The St. Charles Holiday Homecoming Weekend begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 and the Electric Christmas Parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. The Lighting of the Lights will feature a special guest appearance by Santa Claus at 5 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Park, off Main and Fourth streets.

On Saturday, a free holiday movie will be shown at 10 a.m. at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., followed by a free holiday concert at 2 p.m. Free horse-drawn sleigh rides will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. downtown. There will be strolling Victorian carolers from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the west side of the river, then from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on the east side.

The Electric Christmas Parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. along Main Street, between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue. There will be a special appearance by Erin O'Connor, Miss Illinois 2009. Santa House will be open noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28 to Dec. 20 at the First Street Place Plaza. Don't forget your camera. For details, contact Deb Pfaff at (630) 513-5386, ext. 1 or deb@dtown.org.