You are here

Home » News & Events

Festivals and Special Events

Natural beauty combined with world-class events and festivals have earned St. Charles the reputation as the Pride of the Fox. St. Charles offers a variety of events all year long.

Coming up

Scarecrow Weekend

10/06/2023 to 10/08/2023

The annual Scarecrow Weekend, is held in downtown St. Charles, Illinois. 85+ unique, handmade scarecrows will be showcased around town for visitors to view and vote on their favorites in four categories: mechanical/mega, clubs/non-profits/schools, individuals, and businesses. There will be a Family Zone with live entertainment and many family-friendly activities as well as an Activity Zone with festive photo ops, Scarecrow in a Box, Touch-A-Truck, and a professional pumpkin carver.

St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans Day
11/11/2023 - 10:30am

The annual St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m., in Fire Station 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave. Please join us to show your appreciation for our country’s veterans.

The ceremony will begin with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a prayer, remarks, a closing prayer, gun salute and Taps performance.

For more information, contact LTC (Ret) Mark Powell, Event Coordinator, at 630.329.6444.

Holiday Homecoming

St. Charles Fire Truck Decorated with Christmas Lights
11/24/2023 to 11/25/2023

Friday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. is the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony in the 1st Street Plaza.

Saturday Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. head to the Arcada Theatre for a free screening of Elf. Later in the evening, the Electric Christmas Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street. See the beautifully decorated parade floats, the high school marching bands, and a special guest--Santa Claus!

Also be sure to visit Santa's House every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 25 – Dec. 21 from 1-4 p.m. in the 1st Street Plaza.

Past events

St. Charles Jazz Weekend

Jazz Weekend Photo
09/07/2023 to 09/10/2023

St. Charles Jazz Weekend is a four-day event Sept. 7-10, 2023, that coordinates and promotes live jazz music all around St. Charles. An array of downtown St. Charles venues will take part in this year’s event featuring numerous jazz performers.

For more information visit the St. Charles Business Alliance website at www.stcjazzweekend.com.

July 4th Fireworks!

Fireworks
07/04/2023

Celebrate Independence Day with an amazing fireworks show on July 4th! The firworks will be launched at dark from Langum Park, located at 7th and Madison Avenues, and can be enjoyed from just about anywhere downtown. 

In addition to the spectacular fireworks show, there are activities on July 4 at both Pottawatomie Park and Mt. St. Mary Park. Visit the St. Charles Park District website at stcparks.org/july-4th for complete event details.

Fine Art Show

Fine Art Show Paintings
05/27/2023 to 05/28/2023

The St. Charles Fine Art Show showcases the original, juried work of over 90 fine artists. Visit the show Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 27 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. &  Sunday, May 28 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New City Council to be Sworn In May 1

Swearing In Graphic
05/01/2023 - 7:00pm

Members of the St. Charles City Council elected in the April 4 Consolidated Election will be administered the Oath of Office at the May 1, 2023 City Council Meeting by the honorable Judge Elizabeth Flood. All are invited to attend this traditional event. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. with the final actions of the outgoing Council, followed by the Swearing-In Ceremony of the newly elected officials. After all oaths are taken, the newly seated City Council will conduct its first meeting.

Arbor Day

Arbor Day Graphic
04/29/2023 - 11:30am

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission will host a parks clean-up event from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by the City's Arbor Day Celebration at 11:30 a.m.

Rain Garden Workshop & Rain Barrel Sale

Rain Barrel
04/13/2023 - 6:00pm

The St. Charles Natural Resources Commission is hosting a rain garden workshop for the community Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the Public Works Training Room, 1405 S 7th Ave, 2nd floor. This event is free and all are welcome. Speaker Jessica Mino, Kane County Program Director with The Conservation Foundation, is partnering with the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission to demonstrate how to create an environmentally friendly yard.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Open House

Community Open House
04/11/2023 - 4:00pm to 6:30pm

The City of St. Charles is holding an open house for the community to share ideas on improving biking and walkability in St. Charles. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the open house anytime between 4 and 6:30 p.m. on April 11, 2023, in the Community Room of the St. Charles Police Station, 1515 W. Main Street, St. Charles. Feedback gathered to date will be shared at the open house and those attending are encouraged to offer comments.

St. Patrick's Parade

St. Patrick's Day 2021
03/11/2023 - 2:00pm

St. Patrick’s Parade is March 11

The St. Charles St. Patrick’s Parade is Saturday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m. The St. Charles Business Alliance will host events around town, including an Opening Ceremony, Lucky Photo Op Area, and a Scavenger Hunt for families to find Shamrocks around town and be entered to win a Pot of Gold. St. Charles businesses also will offer special promotions. Details and a complete schedule of events is at www.stcstpatricksparade.com.

Strategic Plan Community Forum

Strategic Planning 2022
10/19/2022 - 5:00pm

The City of St. Charles is updating its five-year Strategic Plan which will serve as a road map, guiding decisions about the City’s future.  The Community Forum will be held both virtually and in-person.  It will give residents a first look at an initial draft of the Strategic Plan and offer an opportunity for their feedback.  Details are below - please note the location change for this event.  

Community Forum
October 19, 2022, 5-7 p.m..
City of St. Charles Council Chambers
2 E Main St., St. Charles

Fire Department Open House

Fire Department Open House Image
10/15/2022 - 12:00pm to 3:00pm


The St. Charles Fire Department is hosting an open house at Fire Station #1, 112 N. Riverside Avenue, on Saturday, October 15, 2022, from noon to 3 p.m. to commemorate Fire Prevention Week. The theme this year, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape!”, highlights the simple but important actions everyone can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Open House, talk with the firefighters, and learn about fire safety.

Several exhibitions will be held throughout the day including:

Virtual Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session

Strategic Plan
09/07/2022 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

If you couldn’t make it to the recent Community Visioning Workshop for the Strategic Plan, the City of St. Charles is holding a second workshop, which will be virtual. Holding a virtual session offers another opportunity for residents to weigh in on the issues that are important to them. 

Virtual Strategic Plan Community Visioning Session

Wednesday, September 7 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Zoom Link:  https://berrydunn.zoom.us/j/9054116517

Strategic Plan Community Visioning Workshop

Strategic Planning 2022
08/25/2022 - 5:00pm

The City of St. Charles is updating its five-year Strategic Plan which will serve as a road map, guiding decisions about the City’s future. The Strategic Plan will incorporate feedback from the community and key stakeholders, establish the City’s vision, and align City goals, priorities, and budgets over the next five years. Attend the Community Visioning Session and tell us what you think.

Community Visioning Workshop
August 25, 2022, 5-7 p.m.
Baker Community Center
101 S. 2nd St., St. Charles

Blood Drive

07/29/2022 - 10:30am to 1:30pm

The City of St. Charles is hosting a blood drive July 29, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of Fire Station #1, 112 N. Riverside Avenue. Park on the north side of City Hall and follow the signs. All are welcome.

The Blood Drive is organized by Versiti Blood Center of Illinois. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment will ensure a smooth and quick donation experience. Visit the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois website to make an appointment.

View more events

 events calendar  festivals & special events  public meetings  meeting archives

Learn More