December in Cape Girardeau is bursting with holiday fun and festivity!  

Festive Family Fun

Collect candy canes left by a certain jolly someone at Arena Park on Friday December 12 at the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt.  After candy canes are collected, there will be cookies and hot chocolate.  

Enjoy breakfast and visit with Santa as he makes a special stop in Cape Girardeau to listen to the holiday wishes of every boy and girl on Saturday December 13 at Breakfast with Santa!

Little drummer boys and girls will love a Season of Percussion: Family Holiday Concert, a free event with two shows on Saturday, December 13! Shows start at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the zoo….visit the north pole, Santa’s post office a live nativity and at Lazy L Safari Park’s Christmas at the Zoo, December 6, 13 and 20.  

Carols and more

The Southeast Missouri Choral Union, University Choir and Symphony Orchestra combine to perform Mass in G Major by the Romantic composer Franz Schubert. Also on the program will be the evocative London Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams. A dinner prior to the show is available as part of the Art Cuisine offering.  Mass in G Major will be performed on Tuesday December 2.  

The 19th Annual Sounds of the Season Christmas Concert benefits cancer patients and their families on Sunday December 7.  

When Charles Dickens wrote his “ghostly little tale” in 1843, he couldn’t know that A Christmas Carol was destined to become one of the most beloved holiday traditions of all time. The Nebraska Theatre Caravan has been touring this delightful adaptation of A Christmas Carol since 1979 and will perform at the River Campus on Thursday December 11.

Homes Decorated for Christmas

Step back in time to Christmas past at the Byrd House.  This dinner theatre event includes a 5 course feast and actors portraying life in the Byrd home in the territory of Missouri in the year 1820.  Held every Friday and Saturday from November 28 – December 20, there are two seatings per evening for advance ticket holders.  

The halls are beautifully decked at Christmas at the Glenn House.  This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays,” and tours of this handsomely restored Victorian home outfitted for the season are available every Saturday and Sunday afternoon throughout December.  Candlelight tours are offered Friday December 12 and Saturday December 20.

More Yuletide Cheer

Can you solve the mystery at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau’s Murder Mystery Dinner Party?  Find out on Thursday December 4.

Bring your Christmas shopping list to the Downtown Christmas Open House on Friday December 5!  Many downtown merchants will be open later into the evening with specials and fun events for the occasion.

Jingle all the way along the 5k course at the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.  Holiday themed costumes and jingle bells tied to your shoelaces welcome on Saturday December 13!

Bring your youngsters to make a few nature related crafts at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Saturday December 20.

Ring in the New Year for a great cause at St. Jude New Year’s Eve Benefit on December 31.

Also open throughout the month of December:
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site

Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center

Cape River Heritage Museum

Crisp Museum

Discovery Playhouse

Fort D

Glenn House

Lazy L Safari Park

LeBounce

Lorimier Cemetery

Orange Monkey

Trail of Tears State Park

Wineries, Shops, Restaurants

Share the good times!  Tag your pics with #visitcape.