Flipping the switch: Holiday festivities to light up St. Charles this weekend
Whether St. Charles is your actual hometown or your adopted home base, there will be no place like the city this weekend when holiday events turn the downtown into a party.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, in the First Street Plaza where St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina will be joined by a special mystery guest to flip the switch that turns on lights throughout the downtown, said Nathan Wendt, business support coordinator with the St. Charles Alliance.
“We usually fill up the plaza,” Wendt said. “Santa will be there.”
Musician Dennis O'Brien will perform live on the McNally's Traditional Irish Pub patio while downtown businesses offer treats and holiday activities both Friday and Saturday.
The Filling Station is one example of a business brewing up some extra fun, he said. From 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, the restaurant will host a Holiday Polar Patio featuring live jazz holiday carols, marshmallow toasting, s'mores and a hot cocoa bar.
Wendt said Santa will spend some time in the Santa house on First Street Plaza Friday night, returning from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22.
Saturday starts off with a Christmas singalong at 9 a.m. at the Arcada Theatre followed by a free 10 a.m. screening of “The Grinch,” a holiday favorite, at the historic Main Street venue.
Free horse-drawn trolley rides will take visitors through the downtown area from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“We also have live holiday window displays throughout St. Charles,” said Wendt. Dancers from local troupes will perform in storefront windows from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Another cherished and long-running tradition - the St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade - will march down Main Street beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. Wendt said the procession usually lasts about a half-hour.
“It starts right here, at Main Street and 6th Street and goes to 4th Avenue,” said Wendt. “We have nonprofits, businesses and community groups in the parade.”
Radiant with an abundance of lights and holiday ornamentation, the parade creates a warm glow further enhanced by the twinkling lights strung throughout the business district, Wendt said.
“They all decorate and give a nice Christmas and holiday theme. People do line up all along the route. We usually have 30,000 that line the street,” he said. “It's a pretty well-attended event.”
For details on the Holiday Homecoming, Electric Christmas Parade and all the events around town, visit stcholidayhomecoming.com or call (630) 443-3967.
<b>St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, Lighting of the Lights and Electric Christmas Parade</b>
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
Where: 2 E. Main St., St. Charles
Quick take: Friday features the Lighting of the Lights on First Street Plaza. Saturday features a holiday movie at the Arcada Theatre at 10 a.m., sleigh rides and Santa visits at First Street Plaza at 1 p.m., and culminates with the Electric Christmas Parade at 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: www.stcharlesil.gov or stcholidayhomecoming.com