St. Louis Annual Events

St. Louis Gladly Accepts Any Excuse To Throw A Party
No doubt about it – the Gateway to the West is always ready to have a good time. Here’s a list of a few of the festivals and events we celebrate each year to get you started.

Mid-January

The Loop Neighborhood

The Loop Ice Carnival

Celebrate winter with such activities as live ice carving demonstrations, a 5K and 10K
Frozen Buns Run, scavenger hunt, ice slides, a S’mores roast, fire
performers, and live entertainment.

Mid-February/early March

Soulard Neighborhood

Soulard Mardi Gras

It’s tons of fun, frivolity, parades, beads and more during St. Louis’ 11-day Mardi Gras
celebration. On the Saturday prior to Fat Tuesday, the historic Soulard neighborhood comes alive with the Grand Parade and a post-parade party that includes national and local bands performing live in the streets. The party season wraps up on Fat Tuesday with a nighttime parade through the streets of downtown St. Louis.

Mid-March

Downtown St. Louis

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
and St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run

Elaborate floats, marching bands, and giant helium-filled balloons fill the streets of St. Louis for the annual parade, which steps off at noon from 18th and Market streets on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day. The five-mile Michelob ULTRA run begins at Busch Stadium and winds its way through the streets of downtown.

Late May – mid-June

Forest Park

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

Watch Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Forest Park. Bring blankets or chairs for
lawn seating and pack a picnic or enjoy a box dinner from the on-site caterer. Come early for the traditional Green Show where dancers, musicians, jugglers and other entertainers interact with the audience.

June – mid-August

Missouri Botanical Garden

Whitaker Jazz Festival

Enjoy cool jazz on warm summer nights under the stars. The concerts feature a variety of local artists performing after-hours concerts in the lush surroundings of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

July

Downtown St. Louis

Fair Saint Louis

On July 4th, St. Louis celebrates the nation’s birthday with a free blow-out bash. In addition to free concerts from nationally-known artists like Collective Soul, Joss Stone, and Hootie & The Blowfish, there’s plenty of food and beverage options and a spectacular fireworks display.

July

Downtown St. Louis

Celebrate St. Louis

After Fair St. Louis, the Celebrate St. Louis weekend concert series kicks off, with free
shows – and more fireworks – on Friday and Saturday nights through July.

Late August

Downtown St. Louis

Saint Louis BluesWeek

A 10-day celebration of St. Louis’ Blues heritage that includes a Blues history panel
discussion, workshops, a land-based “Blues Cruise” pub crawl, the annual St. Louis Blues Awards ceremony and a free two-day music festival in downtown St. Louis.

Late August

Tower Grove Park

Festival of Nations

This multiethnic celebration features traditional dance, music, ethnic food, cultural and
educational exhibits, folk art demonstrations, and an international market.

September

Downtown Clayton

Saint Louis Art Fair

In addition to unique, high quality artwork by visual artists from across the country, the Art Fair includes the Creative Castle kids’ area, food and beverage options at Pleasures of the Palate, and three stages with live entertainment.

September

Forest Park

Great Forest Park Balloon Race

Festivities begin with a balloon glow on Friday night and race day (Saturday) activities
include a children’s entertainment area and a photo contest prior to the launch of the hare and hound balloons. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day!

Late September

Soldiers Memorial Plaza

Taste of St. Louis

This three-day celebration of food, fun, music and art is held in the heart of downtown St. Louis. In addition to Restaurant Row, festivities include a battle of the bands, art village, “Iron Chef” competition, and free concerts from national and local bands.