With the title of best Christmas town in Missouri, it’s understandable that many people think of visiting St. Charles, Missouri, during the winter holidays. Yet the historic charm, including Main Street’s brick-lined, nationally registered Historic District, and fun things to do (starting with this list of museums in St. Charles) are here all year. The flavors, colors, and themes simply change with the seasons!
Here are some of the activities and events that make St. Charles a year-round destination, from spring’s emergence of patio weather and outdoor events to summer’s riverfront energy, followed by autumn’s colors and “spirited” festivals before a winter mix helps beat cabin fever.
Spring in St. Charles
Blooming trees and wildflowers renew interest in hiking and bicycling. Take on trails at the Weldon Spring Site, then head out for walks or rides along the 240-mile-long crushed limestone Katy Trail State Park that cuts through downtown St. Charles, MO, and Historic Missouri Wine Country.
Spring also brings the return of the St. Charles Market on Main (April through November). Enjoy browsing produce and wares from local vendors. While you’re out, be sure to swing by the area’s greenhouses and plant shops to pick up everything you need for spring planting. Or another way to spend a perfect spring day is out on the patio at one of the region’s wineries or one of St. Charles’ outdoor dining venues.
Annual outdoor events start with the St. Charles St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival in late April, and the Missouri River Irish Fest in May. The unofficial start of spring in St. Charles is Main Street in Bloom, an early-May weekend filled with floral décor, live performances, and activities, including a parade and maypole dance.
Summer Fun
St. Charles has summer activities for every interest, from playing a round of golf at one of the area’s stunning golf courses to kayaking the 8.7-mile-long Dardenne Creek Blueway to fishing one of 30 lakes at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. You’ll find many other outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, skateboarding, and more at St. Charles Parks.
Families beat the heat at splash pads, pools, lazy rivers, and water playgrounds at Blanchette Aquatic Facility, Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility, Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, and St. Peters Rec-Plex. Another delicious way to cool down is with ice cream from SugarBot Creamery, Riverside Sweets, or any of St. Charles’ tasty dessert shops.
Summer is also food truck season, and you’ll find them gathered for free summer concerts series as well as St. Charles’ largest annual summer events: Foundry Art Centre’s Block Party in June; Riverfest, the city’s Fourth of July Festival; and Festival of the Little Hills in August.
Fall in Love with St. Charles
Explore St. Charles coffee shops, breweries, bakeries and dessert shops, restaurants, and specialty food stores for food and drink featuring pumpkin spice and other seasonal flavors. Buy your own fall harvest ingredients at Farmers Market, or pick your own apples in September and pumpkins in October at Centennial Farms & Orchard. You’ll see orange, yellow, and red foliage as you drive through the countryside or along Main Street and the Katy Trail.
Fall is a great time to explore some of the historical places St Charles is known for, from the town’s role as the starting point of Lewis & Clark’s westward journey in 1804 to serving as the first Missouri state capitol from 1821 to 1826. Take a self-guided walking tour of St. Charles historic sites or book a guided Hit the Bricks tour.
Among special events that draw visitors to St. Charles each fall are: Saint Charles Oktoberfest; Legends & Lanterns®: A “Spirited” Journey Through Halloween History during three weekends in October; and Pumpkin Glow, an October shopping event along Main Street.
Winter Wonderland
For over five decades, the Saint Charles Christmas Traditions® festival has made the river city a holiday destination with Main Street transforming into a Dickensian winter wonderland through a blend of history, storytelling, and fairytale whimsy. Holiday activities also include shopping at local boutiques, the Merry Makers Market at the Foundry Art Centre, the re-enactment of the Spanish tradition Las Posadas, and the Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walk.
Beyond the holidays, St. Charles offers plenty to do throughout winter. Rejuvenate at one of our spas, warm up with a locally crafted hot beverage or a bowl of comforting soup, explore a museum, and experience the city’s arts and entertainment scene. January and February special events include the a fire and ice weekend with Fire Arts Festival and Fête de Glacé featuring sculptors turning blocks of ice into masterpieces, and Once Upon a Valentine®: Stories for the Loved & Loveless, a festival celebrating love and anti-Valentine’s Day sentiments.
Make Plans to Experience St. Charles Each Season
Use our planning tools to start designing your seasonal visits to St. Charles and subscribe to our e-newsletter and request a free copy of our Visitor Magazine for more information.