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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

Rain Garden Workshop

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.

Citizens Policy Academy

Citizen Police Academy Participants
04/17/2023 - 6:00pm to 05/17/2023 - 6:00pm

The St. Charles Police Department is hosting the 2023 Citizen’s Police Academy from April 17 to May 17, 2023. There is no charge for the five-week class, which will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Charles Police Station, 1515 W. Main Street.

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., followed by the City's Arbor Day Celebration at 11:30 a.m.

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. 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:

St. Charles Jazz Weekend

Jazz Weekend Photo
09/08/2022 to 09/11/2022

St. Charles Jazz Weekend is a four-day event Sept. 8-11, 2022, 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.

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

Battle of the Badges Charity Softball Game

Battle of the Badges 2022
08/13/2022 - 11:00am

On Aug. 13 at 11 a.m., come out to the East Side Sports Complex and cheer on the St. Charles Police Department as they battle it out with neighboring departments on the softball field in support of Special Olympics Illinois. This event is free to all.

There will be:
-Split the pot raffle
-Harley Davidson raffle tickets
-LETR Special Olympics merch
-Award-winning Food truck –
TAQUERIA SANTA BARBARA

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.

Fine Art Show

Fine Art Show Paintings
05/28/2022 to 05/29/2022

The St. Charles Fine Art Show showcases the original, juried work of over 90 fine artists. Visit the show Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 28 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. &  Sunday, May 29 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2022 Spring Clean Up

Spring Clean Up
05/14/2022
05/21/2022

5/14/22 - East Side; 5/21/22 West Side

The City of St. Charles Spring Clean Up program is back for 2022. Spring Clean Up allows residents to place unwanted items at the curb for pick up. Collection dates are May 14 for residents on the east side of the river and May 21 for the west side. This service is for residents within St. Charles city limits only.

2022 Spring Clean Up

Spring Clean Up
05/14/2022
05/21/2022

5/14/22 - East Side; 5/21/22 West Side

The City of St. Charles Spring Clean Up program is back for 2022. Spring Clean Up allows residents to place unwanted items at the curb for pick up. Collection dates are May 14 for residents on the east side of the river and May 21 for the west side. This service is for residents within St. Charles city limits only.