From the depths of your imagination…from the creeping corners of the Earth…from the far-reaching fathoms of time and space…comes an adventure the scopes of which have never been seen before! Prepare to embark on a “spirited” journey through Halloween history as the most ghastly specters the world has ever known come to life before your very eyes (in dazzling 3-D and glorious Technicolor®). They have hopped off the pages of the history books and onto Main Street, but in this interpretation of their story, YOU are the star! Join us for the 10th season of Legends & Lanterns® in St. Charles this year.
2025 FESTIVAL HOURS
Sat, 10/11: 11am to 6pm
Sun, 10/12: Noon to 5pm
Sat, 10/18: 11am to 6pm
Sun, 10/19: Noon to 5pm
Fri, 10/24: 5pm to 8pm
Sat, 10/25: 11am to 8pm
Sun, 10/26: Noon to 5pm
1) Stand face-to-face with Legendary Villains from your favorite Fairy Tales
Enter the world of storybooks and mingle with iconic fairy tale characters like the Big Bad Wolf, the Queen of Hearts, and Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters this fall in Saint Charles.
Do you think you have what it takes to write chilling horror stories? Put on your writing cap and join famous authors, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, and the Brothers Grimm at Writers’ Block to write your own scary poem, haiku, or short story. Stick around, because at 2 PM, the group performs a 20-minute comedic show of an abbreviated history of your favorite frightful stories.
2) Greet Interplanetary Guests
We truly have some out-of-this-world visitors this year! The Martian Ambassadors have traveled all the way from the red planet itself to study earthlings and the effects of the plague on mankind. Luckily for us, these quirky visitors come in peace...or do they?
3) Meet the Creatures of your Imagination
They say that seeing is believing and you’ll get to decide for yourself that when you meet legendary creatures like Bigfoot, Mothman, and the Loch Ness Monster at Legends & Lanterns® in St. Charles. Catch these mysterious cryptids on Historic Main Street, and don’t forget your camera, this might be your only chance to take a photo before they vanish. Watch out as you explore, you never know when the Evil Queen, the Evil Fairy, or other infamous villains might cross your path.
4) Challenge Buccaneers to a daring, Swashbuckling Clash!
Avast, ye scurvy scum! After terrorizing open seas, Captain Hook, Anne Bonny, and an evil mermaid have set sail up the Missouri River, and established a port along Historic Main Street. These lawless scallywags don't always see eye to eye, and by their code, there's only one way to settle disagreements...by the sword! Grab a foam sword from their trunk and challenge them to a fight they won’t forget.
5) Take a journey through Halloween History
As you enjoy the spooky architecture and scenery of Main Street St. Charles and the Missouri River, make sure to stop at the 10 stops of our Haunted History Trail. This self-guided digital audio walking tour revels true tales of infamy, villainy, and the paranormal that have shaped the legacy of the historic district.
Discover the history of other spooky subjects at the gargoyle, carnivorous plants, and Salute to the Golden Age of Monster Movies exhibits throughout the festival. Delve into the 19th century at Morbid Curiosity: Mourning Traditions of the Victorian Age mini-museum at the KATY Depot to learn about the Victorians’ curious (and just plain weird) reactions to the loss of a loved one. Explore their mourning clothing, customs, and etiquette, and even learn how they used hair to create mementos in remembrance of loved ones.
6) Enjoy a Frightfully Fun, Family-Friendly, Fall Event
Whether you visit to shop and enjoy the history and ambiance of Main Street Saint Charles in full fall-mode, or for a spectacularly spooky, family-friendly experience with our Legends & Lanterns® characters, we look forward to seeing you enjoy Halloween in St. Charles at this year's festival!