In St. Louis, fall means mild weather, gorgeous foliage and a slew of things to do. From art to apples and beer to music, our area’s fall festivals and events have it all. So, whether you live here or you’re planning to visit, make sure you add these to your calendar.
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September
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!
Fall History Tours
Select dates in September, October and November
In September, October and November, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum will host two-hour walking tours of the grounds against a backdrop of stunning fall foliage. Led by master guides, the tours will cover two miles, spotlighting beautiful features of the Level III Arboretum as well as intriguing historical figures buried among the trees. Spoiler alert: American explorer William Clark, writer and artist William S. Burroughs and co-founder of Anheuser-Busch Adolphus Busch are among the most notable people buried here.
Saint Louis Art Fair
September 5 to 7
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.
Confluence Music Festival
September 5 to 7
The 80,000-plus fans projected to attend the upcoming Enjoy Illinois 300, a NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, will be entertained at every turn. Adding energy to the oval, the Confluence Music Festival will showcase innovation, talent and live entertainment. Over the weekend, the festival will feature approximately 30 local, regional and national acts. Tickets include access to mouthwatering food and beverage vendors, interactive entertainment displays, a STEAM education showcase, display cars, interviews with local sports legends and a seat for the race.
Art Outside
September 5 to 7
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, textiles, watercolor, mixed media and more. Stop by with your family and friends and get to know art without pretense.
Oktoberfest at Grant’s Farm
September 5 to 7 and 12 to 14
Oktoberfest returns to Grant’s Farm this September, celebrating the attraction’s German heritage. Included with free general admission, the event will feature cold beer served in commemorative steins, alongside traditional German food, live German music, enthusiastic German dancing and access to the farm’s animals.
Music at the Intersection
September 12 to 14
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.
Mosaics Fine Art Festival
September 12 to 14
Running along historic North Main Street in Saint Charles, the Mosaics Fine Art Festival features diverse artwork from artists across the country, alongside a pet pavilion and a children’s village with a creation station. The festival aims to stimulate the community and educate children and adults in art and its ability to enhance their lives.
Greentree Festival
September 12 to 14
Want to branch out? Pining for new experiences? Head to the Greentree Festival, a time-honored tradition in Kirkwood Park. The first festival was held in 1961 to replace drought-stricken trees in Kirkwood, and today, the family-friendly event features a parade, food, entertainment, arts and crafts and contests. While you’re here, check out the folklife festival, where more than 40 artisans – from blacksmiths to frontierspeople and rope-makers to weavers – demonstrate their crafts and display their wares.
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
September 13 to October 26
Armored jousting, aerial acts, lively music, fine foods, vintage wares, friends new and old and plenty of cheer make up the St. Louis Renaissance Festival. Come and find what strikes you merry! The festival will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 13 to Oct. 26, as well as Mon., Oct. 13, and festivities will proceed, rain or shine.
Fright Fest
September 13 to November 2
With thrills both on and off the rides, Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis is one of the spookiest fall festivals and events of the season. During the day, family-friendly attractions abound, but in the evening, all the creatures that go bump in the night haunt the park. Expect rides in the dark, haunted houses and other scare zones.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
September 19 and 20
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, live music, wagon rides, a fireworks show and more free family fun!
Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival
September 20
More than 20 years ago, a small but passionate group of neighbors organized the first Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival simply because they wanted to throw a great party in their historic downtown. Today, the award-winning festival is one of the most family-friendly music festivals in the world. Offering nonstop jazz and blues on two stages, the free event showcases St. Louis’ most talented performers – plus, irresistible area restaurants and unique small businesses. Street entertainers also amuse spectators with balloons, juggling and face-painting. Everyone is invited to the party, where people from one to 100 get on their feet and shake their groove thing in the streets!
Frizz Fest
September 20
Welcoming almost 10,000 attendees to Tower Grove Park every year, Frizz Fest is a natural beauty festival that fosters a safe, inclusive and vibrant space where the Black community feels seen and celebrated. Focusing on culture, creativity, beauty and entrepreneurship, the free, family-friendly festival aims to uplift and empower the Black community so that it may thrive. On Sept. 20, stop by the event to enjoy nonstop entertainment – from DJs to dancers and hair demonstrations to fashion shows. There will also be an art garden, where visual artists create murals and installations, and a vendor market, where more than 80 local small businesses offer handcrafted jewelry, unique apparel, stunning artwork, beauty essentials, delicious eats and more.
South Grand Fall and Music Fest
September 20
Dust off your flannel and break out your boots – South Grand’s big, boisterous bash is back. Now in its 10th year, the fall and music festival includes more than 70 retail vendors and community organizations, along with ongoing entertainment in Ritz Park. During the Saturday event, South Grand businesses will offer varying specials, discounts and entertainment, and tucked between the storefronts, you’ll find themed activities, games and crafts. Traveling with toddlers in tow? There will also be a face painter and a balloon artist on site.
Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration
September 20 and 27
Mary Meachum and her husband, Reverend John Berry Meachum, were staunch abolitionists who dedicated their lives to educating and freeing enslaved people. On the night of May 21, 1855, Mary attempted to help a small group of enslaved people cross the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Illinois, where slavery was outlawed. At least five enslaved people were caught, and Mary was arrested and charged in criminal court for assisting the “fugitives.” In 2001, the National Park Service recognized the site of the escape – which is now included in the Mississippi River Greenway – as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Every year, Great Rivers Greenway celebrates the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing with a reenactment at the site. This year’s two-part event will tell the stories of the people who Mary tried to help, promoting a theme of unconditional freedom. The free community event also includes food, drinks, children’s activities, local artists and makers, live music from various eras and skits that showcase historical scenes from Black communities in St. Louis.
Maplewood Route 66 Celebration
September 26
Looking to get your kicks in St. Louis? You’re invited to celebrate Maplewood’s history as part of the original Route 66 this September! Enjoy live music, a car show, shopping, food, drinks and more with your family and friends on this special occasion.
Clayton Jazz Festival
September 27
Casey and the Argonauts, Bach to the Future, St. Louis Jazz All-Stars and Dawn Weber and the Boogaloo Crew join the lineup of the fifth annual Clayton Jazz Festival. Let the improvised melodies take you on a spontaneous journey through the free event, which also offers first-rate food and drinks for purchase.
Evolution Festival
September 27 and 28
In its third year, Evolution Festival will once again shake up Forest Park. The genre-bending music festival features live music infused with a bold beverage experience – plus, food that spotlights traditional recipes as well as cutting-edge trends from some of the most recognizable pitmasters in the Show-Me State. Headlined by Lenny Kravitz and Sublime, this year’s festival will also feature Sam Fender, Public Enemy, The Hives, TLC and Corinne Bailey Rae, among other mind-bending artists.
Tower Grove Pride
September 27 and 28
Bringing a rainbow of colors to Tower Grove Park, this community-powered Pride festival features the People’s Joy Parade, outdoor story time, arts and crafts and live entertainment on three separate stages. Tower Grove Pride aims to support and promote social justice for every disadvantaged and undervalued community.
October
Fall History Tours
Select dates in September, October and November
In September, October and November, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum will host two-hour walking tours of the grounds against a backdrop of stunning fall foliage. Led by master guides, the tours will cover two miles, spotlighting beautiful features of the Level III Arboretum as well as intriguing historical figures buried among the trees. Spoiler alert: American explorer William Clark, writer and artist William S. Burroughs and co-founder of Anheuser-Busch Adolphus Busch are among the most notable people buried here.
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
September 13 to October 26
Armored jousting, aerial acts, lively music, fine foods, vintage wares, friends new and old and plenty of cheer make up the St. Louis Renaissance Festival. Come and find what strikes you merry! The festival will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 13 to Oct. 26, as well as Mon., Oct. 13, and festivities will proceed, rain or shine.
Fright at the Museum
October 1 to 26
For those who revel in the extraordinary, Fright at the Museum promises a month of entertainment that will send shivers down your spine. The one-of-a-kind Halloween festival at City Museum features heart-pounding performances that push the boundaries of possibility, alongside carefully curated exhibits with artifacts that defy explanation and specimens that challenge imagination. When you need a break, step into the shadows of the Vampire Bar, where darkness and decadence intertwine. Here, you can sip crimson elixirs that transport imbibers to another realm of intoxicating ambiance and tantalizing flavors. Coven & Cauldron, a dimly lit pub, boasts a different world of magic, mystery and macabre, enticing curious mortals and practicing witches with enchanting brews. Fright at the Museum takes place from Oct. 1 to 30, giving you ample time to experience all the thrilling and captivating oddities and curiosities that City Museum has to offer this fall.
Halloween Nights at Grant’s Farm
October 2 to 30
Glowing trails, ghoulish displays, gentle surprises – this is Halloween Nights, a spellbinding after-dark experience at Grant’s Farm. A fall tradition for all ages, the experience begins with a haunted tram ride and ends in the tiergarten, where you can enjoy themed shows, scare zones, seasonal snacks, Insta-worthy photo ops and a monster mash!
St. Louis Bourbon Festival
October 3
The St. Louis Bourbon Festival returns to the historic Lemp Mansion as part of St. Louis’ spellbinding lineup of fall festivals and events. This year’s festival footprint doesn’t stop there, though. It has expanded along four city blocks with additional spaces to explore along Cherokee Street and Demenil Place featuring eerie tasting lounges and wicked VIP haunts. Brave imbibers can enjoy more than 500 whiskies from around the world, along with spine-tingling live music, street performers, food trucks and a scotch and cigar patio. Don your finest fall attire and embrace the Halloween vibe at this spooky soirée where bourbon flows and spirits rise.
Best of Missouri Market
October 3 to 5
This fall, the Best of Missouri Market returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden with more than 120 vendors, offering unique handicrafts, locally produced foodstuffs, bespoke jewelry, native plants and more. Kids will also have a blast with fall-inspired activities such as sustainable pumpkin decorating.
Eureka Days
October 3 to 5
Round up your family and friends and head to Eureka for its annual, shall we say, party. Eureka Days features carnival rides, a parade, a beer garden, a firework show and more. Think you’ve got skills? Sign up for the cornhole competition, kickball tournament or chicken wing eating contest!
Brookdale Farms Fall Festival
October 3 to November 2
Nestled among the rolling hills of Eureka, Brookdale Farms has everything you need to satisfy your fall cravings. During its fall festival, pick the perfect pumpkins for classic jack-o’-lanterns, navigate the largest corn maze in St. Louis and take a hayride or board the cow train. In between bites of kettle corn, you can also pet furry farm animals, embark on low-ropes courses, play life-size board games and test your skills on a mechanical bull. Yee-haw!
Grove Fest
October 4
Dance, eat and party in the streets of The Grove during this annual festival praised for its diversity. Live music, interactive art, street performers, drag shows and a bubble bus set the tone, so you know that you’ll have a good time. Want to immerse yourself in the fun? Enter the pizza eating contest, best mustache and beard contest or Fear Factor competition.
Chuseok Korean Harvest Festival
October 4
Held at Half Moon Circle in Tower Grove Park, the Chuseok Korean Harvest Festival centers on traditional Korean performing arts. Highlights of the program include a martial arts demonstration, K-pop performances and traditional Korean foods. Attendees can also participate in traditional games such as Yutnori, Ddakji and Gonggi; try on hanbok, a traditional clothing of the Korean people; and learn about the traditional Chuseok charye table setting.
Historic Shaw Art Fair
October 4 and 5
Color us excited! A stone’s throw from the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Historic Shaw Art Fair returns to the intersection of Flora Place and Tower Grove Avenue this October. The fine art fair features 120 artists showcasing their ceramics, paintings, pastels, photography, sculptures, woodwork and more, while food and music supplement the art.
St. Louis VegFest
October 5
Powered by plants, St. Louis VegFest has grown to include approximately 70 vendors, expert speakers and entertainers – plus, yoga sessions and kid-friendly activities – since the first event in 2018. This year, St. Louis VegFest will be held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, where you can learn more about the thriving vegan community in the region. St. Louis VegFest 2025 will happen rain or shine, so dress accordingly.
Oktoberfest in Soulard
October 10 and 11
Home to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Biergarten, Soulard is the perfect location for Oktoberfest. The free, family-friendly event honors St. Louis’ German brewing traditions with multiple beer stands serving the best suds around town. Attendees can also enjoy traditional German food, a wine garden and live music.
Brew in the Lou
October 11
Local, regional and national craft breweries, distilleries and wineries will come together for the 13th annual Brew in the Lou. Hosted by Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), the festival in Francis Park also boasts food tastings, live music and local vendors. Admission includes unlimited beer, wine, spirits and food (while supplies last), along with a commemorative tasting glass, and proceeds benefit LESA’s 34 member schools, which serve approximately 9,700 students and 600 educators.
Saint Louis Ballet Fall Series
October 11 and 12
In its fall series, Saint Louis Ballet presents an extraordinary triple bill celebrating musical brilliance, choreographic innovation and stylistic range. From the jazzy exuberance of Take Five…More or Less by Broadway legend Susan Stroman to the striking modernism and classical depth of George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and the elegant precision of his Divertimento No. 15 set to Mozart’s luminous score, this program offers a dynamic journey through rhythm, emotion and the timeless beauty of ballet.
Wolf Fest
October 18
Party with the pack at the Endangered Wolf Center! During Wolf Fest, you can embrace the best aspects of the unique attraction. After visiting wild canids such as red wolves, Mexican wolves, painted dogs and fennec foxes during an open house-style tour, you can enjoy food trucks, live music and kids’ activities with the whole family.
Fall Colors Expedition
October 18 and 19
Join Big Muddy Adventures on a breathtaking journey through the Missouri River Valley via canoe. This overnight expedition will cover 30 miles of the Missouri River, including incredible views of fiery fall foliage – plus, riverside tent camping, meals and snacks. You don’t need paddling experience, but participants must be 18 or older.
Circus of Life
October 24 to 26
Counterpublic, a St. Louis-based triennial exhibition reimagining the possibilities of art in public life, will present its inaugural convening, Circus of Life, at The Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District. Free and open to the public, the festival will bring artists, performers, poets, curators, organizers, activists and educators together for an epic celebration. Over three days, Circus of Life will offer alternate ways of gathering via shared experience, reflecting a desire to reconnect art and life. Inspired by the history of the circus – which, in addition to comprising a diverse array of entertainment, serves as a space for creative expression where all are welcome – Circus of Life will present work by individuals and collectives that are committed to challenging the most ingrained of our assumptions, asking us to expand our imaginations to envision living otherwise. On the circus grounds, artists of all stripes will perform and host booths of fun, reflection and exchange that have been created specifically with the current socio-political moment in mind, offering challenges and questions for the public to consider. Serving as a site where pleasure meets rowdiness, joy meets skepticism and indulgence meets experimentation, Circus of Life will be a space to make meaning together.
Apple Butter Festival
October 25 and 26
Attracting more than 100,000 visitors every year, the Apple Butter Festival is the largest event in Kimmswick. While participants can enjoy the small-town ambiance, live entertainment and between 500 and 600 food, drink and craft vendors, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, too. On Friday, the Kimmswick Historical Society gathers to peel and prepare the apples. Then, before dawn on Saturday and Sunday, the apples are cooked in a kettle over a wood-burning fire until the fragrant spread is thick enough to seal in jars. After one taste of the apple butter, you’ll want to stock your pantry with the indulgence.
November
Fall History Tours
Select dates in September, October and November
In September, October and November, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum will host two-hour walking tours of the grounds against a backdrop of stunning fall foliage. Led by master guides, the tours will cover two miles, spotlighting beautiful features of the Level III Arboretum as well as intriguing historical figures buried among the trees. Spoiler alert: American explorer William Clark, writer and artist William S. Burroughs and co-founder of Anheuser-Busch Adolphus Busch are among the most notable people buried here.
Midwest Dreams Music Festival
November 1
Explosive energy. Electrifying music. Incredible production. Midwest Dreams isn’t just a music festival; it’s a next-level experience. Dom Dolla, Diplo, Acraze and YDG, among other world-renowned DJs, will set the scene for the EDM experience. In addition to the euphoric beats and dreamlike vibe, you can expect food trucks, stiff drinks, art installations, carnival rides and firework displays!
Sips, Souls and Strolls
November 7
This special twilight edition of Sips, Souls and Strolls will spotlight the women artists of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. The historical figures range from sculptors to painters to poets, and each one is as unique as her artwork. Guides will lead you on foot to the final resting places of a few of the female artists as you hear their stories, imagine their creations and enjoy beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Laumeier After Dark
November 8
For one night only, Laumeier After Dark gives the public a unique opportunity to explore Laumeier Sculpture Park after sundown. The annual event features temporary art and light installations from local artists as well as illuminations of the sculpture park’s most iconic pieces. Laumeier After Dark also includes a night market with local makers, food and beverage vendors and live music.
Flyover Comedy Festival
November 13 to 16
Four days. Forty events. More than 150 comedians. The Flyover Comedy Festival is an annual comedy invasion of St. Louis featuring stand-up comedy showcases; improvisation workshops and performances; and sketch and storytelling shows. This year, national headliners, regional standouts and rising locals will fill venues from Stifel Theatre to The Sheldon and City Winery to Tropical Liqueurs with laughter.
Saint Louis Dance Theatre Fall Series
November 14 to 16
Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s season of love languages opens with a new work by Belgian Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Internationally acclaimed for her diverse artistry encompassing dance, theater, opera and film, Lopez Ochoa is one of the most versatile creatives of our time. With more than 100 works created for 81 dance companies worldwide, she has an edge for what dance can and should be. The fall series will also feature a world premiere by artistic director Kirven Douthit-Boyd and additional work from the Saint Louis Dance Theatre repertoire.
December
Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street
December 6
Do you prefer prints? You’re going to love the Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street. One of the largest print sales in the Midwest, the annual event showcases more than 100 local and regional artists whose work embodies the ever-evolving creative energy of the neighborhood. Expect everything from lithographs to woodcuts and etchings to screen prints. Add a cup of hot coffee or a tasty taco and this might become a new tradition for you.
Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo
December 14
Signed, sealed, delivered! The Missouri Bridal & Wedding Expo returns to America’s Center Convention Complex on Dec. 14. The convention features an amazing selection of wedding professionals who can help you find the perfect gown, reception venue, invitations, photographer, music, menu, honeymoon destination and so much more. Admission is free with online registration or $10 at the door.
