As St. Louis heats up, so does our events calendar. Plan your next trip around one of these spring and summer festivals and fairs – you won’t be disappointed!
If you’re looking for other ways to celebrate the sunniest seasons, check out our guide for the best attractions and arts, sports and sips, family travel and outdoor adventure in the region.
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March
Animals Aglow Lantern Festival
March 13 to May 17
The Chinese lantern festival Animals Aglow will return to the Saint Louis Zoo with dozens of towering lanterns and light displays this spring. Running from March 13 to May 17, Animals Aglow celebrates the culture, art and beauty of traditional lantern festivals that have been celebrated in China for centuries. In previous years, illuminated displays have included a 100-foot-long tunnel of traditional Chinese lanterns, an interactive beehive topped with giant hummingbirds and the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Guests can enjoy similar displays this year, alongside nightly cultural performances and specialty food and drinks. Animals Aglow will spotlight wildlife from three regions – Africa, South America and the Arctic – as well as Chinese folklore.
St. Patrick’s Day
March 14 to 17
From festive parades to fun runs to green beer, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Gateway City. On the Saturday before March 17, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade fills the streets of downtown St. Louis with elaborate floats, colorful balloons and marching bands. There are also multiple races throughout the region – may the luck of the Irish be with you! On the big day, though, Dogtown is the place to be. The neighborhood hosts its own parade and festival to highlight the unique spirit and vibrant history of the area.
St. Louis Jewish Film Festival
March 15 to 26
In its 31st season, the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival will return to the B&B Theatres Creve Coeur West Olive 10 for two weeks of cinematic excellence. Dramas, documentaries and comedies will grace the silver screen throughout the festival, which opens with For the Living, a powerful meditation on dehumanization, and Nuremberg, an intellectually provocative feature film that brings the world’s most infamous war crimes trial into sharp psychological focus. More gripping films will follow, bringing the community together in a safe space where everyone can laugh, cry and love.
Gateway Blues Festival
March 20
Part of the Blues Is Alright Tour, the 18th annual Gateway Blues Festival comes to Chaifetz Arena this March. Alive with emotive lyrics and guitar accompaniments, the special night will feature performances by King George, Tucka, 803Fresh, West Love, EJ Jones, Mike Clark, Jr. and Henry Welch.
Buzz’d Beer Festival
March 22
During this beer festival, The Old Bakery Beer Co. will be buzzing. Stop by for samples of more than 50 beers – plus, delicious dishes and live music. In honor of its 11th anniversary, the Alton, Illinois, brewery will donate some of the festival’s profits to the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club to support its work with native pollinators. We’ll drink to that!
Tour de Dance
March 26
Experience dance as a living conversation in this intimate evening with Saint Louis Dance Theatre. Bringing artists and audiences together in a shared celebration of movement, the progressive showcase guides guests through curated vignettes from the company’s Love Languages season, each paired with culinary creations that enhance the social experience. This unique format transforms traditional performance boundaries, creating meaningful connections between performers, patrons and St. Louis’ vibrant arts community.
African Film Festival
March 27 to 29
Founded in 2005 to increase dynamic conversations about the African continent on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, the African Film Festival continues to screen international films that showcase the landscape and diversity of Africa. Every film presents a human glimpse into social realities, and attendees can join post-show discussions about the films with various filmmakers, film historians and African studies scholars.
Art Fair at Queeny Park
March 27 to 29
Spectacular art and breathtaking design converge at the Art Fair at Queeny Park. This year, the fair will feature more than 120 juried artists displaying their original works of fine art and fine craft. Artwork for all budgets will cover a range of mediums, from paintings to prints and ceramics to sculptures. You can also enjoy live art demonstrations, live musical performances, children’s activities and food trucks throughout the weekend.
April
St. Louis Margarita Festival
April 4
More than a festival, this spirited event is the ultimate margarita-tasting competition – and you are the judge! Join the flavor-packed showdown to crown St. Louis’ best margarita. General admission tickets include 10 3.5-ounce samples – the largest pours allowed by law – each served over ice by the region’s top mixologists. From sweet and sultry to spicy and bold to wildly unexpected creations, you decide who shakes it best.
Quilt! Knit! Stitch!
April 10 to 12
From the creators of the International Quilt Festival, this show at America’s Center Convention Complex embraces all the needle arts, from quilting to crochet and knitting to embroidery. Across the festival footprint, attendees can browse scores of booths, take more than 50 classes and join lectures from top teachers in the field. The show floor will also feature an open studio where four instructors will demonstrate their craft, alongside more than 600 pieces of fabric and fiber art on display in themed exhibits. Stitch on!
St. Louis Earth Day Festival
April 25 and 26
The St. Louis Earth Day Festival is a community tradition. At the two-day event, guests learn about sustainable products and services offered by area businesses and organizations. You can also meet local nonprofits, such as the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, which share Earth Day values, and try local restaurants, such as Salt + Smoke, which comprise the Green Dining Alliance – all while enjoying live entertainment. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastic, which focuses on vendors, sponsors and educational resources that challenge plastic pollution and inspire sustainable choices. Whether you come for the activities, the food or the music, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival will leave you feeling inspired by the real progress being made to preserve our planet – plus, knowledge about how you can take action in your daily life!
Route 66 Centennial Festival
April 30 to May 3
Classic cars, vintage movies, neon signs and memorabilia displays – can you think of a better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66? Experience all that along with live music and family activities at the Missouri History Museum during this four-day festival. From April 30 to May 3, the free public event will explore the Mother Road’s stunning natural scenery, quirky roadside attractions and complex history, including its impact on St. Louis area communities. See you there!
May
Chinese Culture Days
May 2 and 3
In St. Louis, attending Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most enticing – and the most exciting – ways to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On May 2 and 3, the Garden will come to life with Chinese pageantry, music, dance and art. At the event, you can also immerse yourself in the history and legends of China while savoring traditional cuisine. Throughout the weekend, the Changchun Acrobatic Troupe will present a wide range of performances, including Chinese yo-yo, jar spinning, ground hoop and face changing, which is a traditional Sichuan opera performance art.
Laumeier Art Fair
May 8 to 10
Over Mother’s Day weekend, you can shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, savor tasty food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment and get creative with hands-on activities at one of the most unique attractions in St. Louis. Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the U.S. – and the perfect setting for this exciting event. Attracting more than 17,000 patrons annually, the Laumeier Art Fair showcases 150 juried artists from across the country, who exhibit work in 10 media categories: ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, 2D mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood.
Taste of Maplewood
May 15 and 16
Taste of Maplewood spotlights the neighborhood’s renowned restaurants, delightful libations, beloved boutiques and specialty stores. In its 18th year, the festival’s vibe is distinct and unmistakable, radiating the culture and character of the local businesses. In addition to food and drinks, visitors can enjoy live entertainment on two stages.
Pointfest
May 16
Staind, Blue October, Mammoth, Highly Suspect, From Ashes to New, Magnolia Park and Return to Dust – these artists and more will play during Pointfest at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo
May 16 and 17
From funeral collectibles to quack medicine and odd jewelry to preserved specimens, The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is your destination for all things peculiar. Everything at the show is sustainably sourced and legal to own, and alongside carefully curated vendors, dealers, small businesses and artists, sideshow performers will entertain attendees throughout the weekend.
St. Louis African Arts Festival
May 23 to 25
The St. Louis African Arts Festival aims to increase awareness of the global contributions that African people and people of African descent have made through artistic, cultural and educational programs. In its 35th year, the festival is held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, drawing locals and visitors together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of African and African American people. Attendees can enjoy the African marketplace with arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry, alongside cultural demonstrations, traditional foods and African films.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Festival Season
May 23 to June 28
Offering its signature mix of beloved classical operas and bold contemporary works, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will present its 51st festival season from May 23 to June 28. Through the talents of hundreds of local, national and international artists, audiences will experience the magic of innovative storytelling as they travel between fantasy and reality, comedy and tragedy, love and revenge. The 2026 festival season includes The Pirates of Penzance (May 23 to June 27), The Light in the Piazza (May 30 to June 28), A Streetcar Named Desire (June 7 to 26) and Romeo and Juliet (June 13 to 27). All operas will be sung in English and accompanied by the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
May 27 to June 21
“Hast thou dropped from heaven?” This summer, the answer is yes. The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival conjures The Tempest in Forest Park, offering a little sorcery under the summer sky. After a violent storm, travelers wash ashore on a mysterious island where nothing is quite as it seems. Ruled by Prospero – a mother and sorcerer haunted by betrayal – the island becomes a place where old wounds resurface. As tensions rise between Prospero, her daughter and the brother who stole her future, magic, romance and mischief bloom. The Tempest is a spellbinding story of forgiveness, love and finding your way home. Don’t miss one of the free performances between May 27 and June 21. “Every cultural hot spot in the world produces great Shakespeare, and St. Louis is one of them,” Tom Ridgely, producing artistic director for the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, says. “And here, you’re not experiencing it in a controlled environment; you’re immersed in nature, surrounded by people and animals. It reminds you what it means to be alive.”
Whitaker Music Festival
May 27 to July 29
The Missouri Botanical Garden is an idyllic place to listen to live music, and on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, the garden hosts free, open-air concerts as part of the annual Whitaker Music Festival. To date, more than one million people have participated in the cherished St. Louis tradition, which promotes common heritage, celebrates diversity and encourages vitality within the community. Visitors can bring their own picnics, and food, beer, wine and sno-cones will be available for purchase.
June
The Muny
June 15 to August 23
For more than 105 years, The Muny has filled Forest Park with the sounds of Broadway. Open from June through August, the outdoor theater attracts out-of-town professionals as well as local talent for memorable musicals beginning with As You Like It, the very first production ever mounted at what would become The Muny. For its 108th season, The Muny will delight audiences with Hairspray (June 15 to 21), Shrek The Musical (June 25 to July 2), South Pacific (July 6 to 12), Newsies The Musical (July 16 to 22), Ain’t Too Proud (July 27 to Aug. 2), Meet Me in St. Louis (Aug. 6 to 13) and Something Rotten (Aug. 17 to 23). Attending a performance at The Muny with family and friends is a staple of St. Louis summers. The shows are enchanting, electrifying and empowering, and every night, there are free seats available on a first-come first-served basis, so everyone can experience the magic of live theater.
Pond-O-Rama
June 27 and 28
In its 26th year, the St. Louis Water Garden Society’s annual tour features amazing ponds and water gardens in the St. Louis metro area owned and maintained by its members. As a society, it has also maintained the lily ponds at the Jewel Box in Forest Park for more than 35 years. Its members work from May through October to plant and maintain the lily ponds, and Pond-O-Rama supports that effort.
PrideFest
June 27 and 28
The Grand Pride Parade, which travels down Market Street through downtown St. Louis, is the culmination of the spirited PrideFest celebrations that happen at the end of every June to coincide with the Stonewall Riots, which served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the U.S. “PrideFest is always a good time,” Jordan Braxton, an educator and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, says. “Last year, the festival drew approximately 325,000 people to downtown St. Louis, and this year, we’re expecting a similarly sized crowd – plus, the same great energy!”
July
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.
Let Them Eat Art
July 10
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.
Music at the Intersection
July 17 to 19
Music and heritage meet at this festival in the Grand Center Arts District. Every rendition of Music at the Intersection, a civic-led effort presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, encompasses 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, come together in this celebration of St. Louis’ musical, cultural and artistic legacy.
St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
July 17 to 26
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 the community and its visitors.
August
STLFringe Fest
August 3 to 9
Champion uncensored work. Connect artists with audiences. Engage and educate local, regional and global cultural communities. These are the pillars of STLFringe. At the organization’s annual performing arts festival held in the Grand Center Arts District, you can experience world-class, multidisciplinary pieces by diverse, independent creators.
Blues at the Arch
August 14 to 16
Blues at the Arch will keep you in the groove until the end of summer. Hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, Blues at the Arch pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history and showcases the talents of local and national artists. Held at Gateway Arch National Park, the free music festival is the only one of its kind to take place on national park grounds.
Gateway Dragon Boat Festival
August 15
The Gateway Dragon Boat Festival is unlike any other event in St. Louis. Hop aboard a traditional Chinese boat as part of a team of 20 paddlers – plus, a drummer – or join thousands of spectators to watch as the race unfolds. In between rounds, enjoy cultural performances, delicious food, hands-on games and arts and crafts.
Festival of Nations
August 29 and 30
The beauty of St. Louis lies in the diversity of its people. At Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park, we celebrate the myriad cultures that make up the Gateway City, honoring each other’s individuality, rejoicing in our differences and cultivating a more prosperous region for all. Bringing an energy that you can’t find anywhere else, Festival of Nations, powered by the International Institute of St. Louis, is the region’s largest multicultural event of the year, representing more than 80 nations. Originating in 1934, the two-day festival is open to the public and attended by more than 100,000 people. Here, you can ignite your senses with cuisines from around the world, dance to music spanning genres, shop international and local arts and goods and do it all with purpose.
September
Gateway Cup
September 4 to 7
Big Shark Bicycle Co. presents Missouri’s top cycling event over Labor Day weekend. The Bommarito Audi West County 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 Florissant. 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 5 to 7
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. Expect taiko drumming, bon odori, martial arts, candlelight walks and more. If you have time, consider taking one of the special tours offered in conjunction with the event.
NASCAR Cup Series
September 12 and 13
Get ready for high-octane action as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series roar into St. Louis on September 12 and 13, respectively. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the thrill of top drivers battling it out on the 1.25-mile oval track of World Wide Technology Raceway. The weekend packs in heart-pounding races, fan-favorite activities, driver meet-and-greets and live entertainment, including the Confluence Music Festival, which boasts more than 30 local acts and headlining performances. Exciting concert announcements still to come.
Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
September 17 to 27
“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.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
September 18 and 19
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!
Saint Louis Art Fair
September 18 to 20
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 that keep everyone energized. 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.
