Downtown St. Charles is an ideal destination for a family day out, shopping and lunch with friends, and a night out on the town with friends and family. Throughout the year, the picturesque river town has special events that attract both hometown residents and visitors.

At the center of it all is the Downtown St. Charles Partnership (DSCP), a non-profit economic development organization. Working with local businesses for almost 25 years, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership supports the downtown business community through a number of programs. This includes showcasing downtown through events, such as the Fine Art Show, Jazz Weekend and a St. Patrick’s Parade. During the summer, the group organizes STC Live, which offers music and novelty acts at a variety of downtown venues for the enjoyment of visitors.

“We love downtown St. Charles and all it has to offer,” said Jenna Sawicki, Executive Director for the organization. “We want others to experience it because we know they will love it as much as we do.”

This vibrant downtown has a celebrated history, from the magnificent Hotel Baker, where John F. Kennedy made a campaign stop, to the historic Arcada Theater, a former summer stock theater that now hosts popular musical acts throughout the year.

When it comes to celebrating the Holidays, downtown St. Charles does it in style. The festivities kicked off Friday, Nov. 25, when Mayor Ray Rogina flipped the switch to light up the city for the season. Activities continued through the weekend with a showing of “Elf,” horse-drawn trolly rides, visits with Santa and the Electric Christmas Parade.

“Downtown St. Charles offers city-like amenities with suburban convenience all year long, and the holidays are no exception,” says Sawicki, who encourages people to include downtown in their holiday plans. “In addition to holiday shopping, Downtown St. Charles has many options for making holiday meals and parties stand out, with specialty food, dessert and wine shops. Plus, the city has a great nightlife, with two live theaters and a wide variety of restaurants, perfect for a special night out.”

Whether spending the day or spending the evening, downtown St. Charles offers an authentic holiday experience that can’t be missed. Keep up to date with downtown happenings by visiting www.downtownstcharles.org.