It’s hot – and so is our list of 15 things to do in St. Louis this August.
This month, celebrate St. Louis’ vast culinary scene at one of the city’s tastiest festivals, seek out your new favorite summer read at The J and have a laugh at the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Festival of Nations, the region’s largest multicultural event of the year, also takes place in Tower Grove Park, and Anheuser-Busch invites you to tour its iconic brewery.
Now that you’ve found your summer groove, you might not want to stop here. Check out our events calendar for more memorable activities, which will help you make the most of every day of sunshine.
Model Train Swap Meet
August 1
All aboard! Connect with other locomotive enthusiasts at The National Museum of Transportation's Model Train Swap Meet. Set up a booth and sell your best models and collectibles, or attend as a customer ready to bargain for your favorite finds. A unique way to spend the first Saturday in August, this swap meet is proof positive that no matter your interests, St. Louis has an event for every niche.
Summerween at The Magic House:
August 1 and 2
Halloween is nearly three months away, but who says you can’t test-run costumes in the heat of summer? Corral the kiddos – decked out in their favorite costume, of course – and head to The Magic House for a Summerween celebration. Kids can make Summerween Slime in the Science Lab, trick or treat throughout the building and listen to spine-tingling spooky stories in the Story Time Theater. Whether you’re all in on the summer vibes or ready to fast-forward to spooky season, Summerween is the best of both worlds.
STLFringe Fest
August 4 to 9
Celebrate artistic expression in its raw, uncensored form at STLFringe Fest, presented by St. Lou Fringe. The annual performing arts festival, held in the Grand Center Arts District, connects audiences with multidisciplinary artists and independent creators. Featured performances span genres including comedy, improv, dance and musical theater.
Meet Me in St. Louis
August 6 to 13
After eight years, Meet Me in St. Louis returns to The Muny! Based on the 1944 film starring Judy Garland, this Muny favorite tells the story of the Smith family and the major changes that await them when faced with an unexpected move. Themes of romance and family unity permeate this heartwarming tale, set right here in St. Louis during the turn of the century. Meet Me in St. Louis is one of four productions set to close out The Muny’s 108th season, including Ain’t Too Proud (August 1-2), Something Rotten (August 12-23) and a special finale concert on August 29.
Super Fair
Until August 8
The wafting smell of funnel cake and the distant shrieks of thrill-seekers echoing through the air can only mean one thing: the fair has officially arrived. The traveling Super Fair will make its way to the World Wide Technology Raceway for a seven-day run. Conquer fears on intimidating coasters or take in the fairground’s sights during a leisurely ride on the Ferris wheel. Sweet and salty temptations including turkey legs, pizza, cheesesteaks, lemonade and fried Twinkies are available at the fair’s various concession stands. Perfect for the entire family, core memories are waiting to be made at this year’s Super Fair.
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 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
If you’re looking for another example of the rich cultures that make St. Louis so beloved, look no further than the Gateway Dragon Boat Festival. Unlike any event in the city, spectators watch in anticipation as teams of 20 paddlers race across Creve Coeur Lake. A robust lineup of performances and activities are scheduled to entertain visitors in between rounds, while scrumptious offerings from local food trucks keep hunger at bay. Hosted by the St. Louis Dragon Boat Foundation, the Dragon Boat Festival bridges fun and a good cause as it aims to promote community health and cultural awareness in the St. Louis area.
James Austin Johnson
August 16
Live from St. Louis…..it’s James Austin Johnson! The Saturday Night Live cast member, known for his spot-on celebrity impressions, is coming to Helium Comedy Club to deliver side-stitching laughs. August features an impressive roster of touring comics including Natalie Cuomo (August 20), Jess Hilarious (August 1) and Johnson’s SNL colleagues Please Don’t Destroy (August 8).
Gallery Laughs
August 21
Comedy lovers rejoice – Gallery Laughs is back! After a wildly successful first year, the Saint Louis Art Museum is once again making the best day of the week even better with this special Free Friday programming. Happy hour kicks off the event, with DJ Scooter Brown spinning upbeat tunes to keep the energy high. The comedy follows shortly after, with sets from local comics Chris Cyr and Precious J. Dorsey, plus August’s headliner, Emmy Award-winner and Daily Show alum Dulcé Sloan. A night at SLAM wouldn’t be complete without art and STL artist Cbabi Bayoc is providing just that. Portraits inspired by Sloan will be displayed at the show, with a select number of prints available for attendees to take home.
Foodies Eat First 2.2
August 22 to 23
Ready for round two? Foodies Eat First’s second festival of the year is returning to The Post Building for another weekend of St. Louis’ best flavors, innovative culinary minds and voracious foodies. Local and national restaurants, chefs and mixologists will be present and you’re invited to taste your way through them all. Attendees can choose between a general admission or VIP experience, with the latter guaranteeing a sampling from each of the festival’s 20 plus vendors. If you missed out on Foodies Eat First 2.1, now’s your chance to get in on one of St. Louis’ buzziest new culinary celebrations.
The Muny Presents: Lionel Richie
August 29
Get ready to raise the roof and have some fun at The Muny one last time before the end of summer. International music legend Lionel Richie is this year’s headliner for the outdoor theater’s annual summer-finale concert. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and American Idol judge’s catalog features classic hits – including “Hello,” “All Night Long (All Night)” and “Endless Love” – that are guaranteed to close out The Muny’s 2026 season with jubilation.
Festival of Nations
August 29 to 30
Bear witness to St. Louis’ rich cultural tapestry during the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park. Originating in 1934, this free, two-day festival is the region’s largest multicultural event of the year, representing more than 80 nations. Festival of Nations takes pride in the vast cultures and identities that make St. Louis what it is by celebrating our similarities, differences and universal love of community. Tantalize your tastebuds with cuisines from around the world, dance to music spanning genres, shop international goods and join fellow St. Louisans as you celebrate global traditions.
Summer Shell-ebration
Until September 7
The St. Louis Aquarium is getting in on the playful summer vibes with its Summer Shell-ebration! Shell-bearing animals are the stars of this aquatic fest, where you’ll learn about animals including sea turtles, lobsters, crabs and sea urchins. Plus, if you or a loved one are celebrating a birthday this month, the St. Louis Aquarium wants to celebrate with you during the Birthday Bash Weekend on August 8 and 9. Guests with August birthdays will receive complimentary admission in addition to birthday stickers to help commemorate their special day.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experiences
Until November
One of the world’s most iconic breweries is headquartered right here in St. Louis and instead of gatekeeping, Anheuser-Busch invites you to see how its famed brews are made. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experiences are straight out beer-lovers’ dreams, with in-depth tours that allow guests an exclusive look at how quality ingredients and tried-and-true brewing practices produce a crisp product. Anheuser-Busch is offering several tours this month, from hour-long walkthroughs to extensive behind-the-scenes deep dives into the brewery’s processes. The best part of any tour you choose? They all end with a tasting. Sounds like a perfect summer activity to us.
Dinoroarus
Through 2027
Explore life on Earth as it was millions of years ago at the Saint Louis Zoo. Dinoroarus is an immersive walk-through experience that allows guests the opportunity to exist among the reptilian creatures that roamed the world during the Mesozoic Era. The experience features 20 animatronic dinosaurs and sculptures that move, roar and chomp, amounting to more than 130 individual animated movements that bring this experience to life. Whether you know a dino-obsessed youngin or desire to live a scene straight out of Jurassic Park, Dinoroarus’ appeal spans all ages.
