Editing St. Charles, Missouri (section)

===Riverfront===
[[File:St Charles MO BPOE.JPG|thumb|upright|Elks Club, 122 S. Main Street]]
The Riverfront and Main Street area in the [[St. Charles Historic District]] is a central gathering place and focal point for the community. The primary features of the riverfront and Historic Main Street are residences and businesses. Each block includes shops, restaurants, and offices. Plans for the development and improvement of the area include a northward extension of the Katy Trail, residential and commercial development, parking garage and casino expansion, and development of hotels.

The Christmas Traditions Festival, one of the nation's largest such festivals, takes place annually on the city streets, from the day after Thanksgiving until the Saturday after Christmas. Over 30 costumed Legends of Christmas stroll the streets and interact with guests, and [[Victorian Era]] Christmas Carolers sing old-fashioned carols. Each Saturday and Sunday, the costumed Legends characters and the Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps join the Santa Parade from Historic South Main Street to the site of the [[First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site|First Missouri State Capitol]].

On the [[Fourth of July]], fireworks displays draw large numbers on two nights, [[Independence Day (United States)|July 4]] and the night before or after the Fourth. The festival, named Riverfest, has been sponsored by the city of St. Charles and organized by a volunteer committee of local leaders.

The Festival of the Little Hills is a historic St. Charles tradition that takes place every year in August, the third full weekend of the month. Started in 1971,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festivalofthelittlehills.com/|title=Festival of the Little Hills – Fête des Petites Côtes, Historic St. Charles, Missouri|website=www.festivalofthelittlehills.com|access-date=29 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929083928/http://www.festivalofthelittlehills.com/|archive-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> it includes food, live entertainment, craft sales, and shows for kids. The festival is related to the Lewis & Clark expedition, with some participants wearing clothing from the era and re-enacting historic events. Individuals are encouraged to bring homemade items to sell at the festival.

Oktoberfest, held near the river, celebrates the historic German influence on the city, with vendors selling beer and other German goods. It includes a parade. Missouri Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish American heritage and culture held each spring, coinciding as closely as possible with April 6. This is the anniversary of the signing of the [[Declaration of Arbroath]] in 1320. The event features a parade with marching bagpipers from around the world and region, Scottish heavy athletics (caber toss, hammer throw, etc.), musical entertainment, traditional and contemporary foods. Highlights include the Kirkin' o' the Tartans (ceremony of blessing for the Scottish clans), displays of traditional Scottish clan tartans, and demonstrations of traditional Scottish activities and games.

The Fete de Glace is an ice-carving competition and demonstration held on North Main Street in mid-January. The Missouri River Irish Festival is held every September in Frontier Park and on Main Street to celebrate Irish Heritage with music, dancing, storytelling, athletics, food, and other entertainment.<ref>[http://www.moriveririshfest.com Missouri River Irish Fest<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109140310/http://moriveririshfest.com/ |date=2014-01-09 }}</ref> During Quilts on Main Street, hundreds of quilts are displayed outside the shops on storefronts and balconies. This event is held annually in September. The Bluegrass Festival in Frontier Park on the big stage of Jaycee's pavilion is held early in September, featuring local and regional acts. The MOSAICS Fine Art Festival is also held on Historic Main Street each September to showcase local, regional and national artists. LGBTQ+ organization Pride St. Charles holds an annual pride festival in June at the St. Charles Family Arena.