Nov. 10, 2021
Contact: Nancy Lee Gomer, Marketing Coordinator, 636-949-7535, or 636-795-1137, ngomer@sccmo.org
St. Charles County, Missouri – ‘Tis the season to visit a St. Charles County park for an extra dose of holiday cheer and family-friendly fun! The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department is offering festive events and activities in November, December and January. Be sure and join us for one or all of these exciting holiday happenings in the parks.
- Letters to Santa
Monday, Nov. 22 to Monday, Dec. 6
Kinetic Park, 7801 Town Square Avenue, Dardenne Prairie
Kinetic Park is serving as a drop-off location for letters to Santa. Children ages 8 and under are invited to write a letter and bring it to the park along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope before Dec. 6, and they will receive a letter from Santa before Christmas! Santa’s mailbox is located inside the park building. Winter park hours are from 12 to 8 p.m., daily. While visiting, children and adults can enjoy playing games inside the complex and climbing to the top of the 30-foot rock-climbing wall from 2 to 6 p.m., daily. If the pavement is dry outside, bring a skateboard, scooter or bike and ride the nation’s largest asphalt pump track, the largest outdoor bike and skate course in Missouri, and the new Bike Playground and Skills Course. Helmets and a parent-signed waiver are required to utilize the park’s extreme sports amenities. For more information, call Kinetic Park at 636-561-4964.
- Holiday Toy Train Display
Saturday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Jan. 2
St. Charles County Heritage Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing near St. Charles
If you're looking for something festive to do this holiday season, bring the family out to the Heritage Museum to see the annual Holiday Toy Train Display. The popular St. Charles County attraction opens the weekend after Thanksgiving and is a must-see for children and adults alike. This year's display features new St. Charles County landmark buildings and multiple trains, including the new Winter Wonderland Express. Watch the locomotives as they glide along the tracks through wintry scenes that highlight the historic Boone Village, Hays Home, Heritage Museum, the 1860s homestead at Towne Park, and more. A miniature replica of St. John’s United Church of Christ, built in St. Charles in 1907, is one of the newest scenes to marvel over. The display also features a North Pole scene with Mrs. Claus’ bake shop, Santa’s cabin and the Elf Toy Factory. Admission is free! The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday; and 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. While you're there, don't forget to drop off a new, unwrapped toy in the Toys for Tots boxes located in the lobby through Dec. 9.
- Christmas Candlelight Walks
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4 & Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11
The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Highway F, Defiance
Experience a night of warmth and beauty this holiday season at Christmas Candlelight Walks at The Historic Daniel Boone Home. Step back in time to observe Christmas traditions of the past while strolling through the enchanting village illuminated with thousands of candle-lit lanterns. Along the way, visit with “Daniel and Rebecca Boone” inside the Boone Home as they reminisce about winters past. Guests will tour the inside of the home and hear storytellers inside buildings throughout the historic village grounds every 8-10 minutes. Tickets for the 8 p.m. session remain and are $12 per person in advance if pre-registered before Nov. 19. Tickets are $15 after that date and may not be available at the door if the program sells out. Visit stccparks.org and click on “Activity Registration” or call the historic park at 636-798-2005 to make a reservation.
- Take a Hike 2021!
Friday, Dec. 31
Quail Ridge Park, 560 Interstate Drive, Wentzville
Finish out the year on the right foot by grabbing your winter gear and taking a hike with Park Rangers from 1 to 3:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve day. We’ll hike a moderate, yet rugged, 2.5 miles in the park. Participants ages 8 and up should be prepared to brave cold the weather and slippery conditions by dressing in layers and wearing sturdy boots. Pre-registration is required. Visit https://bit.ly/TakeAHikeDec2021 online or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535. If there is inclement weather on the day of the event, visit the Rainout Line app on the Parks Department website at stccparks.org or call 636-707-0011 to find out the status of the program.
For more information about the holiday happenings and other park events, visit the St. Charles County Parks website at stccparks.org and click on “Activity Registration.”