Christmas Festivals, Alpaca Socks, and Bald Eagles

Just hear those sleighbells jinglin', ring-ting-a-tinglin', too.

There are SO MANY Christmas events going on this weekend, you're going to have to take a nap half-way through the events section just to rest and rally.

As always, keep an eye on the weather and check event pages for cancellation notices before leaving the house.

Day Tripping in Charleston, MO.

Here's my Charleston pitch: It's better than Cracker Barrel and you might see a bald eagle.

Folks, you know my heart's on the trails. But sometimes even I get a hankerin' to turn the SUV toward city limits. So I trim my Grizzly Adams beard, put on my Sunday best, and pick out a Se/Mo town to explore. There are just too many neat small towns in the area that I know too little about. One of those is Charleston.

Here's what we did:

Vybe Coffeehouse & Cafe - A full breakfast menu, plus soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Friendly. Cozy. Cute. Rustic. Tasty. What is it about a great coffeehouse that makes you feel like you need to write a book???
Bear Creek Mercantile - Think Cracker Barrel gift shop but better. All the fun cozy country ambiance, with none of the chain-store cheesiness, and you can actually move around in there without assaulting someone's grandpa.
Delaney Lake Conservation Area - Nature break! I've written in the past about walking the loop around the lake. And I'm now re-recommending it because, 1.) We're in the neighborhood, and 2.) December through February is peak eagle-watching season statewide. Delaney Lake regularly hosts these white-headed bad boys. Bring binoculars and a warm drink from Vybe. We've also seen them along Route N, driving in and out of Charleston. We were driving, not the eagles.

Charleston Boomland - After the lake, we needed gas and road candy. Boomland is an Americana fever dream: Fireworks, home decor, clothes, local art, pickled vegetables, a magnet wall, a restaurant with taxidermied (is that a word? taxidermized?) animals, and a crackling fireplace. Love it in there.

That was it for our short trip. Here are some more insider recs from an anonymous and wonderful local:

Ivy Villa - Antiques and unexpected finds.
The Rocking Chair - Another spot for treasure-hunting.
The Scoop - Pizza, wings, and ice cream.
City Limits Grill - Fried fish dinner fame.

You could also time a day trip to Charleston around some festive happenings. Friday evening is their Midnight Madness Downtown Shopping. Saturday evening there's a parade and Christmas tree lighting.

Check it out my Bootheel beauties.

What do you get the Southeast Missouri explorers in your life?

We're on week 3 of listing ideas:

VisitCape* is a local holiday cheat code - Cape G tees, books, ornaments, puzzles, mugs, etc. Our stocking runneth over. A VisitCape gift is meaningful (because it's local), affordable ($12 t-shirts, y'all), and doesn’t require playing over-stimulated bumper carts in mega-store aisles. AND the money you spend goes toward your community instead of paying for Bezos' wife to ride a rocket with Katy Perry. Perfect for: Out-of-towners coming home for the holidays; Parents who dig local goodies; College kids who’ve realized Cape is kinda cute; And anyone who needs a reminder they live somewhere cool. (*sponsored content)
At Bear Creek Mercantile, they have handwarmer mugs that look like these. A very cool gift for the coffee lover who's always cold.
For those who like to explore the WHOLE state: a book about Missouri day trips. I tell myself someday I'm going to write one like this, just for Southeast Missourians.
Cape County Alpacas has the cozy goods. What does a hiker value more than a toilet at the trailhead? Warm feet. Alpaca fur socks are warm and moisture wicking.
And if you're gonna go all out on a gift, think about a mini-vacation and book a local overnight. Just look at this Silo Farm Haus in Ste. Gen, for example. When did all this cool lodging pop up around Southeast Missouri? Hey, listen, I have an idea - if you have a vacation rental that you need someone to review and put in a local newsletter, I might know somebody who can help with that.

For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.
*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.

This Weekend’s Happenings. So, so many happenings.

Fri, Dec 5

"An Old-fashioned Christmas" Downtown Open House, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's a downtown-wide holiday takeover: horse-drawn carriage rides, live performances of “A Christmas Carol” in a shop window, live music, Santa photos, hot cocoa, shop deals, cookies, carolers, photo ops, and dozens of participating businesses. The only thing that's missing is Tim Allen.

Big Band Holiday Jukebox, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Southeast Jazz Studio teams up with Theatre & Dance for a big-band holiday spectacular. Style, talent, and holiday jazz hands. 7:30pm. $26–$30.50.

Old-fashioned Christmas Festival, Kimmswick, MO - Decorated historic buildings, carolers roaming the streets, LIGHTS, and Santa. The Rivertown Sound Quartet sings, and the Burgess-How Home does candlelight tours.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights, Sikeston, MO - Historic Downtown Sikeston serves up food trucks, wagon rides, holiday deals, Santa’s Village, tree lighting, & live music. A tight two hours of small-town magic. 6-8pm.

Rock ’N’ Roll Drive-In Double Feature, Chaffee, MO - Get the matching flannel onesies. It's movie time. Elf and The Polar Express. Gates 5:30pm, first movie 7pm. $20 per car.

Cairo Launches Its African American Heritage Trail & Oral History Project, Cairo, IL - Launch event! The trail has markers throughout Cairo with QR codes. The QR codes allow visitors to hear oral history interviews with long-time Cairo citizens. Launch event at 5pm in the Cairo High School cafeteria.

A Krampus Carol at the Varsity Theater, Carbondale, IL - "Long overlooked as Santa’s demon sidekick, Krampus, is visited by Marley’s ghost on Christmas Eve in a twisted take on A Christmas Carol." 7:30pm.

Tree Lighting, Murphysboro, IL - Food, music, carriage rides, cocoa, popcorn, kids' activities, Santa’s cottage, toy donations, and a partridge in a pear tree. 6-9pm.

Very Merry Market, Marion, IL - Vendors, food trucks, carolers, carriage rides, alpacas, and Christmas movies at the Civic Center. Kids hunt for polar bears, ride ponies, and burn off sugar with free activities. 4-8pm.

Champions of Magic Holiday Spectacular, Paducah, KY - Vegas-type razzle dazzle in our neck of the woods? High-energy magic show with grand illusions and interactive tricks. And Christmas. Somehow, it's also Christmas.

Sat, Dec 6

Mary Mingle 5K, Cape Girardeau, MO - The annual holiday run returns on Saturday, and more than 500 people are expected to fill downtown Cape! Even if you don’t run, go cheer them on. Watching 500+ people sprint past Broadway is going to be a sight. C'mon y'all, this is turning into Cape's Boston Marathon. You want to be part of it.

Jefferson Pool Movie Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Watch Polar Express, floating around, relaxing in an inner tube at the Jefferson Pool. Doors 5:30pm, movie 6pm. $5. Why? Because you CAN.

Underground Comedy, Cape Girardeau, MO - Scout Hall is launching its underground comedy night. Doors 7pm, show 8. 21+. Tickets $10-$15, or $50 for a table for four. Catch it this weekend, and then start practicing your own tight five.

Big Band Holiday Jukebox, Cape Girardeau, MO - Night two of the high-energy holiday jams at Bedell Performance Hall. Big band, big vocals, big groove. 7:30pm. $26–$30.50.

Sounds of the Season, Cape Girardeau, MO - A holiday concert at Bedell Hall benefiting the Mercy Southeast Cancer Care Fund. Expect festive classics performed by SEMO’s finest musicians. 2pm. $13 in person, $15.75 online.

Christmas at Cape County Alpacas, Gordonville, MO - Alpacas! Meet and feed alpacas! Photos with Santa...and alpacas! Plus holiday shopping, and alpacas! Support small, support local, support farms, and support alpacas. 10am-1pm.

Christmas Market at 5-H Christmas Tree Ranch, Jackson, MO - Vendors, a petting zoo, trees, and Santa photos. 10am-2pm. There's really no excuse to not see Santa this weekend.

Sleigh Your Shopping in Uptown Jackson, Jackson, MO - A full day of shopping local, sipping cocoa, and racking up entries for the mega-prize. Cap it off with the Uptown Jackson's Christmas Parade at 5pm.

Community Tree Lighting Christmas Celebration, Advance, MO - Carriage rides, cookies, cocoa, tree lighting, and carols at Mayberry Park. 3-5pm. Tree lighting at 5pm.

Christmas on the Square, Perryville, MO - A charming Christmas night on the courthouse square. Story time with Mrs. Claus, a lighted Christmas parade, cocoa and treats, Santa meet-and-greets, and a Grinch appearance. Starts at 5pm.

Rock ’N’ Roll Drive-In Double Feature, Chaffee, MO - In case you missed Polar Express at the pool. Catch Elf and The Polar Express at the drive-in. Gates 5:30pm, first movie 7pm. $20 per car.

Holiday Christmas Festival, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Missouri’s oldest town turns into a postcard: Weihnacht Market, one of the state’s biggest parades (140+ floats and classic cars tossing candy), historic open houses, and concerts in churches. This sucker is big. So many events within the event. Grab a schedule at the Welcome Center.

Carriage Rides, Ice Sculptor & a Reindeer, Farmington, MO - Climb aboard and clop through downtown. It's a horse-drawn trot past twinkling lights. No reservations needed. Free. An ice sculptor will be carving a frosty Mona Lisa at the entrance of Winter Wonderland at noon. And Jefferson Street Plaza will have a reindeer hanging out 12-2pm.

Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk, Brazeau, MO - Small-town Christmas with a live nativity, over 300 luminaries, food and refreshments, craft fair, Christmas concert, Santa letters, S’mores hut, and an elf hunt (which probably needs to be renamed). 3-8pm.

Grouchy Grinch Run 5K, Poplar Bluff, MO - A Grinch-themed fun run at McLane Park. Check-in 9:30am, run 10am. $10.

Old-fashioned Christmas Festival, Kimmswick, MO - Day two of Kimmswick’s Yuletide celebration. Santa returns, Rivertown Sound performs, and the Burgess-How Home glows again with candlelight tours. No outside vendors! Just Kimmswick’s shops doing what they do best - making shopping fun.

Once Upon a Dream Christmas Light Parade, Oak Ridge, MO - Disney-themed light parade rolling through Oak Ridge. Parade begins around 5pm.

Very Merry Market, Marion, IL - Festive all day long: local vendors, treats, ice skating, carriage rides, more alpacas, Santa appearances (this guy is relentless), live music, and free holiday movies. Plus: downtown Marion dressed up like it’s auditioning for a role as the North Pole.

Christmas in the Village, Cobden, IL - An all-day holiday takeover in one of So/Ill’s cutest little towns. A 5K, vendor stands, food, a kids' zone with a petting zoo, and in the evening: a lights parade, the tree lighting, and a caroling hayride.

Holiday Home Tour, Harrisburg, IL - This event fascinates me. For $25, you get to tour five beautifully decorated Harrisburg homes.

Lights Fantastic Parade & Winter Market, Carbondale, IL - Local vendors and festive shopping at the Town Square Pavilion 4-9pm. The nighttime lights parade begins at 6pm.

A Krampus Carol at the Varsity Theater, Carbondale, IL - Krampus returns for night two of this dark-comedy twist on A Christmas Carol. 7:30pm.

DIY Holiday Wreath Workshop, Makanda, IL - A free wreath-making class with Master Gardeners at Giant City State Park. 1-2:30pm. Visit the link and call the number to reserve your spot.

Christmas with the Alpacas, Goreville, IL - Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch opens the gates. Stroll the pasture with their friendly alpacas. Santa will be on-site for free photos inside an antique sleigh. 10am-3pm. Free entry and parking.

Sun, Dec 7

Bollinger Mill Christmas Open House, Burfordville, MO - Free admission, self-guided tours 12-4pm, and live Christmas music by Back Porch Company. Hot cocoa available for purchase.

Frisson Ensemble: A Classic Christmas, Cape Girardeau, MO - This NY-based Ensemble brings selections from The Nutcracker, “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Bach’s Brandenburg No. 4, Carol of the Bells, a Christmas jazz suite, and traditional carols. A classy way to end a weekend. 3pm. $27–$30.50.

Jackson Oliver House Museum Christmas Tours, Jackson, MO - The historic Jackson Oliver House is fully decorated for Christmas. Take a tour and check out the beautiful holiday decor. 1-4pm.

Holiday Harmonies: Bootheel River Symphony, Sikeston, MO - Holiday concert at Malone Park Center for the Arts with instrumental favorites, a community singalong, refreshments, and an Ugly-sweater fundraiser competition. 6pm.

Holiday Christmas Festival, Ste. Genevieve, MO - More concerts in historic churches, historic sites, shops glowing, and room to wander without Saturday’s crowds.

Old-fashioned Christmas Festival, Kimmswick, MO - A slow-Sunday stroll through historic streets packed with decorations, local merchants, and enough holiday spirit to make Tiny Tim proud.

A Krampus Carol at the Varsity Theater, Carbondale, IL - A matinee dose of holiday mischief. The Christmas spirit is…complicated. 2pm.

Very Merry Market, Marion, IL - Shop local makers, snack your way around Tower Square, ride ponies, visit Santa, snap alpaca selfies, and let the kids go wild with free activities. A perfect warm-and-fuzzy Sunday.

Christmas with the Alpacas, Goreville, IL - No Santa today. But who needs Santa when you're strolling through alpaca-filled pastures with a hot chocolate in hand? 10am-3pm. Free entry and parking.

Ongoing Christmas & Winter Activities

Giant City Gnome Roam, Makanda, IL - Seven trails, seven winter-hiking gnomes, and one very cute reason to get outside. Find each gnome, snap a pic, then bring your proof to the Visitors Center to earn a free Gnome Roam patch. Runs all winter (except the Red Cedar Trail).

Christmas in Lights, Bonne Terre, MO - Stone Park’s massive drive-through light display! Over a million lights and 100+ displays along a wooded, scenic route. Runs nightly through Dec 27. 5:30-9pm. $20 a car (buses and large vans extra).

Festival of Lights Auto Tour at Redman Creek West Campground, Wappapello, MO - Approximately 250,000 lights turn a campground into a winter wonderland. Every weekend until December 14th, then nightly until Christmas night. Free for all, but donations are much appreciated.

Snowman Lane Drive-Thru Light Park, Farmington, MO - A drive-thru dreamland full of snowman-themed scenes. My favorite scene is the one where the snowmen reenact the chest burster from Alien. Jk. $15 per vehicle; $25 for large vans. 6-9pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Cash preferred.

Plan ahead

Polar Strut 5K / Glow Run & 1-Mile Walk, Jackson, MO - Run (or strut) through the Christmas Lights Display at Cape County Park South and support local Special Olympics athletes. Meet Santa, say hi to Shiver the Bear, and soak in the lights before the crowds. Entry $30–$40 depending on registration date. Friday, Dec 12, 7-8pm.

Good God, did you even make it down here? Did anyone survive that events list?

Wonder how many times I said the words, "festive, holiday, and Christmas".

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