St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

By Riverfront Times Staff on Mon, Nov 27, 2017 at 11:02 pm

This time every year, Main Street in St. Charles transforms into a holiday wonderland with St. Charles Christmas Traditions, a festival that allows visitors to step back in time and experience the season the old-fashioned way. We're talking chestnuts actually roasting on the fire, Santas from all around the world, carolers, carriage rides, iconic holiday characters and more. The festival kicked off this past weekend, and photographer Theo Welling was there to capture the magic. Want to see it for yourself? Main Street celebrates the festival every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas Eve, with the Christmas parade held at 1:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

This time every year, Main Street in St. Charles transforms into a holiday wonderland with St. Charles Christmas Traditions, a festival that allows visitors to step back in time and experience the season the old-fashioned way. We're talking chestnuts actually roasting on the fire, Santas from all around the world, carolers, carriage rides, iconic holiday characters and more.

The festival kicked off this past weekend, and photographer Theo Welling was there to capture the magic. Want to see it for yourself? Main Street celebrates the festival every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas Eve, with the Christmas parade held at 1:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

November 25, 2017

Photos by Theo Welling www.theowelling.com

Scroll down to view images

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Kids in France anticipate a visit from Père Noël and his pet donkey, Mistletoe. Shoes filled with straw and carrots are left by the fireplace for Mistletoe. But unlike America, where cookies are left out for Santa, the French leave Père Noël what he really wants: a glass of wine. He leaves candy and fruit in its place if the kids have been well behaved.

Kids in France anticipate a visit from Père Noël and his pet donkey, Mistletoe. Shoes filled with straw and carrots are left by the fireplace for Mistletoe. But unlike America, where cookies are left out for Santa, the French leave Père Noël what he really wants: a glass of wine. He leaves candy and fruit in its place if the kids have been well behaved.

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Father Christmas is a popular figure in Great Britain. He's the inspiration for the Ghost of Christmas Present in "A Christmas Carol" and can trace his roots back to the mid 15th century, when he became known as Sir Christëmas during an old English mid-winter festival.

Father Christmas is a popular figure in Great Britain. He's the inspiration for the Ghost of Christmas Present in "A Christmas Carol" and can trace his roots back to the mid 15th century, when he became known as Sir Christëmas during an old English mid-winter festival.

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This Santa is dressed in stars and stripes for a reason -- he's known as the Civil War Santa. He was created by a political cartoonist in the midst of the American Civil War.

This Santa is dressed in stars and stripes for a reason -- he's known as the Civil War Santa. He was created by a political cartoonist in the midst of the American Civil War.

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Julenisse visits kids in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark and Norway along with his pet goat, Yuley. When Julenisse arrives at a home, Yuley knocks his horns on the door three times. When children answer the door, they receive a gift and a small paper basket of candy to hang on their Christmas tree.

Julenisse visits kids in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark and Norway along with his pet goat, Yuley. When Julenisse arrives at a home, Yuley knocks his horns on the door three times. When children answer the door, they receive a gift and a small paper basket of candy to hang on their Christmas tree.

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Santa Lucia, left, poses with Julenisse. Santa Lucia is the saint of light and vision and is celebrated in Scandinavian countries. Children in Sweden dress like her on her feast day, December 13, and deliver traditional Swedish buns to their families. Entire villages also recognize the day, known as "St. Lucy's Day," with parades and other events.

Santa Lucia, left, poses with Julenisse. Santa Lucia is the saint of light and vision and is celebrated in Scandinavian countries. Children in Sweden dress like her on her feast day, December 13, and deliver traditional Swedish buns to their families. Entire villages also recognize the day, known as "St. Lucy's Day," with parades and other events.

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Knecht Ruprecht is also known as Farmhand Rupert. He is said to be the mischievous friend of St. Nicholas who helped him deliver gifts to kids, and helped with naughty children in particular by giving them coal.

Knecht Ruprecht is also known as Farmhand Rupert. He is said to be the mischievous friend of St. Nicholas who helped him deliver gifts to kids, and helped with naughty children in particular by giving them coal.

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The Christkind, left, is an angelic character who is the figure of traditional German Christmas markets. She is said to leave gifts for good children in Germany and Austria on Christmas Eve. Kris Kringle, right, is also a figure in Germany and is said to bring good children gifts like cakes, nuts and small toys. The sound of a bell marks his arrival, while the same sound signifies the Christkind's departure.

The Christkind, left, is an angelic character who is the figure of traditional German Christmas markets. She is said to leave gifts for good children in Germany and Austria on Christmas Eve. Kris Kringle, right, is also a figure in Germany and is said to bring good children gifts like cakes, nuts and small toys. The sound of a bell marks his arrival, while the same sound signifies the Christkind's departure.

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Frontier Santa parades down the street. Back in the day, he delivered a tin cup, decorated sugar cookie or a piece of fruit to good children on the American frontier.

Frontier Santa parades down the street. Back in the day, he delivered a tin cup, decorated sugar cookie or a piece of fruit to good children on the American frontier.

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Saint Nicholas, a holiday icon from Greece, parades down the street.

Saint Nicholas, a holiday icon from Greece, parades down the street.

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Jack Frost is in the house.

Jack Frost is in the house.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy a sleigh ride.

Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy a sleigh ride.

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Frontier Santa chats with another character.

Frontier Santa chats with another character.

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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St. Charles Christmas Traditions Is the Best Old-Time Holiday Celebration Around

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