Your Guide to Summer Fun in St. Louis
There’s nothing better than summer in St. Louis, in my opinion. Sure, it gets hot, but the calendar is packed with free festivals, splash-worthy adventures, and incredible performances under the stars. Whether you're planning a romantic date night or a full day of family fun, there’s something for everyone.
Bookmark this post and check back all summer long, I’ll keep it updated with events worth knowing about!
Experience the Arts
Summer Parades and Festivals
Free Concerts
Outdoor Movie Nights
Circus Flora is just one of the many fun events during summer in St. Louis.
EXPERIENCE THE ARTS
🎶 The Muny
📍 Forest Park
📅 June 16 – August 25
There’s nothing like a night at The Muny. This season features Broadway classics and family favorites like Bring It On, Disney’s Frozen and Jersey Boys. Pro tip: Free seats are available each night, arrive early to snag one!
🎭 Shakespeare in the Park
📍 Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park
📅 May 29 – June 23
This year’s production is Hamlet. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and enjoy Shakespeare under the stars, for free! Every Tuesday-Sunday in Forest Park.
🎼 Opera Theatre of St. Louis
📍 Loretto-Hilton Center, Webster Groves
📅 May 25 – June 30
World-class opera in an intimate setting. This season includes Don Pasquale and Midsummer’s Night Dream. Enjoy a pre-show picnic and explore the gardens.
🎪 Circus Flora: Urban Legend
📍 The Big Top
📅 June 5 – 22
Step into the magical world of Urban Legend, Circus Flora's 39th season production. This one-ring circus combines traditional circus arts with modern storytelling, featuring world-renowned acts and original live music. It's a beloved St. Louis tradition that delights audiences of all ages. Look for Little Top Wednesdays for more little kid friendly shows!
🎨 Webster Arts Fair
📍 Downtown Webster Groves
📅 June 6-8
A fine arts fair featuring over 100 artists, live music, food trucks, and kids activities. It’s a family-friendly weekend that celebrates creativity in charming Webster Groves.
Nothing better than all the FREE events and festivals in St. Louis.
SUMMER PARADES AND FESTIVALS
🏳️🌈 Pride St. Louis
📍 Downtown St. Louis
📅 June 28-29
Celebrate love and equality with a weekend of parades, concerts, and community. The vibrant Grand Pride Parade takes place Sunday, June 29 at noon.
🎆 Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts
📍 Arch Grounds, Downtown STL
📅 July 3-4
Free live music, food trucks, and fireworks light up downtown on both nights of the festival. Musical guests include Russell Dickerson and Gavin Degraw. There is no America’s Birthday Parade this year.
🎨 Let Them Eat Art
📍 Maplewood
📅 Friday, July 11
This whimsical Bastille Day-style street festival is full of art, live music, and sweet treats. Local artists and performers bring downtown Maplewood to life for one night only.
FREE OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERTS
🌿 Whitaker Music Festival
📍 Missouri Botanical Garden
📅 Wednesdays, May 28 – July 30
A local favorite! Enjoy live music from local and regional bands in the beautiful garden setting. Bring a blanket and pack a picnic, admission to the garden is free after 5 p.m. on concert nights.
🎸 Grub & Groove
📍 Francis Park, St. Louis Hills
📅 Saturday, August 16
A one-day music and food festival in the heart of South City. Sample bites from your favorite local restaurants, enjoy cold drinks, and dance the night away to live bands. It’s free to attend and family-friendly!
🎶 Bluebird Park Summer Concert Series
📍 Bluebird Park, Ellisville
📅 Thursdays, June 5 – August 21
Enjoy free concerts every Thursday evening from 7–9 p.m. in the beautiful surroundings of Bluebird Park. Bring your own seating and enjoy a festive evening of food and fun.
🎶 Kirkwood Summer Concert Series
📍 Station Plaza, Downtown Kirkwood
📅 Thursdays, June 6 – June 27
Every Thursday evening in June, enjoy free performances by local artists from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Station Plaza across from Kirkwood City Hall.
🎶 Lafayette Square Summer Concert Series
📍 Lafayette Park
📅 Every other Saturday, June 7 – September 13
The Arts Council of Lafayette Square presents free, family-friendly concerts in the park every other Saturday. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and enjoy live music in the heart of the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood.
🎶 Wildflower Concert Series
📍 Shaw Nature Reserve
📅 Fridays, June 27, July 25, August 22
This summer, Shaw Nature Reserve will host a series of free, outdoor concerts featuring local artists. Events take place on the lawn of the Nature Reserve’s Bascom House, with free admission beginning at 5 p.m., followed by music at 6 p.m.
🎶 Summerfest at The Meadows
📍 Clocktower Plaza, The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis
📅 Thursdays, May 15 – September 25
Enjoy 20 weeks of free live music under the stars every Thursday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Very family-friendly.
🎶 Chesterfield Concert Series
📍 Faust Park
📅 Select dates throughout the summer
Enjoy free concerts at the Chesterfield Amphitheater, featuring a variety of musical acts. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy the performance.
Grab your favorite picnic supplies or take-out from one of St. Louis’ best restaurants.
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
🎥 Ballpark Village – Prairie Farms Movie Nights
📍 Together Credit Union Plaza, Ballpark Village
📅 Wednesdays, June – August
Family-friendly movies shown on the outdoor screen with pre-show activities like yard games and face painting starting at 6 p.m. Movies begin at dusk. Find dates and movies here.
🎥 Movies at Westport Plaza
📍 Westport Plaza
📅 Select Fridays: June 13, June 27, August 22
Catch free outdoor movies in the courtyard area. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxing evening with films starting at 8:30 p.m. Find dates and movies here.
🎥 Movies Under the Stars at The Hub STL
📍 The Hub STL at The District, Chesterfield
📅 Thursday, June 19
Enjoy a free screening of Avengers: Endgame starting at 6:00 p.m. Bring your blankets and chairs for a superhero-filled evening. They also show games and kids programing. Check out the full calendar here.
🎥 Movies in the Park – Lake Saint Louis
📍 Boulevard Park Amphitheater
📅 Select Fridays, June – August
Find dates and movies here.
🎥 Movies on the Plaza
📍 Maryland Plaza, Central West End
📅 Select Wednesdays June-August
Catch dinner in one of the city’s best neighborhoods and then enjoy a movie under the stars! Fid the dates and movies here.