Christmas at Historic Main in St. Charles

Let the Christmas festivities begin!
I love Old Main Street in St. Charles! We use to go there on a regular basis, then we had children. Strollers and kids who touch everything aren't a good match for the shops on Historic Main Street. However, their Christmas activities lured us back. Though we didn't take them into any of the stores, the kids had a blast.

Historic Main Street in St. Charles allows you to stroll down the brick lined street hosting speciality shops and restaurants housed in building from 200 years ago.

During the holiday season, Historic Main hosts Christmas Traditions.  An "old-fashioned Christmas with storybook characters, Victorian Carolers, and Santas from around the world." Characters from Christmas pasts, stories and legends roam the streets, greet you in character and pass out character cards (similar to a baseball card) for the children to collect. Here is Hailey with a few of her cards at the beginning of our adventure (she ended up with about 25 out of 33).

Brenton receiving a card from the Ice Queen.

The kids with the Civil War Santa.

A visit with Santa Lucia.

All the characters do a small parade in the afternoon and a short show. I don't think either one is really necessary to attend. The parade is short and you have to be right next to the show to hear it, but the kids had fun with their cousins anyway. It might be a good place to finish collecting cards though.

We also saw roasted chestnuts (who knew they weren't just part of a song?)

and heard the carolers perform.

There are plenty of treats available to purchase...cookies, hot chocolate and icecream (and the weather was nice enough that people were actually eating icecream). We got our treats from the English Shop since Dad's grandmother is from England and he has a soft spot for Cadbury candy.

Historic Main is right next to the Missouri river with a nice trail and grassy area. The weather was beautiful the day after Thanksgiving, so we spent some time down by the river playing with our cousins as well.

Dad slept through this part. He did all the crazy hour Black Fridays shopping so he's forgiven.

The kids loved meeting all the characters and collecting the cards. The Santas, Tiny Tim and Clara from The Nutcrackers were some of their favorites. I think we'll definitely try to go again next year.