Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Weekends are looking up at Grant’s Farm because Summer Nights are back and better than ever.
Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, join friends, family, or that potential special someone in the Bauernhof Courtyard. And settle in for an evening of great food, cold drinks, live music, and a spectacular drone show.
Time: Summer Nights runs from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Parking lot entry closes 90 minutes before the park closing. Deer Park tram rides conclude 2 hours before closing.
May 29 // 4 – 8 pm
June 12// 4 – 8 pm
June 26 // 4 – 8 pm
August 7 // 4 – 8 pm
August 21 // 4 – 8 pm
September 11 // 4 – 8 pm
Tower Grove Park
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, cash + cards, and your appetite!
It’s the food truck event that started them all. More than 20 of St. Louis’ finest mobile kitchens gather each Friday evening for friends, fun, live music, and great food at Sauce Food Truck Fridays — set under the historic canopy of Tower Grove Park with local craft brews flowing throughout the evening.
May 23 – June 27 Pirates of Penzance
May 30 – June 28 The Light in the Piazza
June 7 – 26 A Streetcar Named Desire
June 13 – 27 Romeo + Juliet
Experience the re-imagination of the movie-going experience at the OMNIMAX Theater featuring IMAX® with Laser. This state-of-the-art theater provides the sharpest images, unmatched sound quality and 40% greater color range than traditional theaters. The five-story, 80-foot-diameter dome will fill your entire field of vision providing a truly immersive experience.
Tickets for OMNIMAX films are available online, at the Science Center, or by calling our box office at 314.289.4400.
Summer 2026 Lineup Includes:
- Wild Asia
- Serengeti
- Deep Sky
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Secrets of the Sea
5050 Oakland Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110
The Tempest
May 27 – June 21, 2026
Forest Park: 6604 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
One of St. Louis’s favorite summer traditions! Shakespeare in the Park has entertained over a million people since 2001. Performances are staged at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, America’s best urban park from May to June. Admission is free, which nearly 40,000 attendees take advantage of each season to enjoy high-quality entertainment made by world-class artists, created just for them.
Shakespeare in the Park is always free to attend; no reservations are required. A limited number of paid reserved seats and blanket spots are on sale now!
Wednesdays, May 27 – July 29
Music begins at 7 pm
Last entry at 8:15 pm
The open-air Whitaker Music Festival presents free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars every summer. To date, more than one million people have participated in this cherished St. Louis summer tradition.
Enjoy free evening outdoor concert series featuring an eclectic and wide array of musical styles every Wednesday evening May 27–July 29. Picnicking is permitted after 5:30 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase food and beverages on site.
Saturday, May 30, 2026 // 9:30AM – 2:00PM
Kick off summer with a free family celebration all about the power of play!
Now in its fourth year, this event brings together more than 25 local organizations for a day filled with energy, creativity and hands-on fun. Families can explore bubble play, outdoor art, parachute games, sports activities, STEM Lab explorations and more, all designed to highlight how play and reading shape children’s growth. It’s a joyful community event that invites families to move, imagine, discover and play together.
Presenting partners include Forest Park Forever, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis Public Library, the Saint Louis Science Center and The Magic House.
Pack a picnic or purchase lunch from a food truck.
Missouri History Museum : 5700 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
Wednesdays and Fridays throughout June and July
Head to the Missouri History Museum on Fridays every week in June and July for lots of summer fun! Enjoy a variety of family activities, including crafts, performances, Storytelling, scavenger hunts, and more. The Summer Family Fun series is great for children ages 2–12!
June 4 – 21, 2026
In “Flying High,” Circus Flora transforms an ordinary high school into an extraordinary academy of wonder. Step into halls and classrooms filled with a mix of world-class acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and class clowns – along with an unforgettable faculty whose astonishing skills turn every moment into a spectacular surprise. From high-energy antics to breathtaking, high-flying feats, “Flying High” passes every test with heart, humor and incredible artistry. This all-ages show turns a typical school day into an unforgettable circus adventure. Don’t miss “Flying High,” June 4-21.
3401 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
June 5 – 7, 2026
The Webster Arts Fair is held the first full weekend each June. This fine arts fair is loved by artists and patrons alike for its commitment to high-quality art in a warm and friendly environment. The Fair is set on the grounds of Eden Theological Seminary in the heart of historic Webster Groves, Missouri. Supported by Webster Arts, a nonprofit organization, the Webster Arts Fair features top-quality original art from national and regional artists, on-site food from favorite local restaurants, non-stop live music performances, and creative activities that draw up to 15,000 visitors and buyers from around the region each year. The Webster Arts Fair prides itself on the hospitality shown to its artists and treating crowds to delicious food, top-notch music performances, and unique, creative activities for the whole family.
June 7 | 11 am – 1 pm
The sixth annual Picnic in Your Park, hosted by our Friends Advisory Board, will take place on Sunday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a delicious catered picnic lunch at your leisure in our hometown national park while listening to live entertainment and taking in iconic views of the Gateway Arch.
Picnic in Your Park, Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s signature fundraiser, raises awareness and critical support for our mission of conservation, preservation, education, and community programming. Community support is vital to keep Gateway Arch National Park a vibrant, welcoming, and well cared for space not just today, but for years to come.
June 6 – 7, 2026 // 10AM – 5PM
Historic Downtown Kimmswick
The Strawberry Festival will be bursting with fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry cheesecake, and strawberry iced-tea. Enjoy your favorite festival foods, too, like kettle corn, shish kebobs, funnel cakes, onion blossoms, BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs and roasted corn on the cob along with many others.
Not yet announced for 2026
Take a trip to The Sheldon for family fun this summer. The nine-hole mini golf installation features individually designed holes from artists, designers and architectural practices. Daringly inventive and fiendishly difficult, test your golfing skills to see how fast you can make it around the course!
3648 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108
Fridays, June 12, July 10, + August 14 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Magic House: 516 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122
Join us for our summer concert series, Groovin’ in the Garden! Bring a blanket and sit back and relax or get up and dance to live music in the front Play Garden. In addition to great music, enjoy ice cream from Andy’s Frozen Custard (while supplies last) and private playtime throughout the entire Museum!
Reservations not required, pay admission at the door. Children under 1-year-old are free.
June 13 – 8 am – 5 pm
Soulard Park: South 8th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
Join Neighbors Impacting Communities to planning to celebrate Juneteenth from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Soulard Market Park in St. Louis, Mo. This event is still in the process of being planned to include free entertainment and activities for patrons of all ages. Bandstand line-up is being planned to include music, dance, singing and more.
Catch a family-friendly show at the nation’s largest outdoor theater! If you haven’t seen a show on the Muny stage yet, you don’t know what you are missing. Bringing in national talent and blending it with the local talent of STL area teens and kids creates a one-of-a-kind experience for theater-goers.
2026 Season:
June 15 – 21: Hairspray
June 25 – July 2: Shrek the Musical
July 6 – 12: South Pacific
July 16 – 22: Newsies
July 27 – August 2: Ain’t Too Proud
August 6 – 13: Meet Me in St. Louis
August 17 – 23: Something Rotten!
1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112
Faust Park Butterfly House: 15193 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63017
June 26, 2026 // 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Celebrate summer bugs and their nighttime pals at the Fireflies and Friends Festival! This event is great for all ages.
The evening will be filled with fun activities and hands-on exploration as you learn about dragonflies, cicadas, fireflies,
and more! BYOF (Bring Your Own Flashlight).
The Butterfly House will have extended hours for this event. Admission tickets are valid from 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fireflies and Friends starts at 5:30 p.m.; Firefly Walks start at 8 p.m.
June 27 – 28
Our annual Pond and Water Garden Tour, Pond-O-Rama, is the Water Garden Society’s premier event, bringing hundreds of guests from around the United States to the most-beautiful water gardens in the St. Louis area.
The Pond Tour raises funds for the Society’s civic project—designing, planting, and maintaining the beautiful Lily Ponds at the Jewel Box in Forest Park.
June 27 – 28, 2026
PrideFest 2026 returns to Downtown St. Louis on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2026, bringing together the LGBTQIA+ community and allies for a weekend of connection, visibility, and celebration.
As the region’s largest Pride event, PrideFest continues Pride St. Louis’ mission to Educate. Advocate. Celebrate. This year marks an exciting new chapter as we debut our refreshed brand and build on the incredible community support that made our return possible. PrideFest 2026 will honor our shared history while looking ahead to the future, centering joy, resilience, and community pride.
Thursday, June 30, 2026 at 2:00PM
St. Louis County Library (Lewis + Clark Branch)
Presented by the St. Louis Blues:
Meet Louie, the St. Louis Blues mascot. Learn what it’s like to be the mascot and what it takes to get ready for the season. Louie will sign autographs and pose for photos.
Ages 5-11.
July 3 + 4, 2026
Celebrate 250 honors America’s 250th birthday, taking place at St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch. On July 3rd and 4th, two nights of world-class entertainment come together, including international headliners, a 1,500-drone aerial spectacle, fireworks over the Mississippi, a city-wide parade, an Innovation Village, and more take over downtown. All free. All open to everyone. All for the biggest celebration of America’s birthday in the Midwest.
Historic Downtown Maplewood
Friday, July 10, 2026 // 5:30 – 9:30 PM
Celebrate over two decades of creativity, community, and whimsy at Maplewood’s most magical summer event—a lively tribute to Bastille Day.
This year’s event will feature over 60 artists demonstrating their craft and selling their work, along with roaming performers, live music, and engaging activities for all ages. Enjoy delicious food and drink from Maplewood’s favorite restaurants, and take advantage of late-night shopping with exclusive event-only specials from local retailers.
July 17 – 26
Hi Pointe Theater
The St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. The Showcase screens works that were written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives or films with strong local ties.
The film programs range from full-length fiction and documentary features to multi-film compilations of fiction, documentary, and experimental shorts. The programs with feature films include post- screening Q&As with the filmmakers and/or subjects.
July 28 – August 1
Livestock
Fair Queen Pageant
Rides
Motorsports
Rotary Park: 2577 W. Meyer Road, Foristell, MO 63348
July 31 – August 1, 2026
Brookdale Farms
Experience one of the most magical hot-air balloon festivals in the St. Louis area-complete with breathtaking balloon glows, heart-pounding bull riding, and fast-paced barrel racing.
August 14 – 16, 2026
This August, join us in Gateway Arch National Park for a jam-packed weekend of live music, local flavors, and nonstop fun. Produced in partnership with the National Park Service, this free festival is the only one of its kind to take place on national park grounds.
Additional details, including our stellar artist lineup and set times, will be announced closer to this event. Follow us online and sign-up for our newsletter to stay in the loop.
Not yet announced for 2026
Clayton, MO
The Ultimate STL area Food Festival.
August 15, 2026
Creve Coeur Lake
Want to join the most fun and unforgettable experience in the St. Louis area?We are ready for you! This year the Gateway Dragon Boat Festival will be on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Creve Coeur Lake. This festival is a community boat racing event, a program of St. Louis Dragon Boat Foundation to promote community health and cultural awareness in the St. Louis area.
Not yet announced for 2026
Francis Park
St. Charles Main Street: 230 S. Main Street, St Charles, MO 63301
Friday, August 21 – Sunday, August 22
The Festival of the Little Hills is the Midwest’s Premier Arts and Craft Show. Coordinated by the not-for-profit organization of the same name, Fete Des Petite Cotes is named in honor of the settlement (now known as Saint Charles, Misssouri) founded by the French-Canadian explorer Louis Blanchette in 1769.
Every year in August since 1971, the Festival of the Little Hills has been celebrating the rich history of St. Charles, Missouri and now showcases more than 300 arts and crafts vendors. More than 50 not-for-profit organizations provide a diverse selection of culinary delights making the Festival the major annual fundraiser to support their various endeavors.
Live entertainment and a children’s area known as the “Kids Corner” round out this family oriented Festival. Come join us this year to “Discover” what the Festival of the Little Hills has to offer.
Tower Grove Park: 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
August 29 – 30, 2026
Join us at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, Missouri for a celebration of music, flavors, art and culture from around the world at the annual Festival of Nations, powered by the International Institute of St. Louis.
September 4 – 7
The best professional and amateur cyclists in the US are coming to put on a show over Labor Day Weekend! Four full tilt races in four of STL’s coolest neighborhoods.
Each Day features an all day program of racing that includes amateur races, kids races, that builds up to the men’s and women’s professional races. Each race showcases “criterium format” racing on one mile+ laps. This Americanized style of racing appeals to both athletes and spectators alike as the peloton speeds by every few minutes, holding lines only inches apart from one another. Spectators can watch the race develop lap after lap and hear commentators announce race strategy as the excitement builds. Event Summary Info is HERE
September 5 – 6 | 9am – 9pm
September 7 | 9 am – 5 pm
Missouri Botanical Garden: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Experience the thunderous pounding rhythms of the taiko drums, thrilling samurai sword performances and more at this three-day cultural adventure right here at the Garden.
For more than 40 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has produced the annual Japanese Festival in conjunction with the Japanese Activities Committee, a coalition of several Japanese-American organizations that provide art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.
September 18 – 20
Get ready for the annual Saint Louis Art Fair in the streets of Downtown Clayton, Missouri! This year, from September 18-20, 2026, continuing the longstanding tradition of the art fair: bringing together high-quality artists with the diverse local community in a fantastic celebration of the arts.
Experience all that the Saint Louis Art Fair has to offer, featuring incredible artists from all over the country, engaging performances across our three stages, fun kids activities, delectable food from the area’s finest restaurants, and so much more!
Metro East
401 Bellevue Park Drive, Belleville, IL 62226
Come out and enjoy a local band in the park before kicking back under the stars for a summer movie! Enjoy food trucks and activities for kids before the movie starts! Takes place once a month on a Friday! Bands start at 7pm, movie starts at sunset. See full schedule below:
May 8 Band: Fanfare! | Movie: Sing
June 12 Band: Dawn Weber | Movie: The Greatest Showman
July 10 Band: Magnifikats | Movie: Finding Nemo
Aug 14 Band: St. Chuck | Movie: Big Hero 6
Spet 11 Band: Shortmist | Movie: Moana 2
Adults and kids alike will find much to do this summer at Eckert’s! With live music, their Bites + Flights events pairing food with their hard cider, kids eat free events in their restaurant, special events, and more … Eckert’s is the place to be this summer!
951 S. Green Mt. Road, Belleville, IL 62220
June 4 – July 30, 2026
New Location! In the green space on 3rd Street between Catdaddy’s and Chez Marilyn
Join us every Thursday night in June & July from 7-10pm for the Night Market ~ an awesome summer series where you can enjoy live music in an outdoor setting, plus artwork and other handmade/homegrown products, as well as vintage & hip thrift items!
Our stage is in the green space on 3rd Street next to Catdaddy’s (203 W. 3rd), and vendor booths will line the alley that runs parallel to Broadway from the Alton Visitors Center to Morrison’s Irish Pub as well as the sidewalks of State Street near Jacoby Arts Center and Mooneyham Art gallery.
Vendors wanted – the fee is $100 for the entire 9-week season, $15 per week in the green space or alley, or only $5 to set up on the sidewalk.
2026 Live Music Schedule:
June 4 – Spillie Nelson
June 11 – Miller Floyd
June 18 – The Deal
June 25 – Wherehouse Project
July 2 – Red White and Floyd
July 9 – 2 Shots of Whiskey
July 16 – Crystal Lady
July 23 – The Vibe
July 30 – Yacht Rockers
Friday, June 5 // 11AM – 10PM
Saturday, June 6 // 11AM – 10PM
101 W. Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
“Come to Collinsville, Illinois to be a part of the fest devoted to all things horseradish celebrated the first weekend in June in Uptown Collinsville on Main Street.
Where else can you learn how to prepare your own horseradish, join in any of the classic Horseradish Festival Contests, visit the Craft Village, or just sample the food and listen to the Live music.”
June 13, 2026
Edwardsville’s annual Route 66 Festival has been taking place for more than a quarter of a century to celebrate the City’s many decades of Route 66 history and tradition! From morning to night, the festival is a rollicking fun time for all ages and interests in City Park in beautiful downtown Edwardsville! CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: 2026 marks the 100th birthday of Route 66! We’re going the extra mile to plan an extra special festival in 2026. Mark your calendar for the next Route 66 Festival on SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026! Check back closer to the event for details!
Edwardsville City Park- 101 South Buchanan St., Edwardsville, IL 62025
Edwardsville’s Arts in the Park is a summerlong series of FREE events that explore different facets of the arts! From June to September enjoy movies, concerts, crafts and arts and other family-friendly activities in City Park in downtown Edwardsville.
Children’s Art in the Park
Concerts in the Park
Edwardsville Municipal Band
Edwardsville Symphony
Movies in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park
September 11 – 13, 2026
World Wide Technology Raceway
Confluence Festival: Crossroads of Concert & Community – a showcase of innovation, talent and live entertainment – represents the region’s communities coming together in welcoming NASCAR, the No. 1 form of motorsports in the U.S, to World Wide Technology Raceway.
