Holiday Christmas Festival

The 40th annual Ste. Genevieve Holiday Christmas Festival will be Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th – but it’s much more than just your typical holiday weekend event. It boasts one of the finest Christmas celebrations in all of Missouri, but it’s also lauded as one of the top two Christmas celebrations in the entire Midwest according to AAA magazine. With a setting amidst historic houses, churches, art galleries, museums and a National Park this world-class event includes more than a dozen free performances by famed local and regional musicians, a magician, free crafts for children and adults, historical dancers, historical lectures, an Art Guild show, elegant receptions at various historic sites, a tree-trimming and a live nativity. Also back this year is Le Reveillon, a French Christmas tradition celebrating food, customs and decorations of an early 1800’s Christmas Eve. According to Annette Rolfe, the Executive Director of the event, the weekend will cover more than 700 years of holiday-themed music from Renaissance to 21st Century jazz. Performances include a chamber choir, Madrigal singers, historical French singers, French café singers, a string quartet, a classical guitar, a lute, acoustic guitars, contemporary Latino jazz band, violins, traditional country, alternative country, pop, Celtic harpists, a steel drum band, a classical organist, and a magnificent wind ensemble. And the parade, which begins at 11 AM on Saturday, is one of the largest in the State, with beauty queens, classic cars, marching bands, the Shriners, floats – even Santa himself! “The event gets better every year as we strive to outdo the year before and this year’s lineup is the best yet,” said Rolfe. “Everyone who attends will be delighted!” And, like prior years, there will also be FREE photos with Santa and FREE hotdogs for children 12 and under. Don’t miss the biggest holiday event of the season, in the charming town of Ste. Genevieve. For more information go to www.visitstegen.com or call (573) 883-7097.