September
The Saint Louis Art Fair has welcomed visitors to Clayton since 1994, and this fall’s 30th anniversary event is sure to be a big one. Browse the booths of nearly 200 professional artists, visit the Makerspace, enjoy live entertainment on the Performing Arts Stage, and grab a bite from your favorite local food trucks at this weekend-long celebration of the arts. September 5-7, Downtown Clayton.
Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood gathers dozens of artists each year for its annual Art Outside event, featuring local artisans, art demonstrations, live music, and more. Grab a beer, enjoy festival fare, and explore the booths during this weekend-long event. You can even bring your canine companions as long as they’re leashed and well-behaved. September 5-7, Schlafly Bottleworks.
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MATI (formerly Music at the Intersection) offers three days of music, community, and education in Grand Center. Headliners Common & Pete Rock, Patti LaBelle, and De La Soul top an impressive lineup of artists playing across several venues during the weekend fest. For even more music, head to Grand Center on September 6 & 7 for Free 4 All STL, a MATI-supported showcase highlighting 100 local artists and bands. September 12-14, Grand Center.
The Mosaics Fine Art Festival in St. Charles will celebrate 30 years this fall. The fine arts fest on Historic North Main Street welcomes local, regional, and national artists to share their work. Beyond the booths, there are family-friendly activities such as the Children’s Village and Mary Hediger’s Memorial Art Shop for Kids to keep things fun for all ages. September 12-14, Historic North Main Street, St. Charles.
Support local businesses, take in live music, and even participate in a pie-baking contest at the South Grand Fall and Music Fest. For this day-long extravaganza, businesses on South Grand will offer a variety of discounts and specials, while the surrounding side streets will house vendors and activities for the whole family. September 20, South Grand.
Celebrate St. Louis’ musical heritage at the Webster Jazz and Blues Fest. The family-friendly event will feature top artists at two stages on Gore and Allen Avenues, plus food, shopping, and classic fair activities like juggling and face painting. Best of all, admission is free. September 20, Downtown Old Webster Groves.
A unique take on the traditional music festival, PorchFest St. Louis will see front porches throughout the Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood transformed into miniature live venues. Stroll through the streets from 1–6 p.m. to watch dozens of artists playing everything from folk to hip hop, and don’t miss the St. Boogie Brass Band’s second line march to the main stage to cap off the evening. September 21, Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood.
Headlined by Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, Sam Fender, Public Enemy, and more, Evolution Festival will unite legendary musicians from across genres in Forest Park’s Langenberg Field. Between sets, festivalgoers can shop from local vendors, peruse a curated art gallery, or grab refreshments from various food stalls or the beer garden. September 27 & 28, Forest Park.
Tower Grove Pride welcomes all to an inclusive celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with live entertainment, shopping, games, and booths from local businesses and nonprofits. Drag and musical performances are scheduled throughout the weekend on three stages, and “The People’s Joy Parade,” a walking parade through Tower Grove Park, will commence on Sunday at 1 p.m. September 27 & 28, Tower Grove Park.
Every weekend from mid-September through the end of October, the St. Louis Renaissance Festival provides a weekend escape into medieval fantasy. Don your best costume to wander through a fairy forest, watch a jousting match, try your hand at ax throwing, or snack on a turkey leg. A sprawling artisan marketplace and unique live entertainment make this event worth a drive to Wentzville. September 13–October 26 Rotary Park.
October
Shop regional favorites at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Best of Missouri Market, which spotlights local artisans and makers. Native plants, art, food, herbs, craft beverages, jewelry, and other items will be available to browse at more than 150 booths throughout the garden during this weekend-long event. October 3–5, Missouri Botanical Garden.
Showcasing the culture of one of St. Louis’ most vibrant neighborhoods, Grove Fest’s unique offerings include exciting activations, more than 100 local vendors, contests with fun prizes, and plenty of live entertainment. Featured artists for the 20th Grove Fest include NandoSTL, Jesus Christ Supercar, KVtheWriter, Aragon, Unknown Moral Orchestra, and more. October 4, The Grove.
Bringing the community together to celebrate art, the Historic Shaw Art Fair will display work exhibitions from scores of painters, ceramicists, sculptors, and more alongside a school art gallery, music, and food. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of, with proceeds benefiting the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association. Children 14 years and younger can enter for free with adult supervision, and at-the-gate tickets will be discounted $1 with donations to the canned food drive. October 4 & 5, Flora Place.
Soulard Oktoberfest celebrates the neighborhood’s German heritage with authentic cuisine and plenty of beer. Brass and polka bands will bring liven up the atmosphere–and wearing dirndls or lederhosen is encouraged. Festivities in the plaza will provide family-friendly fun, and don’t forget to test your strength at the always-popular Stein Holding Competition. October 10 & 11, Soulard Market Park.
Taking place over multiple weekends in October, Legends and Lanterns brings monsters and macabre fun to historic St. Charles. Inspired by folklore and Halloween celebrations throughout history, the event features a Haunted History walking tour, ghost stories at the First State Capital, and more. Learn about Victorian mourning traditions, workshop with Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley at the Writer’s Block, or stroll through a Scarecrow Glen to view entrants to the festival’s annual scarecrow contest. October 11–26, Main Street Saint Charles.
November
Watch musicians show off their craft from vintage stores, coffee shops, street corners, and bars at the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl. The day-long festival will feature continuous performances throughout the eclectic neighborhood in addition to an afternoon parade, multiple dance parties, and an exciting grand finale performance. November 8, Cherokee Street.
Cinephiles can experience a world of expertly curated features, short films, animation, and documentaries on the big screen at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Taking place at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre and hosted by Cinema St. Louis, the fest brings some of the best in cinema to St. Louis audiences. November 6–16, Hi-Pointe Theatre.
Hosted by the St. Louis County Library, the 46th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival offers a week of free writing workshops, performances, and unexpected surprises. Listen to storytelling greats as they showcase their talents and inspire through performance, conversation, folk tales, dance, and more. November 10–16, Various locations.
Flyover Comedy Festival is a must-attend event for comedy fans of all kinds. With more than 150 performers bringing the best of stand-up, improv, sketch, and variety to multiple venues across The Grove and downtown St. Louis, attendees are guaranteed to find laughs from comic greats and new favorites. November 13–16, The Grove, The Pageant, Stifel Theater, and the Saint Louis Art Museum.
