Inspired by the rolling landscape surrounding the city, French Canadian explorer Louis Blanchette named the settlement Les Petites Côtes (“The Little Hills”) when he founded St. Charles. Today, that history lives on through the Festival of the Little Hills, a free three-day arts and crafts fair celebrating the city's heritage. Since 1971, the festival has brought hundreds of vendors, live music, delicious food, and family-friendly entertainment to the historic district. Organized by a volunteer Board of Directors, the festival continues to bring the community together while welcoming visitors from across the region.
When is the Festival of the Little Hills?
This festival is held annually in late August on Historic Main Street and in Frontier Park. Here are the dates for 2026:
Friday, August 21, from 4 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, August 22, from 9 AM to 10 PM
Sunday, August 23, from 9 AM to 4 PM
Explore 300+ Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors
The Festival of the Little Hills is a true treasure trove of home décor, handcrafted gifts, and everything in between. Over 300 arts and crafts vendors line Main Street from end to end, spilling out into Frontier Park. Plan to spend lots of time seeing all the booths, and don’t forget a bottle of water to help with the heat!
You won’t go hungry at the Festival of the Little Hills. Dozens of food and drink vendors are set up amongst the arts and crafts vendors, selling summer favorites like walking tacos, ice cream sandwiches, hamburgers, fresh lemonade, and more. Most of the food and beverage stands are run by local not-for-profit organizations who earn money to support their missions.
In addition to supporting not-for-profits, the Festival of the Little Hills Board of Directors awards at least five $1,000 scholarships every year to high school seniors in St. Charles through a scholarship application process.
Live Music, Entertainment, & Historic Demonstrations
As if over 300 arts & crafts vendors weren’t enough, there are plenty of things to do at the Festival of the Little Hills. Two stages in Frontier Park bring lively entertainment all festival long. Catch acts such as Jam: The Jackson/Mars Experience, 88 Keyz’ dueling pianos, Just in Time, the Biscuits, and more. Bring a lawn chair, find a shady spot, and enjoy the music.
Make your way to the banks of the Missouri River and step back in time with living history experiences that bring St. Charles' past to life. Explore the Lewis & Clark encampment and keelboat showcase, watch skilled blacksmiths at work, and meet Daniel and Rebecca Boone impersonators for a glimpse into daily life in the early 1800s. Visitors can also enjoy a display of historic machinery presented by the Illinois-Missouri Tractor & Engine Club.
Family-Friendly Activities for Kids
The Festival of the Little Hills is a family-friendly festival. Families can head to the Kids Korner at the north end of Frontier Park, where children can enjoy interactive activities, bounce houses, and plenty of opportunities for fun throughout the day. The Circus Kaput on North Main Street features juggling, circus tricks, magic shows, fire shows, and cowboy tricks all weekend long for the young and young at heart.
Parking and Shuttle Information
Free parking is available along Riverside Drive, in the parking lot at Riverside Drive and First Capitol Drive, the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum parking lot, and the City Hall parking garage. Free shuttles are available from locations throughout the city including Duchesne High School, St. Charles West High School, and EPC – Executive Personal Computers.
Plan Your Visit
Make your visit to the Festival of the Little Hills a weekend getaway to St. Charles. Browse hundreds of artisan vendors and enjoy live music on picturesque Main Street and Frontier Park. Stay at a nearby guest house or hotel within walking distance of the festival, convenient for dropping off your festival finds throughout the day.
When you need a break from being on your feet, refuel at Main Street’s restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, and cafes, offering a cool escape from the summer heat and a delicious bite to eat. Explore Main Street’s boutiques and shops for even more treasures.
Request a free copy of our Visitors Magazine and subscribe to our e-newsletter for the latest information on how to make the most of your visit to Saint Charles.