West Newsmagazine 11-27-19

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November 27, 2019
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
St. Charles Christmas Traditions:
F orty-five seasons and going strong
CT_StCharlesMOCVB_19.pdf 1 10/31/19 12:34 PM
I ST. CHARLES CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS I 41
By JESSICA MESZAROS
For the past 45 years, the streets of Historic
Saint Charles have come alive with
the sights and sounds of the holidays for
the annual St. Charles Christmas Traditions
festival. The 2019 event has been
updated with new festive characters, entertainment
and music that will make visions
of Christmas past roar to life in the present.
Festival hours are: Opening Day [Nov.
29]: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesdays: 6-9 p.m.;
Fridays: 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m.-9
p.m.; Sundays: Noon-5 p.m.; and Christmas
Eve 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Opening Day: The festival kicks off
with the arrival of Santa, Mrs. Claus and
all of the Legends of Christmas at 11 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 29 at the Kister Park Gazebo,
400 block of South Main.
Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, Nov.
29 at 5 p.m. in Berthold Square.
Santa Parade: Opening Day, Saturdays
and Sundays at 1:30 p.m., South Main
Street to the Tourism Center [corner of
First Capitol and Riverside].
Santa’s Cottage: Gather in Santa’s
parlor at the Katy Depot in Frontier Park to
share Christmas wish lists and take photos.
Visiting hours are Friday, Nov. 29 from
noon-5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6
p.m.; Sundays from noon- 5 p.m. and
Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
“Oh Christmas Tree: The Evolution
of an Icon”: This free exhibit shows how
Christmas trees have changed through
the ages. Hours are Friday, Nov. 29 from
noon-5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6
p.m.; Sundays from noon- 5 p.m. and
Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at
the Katy Depot in Frontier Park.
“Twas the Night Before Christmas”:
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic
Site, 200 South Main Street.
[St. Charles Christmas Traditions photo]
[St. Charles Christmas Traditions photo]
Storytime With Mrs. Claus & Mother
Goose: Join Mrs. Claus and Mother Goose
for holiday tales on Saturdays and Sundays
at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
C
at the First Missouri State Capitol State
Historic Site.
M
Cobblestone Wassailiers in Concert:
Y
Features carols and music for all ages. Saturdays
and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Kister
CM
MY
Park Gazebo.
Land of Sweets GumBALL: Dance CY
along with Clara, the Nutcracker Prince
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and the Sugar Plum Fairy on Saturdays and
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Sundays at 12:30 p.m. in the Kister Park
Gazebo.
Krampus Karnival: Experience holiday
customs from around the globe as
Krampus and friends turn the depot into a
carnival mid-way. Wednesday and Friday
nights from 6-9 p.m. at Katy Depot in
Frontier Park.
Voices of Christmas: Enjoy the sounds
of choirs from across the region. Saturdays
and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. in the OPO Plaza,
119 South Main Street.
Meet Santa’s Reindeer: Visit and take
photos with some of Santa’s steeds on Dec.
21-22 from 3-5 p.m. at the First State Capitol
State Historic Site.
Chanukah On Main Street - Celebrating
The Festival Of Lights: Join in the
kindling of a Chanukah menorah, dancing
and a gelt drop Sunday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. in
Berthold Square.
Candlelight Processionals: The day
comes to a close every Wednesday, Friday
and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays
at 4:30 p.m. from the 900 block of South
Main St. to Kister Park.
Closing Ceremony and Santa Send-
Off: Bid farewell to Santa and Mrs. Claus
at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 24 at the Parade Stage,
1000 South Main Street.