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 a variety of things to do in St. Louis this July that will make it 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 high-spirited honky-tonks to kid-friendly farms, you’ll want to check out our free attractions, too.
Pompeii: The Exhibition
May 16 to September 15
Back by popular demand, Pompeii: The Exhibition returns to the Saint Louis Science Center on May 16. In 79 A.D., the thriving seaport city of Pompeii was frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius; however, what nature destroyed, it also preserved. Featuring 150 authentic artifacts – plus, holographic gladiator action – this exhilarating exhibition tells the tale of a city hidden from view and forgotten for more than 250 years.
Summer Campfire Nights
May 23 to July 25
Gather your loved ones for a magical evening under the stars at Brookdale Farms in Eureka, Missouri. During Summer Campfire Nights, you can reserve a private firepit, perfect for roasting marshmallows, singing songs and making memories. The firepits accommodate up to 12 people, and you can bring your own food. On-site food and beverage options will also be available. Fires will rage from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every night, and live music will play from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Louis
July 3 and 4
Concerts, parades and fireworks galore – Celebrate St. Louis is the ultimate way to spend America’s birthday. Engaging, serving and celebrating the region through diverse, impactful and entertaining experiences, the Fourth of July event will take place in downtown St. Louis. See more star-spangled celebrations here.
Heritage & Freedom Fest
July 3 and 4
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 won’t be any different. In honor of the nation’s birthday, the festival also includes one of the largest – and most colorful – parades in the region, along with a spectacular firework display.
Disney’s Frozen
July 6 to 14
For the first time, The Muny will present the Disney phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! In the kingdom of Arendelle, sisters Anna and Elsa grow increasingly distant. When Elsa becomes queen and her hidden powers spiral out of control, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Determined to bring Elsa home to the castle, Anna embarks on an epic adventure with friends. Full of magic and humor, Disney’s Frozen features beloved songs from the Oscar-winning film, along with a dozen new songs written for the stage. It’s a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance and the meaning of true love that your whole family will enjoy.
Shakespeare in the Zoo: Romeo & Zooliet
July 8 to August 17
The 25th season of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival begins with the masterpiece Hamlet, followed by the mammoth debut of the wildly fun family production Romeo & Zooliet. Featuring dazzling animal puppetry by Michael Curry Design, which worked on The Lion King on Broadway, the imaginative stage adaption follows the animals as they stage their own Shakespeare performance. “The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival has been our close neighbor in Forest Park for many years, and we’re thrilled to collaborate on an original performance celebrating both Shakespeare and the natural world,” Saint Louis Zoo director Michael Macek said in a recent press release. “This impressive production will engage children and their families in the arts, telling a timeless story of friendship through the eyes of animal characters.”
Full Moon Float
July 12 and 13
Join Big Muddy Adventures for a magical evening on the Mississippi River. In an extraordinary 29-foot voyageur canoe, you’ll paddle to a beautiful, uninhabited river island in time for sunset. Explore the beach, take a swim and look for wildlife before cracking a cold one and enjoying a gourmet campfire dinner. As the evening continues, you can get to know your river companions before paddling home under the light of the full moon. No paddling experience or special equipment is necessary. The expert guides at Big Muddy Adventures will provide you with everything you need for the adventure!
Let Them Eat Art
July 11
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.
Chris Stapleton: All-American Road Show
July 11
Eleven-time Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton will kick off the concerts at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis in July. Melomaniacs will also want to mark their calendars for Kesha and Scissor Sisters (July 13), Collective Soul (July 17), Jason Aldean (July 19), Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul (July 21), The Lumineers (July 23), Little Big Town (July 25), AJR (July 26) and Luke Bryan (July 31).
Parties on the Plaza
July 17
Parties on the Plaza are free and fun for everyone! On July 17, live music from Platinum Rock Legends will set the scene. After the event, enjoy dinner and drinks at one of the delicious spots in Westport Plaza – think 360 Westport, Basso on the Plaza, Drunken Fish, Soda Fountain Express, Trainwreck Saloon and Westport Social.
Formula Drift
July 17 to 19
Formula Drift, a professional drifting championship series in North America, comes to World Wide Technology Raceway this July. In the high-speed, high-skill motorsport, drivers intentionally slide their cars sideways through a marked course, leaving smoke in their wake. Don’t miss your chance to see the action live.
Evita
July 18 to 24
Set to a powerful pop-rock score, Evita charts Eva Perón’s meteoric rise to political “sainthood.” The celebrated musical unfolds against a backdrop of political strife in Argentina from 1934 to 1952, following Eva’s journey from ambitious actor to first lady before her untimely death at age 33. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece was last seen on The Muny stage in 2001 and includes the beloved songs “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Oh What a Circus,” “Buenos Aires” and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.”
Mound City Film Series
July 23
The inaugural Mound City Film Series, a special celebration of the 60th anniversary of Open Space STL, will bring a world-class celebration of film, storytelling and conservation to 4 Hands Brewing Co. every month through September, combining documentary films, live music and curated culinary experiences. On July 23, featured films include Desert Wings; Freya; Above the Noise; Re (by Iz La Motte); Unseen Peaks; The Ghost Resorts: Japan; The Draconians; and Lexicon, inviting guests to embark on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, daring feats and personal transformation. From soaring above deserts to conquering unseen peaks, these films explore the physical and mental challenges of mountain sports while highlighting the deeper search for peace, connection and meaning in the wild.
Dear Evan Hansen
July 28 to August 3
Evan Hansen, a teenager with a severe anxiety disorder, has always felt invisible, but when a sudden death shocks the community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. Dear Evan Hansen, winner of the Tony and Olivier awards for best musical, is a profoundly contemporary coming-of-age story about the fragility of life and the need for human connection.
Ghost: Skeletour World Tour 2025
July 30
Swedish rock band Ghost will bring their mix of costumed theatrics, heavy metal and arena rock to Enterprise Center at the end of the month. Other summer concerts at the St. Louis venue include Shinedown, Linkin Park and Deftones.
