Holiday
Déjà vu Spirit Reunion
October 22, 2022
Would you like to hear the story of a U.S. Senator who has been buried three different times? A Civil War colonel who died at the battle of Shiloh? Meet up with the modern-day spirit of Missouri’s first U.S. Representative? Or “meet” one portraying the well-to-do, or the not-so-well-to-do, residents of Ste. Geneviève’s history before 1880?
At the Déjà vu Spirit Reunion, on the 4th Saturday in October, visitors will experience these stories and more as the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Geneviève hosts its annual event in the historic Memorial Cemetery. Tour the cemetery via lantern light and chat “face-to-face” with friendly spirits clad in traditional dress and enjoy a hauntingly good time.
Sponsored by the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Geneviève.
Freedom Celebration
July 2, 2022
Admission is FREE
Celebrate Ste. Geneviève’s Independence Day public gathering with music, speeches, and fireworks! At noon there is a traditional celebration with a church bell ringing, Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic speeches, and music, as well as an honor salute by various local organizations.
That evening the local Muny Band will perform patriotic music, and at dusk, Fireworks will explode in Ste. Geneviève’s Pere Marquette Park.
La Guiannée (La Guignolèe)
December 31, 2022
Founded by French merchants and fur traders, Ste. Geneviève remained a French-speaking enclave for many years in the newly Americanized Midwest. Sadly, the last generations of native French speakers are disappearing, but cherished traditions like La Guiannée still remain. This ancient tradition, analogous to the English custom of Wassailing that dates back to Europe’s Middle Ages, is celebrated by descendants of those French settlers.
You can watch and participate with these singers and musicians as they celebrate this 250-year-old tradition each New Year’s Eve in the streets, cafes, and pubs of Ste. Geneviève’s Historic District.
“Bonsoir le maître et la maîtresse, and everyone who lives here too. Now for the last day of the year, la guignolée vous nous devez.” So begins the song chanted almost every New Year’s Eve in Ste. Genevieve for well over 250 years! Ste. Genevieve’s La Guignolèe singing troupe will again run their circuit of the Ste. Genevieve historic district in their centuries old New Year’s tradition. Dressed in bizarre and somewhat archaic costumes, the revelers wander from place to place on New Year’s Eve, singing a beggars’ song for favors.
Make a dinner reservation at a restaurant to see the troupe as they make their rounds, watch them perform in the Valle gym at 7:00pm, or attend a La Guignolèe watch party sponsored by the Centre for French Colonial Life 6:30pm-8:30pm. Don’t miss this unusual display of French tradition!
Chocolate Walk 2023
February 4, 2023
Do you love eating chocolate and shopping? Then this event is for you! Join in the delicious fun on the first Saturday in February in historic downtown Ste. Geneviève. With the purchase of a ticket, you will be able to sample a yummy chocolate treat at each participating shop while you explore the unique items for sale! Only 300 tickets are available, and they always sell out in advance.
To purchase tickets go to: downtownstegenevieve.org.
This event is sponsored by Downtown Ste. Geneviève.
Christmas Store and Collectibles
282 Market Street
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
Hours
Open Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Call us at 573-271-7004
Because the Christmas Store and Collectibles is open year-round, get your Christmas fix any weekend by dropping by to see what has been donated. Christmas decor and special items are available at great prices! Treasured collectibles are for sale too. Glassware, dishes, needlework, and more are waiting for you to add to your collection!
Masquerade on Main
183 North Main
Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670
573-535-9056 Call for admittance.
In Masquerade on Main, visitors can strike a pose or take a selfie at one of several creative scenes.
Take pictures in, on, and around these current scenes: an old-timey scene, a Goth / Cathedral scene, a saloon, a pirate ship, steampunk, Day of the Dead / Voodoo / Halloween, a sparkly Forest, a cemetery, and a brick wall.
Pose in either in your street clothes ($1), with props ($5), or in the hundreds of costumes for men women, and children ($20). There are no set hours yet, but call to get in at almost any time.
French Christmas – Felix Valle House
Merchant and 2nd Streets
Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670
Call us at 573-883-7102
This annual holiday celebration at the Felix Valle State Historic Site highlights the music, customs, and crafts of early French Colonial Christmas in Ste. Geneviève. The celebration, known as Le Reveillon, features costumed guides who explain the early 19th-century customs of Christmas. Traditional foods and music of the period are featured on the first Saturday in December.
Cookie Crumb Trail
Location: Historic Downtown Ste. Geneviève
800-373-7007
573-883-7097
Attention shoppers: Follow the Cookie Crumb Trail! Sample cookies and collect recipes to get started on your own Christmas baking! Participating downtown shops will feature a different cookie recipe and have sample cookies for you to taste.
Proceeds go to a local family in need. Just in time for Christmas!
Night Of The Werewolf
French Colonial America, 198 Market St., will host a family-friendly evening event with werewolf stories and a simulated werewolf hunt in October.
The annual Night of the Werewolf, from 7 to 9 p.m., provides a rare opportunity for night activities on the campus of French Colonial America.
Families can take a lantern-led tour of the Bolduc House; listen to werewolf stories around a roaring campfire; enjoy s’mores, cider, games, and more. In addition, patrols through downtown will allow children to hunt werewolves.
Can’t make the event, but want a souvenir shirt? Shop here.