Christmas sparkles each year in historic St. Charles, Missouri during our one-of-a-kind Christmas Traditions festival. While you’re making holiday plans, escape to an old-fashioned Christmas with storybook characters, Victorian Carolers, and Santas from around the world.

There’s no better place than Main Street during a Christmas festival for a holiday stroll with your loved ones. Underneath a canopy of twinkling lights, stroll a while. Duck into a shop or two for a little holiday shopping. Then, take a break at one of the many restaurants, dessert cafes or coffee houses. And if it happens to start snowing – even better!

Learn more about Christmas Traditions and start planning your visit by viewing our 2011 Calendar or the browsing the entire 2011 Festival Guide now. As you'll see, there are so many Things To Do.

Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule so you can have your picture taken with him! Stop by the Tourism Center at 230 S. Main each weekend to visit with Victorian Santa (order your photo reprints here).

Don’t Miss Breakfast with Santa where you can enjoy an up-close-and-personal visit at the beautiful Mother-In-Law House Restaurant.

Opening Day is Friday, November 25. Be here when Santa arrives at 11 a.m. and then stay for the lighting of Saint Charles' official Christmas Tree at 5 p.m.

As a special treat on Saturday, November 26 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. we'll have one of the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales (weather permitting) in the 200 block of N. Main. Bring the family for a special photo opportunity!

While you are planning your visit to St. Charles, be sure and view our Photo Album from past years and get a peek of what to expect.

And when Santa has to leave on Christmas Eve, join us for the Santa Send-Off at 1:30 p.m. We’ll bid Santa goodbye during this last parade of the season and wish him the best as he heads back to the North Pole.