All Our Seasons in Sainte Genevieve

October 22, 2022 “Meet” Dr. Lewis Linn, Missouri’s model Senator, Ferdinand Rozier an early merchant, and Jean Baptiste Valle an early leader of the community. Or “meet” folks 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 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 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 as a fundraiser for Memorial Cemetery. Read more…

Sainte Geneviève Holiday Christmas Festival Two Days of Music, History, and Celebration in Missouri’s Oldest Town Every first weekend of December, Sainte Geneviève transforms into what AAA Magazine has recognized as one of the top two Christmas celebrations in the entire Midwest. The annual Holiday Christmas Festival fills Missouri’s oldest town with a remarkable two-day program that spans more than 700 years of holiday music—from Renaissance sacred works to contemporary jazz—all performed in historic churches, galleries, and gathering spaces throughout the downtown district. With one of the state’s largest parades, elegant historical receptions, hands-on craft experiences, and French colonial holiday traditions, this free community celebration has grown over four decades into an event that draws visitors from across the region while remaining authentically rooted in Sainte Geneviève’s unique cultural heritage. A Festival Built on Generosity and Community Spirit Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Holiday Christmas Festival is what it costs to attend: nothing. Nearly every event across the entire weekend—from world-class musical performances to craft workshops, from the parade to Santa photos, from historical programming to art exhibitions—is completely free. This generosity reflects Sainte Geneviève’s community values and the festival’s purpose: sharing the town’s historic character and holiday Read more…

Jour de Fête – Ste. Genevieve’s Grand Celebration Every year on the second full weekend in August, the streets of Historic Downtown Ste. Genevieve transform into a vibrant marketplace and festival ground for Jour de Fête—southeast Missouri’s largest and most beloved outdoor crafts fair. This spectacular two-day celebration draws thousands of visitors who come to experience the perfect blend of artisan craftsmanship, delicious food, live entertainment, and the unique historic charm that only America’s oldest town west of the Mississippi can provide. A Feast for the Senses With over 150 vendors lining the historic streets, Jour de Fête offers an unparalleled shopping experience for lovers of handcrafted goods and unique artisan work. Stroll beneath the shade of century-old trees as you discover an impressive array of arts and crafts: hand-thrown pottery, custom jewelry, woodwork, paintings, textiles, metalwork, folk art, home décor, and so much more. Each booth represents the passion and skill of talented craftspeople, many of whom have been returning to Jour de Fête year after year, making it a beloved tradition for vendors and visitors alike. Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind gift, looking to add to your art collection, or simply enjoy browsing beautiful handmade items, you’ll Read more…

La Guiannée – Where Sainte Geneviève’s 250-Year-Old New Year’s Eve Tradition Shares Deep Roots with Louisiana’s Rural Mardi Gras Through Ancient French Begging Songs Every New Year’s Eve for over 250 years, something extraordinary happens in Sainte Geneviève’s historic district that directly connects Missouri’s oldest French colonial town to the rural Mardi Gras traditions of Mamou and Iota, Louisiana. As darkness falls on December 31st, a troupe of costumed revelers—dressed in bizarre and archaic 18th and 19th-century attire, some masked in grotesque fashion reminiscent of Louisiana’s courirs de Mardi Gras—emerges to wander from business to business, home to home, singing an ancient French begging song that, according to fiddler and French music expert Dennis Stroughmatt, shares actual lyrics with the Iota Mardi Gras song. This isn’t coincidental similarity; it’s evidence of common cultural ancestry connecting these seemingly distant French traditions through centuries-old songs brought to North America by French colonists and preserved in isolated pockets where French culture remained strong enough to resist complete assimilation. “Bonsoir le maître et la maîtresse, et tous les gens de la maison” (Good evening master and mistress, and everyone who lives here too) begins the song that’s been chanted in Sainte Geneviève since the Read more…

Master Gardeners’ Garden Walk – A Celebration of Historic Gardens and Growing Traditions Every year on the weekend following Mother’s Day, the streets of Ste. Genevieve’s historic district bloom with even more beauty than usual as the Ste. Genevieve Master Gardeners host their annual Garden Walk. This beloved event offers a rare opportunity to peek behind historic fences and garden gates, exploring both private and public gardens that range from authentically recreated 18th-century plots to contemporary landscapes that honor the town’s horticultural heritage. Step Into Living History What makes this Garden Walk particularly special is its setting among Ste. Genevieve’s exceptional collection of historic homes. Several of the featured gardens belong to houses dating back to the French colonial period, and these gardens have been carefully researched and planted to reflect authentic 18th-century design and plant selections. In the 1700s, gardens weren’t just decorative—they were essential to household survival and economy. French colonial gardens typically featured raised beds for vegetables, herbs for cooking and medicine, fruit trees, and perhaps a few flowers chosen for both beauty and utility. Many also included “potagers”—the French term for ornamental kitchen gardens where practical growing and aesthetic design harmoniously coexist. Walking through these historically Read more…