17 Popular Festivals In St. Louis, Missouri

festivals in st louis
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 6 min read

Nestled along the beautiful Mississippi River, St. Louis is one of the many cities that you need to visit when traveling in the state of Missouri. As soon as you set foot in the city, the very first landmark that you need to admire is the iconic Gateway Arch. The Soulard District is highly recommended if you are looking to indulge in the most delicious barbecue dishes and be entertained by blues music in the city. Other top-notch attractions include Missouri Botanical Garden in which you can please your eyes with the spectacular views of lush plants and colorful flowers, and Forest Park that lets you reconnect with nature and appreciate its beauty as you are strolling through the landscape to get to the lake area. St. Louis is also known for a number of festivals. Keep reading to learn about the popular festivals in St. Louis, Missouri.

1. St. Louis Americana Festival

Posted by St. Louis Americana Festival on Thursday, 3 May 2018

The first one on the list is St. Louis Americana Festival, an annual event that takes place every July. The festival is relatively new as it was only organized for the first time in 2017. However, the festival has already attracted a lot of local people who are fond of music. You can enjoy performances by musicians and singers from St. Louis and the surrounding neighborhood. Mingle with the locals and just dance to the music.

St. Louis Americana Festival

Address: Atomic Cowboy Pavilion , 4140 Manchester Ave, Saint Louis, MO, USA

Website: St. Louis Americana Festival

Takes place: July

Price: 15 USD

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2. St. Louis International Film Festival

Posted by St. Louis International Film Festival on Monday, 11 November 2019

Moving on from a music festival, next on the list is a movie festival called the St. Louis International Film Festival that has entertained participants since 1992. Aimed at exploring cross-cultural subjects through the art of cinema, the festival focuses on American independent movie productions as well as international films to introduce, appreciate, and enhance diversity. The festival usually takes place for 10 days long and you can enjoy as many as 300 films. Happy watching.

St. Louis International Film Festival

Address: 3547 Olive Street, Suite 260, St. Louis, MO, USA

Website: St. Louis International Film Festival

Takes place: November

Price: 14 USD

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3. St. Louis Greek Festival

Posted by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - St. Louis, MO on Saturday, 10 August 2019

You can guess from the name that the St. Louis Greek Festival is all about Greece and everything attached to it. If you are curious about Greek history, culture, traditions, and heritage, you are more than welcome to take part in the St. Louis Greek Festival. If you are a Greek residing in St. Louis, you should definitely come. The festival features a variety of delectable Greek cuisine such as gyros sandwich and Greek salad along with live Greek music performances and traditional Greek folk dance performances.

St. Louis Greek Festival

Address: 4967 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

Website: St. Louis Greek Festival

Takes place: August to September

Price: Free

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4. Flyover Comedy Festival


See how varied the festivals in St. Louis are? Be prepared to laugh for the whole three days if you decide to take part in the Flyover Comedy Festival. Let comedy enliven your time and entertain you in an amusing way. Participants of the festival are local and national comedians that will bring you the best stand-up comedy performances, storytelling shows, improv performances, and many more. Just wait and see.

Flyover Comedy Festival

Address: The Grove neighborhood of Saint Louis

Website: Flyover Comedy Festival

Takes place: November

Price: 45 USD

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St. Louis Tour Guide

Melissa Smith

Melissa Smith

I began my guiding career as a teenager in St. Louis, where I was born and raised. I first volunteered as a guide for the Chatillon-Demenil Mansion in South St. Louis. There is where I fell in love with history and its effect on present day. From my teenage years as a volunteer, I progressed to a job at the Missouri Botanical Garden where I trained and supervised the School Program Volunteer Docents and Instructors. My love for the outdoors comes from this experience of guiding school groups and chaperones through the spectacular 79 acres of the world’s 3rd most renowned botanical garden. Right here in my home town! From there I’ve gone on to work for the National Park Service as a Seasonal Park Ranger. This has been a most rewarding and delightful experience! I have guided travelers at such wonders as Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, and lesser known parks like Voyageurs National Park in International Falls, Minnesota. I have served two seasons at the Gateway National Park in St. Louis and have been to the top of the Gateway Arch over 200 times! Each time was a unique experience. I witnessed 3 marriage proposals, 1 military reenlistment ceremony, and 1 choir singing their award-winning songs. Most recently I have been guiding tours of Forest Park, the Central West End, and downtown St. Louis. I hope you’ll join me on one of my walking tours. I can’t wait to share with you St. Louis, and our rich cultural history!

Tours by Melissa

5. Festival Of Nations


Embrace the diversity that exists in the United States, particularly in St. Louis, by attending the Festival of Nations, a free event that takes place at the end of August every year. Whether you are a newcomer, a long-time resident, or a tourist in St. Louis, you will enjoy one of the grandest festivals in the city. There will be over 40 food vendors that serve local specialties and various street food along with an international bazaar presenting the most unique gifts from many countries around the world, dance and music shows, and a collection of arts and crafts.

Festival Of Nations

Address: Southeast Dr, St. Louis, MO 63116, USA

Website: Festival Of Nations

Takes place: August

Price: Free

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6. St. Louis Renaissance Festival

2019 St. Louis Renaissance Festival at Rotary Park in Wentzville. Photo credit to Jo Lewis PhotoMajiK #STLRenFest www.stlrenfest.com

Posted by St. Louis Renaissance Festival on Monday, 21 October 2019

Travel back in time to the Renaissance era when you attend the St. Louis Renaissance Festival. Enter a marketplace that has been transformed into a 16th-century French village, where inside, you can enjoy a relaxed stroll and explore the vendors that sell gyros, almonds, kebabs, beer, and more. You can also try on some period costumes and indulge in live music and other performances. The most interesting part of the festival is perhaps the sword fighting between knights.

St. Louis Renaissance Festival

Address: 2577 W Meyer Rd, Foristell, MO 63348, USA

Website: St. Louis Renaissance Festival

Takes place: September to October

Price: 17 USD

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7. Big Muddy Blues Festival

Posted by Big Muddy Blues Festival on Tuesday, 10 September 2019

Big Muddy Blues Festival is among the best free festivals in St. Louis. Coming back to St. Louis every August or September, the festival lets you enjoy blues music performed by numerous talented musicians in an open lawn. The event is free but you are expected to donate 5 USD that comes with a beverage coupon.

Big Muddy Blues Festival

Address: Laclede’s Landing

Website: Big Muddy Blues Festival

Takes place: August / September

Price: Free

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8. Whitaker Music Festival

The 2018 Whitaker Music Festival schedule is now online at www.mobot.org/whitaker! We look forward to seeing you this summer. (Photo by Josh Nezam)

Posted by Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesday, 21 March 2018

The existence of music is so important in our lives that even many festivals are about music. Whitaker Music Festival is a must-visit festival. First, because of the location that is inside the scenic Missouri Botanical Garden. You can indulge in a pleasant stroll first before attending the festival. Second, because the event is free and is hosted outdoor on an open lawn. While enjoying the music, you can look up to the sky and enjoy the stars as well. Lastly, you are allowed to bring your own picnic baskets.

Whitaker Music Festival

Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

Website: Whitaker Music Festival

Takes place: May to August (every Wednesday evening)

Price: Free

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9. St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

Posted by St. Louis Jewish Book Festival on Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Visiting St. Louis in early November? Why don’t you attend St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, one of the largest book events in the United States? You can enjoy a variety of topics for discussion, such as fiction, religion, history, and even politics. Hear the speakers share their thoughts and as a participant, you are welcome to be active by asking questions.

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

Address: 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA

Website: St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

Takes place: November

Price: 25 USD

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10. St. Louis Green Living Festival

Posted by EarthWays Center on Friday, 6 April 2018

Are you interested in maintaining the sustainability of the environment and in protecting the Earth? You should come to St. Louis Green Living Festival, where you can gain insights into achieving a sustainable environment and having a healthy lifestyle. Learn and play at the same time. This day-long festival includes workshops, activities for kids, and exhibits.

St. Louis Green Living Festival

Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

Website: St. Louis Green Living Festival

Takes place: June

Price: 14 USD

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11. St. Louis PrideFest

Balloon Brigade St. Louis 2015 Pridefest Parade
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clock88 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Are you a member or a big supporter of the LGBTQ community and do you believe that everyone should be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation? Then you should attend St. Louis PrideFest that takes place during the Pride Month in June. There will be performances and contests from the LGBTQ community. Show your support and love to the members of the community.

St. Louis PrideFest

Address: 3738 Chouteau Ave #200, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

Website: St. Louis PrideFest

Takes place: Usually held in June

Price: Free

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12. St. Louis Storytelling Festival

Calling all #schools, #homeschool groups, day schools, families, etc! Due to some last minute cancellations, we have a...

Posted by St. Louis Storytelling Festival on Monday, 22 April 2019

Are you fond of storytelling? St. Louis is known for its largest storytelling festival in the world called the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, something that you cannot skip. As a part of the community arts program organized by the University of Missouri, this festival is the stage for storytellers from various backgrounds to tell their stories. And, the festival is free. So, why not come and hear the stories of the people?

St. Louis Storytelling Festival

Address: University of Missouri

Website: St. Louis Storytelling Festival

Takes place: April to May

Price: Free

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13. St. Louis Taco Festival

St. Louis Taco Festival @bpvstl : After celebrating the @stlouisblues @stanleycup parade, what better to do after than...

Posted by Ace's Eats on Tuesday, 18 June 2019

You see the word “taco” in the name of the festival and now you are hungry after imagining all those tacos that you can enjoy therel, aren’t you? Well, wait until for June because it is the time St. Louis Taco Festival takes place. Situated in Ballpark Village, the festival celebrates the deliciousness of tacos and other Mexican dishes that are just as yummy as tacos. There will be tons of eateries, food trucks, and restaurants from the surrounding neighborhood taking part in this event. Forget about diet because you are going to eat a lot of tacos, nachos, churritos, Mexican corn snacks, and more.

St Louis Taco Festival

Address: 601 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA

Website: St Louis Taco Festival

Takes place: Usually held in June

Price: From 15 USD

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14. Taste of St. Louis

Come join us 11am to 11pm today. We got so much to #taco ‘bout. #tastestl @missiontacojoint @kimchiguys

Posted by Taste of St. Louis on Saturday, 14 September 2019

Do you want to discover St. Louis by taste? Go to the downtown area to find out the most authentic taste of the city. From culinary delights to live music and other attractions, you will discover, learn, and appreciate the beauty and culture of St. Louis. This event is free so there is no reason for you to skip it.

Taste of St. Louis

Address: downtown St. Louis

Website: Taste of St. Louis

Takes place: September

Price: Free

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15. Rise Up Festival

Posted by Yoga Buzz on Tuesday, 23 August 2016

The revitalization of St. Louis is worth celebrating and there is one event that is specially dedicated to the celebration, namely the Rise Up Festival. Taking place annually every August, the festival is all about creating and maintaining a healthy community that appreciates diversity and puts a focus on accepting one another as human beings. You can enjoy music, food and more during the festival. There will also be activities related to social awareness.

Rise Up Festival

Address: 1627 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103, USA

Website: Rise Up Festival

Takes place: August

Price: Free

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16. Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis


Tennessee Williams is one of the greatest playwrights of all time and his life and works are admired and celebrated the world over. St. Louis holds an event for this renowned playwright, particularly because he spent most of his young life in St. Louis. You can enjoy many performances of plays written by Williams, including one of his best works, “A Streetcar Named Desire”.

Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Address: High Low 3301 Washington Ave, 2F, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA

Website: Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Takes place: Usually held in May

Price: 10 USD

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17. St. Louis World's Fare

Posted by St. Louis World's Fare: Heritage Festival & Games on Monday, 26 August 2019

Last but not least is St. Louis World’s Fare, a festival that brings magic and fun to people of all ages. The festival aims at celebrating the anniversary of the 1904 World’s Fair. During the festival, you can have fun with your loved ones through singing, dancing, practicing yoga, playing games, and many other activities.

St. Louis World's Fare

Address: 1904 Concourse Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112, USA

Website: St. Louis World’s Fare

Takes place: August

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Your vacation will be more splendid if you plan around a festival or two

You will for sure have a splendid vacation in St. Louis after visiting as many attractions as possible. But, there is a way that your vacation can be even more splendid–that is by attending the festivals that take place throughout the year. If you have the time, you should visit St. Louis again and enjoy different festivals. For convenience, you can also book a quaint cabin rental in Van Buren, a quiet and beautiful city near St. Louis.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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