The 40th annual Ste. Genevieve Holiday Christmas Festival will be Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th – but it’s much more than just your typical holiday weekend event. It boasts one of the finest Christmas celebrations in all of Missouri, but it’s also lauded as one of the top two Christmas celebrations in the entire Midwest according to AAA magazine. With a setting amidst historic houses, churches, art galleries, museums and a National Park this world-class event includes more than a dozen free performances by famed local and regional musicians, a magician, free crafts for children and adults, historical dancers, historical lectures, an Art Guild show, elegant receptions at various historic sites, a tree-trimming and a live nativity. Also back this year is Le Reveillon, a French Christmas tradition celebrating food, customs and decorations of an early 1800’s Christmas Eve. According to Annette Rolfe, the Executive Director of the event, the weekend will cover more than 700 years of holiday-theme