Saint Charles Christmas Traditions

Schedule:

Santa’s cottage - north pole distribution outpost #636 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 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 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 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 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 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”).

A christmas carol stroll - 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

After enjoying all of your favorite saint charles christmas traditions® programming on fridays, saturdays, and sundays, we welcome you to join us on wednesday evenings for a new dickensian affair, a christmas carol stroll. Behold as our main street usa transforms into the foggy lanes of 1840s london where you are invited to enter the world of charles dickens’ enduring holiday classic, a christmas carol. Become a part of the story as memorable scenes and characters hop off the page and come to life before your very eyes. Walk in the footsteps of ebenezer scrooge as you experience his adventures with the ghosts of christmas past, present, and yet-to-come firsthand.

Follow the path through the historic district as the plot unfolds. Keep a sharp lookout for surprises as you have run-ins with a variety of unique citizens of victorian england (including lamplighters, music hall performers, nineteenth-century toy vendors, and perhaps even her majesty queen victoria herself )

Old fashioned hot roasted chestnuts - 6:00 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

Covent garden - a victorian marketplace

Location: berthold square (200 block of south main)

To celebrate the by-gone era of 19th century english street vendors, berthold square has been transformed into “little london.” close your eyes and listen as the sound of sleigh bells and horse hooves mix with the playful banter of our cockney merchants. While here, enjoy a piping hot cup of traditional spiced cider, while shopping the unique array of sundries to commemorate your visit to christmas traditions® (whatever you don’t pick-up today, you can put on your wish list to father christmas…the traditional english gift giver )

8 maids wassail tavern - 6:00 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*) - 6:00 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.

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.