Welcome to the place where Christmas past comes to life!
Wonder. Memories. Tradition. With a history full or pioneers, early legislators, and adventurers, Saint Charles, Missouri also has the distinction of being one of the must-see holiday destinations in the country. For half a century, visitors from around the world have flocked to this quaint river city for a blast of yuletide nostalgia. One month out of every year, the Saint Charles Christmas Traditions® festival transforms their Main Street, U.S.A. into a Dickensian winter wonderland with a unique blend of history, storytelling and fairytale whimsy. Amid the soft glow of gas lamps, the young (and young at heart) can traverse the brick streets to experience a truly one of a kind holiday adventure where chestnuts roast on an open fire, sugarplums dance in your head, and an array of international ambassadors share their cherished holiday customs from around the globe.
The History of Saint Charles Christmas Traditions®
The early origins of the festival can be traced back to 1975 when historian and preservationist Archie Scott used a sled to pull a Yule log down Main Street. Accompanied by other merchants and residents, a bonfire was kindled as carols were sung and wishes for a merry Christmas were exchanged.
And from these humble beginnings, Christmas Traditions® was born.
Known then simply as "the Christmas Walk," the first few years were not a public spectacle, but rather an intimate celebration intended for the merchants and families who called Main Street home. But what was created was special, and it didn't take long for some of the celebrants of "the Christmas Walk" to start exploring the idea of opening it up to the public.
In the early 1980s, the event began to change and expand. The "Christmas Walk" became "Las Posadas" (an old Spanish tradition that recreated Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem with a candlelight procession down Main Street).
As the Saint Charles Christmas festivities entered their second decade, the event received its most iconic element - characters! Collectively known as the "Legends of Christmas," these iconic figures from history, literature and folklore helped to create the immersive experience that visitors still enjoy to this day.
As the years went on, carolers and additional characters were added to the ever-growing programming of what was now known as “Saint Charles Christmas Traditions®.” In 2010, producing responsibilities for the festival transferred to the Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau, where the hardworking tourism staff expanded attractions and increased the visibility of the event, drawing a new audience from throughout the region, across the country, and around the world.
In 2024, Saint Charles Christmas Traditions® commemorated its 50th season, which culminated in being declared the “Merriest Main Street in America” by NBC’s Today Show.
What started as an intimate gathering to pull a Yule log down the street, today draws a quarter of a million people to this historic district each season to witness first-hand the unique holiday entertainment that can only be experienced in Saint Charles, Missouri.
