5 St. Louis Weekend Happenings - Labor Day 2019

Labor Day Weekend 2019 is almost here, and what's not to love? It's a chance to slow down and appreciate our "laborers". The kids are off of school, most adults have the long weekend to play, and it is the last "hurrah" before we charge into the cooler weather and slower pace of Fall.

Labor Day Weekend, particularly in St Louis, is always full of amazing family-friendly activities. If you want to get out, hit the city, and do something other than enjoy the last weekend of pool season... the possibilities are endless.

Need help planning your long holiday weekend? Besides a busy game weekend for the Cardinals versus the Reds and Giants, the Great Godfrey Corn Maze, and extended hours at the St. Louis Zoo, below are 5 of my favorite St. Louis Labor Day 2019 activities...

Labor Day Parade
September 2nd at 9AM

Thousands of local union members will march through downtown St. Louis for the annual Labor Day Parade. An awesome way to kick off the weekend and show your pride /support our local workers.  There will be local bands, drill teams, and a ton of action!

The parade begins at 15th and Olive. It then makes its way down Tucker Street, past St. Louis City Hall and west on Market Street to 15th Street.  Food and celebration follows at Chestnut and Market!

More info: http://www.stlclc.org/2019-labor-day-parade-information/


The Japanese Festival at the Botanical Garden
August 31- September 2

Each Labor Day weekend, the Missouri Botanical Garden hosts one of the largest and oldest Japanese Festivals in North America. In addition to taking in the beauty of the Botanical Gardens, visitors can enjoy Japanese music, art, dance, food, and entertainment including Origami demonstrations, a traditional tea ceremony, and live Sumo wrestling.

Tickets to the festival are $16 for adults, $8 for members,  and $5 for non- member children and and free for children Garden members.

More info: http://events.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Japanese_Festival

St. Louis Greek Festival in the Central West End

August 30-September 2 
Corner of Forest Park and Kingshighway

If you love authentic Greek food, and who doesn't, than a visit to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is in order for you this weekend for their 102nd Annual festival. Enjoy music, dancing and some of the best Greek food you'll find anywhere. Be sure to utilize the free parking in the BJC Parking Garage.

More Info: http://www.opastl.com/

Big Muddy Blues Festival on Laclede's Landing
August 31, 2pm-11pm

The 24th Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival is a free, outdoor music festival featuring local and nationally known Blues artists that hosts over 30,000 people annually. 50+ musicians perform on three outdoor stages set up throughout the cobble stoned streets of the Landing, 3 indoor stages, and two events at the National Blues Museum featuring tributes to Albert King and Tommy Bankhead. Dozens of local restaurants provide food and drink, and the music is the best around! Amazing way to support our local talent.

More info: http://bigmuddybluesfestival.com

Fall Art Fair at Queeny Park
August 30-September 1

$5.00 admission

Friday:  5pm - 9pm
Saturday: 10am - 6pm.
Sunday: 11am - 4pm.

All within the climate-controlled comfort of the Greensfelder Recreation Center, and with more than 130 juried artists from 20+ states... the Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region.

More info: http://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/ 

Event flyer with a $1 coupon for admission: 
https://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/coupon.html

Weekend Happening: Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street

This weekend is one of the city's most festive street parties...

...the 2017 Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street! With 15 years under their belt and drawing over 50,000 people annually, the festival is a true celebration of the culturally-rich Cherokee Street neighborhood.  Complete with a parade, live entertainment, live art demos, margaritas /cervezas, local artists, vendors, and the most delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine in all of St. Louis...this annual fiesta is an amazing time!

NITTY GRITTY...

Saturday, May 6 from 11:00AM- 10:00 PM

DIRECTIONS...

From highways 40 or 44 exit at Jefferson and go South (Right). Continue South on Jefferson about 1-2 miles to Cherokee. To go towards the Festival Area make a right on Cherokee. The festival area starts at Iowa and Cherokee.

FOR MORE INFO...

Web:  http://cincodemayostl.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/CincodeMayoSTL

Boo at the Zoo is back TODAY, St. Louis!

Haunted Hallow, Sinister Swamp, and Master Weaver's Giant Spider Web...

I swear, I adore the St. Louis Zoo! Sport your costume and explore the Zoo after dark during the special Halloween evenings: Boo at the Zoo Nights! This non-scary, child-friendly Halloween experience is filled with laughs and adventure. Wander the park at night, hear silly stories by the campfire, enjoy live music, and more.

While all children under the age of 12 will receive a small treat bag upon exiting, Boo at the Zoo Nights is not a trick-or-treating experience. This event is the perfect way to enjoy the Halloween season without the scare or sugar-overload!

NITTY GRITTY:
Nightly, October 18-30, 2016
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$6/member; $7/non-member; children under 2 are free
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free - details on the website.

MORE INFO:
http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights/

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: September 30 - October 2, 2016

Best of Missouri Market

Venture out to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the 25th annual Best of Missouri Market, an event that attracts more than 25,000 people annually. Over 120 vendors offer local flowers, food, baked goods, jewelry, and handmade goods over the course of three days. Enjoy live music, crafts, and kids' activities as you welcome the arrival of Fall.

October 1st and 2nd from 9am-5pm at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, with a special preview "First Look" on Friday night.

$12 adults (ages 13 and over)
$5 children (ages 3–12)
$5 Garden Members
Free Garden members' children (ages 3–12)

For more info:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/best-of-missouri-market.aspx 

Print the official 2016 program guide HERE.

11th Annual GroveFest

No one knows how to throw a street party like The Grove in St. Louis!  GroveFest is an eclectic street festival in the Grove, a vibrant commercial district  in St. Louis.  Last year the festival drew over 12,000 attendees, was likened to funky New Orleans street festivals, and was praised for the diversity in programming and turnout. This year’s GroveFest is the 11th annual, so they are going above and beyond with live music, kids' stations, amazing food, and more!

Saturday from 2-11pm in The Grove along Manchester between Kingshighway and Vandeventer 

For more info:
http://www.thegrovestl.com/events/grove-fest/

Taste of Trucktober

Come celebrate food on wheels in West County, where the food is the STAR! This family-friendly festival hosts an array of gourmet food trucks including The Southerner, WingNut, Global Quesadilla, Cheese Shack, Pi, Cruizin, Fusion, Steak Louie, Sarah's Cakestop, Qlicious, and MORE!  Complete with live music, games, and karaoke... it is foodie fun for the whole family.

Saturday, October 1st from 12-5

FREE Admission

Chesterfield Amphitheater
631 Veterans Place Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63017

For more info:
http://www.trucktoberstl.com/


Shaw Neighborhood Art Fair

The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association (SNIA) has hosted the very popular Shaw Art Fair each Fall since 1993. Located on the tree-lined parkway of beautiful Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area. It is highly rated by art fair magazines and participating artists. Roughly 135 top caliber artists and craftspeople from around the country are selected each year to participate in the professionally juried event.  You will also enjoy live music and local cuisine.

Saturday, October 1st from 9am to 5pm
Sunday, October 2nd from 10am to 5pm

Blocks of 4100-4200 Flora Place, St. Louis MO 63110

$7 per adult, which is good for admission to both days. Children 14 and under are free with an adult. Bring a non-perishable food item to receive $1 off admission—benefiting Isaiah 58 Ministries and Mount Olive Church.

For more info:
http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: September 16 - 18, 2016

Rain, rain go away... the weekend is here and it is time to PLAY!  There is a lot going on this weekend, St. Louis! If seeking fun and affordable family-friendly events, below are a handful of my local favorites happening this weekend...

Taste of St. Louis 2016
The 12th annual award-winning Taste of St. Louis is a celebration of the best food, art, music, and culture that our great city has to offer. Reel Big Fish and Jerrod Niemann play this year, while notable local chefs battle it out in high-pressure cooking competitions.   There is something for everyone at the event, as the array of activities and participants continues to grow each year. 300,000 patrons enjoyed Taste last year.


Friday, September 16 from 4:00pm - 10pm
Saturday, September 17 from 11am - 10pm
Sunday, September 18 from 11am - 7:00 pm

FREE Admission

Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park and Chesterfield Village

For more info:
http://tastestl.com/ or 314.534.2100

Event map and directions here: http://www.tastestl.com/map-and-rules/


44nd Annual Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race

The oldest and most well-attended free hot-air balloon event in the WORLD is this weekend! The Balloon Glow will be on Friday evening on Central Field (the site of the Race) and will be a walk through event only -- not a drive through event. The Balloon Race will take place on Central Field by the Jewel Box in Forest Park, on Saturday afternoon. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is free, open to the public, and welcomes over 130,000 visitors every year.

September 16th and 17th 

Print/view the full 2016 program here: 
http://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/about/2016-program/

Forest Park- Central Field
5595 Grand Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63112

FREE Admission

For more info: 
http://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/  


Collinsville Italian Fest

For over 25 years, Collinsville IL has been celebrating the Italian culture and heritage that the city was built on. Dance, stomp grapes, Bocce, and "mangia bene" during their annual Italian Fest in downtown Collinsville, Illinois.  Plenty of parking is available throughout downtown Collinsville, but please note that the festival closes the streets from Morrison (IL-159) to Seminary.

September 16-17

Full weekend schedule here: http://www.italianfest.net/schedule.html 

FREE Admission

For more info:
http://www.italianfest.net/

Weekend happening: Festival of Nations 2016

The International Festival of Nations is this weekend and the forecast is looking ideal to enjoy it!  This super family-friendly event in Tower Grove Park is St. Louis’ best attended annual multicultural celebration. The festival offers amazing multi-cultural entertainment /activities, an international bazaar with unique gifts from around the world, and over 40 ethnic food booths to delight the palate. 

NITTY GRITTY...

WHEN:  
Saturday (10am-7pm) and Sunday (10am-6pm) - August 27 and 28

WHERE:  
Tower Grove Park (directions and festival map HERE)

FOR MORE INFO:  
http://www.festivalofnationsstl.org/ 

St. Louis Hidden Gem: Free Concerts Stl website

Summer 2016 is officially here, St. Louis...  

I swear, it seems like just yesterday that I drafted my Farewell to Summer 2015 post?!  Summer in Casa de Nenonen tends to be fairly hectic between work, travel, sports camps, scouting high adventures, and life.  That being said, we are never too busy for an evening of live music beneath the stars with friends.  

This week, Steve and I did our annual early-June hop online to choose some fun outdoor happenings for our family calendar. Our favorite comprehensive online resource is Free Concerts STL, as it is extremely easy to navigate for last-minute plans...

The site has everything from fairs and festivals to food truck events and free concerts.  It auto-defaults to the current day, making a last minute "I wonder what is going on tonight around town?" incredibly simple.  Check it out!

Connect with Free Concerts STL here:

WEB: http://www.freeconcertsstl.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/freeconcertsstl/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/freeconcertsstl

See my other local Hidden Gems HERE.

St. Louis Memorial Day Weekend 2016 Happenings: May 27 - 30

The long holiday weekend is almost here, St. Louis!  As usual, the city will be buzzing with family-friendly activities. Here are a few of my favorites...

2016 Art Outside at Schlafly Bottleworks 

Schlafly Art Outside is a three-day-long alternative art fair featuring art from over 50 artists based here in the St. Louis area. Come and show your support for local art and local beer.

Art Outside is not an ordinary fair, but one that features quality art, music, and plenty of tasty food and drink from Schlafly Beer. Hosted at the brewery’s Bottleworks location in Maplewood, Missouri, Art Outside draws approximately 15,000 visitors each year.

5.27.16 - 5.30.16
Friday:  5-10 PM
Saturday: 10AM-10PM
Sunday: NOON-4PM

Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
6260 Southwest Avenue

http://schlafly.com/events/calendar/2016/05/27/art-outside/


2016 St. Louis County Greek Fest in Town & Country

Whether you're of Greek decent or just love ethnic cuisine, the Greek Fest is a lively environment destination in which you can experience the Greek community's deeply rooted traditions, heritage, and delicious cuisine!

5.27.16 - 5.30.16
Friday-Sunday: 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
Monday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road

http://stlouisgreekfest.com/

Eckert's Farm Memorial Day Festival

Eckert's Orchards in Belleville is celebrating Memorial Day with a three-day festival complete with music, food, wagon rides and special kid's activities.

5.28.16 - 5.30.16
10-5 pm

Belleville Country Store
951 Green Mount Road Belleville, IL 62220

http://www.eckerts.com/events/memorial-weekend-festival-8/


44th Annual Gypsy Caravan at the Family Arena

Junkers, antiquers, and Pinterest fans... welcome to heaven!!  The St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association presents the 44th annual Gypsy Caravan, one of the largest antique, craft and flea markets in the Midwest. Proceeds support the STL Symphony and Education Concerts that reach and inspire upward of 40,000 students from 1,000 area schools each season.

Monday, 5.30.16
Early Bird (7:00-9:00 AM): $20
General (9:00 AM-5:00 PM): $10
Free at all times for children under age 13.

The Family Arena
2002 Arena Parkway
St. Charles MO, 63303

https://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: May 13 - 15, 2016

The weekend is almost upon us and check out this forecast, St. Louis...

If still making plans for the weekend, here are a few of the more notable happenings!

Sauce Food Truck Friday 

Tower Grove Park

Fri, May 13 at 4:00 pm

The 6th annual Sauce Food Truck Friday series in Tower Grove Park has begun! More than 20 trucks attend every second Friday of the month - May through October - for one of the best outdoor food events in St. Louis!

More info: http://foodtruckfriday.saucemagazine.com/

2016 Spirit of St. Louis Airshow presented by Boeing

May 14 – 15 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Watch and enjoy many amazing pilots including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian Snowbirds including the CF-18 Hornet flight demonstration. Watch them perform some of their amazing flight maneuvers in an exciting aerial ballet across the sky. The event’s popular STEM Expo, presented by MasterCard, highlights the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives of academic, business and not-for profit institutions in the St. Louis area and inspires youth to pursue these important areas.

More info: http://spirit-airshow.com/

15th Annual Art on the Square in Downtown Belleville

May 13-15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Every spring, Art on the Square transforms downtown Belleville into an alfresco gallery, with 105 juried artists from all over the world. There’s also food, music, and a children’s art garden.

More info: http://artonthesquare.com/

The St. Louis Modern exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum

Hey St. Louis ‪Mid Century Modern‬ and Art Lovers...

The St. Louis Modern exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum closes on Sunday so you have a few days left! It is jam-packed with super sexy mid-century modern designs made between 1935 and 1965 by St. Louis-based architects, artists, and designers and is FABULOUS.

Tip: Exhibit admission is FREE on Friday.

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: October 16- 18, 2015

Boo at the Zoo Nights

Nightly, October 16-30, 2015
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Explore the Zoo after dark during the special Halloween evenings: Boo at the Zoo Nights! This non-scary, kid-friendly Halloween experience is filled with laughs and adventure. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. Children 12-and-under will receive a treat bag upon exiting. Boo at the Zoo Nights is not a trick-or-treating experience.

$6/member; $7/non-member; children under 2 are free 
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free - details on the website.

More info:  http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights/

9th Annual Harvest Festival at Laumeier Sculpture Park
Sunday October 18
11am-5pm

Hosted by Sauce Magazine and Laumeier Sculpture Park, the 2015 Harvest Festival celebrates the best Autumn has to offer: delicious eats from St. Louis area restaurants, a farmers’ market featuring fresh local produce, arts and craft wares, family activities, live Bluegrass music and all of Fall’s splendor in Laumeier’s beautiful outdoor setting.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for Laumeier Members, and children ages 10 and under free. Buy tickets at the door or online

Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO 63127

More info:  http://harvestfeststl.com/


The Great Schlafly Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 17
12:00pm - 7:00pm

Calling all beer lovers!  Think county fair meets pig roast meets a trip to the pumpkin patch as Schlafly kicks off the Fall season and the return of their popular seasonal Pumpkin Ale.Complete with live music, local vendor booths, family-activities, amazing cuisine, and tastinsg of unique ciders and harvest-time beers... a great time is guaranteed.

Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
7260 Southwest Avenue

More info: 
http://schlafly.com/events/calendar/2015/10/17/schlafly-great-pumpkin-festival/

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: September 11- September 13

Hey, hey St. Louis!  The weekend forecast predicts cool Fall temperatures and our city boasts a calendar packed with family-friendly outdoor events. Three of my favorites this weekend...

Saint Louis Art Fair in Downtown Clayton

Friday:  5-10p
Saturday: 11-10p
Sunday: 11-5p

The Saint Louis Art Fair (SLAF) is a family-friendly and FREE free 3 day celebration of the visual and performing arts, held  in Clayton's central downtown business district. The Art Fair presents fantastic art in numerous mediums, live performances, hands on activities for children, and showcases some of St. Louis' top restaurants. The Art Fair collaborates with over 20 local not-for-profit arts organizations giving them the opportunity to generate earned income and access to over 130,000 potential patrons.

Learn more here:  http://www.culturalfestivals.com/


LouFest 2015

Saturday and Sunday in Forest Park

Loufest returns to Forest Park this weekend for an exciting 6th installment, delivering a weekend of activity, amazing food, and live music including headliners like Umphrey McGhee, Billy Idol, and Ludacris. A peek at last year's fun...

Tickets are required.  Learn more here:  http://www.loufest.com/

Schlafly Art Outside Festival

Friday:  5-10p
Saturday: 10-10p
Sunday: 12-4p 

Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
#7260 Southwest Avenue

Schlafly's Art Outside is a 3 day juried alternative art fair featuring over 50 local artists, live music, and the brewery's finest brews! Hosted at the Maplewood location, this popular event attracts over 15K people each year! 

Learn more here: 
http://schlafly.com/events/calendar/2015/09/11/art-outside

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: August 21- August 23

Festival of the Little Hills

Main Street and Frontier Park 
in Historic Downtown St. Charles

Friday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

FREE

Whether you call it Fête des Petites Côtes or Festival of the Little Hills, it is the largest St. Charles festival of the year with over 300 craft booths by local artisans. Food, live music, special activities for the kids, and more on the historic cobblestone streets overlooking the Missouri River!

http://www.historicstcharles.com/includes/events/Festival-of-the-Little-Hills/677/

Rise up Festival

Washington Avenue between 16th and 17th streets

Friday 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM

FREE

This street festival celebrates the revitalization of St. Louis neighborhoods. The show will feature music from the Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Dirty Muggs, and the Jeremiah Johnson Band. There will also be kid-friendly activities, street performers, and food trucks.

https://www.facebook.com/riseupfestivalstl


St. Louis World’s Fare Heritage Festival

In Shakespeare Glen just East of the St. Louis Statue in front of the Art Museum

Saturday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

FREE

Pay homage to the 1904 World’s fair while celebrating the St. Louis of today! Forest Park will be the centerpiece of the celebration featuring events and competitions embracing the history of the 1904 World’s Fair while highlighting the culture of St. Louis today. Festival features include live music, art village, “Culinary Pike”, kid’s island family activities and entertainment, historical exhibitions, beer garden & backyard games, live art demonstrations, and a World Business Expo supporting local businesses.

314-853-6257 or http://stlworldsfare.com/

Weekend Happening: Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park

The 28th Annual Mother's Day Weekend Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park kicks off today...  

The 3 day event, among the MASSIVE sculptures of Laumeier Sculpture Park, attracts more than 15,000 attendees every single year.  The show features over 150 artists, both local and from around the country, in medias from photography and pottery to sculpture and glass.

It is a fabulous event that my family tries to attend it every single year as there is something there for EVERYONE: music, food, crafts, and art.

Friday, May 8 | 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 | 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

$10 | Ages 12 and up
$5 | Ages 6 to 11
FREE | Ages 5 and under

NOTE: Laumeier Members receive FREE admission to Art Fair!

DIRECTIONS:
Laumeier is located near I-270 and I-44, 16 miles and 20 minutes from the Gateway Arch. From I-44 Eastbound or Westbound, exit at Lindbergh Boulevard (Exit 277B), drive 0.5 miles south to Rott Road (turn right) and proceed 0.5 miles west to the Park entrance (on the left).

MORE INFO:  

Web: http://laumeiersculpturepark.org/programs_events/art_fair
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaumeierSTL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaumeierArtStL
Phone:  314-615-5278 

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: April 10-12

FRIDAY:

An Evening of Art in the CWE
5:30  - 8:30 pm - Central West End

Sip and stroll along the shops and galleries on McPherson in the CWE  to celebrate the openings of new art shows at Duane Reed Gallery, Philip Slein Gallery, Charlie Houska,  and the Open Projects + Gallery with complimentary cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.

More info HERE.

SATURDAY:

Repeal of Prohibition Beer Festival
12-5PM - Schlafly Bottleworks

Celebrate the Anniversary of the End of Prohibition at Schlafly Bottleworks in Historic Downtown Maplewood!  

$25.00 in advance or $30.00 the day of the event. Price includes a commemorative tasting glass and samplings of over 30 beer styles including plenty of Schlafly favorites and great beer styles from our guest breweries. Live music will be provided by Swing DeVille. 

More info HERE or call (314) 241-2337

FRIDAY-SATURDAY:

The Twisted Belly Barbecue Blowout
Friday, April 10th from 4pm to 10 pm and Saturday, April 11th from 11am to 8pm.

Chesterfield Amphitheater.

The Budweiser BBQ Series continues! Here, competitors will prepare chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.  You’re guaranteed to have a finger lickin good time as the competitors are working towards hopefully earning a grand prize payout of $10,000 at the final competition later this year.

Admission is FREE and you’ll be able to purchase samples from several different competing teams, along with beer, soda, water and liquor.

More info HERE.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY:

Queeny Park Art Fair
Friday, April 10     5pm - 9pm
Saturday, April 9  10am - 6pm.
Sunday, April 10  11am - 4pm.

This weekend, the annual Art Fair is coming to Queeny Park! Featuring fine arts and crafts from 130 artists from around the country, this show goes on all weekend, rain or shine, in the climate-controlled Greensfelder Recreation Center at Queeny Park.

Admission is $5 at the door, benefiting the Student Scholar Fund.  Parking is free

More info and a coupon for admission is HERE.