Annual Events in St Charles MO
Festivals in the St. Charles County area are an eclectic mix of the traditional, historic and delightfully offbeat. From Oktoberfest and Riverfest to St. Louis Renaissance Fair and the growing Legends & Lanterns Halloween fest, there’s no shortage of entertainment throughout the year.
St. Charles Riverfest
You know it’s summer when St. Charles Riverfest rolls around. The festival, which takes place around the Independence Day holiday, is highlighted by a July 4 parade. It also includes food, beverage and product vendor booths, fireworks and live music at night.
Festival of the Little Hills
Crafts, specialty food and entertainment fill historic Main Street and Frontier Park in St. Charles for three days every August during the Festival of the Little Hills, also known as Fête des Petites Côtes. Hundreds of crafters and free shuttles are on hand for this popular event. The Festival of the Little Hills Scholarship Foundation awards multiple $1,000 scholarships annually.
St. Louis Renaissance Faire
Jousting knights, interactive characters and comedy, music and magic performances are some of the highlights of the St. Louis Renaissance Faire, a longstanding event that brings the adventure, excitement and spirit of the renaissance to life. Set in a wooded, 16th-century French village called Petit Lyon, the festival also includes village shops with crafts and artisan demonstrations. For kids, there’s also a petting zoo, games and free activities, while adults can enjoy beer and wine at three pubs.
Daniel Boone Homebrew Festival
The historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park in Defiance is the venue for a celebration of local brewers. Guests 21 years and older are invited to enjoy beer samples, live music and food for purchase.
Celebrate St. Peters
Each September, Celebrate St. Peters features a variety of activities, including bands, carnival rides, games, craft booths, free kids’ activities, fireworks and vendors. The event includes a race around the lake at 370 Lakeside Park, as well as a fun run/walk.
Oktoberfest
St. Charles Oktoberfest takes place during the traditional September time period in beautiful Frontier Park off Riverside Drive, sandwiched between the Missouri River and the downtown. Visitors can view or participate in a parade, brat-eating contest, charity walk, wiener dog race, fun run and vintage car show. Bands from Germany as well as local musicians provide entertainment.
Legends & Lanterns: a “Spirited” Journey through Halloween History
During the three weekends preceding Halloween, historic Main Street in downtown St. Charles is taken over by “playful paranormal poltergeists from parts unknown,” according to festival organizers. Witches and ghouls will offer tricks more than treats, however, and are out for fun during this fast-growing festival that turns St. Charles into a ghost town. The festival provides the vintage charm from Halloweens past, from the early 1900s, to the historical customs of the Druids and Victorians, to the ethereal depictions of American ghost stories and Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The festival features scarecrows, hayrides through history and ghostly guests on historic Main Street.
Blessing of the Fleet/Parade of Boats
This annual boat parade and blessing in Portage des Sioux draws many spectators as the “Upper Pool” and “Lower Pool” parades wind along and eventually merge, culminating at the Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine. Many boats are decorated as teams compete for prizes based on the year’s theme.
Christmas Traditions
You can experience the holiday traditions of yesteryear during the annual St. Charles festival, where Victorian carolers sing Christmas favorites and classic characters from holiday legends around the world visit. Festivities take place from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.