Over Labor Day weekend, you have an extra 24 hours to enjoy an abundance of St. Louis events. Watch cyclists spin around iconic neighborhoods, experience an exquisite culture at the Missouri Botanical Garden and explore the St. Louis riverfront aboard a replica 19th-century steamboat.
Looking for other activities that won’t break the bank? St. Louis abounds with free summer fun!
Visit the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room
Until August 29
On a quest for an out-of-this-world activity? Boeing’s air and space museum, the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room, will be open to the public until Aug. 29. From biplanes to space capsules, the Prologue Room displays artifacts and models that trace the history of Boeing and its heritage companies: McDonnell, Douglas, North American Aviation, Hughes, Jeppesen, Piasecki and Stearman. Here, hundreds of scale models, photographs, paintings and artifacts tell an amazing story of discovery. Highlights include full-scale mockups of the Mercury and Gemini space capsules, an F-4 Phantom II ejection seat and an aircraft lineage timeline that traces all McDonnell Douglas products from 1920 to 1997. Parking and admission to the museum are free. Walk-in and self-guided visits are welcome; reservations are required for guided tours.
St. Louis Riverfront Cruise
August 28 to September 1
All aboard! The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch provide an unparalleled experience on the Mississippi River. The one-hour St. Louis Riverfront Cruise is narrated by a captain from the National Park Service, who brings the history of the Mississippi River to life. You’ll learn about the river’s role in the country’s history as well as its impact on St. Louis’ economy while enjoying stunning views of the skyline.
Day Fresh Tour
August 28 to September 1
The most popular tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis explains the life of an Anheuser-Busch beer from seed to glass. Along the way, you’ll visit the Clydesdales Paddock and Stables to learn about the history of the hitch; visit the Beechwood Aging Cellars, where beer undergoes a secondary fermentation; visit the historic Brewhouse to see the mash tanks used in the brewing process; and experience the Bevo Packaging Facility, where the bottling line is always in action. Guests 21 and older will also receive a “day fresh” beer pulled directly off the packaging line!
Summer Jams at Eckert’s Farm
August 29
Turn up the volume! This is your last chance to attend Summer Jams at the Cider Shed on Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, Illinois. On Aug. 29, the Fabulous Motown Revue will bring down the house with its roster of Motown, disco, R&B and pop songs. Fueling the revelry, the Cider Shed will offer housemade food and drinks for purchase.
St. Louis Water Lantern Festival
August 29 to 30
Remember the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future at the Water Lantern Festival in Creve Coeur Park. Every adult ticket includes a floating lantern kit with an LED candle, playing cards and a commemorative drawstring bag, and the price covers the cost of retrieving the lanterns and cleaning the water. Filled with happiness, harmony and hope, this is one of the most magical events in St. Louis.
Queeny Art Fair
August 29 to 31
For 50 years, the Queeny Art Fair has invited people from near and far to experience artistic brilliance in action. One of the most reputable – and popular – art fairs in the bi-state region, the Queeny Art Fair welcomes more than 120 juried artists who display original works of fine arts and crafts, ranging from paintings to sculptures, photography to ceramics and drawings to jewelry. This weekend, the fair will see 14 new artists, who will bring fresh perspectives and never-before-seen works to the event.
Gateway Cup
August 29 to September 1
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.
St. Louis City SC vs. Houston Dynamo FC
August 30
Playing at Energizer Park – which connects the city’s downtown core and its thriving Cortex Innovation Community – St. Louis CITY SC is the first female majority-owned club in Major League Soccer. See the team take on Houston Dynamo FC on Labor Day weekend, and don’t miss the unique elements that accompany the action on the pitch. Match day at Energizer Park promises powerful art, energizing beats, robust chants and local flavor. Dig into the elevated food program here.
The Central West End Jazz & Blues Festival
August 30
In a free celebration of music, culture and community, jazz and blues performers, including Hip Grease, Scooter Brown Band, SoulCity Organ Trio, Ryan Marquez Quartet and Saint Boogie Brass Band, will entertain guests in the streets of the Central West End. Enjoy cold beverages as you bop to the music, and curb your hunger at local establishments such as Brasserie, Brennan’s, Edera, Session Taco, Yellowbelly and Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamy after the festival ends at 7 p.m.
Skyline Dinner Cruise
August 30
A chef-driven menu, live music and illuminated views of the St. Louis skyline – you’ll only find this combination aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. The Skyline Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to end your day in St. Louis. You’ll get to choose your entrée – chicken, beef, seafood or veggie – and you can spend the rest of the night on the dance floor or the top deck, dancing and relaxing as you cruise along the Mighty Mississippi.
Japanese Festival
August 30 to September 1
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.
Oktoberfest at Six Flags St. Louis
August 31 to September 22
New to Six Flags St. Louis, this Oktoberfest celebration will pair seasonal craft beer with German-inflected dishes. Enjoy the veritable feast while listening to live music at the Mooseburger Lodge, which will, of course, be decorated for the occasion. Prost!
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Oakland Athletics
September 1 to 3
Closing out Labor Day weekend, the St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Oakland Athletics at Busch Stadium. Whether you go to a game or not, you can still enjoy the atmosphere around the stadium. Snap a photo with the bronze statue of Cardinals legend Stan “The Man” Musial, which stands outside the Gate 3 entrance, and then indulge in the food, drink and entertainment options at Ballpark Village.
Pompeii: The Exhibition
Until September 15
Back by popular demand, Pompeii: The Exhibition has returned to the Saint Louis Science Center. 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 and holographic gladiator action, this exhilarating exhibition tells the tale of a city hidden from view and forgotten for more than 250 years.
