The St. Charles History Museum is inviting everyone to join them in marking a Century of Celebration – 1926 – 2026 at their annual Holiday Gala. A local tradition returns this holiday season when the St. Charles History Museum holds its Holiday Gala Fundraiser on December 11, 2026, at the historic Dunham Woods Riding Club.
St. Charles History Museum Executive Director Alex Cullum says, “It’s hard to believe that we’re about to hold our 6th annual Holiday Gala. We’re looking forward to seeing all our friends and supporters this holiday season and anxious to share information about the big changes going on at the History Museum. In that spirit, we invite the community to join us as we celebrate St. Charles’s Century of Celebration – 1926 – 2026. We’re also excited to hold the cost for this Gala at 2025’s prices! This year we are offering Early Bird pricing beginning on October 1st through October 31st. Remember – this event has sold out every year!”
The Holiday Gala Fundraiser theme will be “A Century of Celebration” to mark the incredible span of 100 years of St. Charles’s growth and perseverance from 1926 – 2026. The 100th anniversaries of the Arcada Theatre and the Baker Community Center provide the backdrop to reflect on so many other anniversaries, including the end of the Depression and WWII, huge population growth during that time frame, changes in St. Charles’s economic foundation, and the maturing of the city from a small river town and weekend resort to a leading location for business and technology in the Fox River Valley. The evening includes a cocktail reception, an open bar, appetizers, a three-course meal, live music, a silent auction, and more. Guests will enjoy an elegant dinner and the holiday setting of the wonderfully historic Dunham Woods Riding Club! This is a formal/cocktail attire event. Complimentary valet service and coat check will be provided.
Museum Board President Brian McNally says, “Nearly 75% of the funding for the Museum comes from individual donors, and this Gala is the largest fundraiser the Museum hosts each year. We think this will be our best Gala event ever, and we’re glad to be able to return to the Dunham Woods Ricing Club to bring this holiday event to the community!”
Early bird reservations for the Holiday Gala begin on October 1st. The cost is $150 per person. Early bird pricing will end at midnight on October 31, 2026. After the end of Early Bird pricing, regular pricing will be $160 per person, while members save $10 on their tickets at $150. Dinner is gluten-free, and there are vegetarian dinner options available. Reservations can be made at https://www.stcmuseum.org/events/gala26.
For additional information, or if you have any questions, please call the museum at 630-584-6967 or email info@stcmuseum.org.
Founded in 1933, the St. Charles History Museum, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, has been collecting, preserving, and presenting the long history of St. Charles through unique programming, events, exhibits, and presentations. History Happens Here.
