Recycle Your Holiday Lights
11/28/2022 to 01/13/2023
Do you have strings of holiday lights that don’t work, are hopelessly tangled, or are no longer wanted? Don’t throw them out where they’ll sit for years in a landfill—recycle them!
Events & Festivals
Happening Now
Recycle Your Holiday Lights
11/28/2022 to 01/13/2023
Do you have strings of holiday lights that don’t work, are hopelessly tangled, or are no longer wanted? Don’t throw them out where they’ll sit for years in a landfill—recycle them!
Coming up
Past events
Holiday Homecoming
11/25/2022 to 11/26/2022
Friday, Nov. 25th at 5 p.m. is the Lighting of the Lights Ceremony in the 1st Street Plaza.
Saturday Nov. 26th 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. 26 – Dec. 18 from 1-4 p.m. in the 1st Street Plaza.
St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony
11/11/2022 - 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.
Green Your Halloween! Compost Your Pumpkin
11/05/2022 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
The Natural Resources Commission is hosting their annual Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m. to noon St. Charles Public Works Facility, 1405 South 7th Avenue. Participants are invited to toss, smash, roll, or simply drop off pumpkins to be composted.
Halloween Trick-or-Treating & St. Charles Pumpkin Stencils
10/31/2022 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours are 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 31. If you are out driving that day, please be extra careful and watch for children out walking. As little goblins and ghosts are going door to door, trick-or-treating, please remember the following safety tips:
Strategic Plan Community Forum
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
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:
Scarecrow Weekend
10/07/2022 to 10/09/2022
The 37th annual Scarecrow Weekend, presented by AAA, will be held October 7-9 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.
Fox Valley Marathon
09/18/2022 - 7:00am
This beautiful, shady course along the Fox River is a Boston qualifier. The race begins and ends in St. Charles and you have your choice of three race distances – 26.2 , 20 & 13.1. More at http://www.fv26.com
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
09/11/2022 - 7:30am
The St. Charles Fire Department is holding its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Sept. 11, 2022, outside at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, 2 E. Main St.
St. Charles Jazz Weekend
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
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
End-of-Summer & Labor Day Celebration
09/01/2022
Enjoy fireworks and family fun at Pottawatomie Park. Enjoy food, music, and fireworks. Details on the St. Charles Park District website www.stcparks.org/fireworks-fun/.
Presented by the St. Charles Park District in cooperation with the City of St. Charles and local sponsors.
(photo credit: Lu Ren)
Strategic Plan Community Visioning Workshop
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
Cop on a Rooftop Fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois
08/19/2022 - 5:00am
We always look forward to this fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois! The morning of August 19 our police officers will be perched on top of our local Dunkin' locations bright and early at:
1566 E Main St.
1711 W Main St.
Come by, say hello and grab some Special Olympics Illinois merch.
See you there!
Battle of the Badges Charity Softball Game
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.
Kane County Fair
07/13/2022 to 07/17/2022
Annual Fair and Carnival at the Kane County Fairgrounds at Rt. 38 & Randall Road in St. Charles. Details at www.kanecountyfair.com
STC Live!
06/01/2022 to 08/26/2022
Every Wednesday and Friday enjoy live music at STC Live! Local bands perform at different venues around town. Visit www.stcalliance.org/stclive for more information.
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
05/30/2022 - 10:00am
The Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony are May 30, 2022.
Fine Art Show
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.
Concerts in the Park
05/26/2022 - 7:00pm to 08/04/2022 - 7:00pm
Come out for some fun and music! Every Thursday at 7 p.m., Lincoln Park is the place to hear local bands all summer long.
2022 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
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.
Sculpture in the Park
05/02/2022 to 09/02/2022
A magnificent exhibition of original sculptures placed in beautiful Mt. St. Mary Park for visitors to view and enjoy.
Arbor Day
04/30/2022 - 11:30am
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day at beautiful Pottawatomie Park! On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission will host a parks clean-up event from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by the City's Arbor Day Celebration at 11:30 a.m.
St. Charles Community Garage Sale
04/22/2022 to 04/23/2022
The St. Charles Community Garage Sale is April 22 & 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the Park District website at https://www.stcunderground.com/community-garage-sale for details.
Polar Plunge
03/26/2022 - 10:00am
Each year, the Polar Plunge brings together thousands of warm-heated individuals from across the state. It’s a great way to support Special Olympics Illinois. All funds raised go to provide programming and events for more than 23,100 traditional athletes and 13,000 young athletes participating in Illinois.
St. Patrick's Parade
03/12/2022 - 12:00am
St. Patrick’s Parade is March 12
The St. Charles St. Patrick’s Celebration is Saturday, March 12. The St. Charles Business Alliance will host events around town, including a festive Photo Op Area, Roaming Bagpipers, and a Treasure Hunt where families can find Leprechauns. St. Charles businesses also will offer special promotions. Details and a complete schedule of events is at www.stcstpatricksparade.com.
Restaurant Week
02/21/2022 to 02/25/2022
Enjoy 15% off at select restaurants throughout town during St. Charles Restaurant Week, Feb. 21 - 25, 2022. There also is a chance to win a $50 gift card raffle. Details, including a growing list of restaurants are at www.stcalliance.org/restaurantweek.
Cooking Oil Recycling Drop Off
11/27/2021 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
The Natural Resources Commission is excited to host the first cooking oil collection in St. Charles. Your cooking oil will be recycled into biodiesel by Green Grease.
