OLD TOWN CAPE SIGNATURE EVENT
Holiday Events
Friday, November 27
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Vasterling suites courtyard
Christmas Tree Lighting
Join Santa & Mrs. Claus as they light the thirty-foot Christmas tree! Kick-off the holiday season with Christmas music, fire pits, and local food vendors.
Old Town Cape’s 30-foot Christmas Tree has quickly become a holiday destination for crowds in Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas. On the Friday following Thanksgiving, spectators can visit the corner of Broadway and Fountain to sing Christmas carols, illuminated aerial acrobatic performances, enjoy warm beverages and treats, and, of course, watch Santa Claus light the tree. The tree then remains lit throughout the Christmas season until the beginning of the New Year. Join us in downtown Cape Girardeau at the Vasterling Suites Courtyard on Friday, November 27 from 5 pm to 7 pm!
Event Schedule:
| 5:30pm | – Vendors will be serving food – S’mores station will begin |
|---|---|
| 6:00pm | Master of Ceremonies, Jim Maurer, will welcome attendees to the event |
| 6:10pm | With Santa, Mrs. Claus & the elves’ arrival, musicians will lead attendees in singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” |
| 6:20pm | Master of Ceremonies will lead the countdown to lighting After the tree is lit, musicians lead singing “Deck the Halls” followed by “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” |
Thank you so much to our amazing sponsors:
Winter Wonderland Sponsor: Primo Vino/Cask & Victoria’s Creamery
Saturday, November 28
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Small Business Saturday BINGO
We will be celebrating Small Business Saturday a little differently this year! Every year, we award two $500 downtown shopping sprees- and this year you’ll need a BINGO to win! We are inviting the community to pick up & return their bingo card in the Marquette Tower Lobby from 8 am-5 pm on Saturday, November 29. Consumers will be required to get a BINGO by visiting participating businesses and getting their card stamped. (Old Town Cape will provide the stamps).
We have 25 spots available on our Small Business Saturday bingo cards, and all downtown businesses are invited to call our office at 573-334-8085 or email savannahedwards@oldtowncape.org to participate. Limited spots are available and they will be on a first come first serve basis. Although there are limited spots available, we think this is a great opportunity to showcase a variety of our downtown businesses, Give us a call now to secure your spot!!
Thank you to our sponsor Cape Family Medical Clinic!
Sunday, November 29
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Parade of Lights
Head downtown for the annual Parade of Lights beginning at dusk. The parade begins at the intersection of Broadway Street and West End Boulevard (Capaha Park entrance), continues East down Broadway toward the river, then turns right onto Main Street, and will end at 43 S. Main (Hutson’s Big Sandy Furniture parking lot). The theme for 2026 is “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.”
The Parade of Lights is proudly presented by Old Town Cape, Inc., and our sponsors:
Drury Southwest, Rhodes, The Rhodes Group, and Saint Francis Healthcare Systems
Horse & Carriage Sponsorship: Downtown Cape Girardeau Community Improvement District
Volunteer Sponsor: Ritter Communications
Friday, December 4
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Holiday Open House
The 2025 Downtown Holiday Open House is a family-friendly event! On Friday, December 5, at Vasterling Suites courtyard, you will find Photos with Santa. In the Hutson’s Big Sandy Furniture parking lot at 43 S. Main Street, you can find horse-drawn carriage rides, warm your bones by the fire pits, and enjoy holiday tunes.
Participating businesses will be decorated and waiting with holiday merchandise, in-store deals, and special events! Stay tuned on social media for our downtown deals! If you are a downtown business, please email or tag us in your deals or promotions for these dates!
Thank you so much to our sponsors!
Photos with Santa: Cape Noon Optimist Club
Horse & Carriage Rides: Visit Cape
Santa’s Workshop: Ritter Communications
Volunteer Sponsor: Cintas
Huge thanks to our Christmas in Downtown sponsors!
Drury Southwest, Rhodes, The Rhodes Group, and Saint Francis Health Care System
Downtown Cape Girardeau is the area’s most scenic destination for holiday shopping.
Christmas in Downtown Cape attracts seasonal shoppers and return consumers to enjoy a full schedule of events and promotions against a backdrop of historic and natural attractions decorated to reflect the magic of Christmas.
Thank you to our Christmas in Downtown Sponsors!
