This Month in Cape
- Christmas Eve Observed, Public Offices Closed (Dec. 22)
- Thursday's
trash/recycling route will be run on Wednesday, and Friday's routes
will be run on Thursday. All other routes remain the same.
- Christmas Observed, Public Offices Closed (Dec. 25)
- Monday's
trash/recycling route will be run on Tuesday. Tuesday's trash/recycling
route will be run on Wednesday. All other routes remain the same.
See cityofcape.org/holidays for more.
December 2023
- SEMO’s Winterfest (Dec. 1, 4:30-6:00pm)
- Free Admission; Magill Hall, Southeast Missouri State University
- Join us as we celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the site selection of the Normal School with a holiday light event on campus! This special event will include: Winter-themed displays, holiday lights, activities including making snowflakes and virtual snowball fights, hot cocoa and cookies, and a special appearance from Santa Rowdy! Winterfest will be held on the pathway between Magill Hall and Brandt Hall. Parking available at Magill Hall in the science quad.
- Nature Center @ Night: Carter and Connelly (Dec. 1, 6:00-8:00pm)
- Free Admission; Cape Girardeau Nature Center
- Back by popular demand, listen to Carter and Connelley fill the nature center with songs and stories about Missouri’s streams and their lives outdoors in the heartland. This musical duo has been entertaining audiences in southern Illinois and southeast Missouri for decades, why not join the fun? This is a perfect evening for the whole family. This program is part of our “Nature Center at Night” series and the building and exhibits will remain open until 8pm.
- A Holiday Evening at the Glenn House (Fridays Dec. 1-22, 6:00-8:00pm)
- $10 per person; The Glenn House
- Step into a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience as you discover the different natural elements that make up the Christmas season. From the forest to the sea to time itself, an Elemental Christmas at the Glenn House will surely give you a Christmas experience you won’t soon forget. Stroll through the Glenn House in the evening light, experiencing the decorations and a little holiday magic. Enjoy refreshments in the Carriage House and live music!
- Big Band Holiday Jukebox (Dec. 1 & 2, 7:30-10:00pm)
- Ticket Prices Vary; Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall
- A holiday collaboration featuring festive music and the talents of students in the Departments of Music and the Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance. All patrons are required to have a ticket, regardless of age. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.
- Holiday Open House (Dec. 1 & 2, 5:00-8:00pm)
- Free Admission, Event Pricing May Vary; Downtown Cape Girardeau
- The 2023 Downtown Holiday Open House is a family-friendly TWO-DAY event this year! On Friday, Decemeber 1st, you can enjoy live mannequins at Pastimes Antiques, a hot chocolate bar at Socials Cafe, and Christmas carols by Alma Schrader Elementary School students! On Saturday, December 2nd, at Vasterling Suites courtyard, you will find children’s activities next to the Old Town Cape Christmas Tree along with Photos with Santa. In the market lot at 35 S. Spanish Street, you can find horse-drawn carriage rides by Hileman Carriage Service, snag a photo with The Grinch, and enjoy holiday tunes by the Snowbird Street Band. Also on Saturday evening, Old St. Vincent Church will be hosting a Brass & Organ concert at 7pm! 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!
- Holiday Artisan Market (Dec. 2 – 3:00-7:00pm)
- Free Admission, Annie Laurie’s
- Join Annie Laurie’s on December 2nd for the first annual Holiday Artisan Market! They will host dozens of vendors that will line up and down North Frederick Street- bringing guests crafts, baked goods, food trucks, specialty items, and so much more. Stop by and take a look around from 3:00-7:00pm and find unique gifts for family, friends, and maybe even a little something for yourself!
- Jingle Bell 5k Run (Dec. 2 – 8:00am-1:00pm)
- $25-50; Fitness Plus
- Help keep the tradition going strong by jingling with your family and friends at the Arthritis Foundation’s 2023 Jingle Bell Run. Be a part of the original festive race for charity and signature Arthritis Foundation holiday event! Wear your favorite holiday attire and together, we’ll jingle all the way to a cure! Register as an individual or bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run, walk or stroll, and spread the good cheer. Together, we’re raising funds to support research for ARTHRITIS TREATMENTS & A CURE — plus life-changing ARTHRITIS RESOURCES & LOCAL PROGRAMS.
- Preparing and Preserving Venison (Dec. 2 – 9:00am-12:00pm)
- Free Admission; Cape Girardeau Nature Center
- Preparation of venison is key to a flavorful tasting dish. This class will demonstrate basic preparation of venison before cooking to please any picky eater. If you have too much venison and are running out of freezer space? Come and learn basic canning skills to preserve and make your deer tasty without the freezer burn.
- A Christmas Spectacular (Dec. 5 – 7:30pm-10:00pm)
- Ticket Prices May Vary; Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall
- It’s that time of year when the beautiful sound of woodwinds, brass, and percussion bring together the festive sounds of the holiday season. All patrons are required to have a ticket, regardless of age. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.
- The Importance of Being Earnest (Dec. 6-10, 7:30-10:00pm)
- Ticket Prices Vary, Rust Flexible Theatre
- One of the funniest satires ever written, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy is a hilarious case of deception and disguise that follows bachelors John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff as they attempt to escape their boring lives through the elusive “Ernest”. Will both gentlemen be able to keep their stories straight long enough to win the hearts of the women they love? All patrons are required to have a ticket, regardless of age. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.
- Community Dance & Social (Dec. 7 – 6:00-9:00pm)
- $5 per person; A.C. Brase Arena
- Come relax, socialize and dance to some great classic music! Big dance floor, plenty of seating and concessions available. Dances are located at the A. C. Brase Arena. Jerry Ford Combo & Orchestra performing from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- City Employee Event, Many Public Offices Temporarily Closed (Dec. 8 – 11:00am-2:00pm)
- St. Mary Cathedral School Live Nativity (Dec. 8, 6:30-8:00pm)
- Free Admission; 200th Block of Frederick Street
- St. Mary Cathedral School will be hosting their Live Nativity on December 8th from 6:30pm to 8:00 PM. In the grassy field off Frederick Street near the school, Children will be dressing up as Nativity characters and singing Christmas songs! Come out and enjoy the Christmas season and take part in this special event!
- Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt (Dec. 8 – 6:30-7:30pm)
- $5 per pre-registered child, $8 per child day-of; Shawnee Park Center
- A certain someone has left candy canes all over the grounds of Shawnee Park. Bring your flashlights and help us find them! When you arrive at the Shawnee Park Center you'll get to decorate a bag for collecting the candy canes. After we collect the candy canes, we will enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. We'll be giving away a bicycle & door prizes! Parents must accompany children. Please dress according to weather. This event will happen rain or shine! If raining, the candy cane hunt will be moved indoors. Be sure to watch PlayCape! or check back here for more details and updates!
- Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 9 – 8:30-10:30am)
- $8 per pre-registered guest, $10 per guest day-of; Shawnee Park Center
- Enjoy breakfast and visit with Santa as he makes a special stop in Cape Girardeau to listen to the holiday wishes of every child! Breakfast will include donuts, muffins, biscuits & gravy, milk & juice. Santa will be arriving around 9:00 a.m. Parents are invited to bring their camera to capture this special moment. All attendees must purchase a ticket. For ages 12 & under. Santa and all of the Parks and Recreation Staff had a GREAT time with you in 2022!! Be sure to watch PlayCape! or check back here this fall for this year's event details!
- Holiday Cooking Demo Seminar (Dec. 12)
- Prices May Vary, Osage Centre
- S.T.A.R. Christmas Wonderland (Dec. 14 – 6:00-8:00pm)
- Free Admission; Osage Centre
- S.T.A.R. is a community therapeutic recreation program serving individuals who are unable to successfully participate in regular recreation programs. Most individuals with special needs may participate in S.T.A.R. programs. Persons of all ages who are in special education classes, workshops, or who have leisure needs not met by traditional recreation programs are eligible. This includes those varying degrees of developmental delays, mental and physical disabilities, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional difficulties, and hearing or visual impairments. The S.T.A.R. programs meets monthly and events are free. Please register in advance with the number of participants and number of staff members that will be attending. For more information, contact Moriah at [email protected] or at 573-339-6732.
- Parent’s Nature Break: Outdoor Cooking (Dec. 15 – 6:00-7:30pm)
- Free Admission; Cape Girardeau Nature Center
- Cooking outdoors is a great compliment to many other outdoor activities. Whether you are camping, fishing, hunting, or enjoying your backyard, this program will add another element to your outdoor experience. You parents deserve a break! That’s why we are offering a program just for you while providing an equally awesome program for your children at the same time. Have you always wanted to attend one of our programs but had trouble finding childcare? Here’s your chance to practice and enjoy different methods of outdoor cooking while your kiddos enjoy fun naturalist-led activities and crafts in the adjoining classroom. Please enroll all children and adults that will be attending. Childcare will only be provided for ages 6 and up.