With school back in session, it’s time to say goodbye to summer—but no worries! From beer and balloons to live music and art, all around St. Louis you can find fun ways to celebrate fall. Take advantage of the cooler weather and beautiful foliage by adding these events to your calendar.
clayton
Saint Louis Art Fair | Sept. 8-10
For three decades, the Saint Louis Art Fair has filled the streets of Clayton with color. From metalwork and photography to painting and jewelry, you can browse the works of artists working in all mediums. Plus, Restaurant Row features eats from local faves, such as Pappy’s Smokehouse, Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery and Kimchi Guys.
maplewood
Art Outside | Sept. 8-10
What brings people together more than art? How about art and beer? Held at Schlafly Bottleworks, the festival features more than 60 local artists with the aim of raising awareness of St. Louis’ creative community. Visitors also can enjoy festival food, live entertainment and Schlafly beer.
grand center
Music at the Intersection | Sept. 9 & 10
Presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, celebrates St. Louis’ musical heritage with multiple stages set up throughout Grand Center. Featuring both local and national acts, performances span a variety of genres like blues, jazz, soul, R&B, rock and hip hop. This year’s headliners include The Fearless Flyers, Herbie Hancock, Masego, Smino, Snarky Puppy and Thundercat.
forest park
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race | Sept. 15 & 16
Every year, hot air balloons light up the night in Forest Park before taking to the sky the following day. Touted as the oldest and best-attended hot air balloon race in the world, the event also features food trucks, live music, wagon rides, fireworks and more.
shaw
Best of Missouri Market | Oct. 6-8
The market brings nearly 100 vendors to the Missouri Botanical Garden, offering handcrafted items, locally produced food, native plants and more. Little St. Louisans can visit the Kids Corner for a variety of fall activities, including sustainable pumpkin decorating led by Perennial.
the grove
GroveFest | Oct. 7
For the past 17 years, the annual street festival has celebrated the diversity of the community. Festivities include live music, street performers, interactive art and more. Guests can also visit the Food Village, which features food and drinks from restaurants around the Grove.
soulard
Oktoberfest | Oct. 13 and 14
As the home of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Biergarten, what better place to celebrate Oktoberfest than Soulard. Held in Soulard Market Park, the free, family-friendly event honors St. Louis’ German brewing traditions with brews, traditional German food, a wine garden and live music.
affton
Oktoberfest at Grant’s Farm | Sept. 8-10, 15-17
Celebrate Oktoberfest down on the farm. In honor of its German heritage, Grant’s Farm offers traditional German food, music and dancing—along with cold beer served in steins in the biergarten. The celebration is included with general admission to the attraction, so you also can enjoy access to the farm’s animals.
kirkwood
Greentree Festival | Sept. 15-17
Started in 1961, the festival began as a way to replace drought-stricken trees in Kirkwood. Today, the free family-friendly event features a parade, food, entertainment, contests and more. It also includes a folklife festival where more than 40 artisans demonstrate crafts from the 1700s and 1800s, such as blacksmithing, weaving and ropemaking.
south grand
South Grand Fall & Music Fest | Sept. 16
Now in its eighth year, the annual event held in Ritz Park offers guests the chance to shop wares from 70 retail vendors and enjoy a variety of activities in a DIY craft zone from arts organizations like Craft Alliance, Ignite Theatre, Contemporary Art Museum and MADE STL. Plus, the festival features musical entertainment all day.