Schedule:

The santa parade - noon

Parade route: 100 block of north main to boone's lick and south main*

Weekends during the festival kick off with a special holiday treat as saint charles christmas traditions’® renowned santa parade brings pomp and pageantry to the historic district. Marvel at the spectacle as all of your favorite legends of christmas march right down the middle of main street. While you delight in the antics of your favorite holiday figures, the carolers will provide the soundtrack as they take you on a musical journey of festive tunes that span from classic victorian carols to holiday standards of the 1940s and 1950s. You won’t want to miss the parade’s grand finale, where an international delegation of global gift givers (each carrying the flag of their native country) herald the arrival of the guests of honor: santa and mrs. Claus (who arrive via a horse-drawn carriage).

Santa’s cottage - north pole distribution outpost #636 - 12:45 pm to 4:00 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 4:00 pm

Santa will be taking a brief milk & cookie break during the following times: (2:30 pm to 3:00 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 4:00 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 - 4:15 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

"T'was the night before christmas" readings at the first state capitol - 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Location: historic first state capitol (200 south main street)

Journey to the site of missouri’s first state capitol (where legislators met from 1821-1826) and join clement clarke moore (author of the classic poem a visit from st. Nicholas…better known today as 'twas the night before christmas) as he reads this iconic work that has become one of the classics of holiday literature.

8 maids wassail tavern - 12:45 pm - 4:15 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 - 4:15 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.

Time capsule activity - 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm

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

In celebration of saint charles christmas traditions’® 50th anniversary, join father time for the chance to write a message that may be placed in a time capsule that will be opened for christmas traditions’® 100th anniversary (in 2074 )

Candlelight procession - 4:30 pm

Procession route: 900 block of south main street to the 100 block of south main street (old post office)

As each festival day comes to a close, join all of your favorite global gift givers, legends of christmas, and carolers as they journey to the iconic old post office for a musical finale where you are encouraged to sing along.

Gingerbread village - festival hours

Location: main street church (116 north main)

Each year, talented individuals of all ages submit creative confectionary creations. Stop by main street church (116 north main) to see the dozens of entries that reflect this year's theme: "Game night." don't forget to vote for your favorite