Memorial Day Weekend in St. Louis

Ready to celebrate the kickoff to summer? Memorial Day weekend is May 28 to 31 this year, and St. Louis has lots of things to do over the extended weekend. Watch live music, peruse must-see museum exhibitions, get some fresh air with outdoor activities and get the kids involved in a bit of family-friendly fun.

Venture into our diverse neighborhoods where you can find eclectic boutiques and distinctive restaurants, breweries and coffee shops. Each of these neighborhoods has a unique character and style that adds something special to our city

Dive into the wonders of science and nature at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and the Saint Louis Science Center.

Lace up your sneakers for an outdoor adventure at one of our hundreds of parks, featuring tons of fresh-air options, including miles and miles of trails for hiking and biking.

Take an adrenaline pumping zip line tour with Adventure Valley Ziplines where you can soar on more than 1.5 miles of lines and even a 1,100 foot long, 50 mile per hour “super-zip.” Or, for something a bit more relaxed, float down the Mississippi with Big Muddy Adventures.

Sample a gold mine of great beer in one of the nation’s best beer scenes, eat at favorite restaurant or discover a new one, take a tram ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch or cruise down the Mississippi in a riverboat for amazing views of the iconic downtown St. Louis skyline.

Can’t miss events and museum exhibitions

Hockey Faster Than Ever | Through September 4

Explore the science of hockey this weekend at the Saint Louis Science Center’s new interactive exhibit, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever. Learn about the technology and physics of hockey while viewing historical objects and other artifacts.

Schlafly Art Outside | May 27 to 29

Like beer, art brings people together. Schlafly’s Art Outside Festival aims to raise awareness and appreciation of art and music by St. Louis creators. The annual festival features upcoming and must-discover artists and delivers a family-friendly experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Emerson Spring to Dance Festival | May 27 to 29

The Midwest region’s most celebrated dance festival returns for its 14th year! Troupes from coast to coast flock to St. Louis to bestow their artistry on audiences at this unique festival,  which features three days of nonstop bright, beautiful dance from 18 professional companies.

St. Louis African American Festival | May 28 to 30

Each year the St. Louis African Arts Festival attracts a diverse audience of thousands of local residents and out-of-town visitors during the Memorial Day weekend. The 31^st annual festival’s theme is Remember, Reconnect, Renew, drawing the community together in celebration of the rich contributions of Africa and the African Diaspora to the St. Louis region.

The Karate Kid – The Musical | Through June 26

For generations, audiences have cheered the 1984 blockbuster, The Karate Kid. Now this iconic story comes to the stage as a thrilling and inventive new musical. Inspired by the real-life story of the original franchise, The Karate Kid tells the story of Daniel LaRusso, featuring music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini (“Smash”) and choreography from award-winning duo Keone and Mari Madrid, with direction by Amon Miyamoto (Pacific Overtures).

Memorial Weekend Festival at Eckert’s | May 28 to 30

Treat your family and friends to a trip to Eckert’s this weekend and enjoy delicious festival food and loads of fun at this old-fashioned all-American festival at its storied Belleville farm. Kids’ activities include a children’s playground, petting farm, carnival rides, wagon rides and sweet treats.

Outdoor Fun

Big Muddy Adventures

Get out and re-explore the great rivers of the St. Louis area! Experience the region in a new way and get up close and person with the natural wonder of the two largest moving bodies of water on the continent. There are a variety of trips on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to choose from to fit your appetite for adventure.

Gateway Arch Riverboats – St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

Journey to a time when steamboats ruled the Mississippi River on a St. Louis Riverfront Cruise on the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. Narrated by the riverboat captain or a National Park Service ranger, this one-hour cruise highlights the river’s role in St. Louis’ past and present while it floats past famous St. Louis landmarks and architecture.

Outdoor Farmers’ Markets

There are plenty of farmers’ markets in St. Louis. Whether you are looking for local produce and fresh meats, handmade pastas and artisanal cheeses or prefer to catch a chef demo and score some samples, there’s something for everyone.

Saint Louis Zoo

Get up close and personal with the furry, the flying and the fishy creatures of the Saint Louis Zoo. With home to over 13,000 animals representing 555 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Plus it’s ranked one of the best zoos in the country.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Explore 79 acres of lush gardens, landscape architecture, greenhouses and conservatories at the oldest botanical garden in the United States. You can wander through collections of botanical and horticultural plants among beautiful fountains and statuary, visit the Climatron for a real rainforest experience and even grab a bite to eat at the Garden’s café.

Parks

From Forest Park to the Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis provides miles and miles of green spaces and parks ready to enjoy with family and friends. Explore the great outdoors during your workout and recreation time. From Citygarden’s outdoor sculpture park and Kiener Plaza of downtown to the sandy beach of Creve Coeur Park and the caves of our State Parks –  trails, events, nature and wildlife are calling.