15 Things to Do in St. Louis This July

This time of year, the region’s pools, lakes and rivers beckon, but when you’re not in the water, you’re going to need something fun to fill your time. Luckily, we’ve got 15 things to do in St. Louis this July that will make this the most memorable month of the summer.

St. Louis also has endless options for free summer fun. From world-class museums to national historic sites and adult playgrounds to kid-friendly farms, you’ll want to check out our free attractions, too.

Dreamgirls

June 27 to July 3

Dreamgirls, the smash-hit musical that became an Oscar-nominated film, will take Muny audiences through the thrilling and invigorating changes in American pop music during the 1960s. Follow the moving and inspirational tale of an all-girl singing trio from Chicago that rises from obscurity to superstardom. As they ascend to their dreams, they must question the price of their success and the meaning of their own family.

Heritage & Freedom Fest

July 3 to 6

On July 3, a carnival will kick off the Heritage & Freedom Fest in O’Fallon, Missouri. Boasting rides, games and traditional foods such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy and popcorn, the carnival will delight kids and adults alike. The Heritage & Freedom Fest prides itself on bringing national recording artists to the St. Louis area for free concerts as well, and this year, Bret Michaels and Mitchell Tenpenny will grace the main stage on July 4 and 5, respectively. In honor of the nation’s birthday, the festival also includes one of the largest – and most colorful – parades in the region. The patriotic procession will begin at the corner of Main Street and Civic Pride Drive on July 4 at 9:30 a.m. The days’ festivities will then conclude with the Jena “Dusty” Mielke Fireworks Spectacular, which enthralls spectators of all ages. See the show on July 4 beginning at 9:30 p.m. and July 5 beginning at 10:15 p.m.

Celebrate Saint Louis

July 4

Concerts, parades and fireworks galore – Fair St. Louis has been reimagined as Celebrate St. Louis. Engaging, serving and celebrating the region through diverse, impactful and entertaining experiences, the Fourth of July event will take place in downtown St. Louis with a special focus on the 150th anniversary of the Eads Bridge, which has been a local landmark since its dedication on July 4, 1874.

Eads Bridge Trolley Tour

July 4

Declared “impractical” and “impossible,” St. Louis’ Eads Bridge still stands after 150 years. The best part? It’s used daily! Head to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum on the Fourth of July for a special two-hour trolley tour about chief engineer James Buchanan Eads, his bridge and others who made it a reality.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

July 8 to 16

One of the most beloved, upbeat and fanciful family musicals of the last 20 years returns to enchant audiences of all ages! Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s magical musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, tells the story of young Ariel who yearns to leave her underwater life and be “part of your world.” Glorious songs and enchanting Muny magic await as we go “under the sea.”

Sunsets and Snow Cones

July 10

Enjoy free snow cones as you watch the sun set over the Mississippi River at the newly opened Chain of Rocks Park. Part of the Mississippi Greenway, the park features local artwork by Simiya Sudduth that highlights the Mississippi Flyway migratory route and the Chain of Rocks geology; a 1.5-acre reconstructed prairie with unpaved footpaths; and restored wetlands and woodlands that provide food and shelter for native wildlife. Amenities include a picnic pavilion, water fountains, direct access to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a river overlook, food truck parking and an event lawn.

Let Them Eat Art

July 12

A celebration of the arts and a whimsical tribute to Bastille Day, Let Them Eat Art takes place in Maplewood every summer. As you stroll through the streets and shops of the historic downtown, enjoy the sights and sounds of the annual festival. Let Them Eat Art features live art demonstrations, performances by regional musicians and children’s activities – plus, food and drinks from the neighborhood’s award-winning purveyors.

Art Hill Film Series

July 12 and 19

This July, the Saint Louis Art Museum’s front yard – known locally as Art Hill – will transform into the city’s biggest cinema. During the Art Hill Film Series, catch Back to the Future (July 12) and Meet Me in St. Louis (July 19) in this idyllic setting. Before the show begins at 9 p.m., enjoy live music, food trucks and a cash bar.

Best Buds Dinner Series with Indo

July 16

Local dispensary SWADE Cannabis has partnered with Missouri-based cannabis manufacturer Teal Labs and notable St. Louis restaurateurs for an infused dinner series. The next Best Buds popup will feature Thai street food and sushi rolls from Nick Bognar of Indo. “Infused dinners are the future,” Brandon Cavanagh, director of marketing strategy at BeLeaf Medical Co., the parent company of SWADE, said in a recent press release. “We have been blown away by the interest from chefs to learn more about using tinctures, butters and stirrables in their cooking, and we are happy that we can act as a bridge between curious consumers and the hospitality industry. This is no different than a wine dinner, and we want to normalize this. The chefs will throw down, and the vibes will be right!”

Full Moon Float

July 19

Join Big Muddy Adventures on a Full Moon Float along the Great Rivers of St. Louis. Featuring a gourmet campfire meal in an unparalleled natural setting, the six-hour excursion also offers opportunities to spot native wildlife.

DMD Block Party

July 19

Take a deep dive into the Delmar Maker District at the party of the summer! Anchored by Third Degree Glass Factory, the Delmar Maker District also includes Alpha Brewing Co., The Fountain Off Locust, MADE for Kids, Steve’s Hot Dogs, Craft Alliance and highly acclaimed restaurants from Ben Poremba. You can explore all that and more at this Third Friday event.

Fiddler on the Roof

July 19 to 25

Often considered one of the top five greatest musicals ever, Fiddler on the Roof returns to The Muny for its 11th production. This multi-award-winning show tells the tale of Tevye, the milkman, who, in 1905, thrives in the traditions of his town of Anatevka. As his daughters question these traditions and the world changes ominously around him, Tevye is challenged to find a new way to learn and to love. Fiddler on the Roof has one of the most illustrious scores ever written for Broadway, and this is your chance to hear it in one of the most iconic theaters in the country.

24th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

July 19 to 21 and 26 to 28

Lights, camera, action! The St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, presented by Cinema St. Louis, screens films written, directed and produced by St. Louis residents as well as films shot in the St. Louis region. During the showcase, audiences can watch a range of films, including narrative features, documentaries and multi-film compilations of fiction, documentary and experimental shorts. Cinema St. Louis aims to create cinematic experiences, such as the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, that enrich, educate and entertain our community.

Disney’s Newsies

July 26 to August 25

STAGES St. Louis will make headlines with Disney’s NEWSIES: The smash-hit, crowd-pleasing, Tony Award-winning musical marks the first Disney production in a STAGES mainstage season! The rousing tale takes audiences to New York City where a band of newsboys, led by the charismatic Jack Kelly, become unlikely heroes as they stand up to the titans of the publishing industry. Along the way they learn what it means to come together, fight for what they believe and truly seize the day. An uplifting story fit for every member of the family, Disney’s NEWSIES is packed with nonstop thrills and a timeless message.

The Tempest

July 30 to August 25

As part of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, TourCO will take a larger-than-life production of The Tempest on the road. Featuring a traveling cast of six talented performers, the play is set on an island full of magic, mischief and plots of revenge in epic proportions. Free outdoor performances will happen in 24 parks in Missouri and Illinois from July 30 to Aug. 25.