15 Things to Do in St. Louis This September Wednesday August 2, 2023 Share AttractionsDiningEntertainmentFamily-FriendlyHistoryMusicOutdoorsSports By Rachel Huffman We still have a few dog days ahead of us. Make the most of them with our roundup of 15 things to do in St. Louis this September. Depending on your mood, you can watch professional cyclists zip through St. Louis neighborhoods, bask in the lyrical writing of Tennessee Williams, go on a fairy tale adventure and more. Check out our events calendar for other activities to soak up the last days of summer. The Gateway Cup in St. Louis Gateway Cup September 1 to 4 Big Shark Bicycle Co. presents Missouri’s top cycling event over Labor Day weekend. The Gateway Cup features four days of racing by some of the best professional and amateur cyclists, who will put on a show as they zip around Lafayette Square, Francis Park, The Hill and Benton Park. The full tilt races showcase “criterium format” racing on one-mile laps. This Americanized style of racing appeals to both athletes and spectators as the peloton speeds by the crowd every few minutes, holding lines only inches apart from one another. Watch the race develop lap after lap and hear commentators announce race strategy as the excitement builds. Japanese Festival September 2 to 4 Spotlighting and celebrating the history, culture and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the U.S. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the garden to absorb the traditional Japanese art, food and entertainment on display. If you have time, consider taking one of the special tours offered in conjunction with the event. SCOOBY-DOO! Mansion Mayhem September 2 to January 15 Ruh-roh! Scooby-Doo and the gang will need your help to solve a gem of a mystery when the SCOOBY-DOO! Mansion Mayhem exhibit opens at The Magic House. The immersive experience encourages visitors to analyze clues and put their problem-solving skills to the test. Young detectives and their families will work through the rooms of the mansion, meeting different characters of the iconic TV show that has captivated fans for more than five decades. Intersessions September 7 and 8 Intersessions, a conference for artists and creative professionals, will return to the Grand Center Arts District in advance of Music at the Intersection. The free, two-day conference focuses on the nexus of art, music, technology and entrepreneurship. On Sept. 7, Webster University School of Communications will host a series of artist development workshops, targeting emerging musicians and those pursuing (or interested in pursuing) a career in the music industry. On Sept. 8, creatives, professionals and entrepreneurs of all pertinent industries are encouraged to attend the professional development portion of Intersessions, which will feature a heavy-hitting roster of influencers from the worlds of music, art, technology and business participating in a highly curated schedule of panel discussions and presentations. A performance of The Night of the Iguana at the Tennessee Williams Festival Tennessee Williams Festival September 7 to 17 “I don’t want realism; I want magic!” Tennessee Williams wrote in A Streetcar Named Desire. And magic is what you’ll find at the Tennessee Williams Festival. To enrich the cultural life of St. Louis, the annual theater festival features artistic and educational events that celebrate the timeless work and strong influence of the American playwright and screenwriter, who lived in St. Louis for 20 years. Delighting fans from across the country, the eighth annual Tennessee Williams Festival will feature a production of Suddenly Last Summer, readings of Something Unspoken, film screenings of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, walking tours of University City, panel discussions, book signings, poetry slams and more. Saint Louis Art Fair September 8 to 10 An explosion of color in the streets of Clayton, the Saint Louis Art Fair attracts a variety of high-quality artists and enthusiastic art-lovers – plus, some of St. Louis’ best restaurants, including Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery, Kimchi Guys, Pappy’s Smokehouse and Steve’s Hot Dogs. Whether you’re looking for a piece of fine art to fill your home or a fun-filled day in the sun, you should stop by this three-day event. Art Outside September 8 to 10 Art, like beer, brings people together, which inspired Schlafly Beer to establish Art Outside in 2004. Hosted at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, the festival aims to raise awareness and appreciation of art and music created in the St. Louis community. This year’s festival will feature more than 60 artists who specialize in photography, woodwork, mixed media and more. Stop by with your family and friends and get to know art without pretense. Million Dollar Quartet September 8 to October 8 The music industry stars aligned by pure happenstance when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came together for an impromptu recording session at Sun Records in Memphis in 1956. The legendary session, known as the Million Dollar Quartet, is the setting for this wildly entertaining jukebox musical. Filled with classic tunes such as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I Walk the Line,” “Hound Dog” and “Great Balls of Fire,” Million Dollar Quartet is sure to have you dancing in the aisles! STAGES St. Louis will perform the Broadway showat the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center from Sept. 8 to Oct. 8. CITYPARK in Downtown West U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Uzbekistan Football Association September 9 The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on the Uzbekistan Football Association in an international friendly at CITYPARK stadium on Sept. 9. Tickets start at $40, and fans can enjoy the full match day experience, complete with local flavors, energizing beats and powerful art, even though St. Louis CITY SC won’t be on the pitch. Music at the Intersection September 9 and 10 Music and heritage meet at this festival in the Grand Center Arts District. Taking place on Sept. 9 and 10, the third rendition of Music at the Intersection, a civic-led effort presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, will encompass multiple stages set up in streets and green spaces throughout the neighborhood. St. Louis-based musicians as well as national acts spanning musical genres, including blues, jazz, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop, will come together in this celebration of the region’s musical, cultural and artistic legacy. This year’s headliners include The Fearless Flyers, Herbie Hancock, Masego, Smino, Snarky Puppy and Thundercat. Million Dollar Drag Race September 12 to 16 This year, World Wide Technology Raceway will give travelers a million reasons to visit the Midwest. From Sept. 12 to 16, the premier racing facility will host the 28th annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Drag Race. World Wide Technology Raceway will continue the race’s long-running tradition while elevating the racer experience. “It wasn’t an easy decision to leave the South,” co-promoter Jennifer Folk said in a recent press release, “but we are very excited about our future in St. Louis. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but World Wide Technology Raceway certainly checked all the boxes for us.” The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race September 15 and 16 One of St. Louis’ most idyllic events, The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race is not to be missed. Event organizers say that it’s the oldest and best-attended hot air balloon race in the world – you might want to scope out the perfect viewing area for you and your family ahead of time. This September, the event will also feature food trucks, music, wagon rides, a fireworks show and more free family fun! The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Annual Forest Park Concert St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Annual Forest Park Concert September 21 At this annual concert in Forest Park, you can experience the sounds of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra under the stars. Find a spot on Art Hill, sit back and enjoy the music, from classical tunes to modern scores. The event also includes fare from local food trucks for purchase and a stunning fireworks show. Mizzou To The Lou September 23 As part of the new Mizzou To The Lou series, the Missouri Tigers will play the Memphis Tigers in a football game of epic proportions. Held at The Dome at America’s Center, this will be the Missouri Tigers’ first appearance in St. Louis since 2010. The game against the Memphis Tigers will kick off a partnership between the University of Missouri and the St. Louis Sports Commission, which will bring multiple Mizzou athletic events to the St. Louis area during the 2023-2024 season. “This partnership is one of many ways that Mizzou is strengthening its commitment to the Missourians whom we serve as our state’s flagship institution,” University of Missouri president Mun Choi said in a recent press release. “More than half of Mizzou alumni stay in Missouri, and St. Louis is home to the largest concentration of Tiger alumni in the world. Committed partners like the St. Louis Sports Commission are central to expanding our novel fan experiences for staunch supporters as well as future Tigers.” Beauty and the Beast Outdoor Adventure September 23 Think you know the story of Beauty and the Beast? A brand-new, interactive, outdoor experience from CluedUpp Games will make you think twice. The immersive event combines the 18th-century story with a whodunit-style mystery. In the untold tale, the Beast becomes cursed again, and this time, love isn’t enough to break the spell. Instead, St. Louis residents and visitors alike will have to come together to save the day. Participants will complete challenges, interrogate fairytale characters and crack clues against the clock in the escape room-style adventure, which takes place entirely outdoors. All you need is a team of two to six players and a phone, but you’re also encouraged to dress up as your favorite fictional figure. The Beauty and the Beast event will take place on Sept. 23. Get your tickets today! Share
