided a fitting place for santa to deposit gifts but have stood as a global symbol for the hope and meaning of christmas.

Journey to the historic katy depot in frontier park to experience “oh, christmas tree: the evolution of an icon,” an exhibit that will lead visitors on a gentle winding path through history as a forest of tannenbaums illustrate how trends and fashions affected the stylings of trees over generations. From the first illumination introduced onto pine trees by martin luther, to the mid-century modern flair of aluminum trees in the 1950s and 1960s, discover interesting trivia as you view international variations of this holiday icon, while celebrating famous depictions in popular culture (from charlie brown’s sad sapling to seinfeld’s “festivus pole”).

Holiday food hall of fame - all festival hours

Location: old post office plaza (100 block of south main)

Get ready for an education that is simply delicious as you learn the fascinating history and surprising facts about some of the most iconic holiday sweets and treats. From eggnog and candy cants to gingerbread houses and the ever-controversial fruitcake, you'll never look at your favorite yuletide refreshments the same way again.

Old fashioned hot roasted chestnuts - 12:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Location: the daniel boone statue (between the 700 and 800 blocks of south main)

Jack frost nipping at your nose? Travel to the daniel boone statue to enjoy the warm and toasty treat of fresh chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Revel at the entertaining antics and witty banter of our victorian chestnut vendors as they demonstrate the fine art of roasting their favorite holiday snack. For a nominal fee, you can enjoy one yourself—either as a tasty treat or as an old-fashioned hand warmer.

Sounds of the season: a celebration of caroling history - 2:30 pm

Location: the grand staircase of the old post office (119 south main)

It is said that the best way to spread christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear! Join the esteemed saint charles christmas traditions® carolers as they combine their voices for a special concert that will take audience members on a musical journey through holiday music history. Throughout the program (which will feature a lineup of cherished melodies), the carolers will provide narration that highlights the little known history and backstory of each song, leaving you with an even deeper appreciation for these holiday classics.

Battle for the land of the sweets - 1:30 pm

Location: old post office plaza (119 south main)

It nothing to snicker at - your favorite characters from the land of the sweets once again find themselves under the oppressive paw of the odius mouse king. After having recently attempted to invade the gumdrop mountains and the enchanted candy cane forest, reconnaissance information suggests that he has tracked the sugarplum fairy and the nutcracker prince to saint charles where he now attempts to bring the battle to main street! Finding themselves far from their cotton candy kingdom (and without their battalions of toy soldiers), our sugary companions search for new recruits for the reese-istance and find christmas traditions® festival guests to be the perfect additions to the move-mint! To prepare the new recruits, this whimsical trio will put them through their paces with a quirky boot camp... Before it's too late.

8 maids wassail tavern - 12:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Location: berthold square (200 block of south main)

Famous for their role in the never-ending “12 days of christmas” tune, these merry milkmaids have stepped away from their milking stools to open up a traveling tavern specializing in the traditional spiced cider known as wassail. Their tavern also serves as a mini-museum of holiday artifacts. Gaze upon their displayed curios and you may see some familiar items (such as drumsticks from the 12 drummers drumming…or a pear from the partridge’s infamous pear tree)

Piccadilly peddlers - purveyors of merry merchandise (festival souvenirs*) - 12:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Location: berthold square (200 block of south main)
*festival souvenirs also available at the tourism center (230 south main)

Looking for that special stocking stuffer or memento to help commemorate your visit to saint charles christmas traditions®? The festival offers a wide array of unique souvenirs and apparel that will help keep the christmas spirit going all year long! T-shirts, full decks of christmas traditions® character cards, festive pins and buttons, the piccadilly peddlers can help you select the perfect trinket for everyone on your shopping list.

Where christmas past comes to life - all festival hours

Location: tourism center, lower level (230 south main)

Celebrate a half-century of christmas traditions® history with an exhibit featuring costumes and artifacts from festival history. Watch a behind-the-scenes documentary of how the magic is created, and see a display of every character trading card ever produced.

Holiday history trail - all festival hours

Location: kister park gazebo (400 block of south main)

Travel the meandering path that lead around the iconic main street gazebo and learn the origins of some of your favorite christmas traditions. Additionally, you can take in a small exhibition that highlights some cherished holiday customs from around the world.