Read our feature in the June issue of SLM on summer festivals both in and outside of St. Louis? In the feature, we listed local fairs and festivals, one for every weekend from June through September. Here, we've put together a more detailed guide of all the local St. Louis events, including time, price, location, and more. Keep this list handy to refer to when you're making your summer plans! Here's the details:
JUNE:
June 3–5: Art and Air
This Webster Groves art fair, held on the lawn at Eden Theological Seminary, includes the work of more than 100 artists. Plus, enjoy food, drink, and hands-on art activities for children. Free. Times: 6–10 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat, noon–5 p.m. Sun. Eden Theological Seminary, Bompart & Lockwood, 314-968-6500, artandair.com.
June 4–5: International Horseradish Festival
This quirky event includes a “root toss,” Bloody Mary mix-off, live music, and a Little Miss Horseradish Festival Pageant. Free. Times: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Woodland Park, Collinsville, Ill., 618-344-2884, horseradishfestival.net.
June 8–11: Twangfest 15
Following up on the success of last year’s fest—during which two of the four nights of Americana, rock, soul, and roots music sold out—organizers promise this year’s festival will be even bigger. Visit the website for times and prices. Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust; Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room, 6504 Delmar; twangfest.com.
June 10–11: Route 66 Festival
Edwardsville celebrates America’s “mother road” with a festival that includes a “Taste of the Road” food court, a beer garden, live music, a car show, kids’ activities, and a 10K run. Times: 5 p.m.–midnight Fri, 8 a.m.–midnight Sat. Edwardsville City Park, 101 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville, Ill., 618-692-7538, cityofedwardsville.com.
June 10–11: St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival
Sample 60-plus beers and great food in an Oktoberfest-like setting. Vendors include Six Row Brewing Company, Ferguson Brewing Company, Kirkwood Highlands Brewing Company, and Morgan Street Brewery. There is also a competition for home brewers. $30 in advance, $35 day of festival. Times: 7–11 p.m. Fri, 1–5 p.m. & 7–11 p.m. Sat. Central Field, Forest Park, 314-576-2798, stlbrewfest.com.
June 10–18: Innsbrook Music Festival
This weeklong event, based on the Aspen Music Festival, mixes master classes for young musicians with concerts by internationally known classical musicians in natural, intimate settings around Innsbrook. $25–$30. Call or visit the website for times. Innsbrook Institute Music Festival, 1 Aspen, Innsbrook, 636-928-3366 x228, innsbrookinstitute.org.
June 12–16: St. Louis Jewish Film Festival
This annual showcase hosts the finest in contemporary Jewish cinema. This year, for the first time, the festival will also have a juried short-film competition. The film festival proper will feature more than a dozen films never before shown in St. Louis, including Jewish Soldiers in Blue & Gray, The Matchmaker, 100 Voices: A Journey Home, Berlin 36, Naomi, and Vidal Sassoon The Movie. $11 in advance, $12 at the door, $40 per four-pack of weekday films. Call for times. Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema, 1701 S. Lindbergh, 314-442-3179, stljewishfilmfestival.org.
June 18: St. Louis Underground Music Festival
Dedicated to promoting unity in the St. Louis hip hop community, this new festival features performances from more than 60 artists. $10 adults 21 and up, $12 minors. Time: 2 p.m.–2 a.m. The Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester, slumfest.com.
June 18: Soulard Earth Festival
The St. Louis Poetry Slam crew, Word in Motion, sponsors this mini environmental festival that includes slam poetry (naturally), as well as dancing, percussion, music, art, and green vendor displays, plus kids’ activities and a Soulard Bicycle Tour. Free. Time: noon–8 p.m. Soulard Park, Lafayette Avenue & Seventh Street, 314-776-7370, facebook.com/pages/Soulard-Earth-Festival/116387178395756.
June 25–26: Fiesta in Florissant
Celebrate Hispanic culture and art with folkloric dancers, authentic food, Hispanic arts and crafts, and margaritas and beer. Free. Time: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat & Sun. Knights of Columbus Park, 50 Rue St. Francois, hispanicfestivalstl.com.
June 25–26: Pridefest
Parade and festival celebrating St. Louis’ LGBT community, which attracts 80,000 to 100,000 people each year. Events include a commitment ceremony on Saturday at 3 p.m., booths, food and drink, and the main parade on Sunday at noon. Free. Time: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia, 314-772-8888, pridestl.org.
Wednesdays, June 1 through August 3: Whitaker Music Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden
Bring your own blankets, seating, and picnic. Pets, barbecue grills, and smoking are forbidden. Free admission after 5 p.m.; concert is free. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org.
Fridays in June: Laumeier's Music+Movies Series
Movies chosen for this year's series emphasize the interaction between humans and animals, and between domesticated animals and the “outside” natural world. Picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Food and beverages will be available from Laumeier and Cha Cha Chow although coolers are permitted. Free. Time: Music begins at 7 p.m., movies start at dusk, around 8:30 p.m. Laumeier Outdoor Music Ampitheatre, 12580 Rott, 314-615-5278, laumeier.org.
JULY:
July 2–4: Fair St. Louis
Annual Independence Day celebration kicks off over the Fourth of July weekend and runs through early August; fireworks go off on the riverfront at 9:15 p.m. daily, and there’s a twice-daily air show on Sat and Sun. Free. Times: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat & Sun. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 314-434-3434, celebratestlouis.org.
July 4: St. Charles Riverfest
Annual Independence Day celebration includes continuous live music, food, a parade, and fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Blanchette Park, 1900 W. Randolph, St. Charles. Carnival runs from July 1 through 4. Free. Time: 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Frontier Park, 500 S. Riverside, St. Charles, 800-366-2427, stcharlescitymo.gov.
July 8–10: Soulard Bastille Days Festival
Annual Bastille Day celebration toasts the French heritage of this historic St. Louis neighborhood; the weekend begins with a pub crawl and “beheading” of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette in Soulard Market Square, followed by food and wine tastings and other events. The festival culminates with a Sunday bicycle race. Free. Soulard, 314-621-6226, soulard.org.
July 8: Let Them Eat Art
Maplewood celebrates Bastille Day with a theme that’s just as French, but less savage than the guillotine: art. The city describes this event as “Mardi Gras meets the Christmas tree walk.” This year, the organizers have scheduled live music, live art demonstrations, hoop-dance performances, belly dancing, and more. Free. Time: 6–11 p.m. Downtown Maplewood, 7300 Manchester, 314-646-3607, cityofmaplewood.com.
July 16: Kirkwood Farmers' Market Peach Festival
Everything’s peachy at the Kirkwood Farmers’ Market, where local farmers bring peach-related treats to sample and the crowd grooves to the smooth tunes of UJ & The Down Home Blues Band. Time: 10 a.m.–noon. 150 E. Argonne, 314-822-0084, downtownkirkwood.com/peach-festival.asp.
July 25–30: St. Louis Tap Festival
The St. Louis Tap Festival turns 20 this year and brings rising stars of the tap world to St. Louis. You can also learn to be a tap master at its many classes and workshops. Time: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Mon–Fri, 8:30–11:15 a.m. Sat. Workshops are at Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington, 314-533-9900, sheldonconcerthall.org. The week of tap culminates in All That Tap XX on July 30. $15–$25. Time: 7 p.m. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UM–St. Louis, 1 University, 314-516-4949, touhill.org.
July 30–31: City-Wide Open Studios Weekend
Dedicated to the discovery of the hidden spaces where local artists work. The CWOS program consists of a series of events and tours, sponsored by the Contemporary Art Museum, to highlight local artists. Free. Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Various studios, 314-535-4660, cam-stl.org.
AUGUST:
August 6–7: Serbfest
Annual festival celebrates the cultural traditions of Serbia, including food, tamburitza music, kolo dance performances, and arts and crafts. Free. Times: TBA. Holy Trinity Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, 1910 Serbian, 314-76-3262, serbianchurchstlouis.com.
August 13: Great Stone Hill Grape Stomp
Unlike sausage, it's as much fun to watch wine being made as it is to drink it. Watch as dozens of people sign up to help stomp the juice from this year's grapes. $5 to stop, $3 for adults to watch, $1.50 for kids to watch. Time: 11 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. stomping. Stone Hill Winery, 1110 Stone Hill Highway, Hermann, 800-909-9463, stonehillwinery.com.
August 13–14: Jour de Fête
Wander the historic French colonial town of Ste. Genevieve for its annual arts-and-crafts show, one of the largest in the Midwest. Free. Times: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve, 573-883-7097, stegenevievejourdefete.com.
August 13–14: Moonlight Ramble
Largest nighttime group bike ride in the country has been going strong for almost half a century. Organized by Hostelling International, the event typically attracts about 10,000 riders, including lots of kids who get to stay up way past their bedtimes. $30 adults, $15 kids. Time: Ride begins at midnight at Soldier's Memorial downtown. 314-644-4660, moonlightramble.org.
August 14–18: St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
An annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, this event serves as the area's primary venue for films made by local artists. Features 15-20 programs over five days, ranging from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Details TBA, cinemastlouis.org.
August 19–21: Festival of the Little Hills
Popular annual arts and carfts festival includes barbecue, street performers, live music, face painting, and a plethora of artists and carftsmen selling baskets, pottery, quilts, dolls, sculpture, jewelry, wood carvings, floral arrangements, and more. Free. Times: 4–10 p.m. Fri, 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. Frontier Park, St. Charles, Mo., 636-940-0095, festivalofthelittlehills.com.
August 26–28: Midwest Salute to the Arts
Includes work from more than 100 artists from across the country. Mediums include clay, drawing, printmaking, fine craft, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood. Free. Times: 6–10 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. Everett Moody Park at Longacre, 525 S. Ruby, Fairview Heights, Ill., midwestsalute.com.
August 27–28: LouFest Music Festival
After a successful inaugural year, LouFest is back with performances from 18 local and national bands. Artists include The Roots, TV on the Radio, Jumbling Towers, The Low Anthem, and more. $38 for a one-day pass, $64 for two-day pass. Times: Noon–10 p.m. Forest Park, corner of Jefferson and Wells, loufest.com.
August 27–28: Festival of Nations
Various ethnic groups living in St. Louis—including the Bosnian, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Iraqi, and Mexican communities—perform music and dance from their native countries. Includes booths offering food and crafts, a petting zoo, and a demonstration of national sports. Free. Times: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. International Institute of St. Louis, Tower Grove Park, 314-773-9090, stlfestivalofnations.org.
SEPTEMBER:
Sept. 2–5: The Gateway Cup
This labor day weekend event features five to six cycling races each day, including the feature event, the men's Pro-Am race. In the Pro-Am, 150 of the nation's top cyclists will compete. Free to watch, registration prices vary per race. Times: 3–9:30 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat, 8:30 a.m.–5:50 p.m. Sun, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Various locations, gatewaycup.com.
Sept. 3–4: Big Muddy Blues Festival
The city's annual, free blues festival features more than 30 local and national blues acts near the waterfront on Laclede's Landing. Free. Times: Noon–11 p.m. Laclede's Landing, 314-241-5875, lacledeslanding.com.
Sept. 3–5: Japanese Festival
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Events include martial arts, craft demos, cooking demos, and more. $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 3–12, $5 garden members. Times: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat and Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org.
Sept. 3–5: St. Nicholas GreekFest
Featuring Greek cuisine, folk dancing, and traditional music. Free. Times: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sat and Sun, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon. St. Nicholas Church, 4967 Forest Park, 314-361-6924, sngoc.org/Greekfest.
Sept. 9–11: Art Outside
Alternative arts festival featuring artists from within a 100-mile radius of St. Louis. The aim is to make art approachable and affordable while supporting local artists. Weekend includes poetry, film, music, locally grown food, and beer. Free. Times: 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Fri and Sat, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest, 314-241-2337, schlafly.com.
Sept. 9–11: Saint Louis Art Fair
A playground for the arts, with more than 150 artists' booths, live music, street performers, kids' activities, poetry, food by local restaurants, and more. Free. Times: TBA. Downtown Clayton, 314-863-0278, culturalfestivals.com.
Sept. 16–18: The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
This traditional St. Louis event begins with a Friday-night balloon glow in Forest Park, where spectators watch as the balloons are inflated. On Saturday, the balloons alight, racing each other across the sky all afternoon. Free. Times: TBA. Glow held on Forest Park's Central Field; race also takes off from Central Field, greatforestparkballoonrace.com.
Sept. 17: Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival
This performers include Have U Heard, Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz, Webster University Faculty Jazz Band, Marquise Knox Blues Band, Rum Drum Duo, Funky Butt Brass Band, Jim Stevens Group, Webster Groves High School Jazz Band, and more. Free. Times: noon–11 p.m. Stages on Gore and Allen avenues. Webster Groves, 314-961-4656, oldwebsterjazzfestival.com.
Sept. 23–25: Taste of St. Louis
This event is a celebration of St. Louis food, art, music, and culture. Includes a restaurant row, culinary demonstrations, concerts, The Art & Wine Walk, and more. Free. Times: 4–11 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun. Soldiers' Memorial, 12th and Market, 314-534-2100, tastestl.com.
Sept. 30: Best of Missouri Market's "First Look" Friday
The first event of the Best of Missouri Market, "First Look" Friday lets festival-goers enjoy an early chance to shop and dine at the Best of Missouri Market in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Over 120 Missouri food producers and crafters offer fresh produce, baked goods, fresh and dried flowers, herbs, handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry and more. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children and members. Time: 6–9 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org.
