The dog days of summer are almost behind us, and St. Louis is the place to be in September! Here are just a few of our top event picks—and most of them are free:
- Big Muddy Blues Festival | August 31 – September 2
September is kicking off right with Big Muddy! This is the blues, St. Louis style! Three outdoor stages, four indoor stages, and more than 65 bands keep Laclede’s Landing hopping during Labor Day Weekend! See website for ticket pricing. 710 N. 2nd St., St. Louis. bigmuddybluesfestival.com - Japanese Festival | September 1 – 3
This popular festival at Missouri Botanical Gardens celebrates Japanese culture with live performances, wonderful food, beautiful exhibits and more. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. $7 to $15. missouribotanicalgarden.org - St. Louis Art Fair | September 7 – 9
Downtown Clayton comes alive with three days of dynamic visual arts and performing arts! This is one of the biggest art fairs of the year, and definitely one of the most popular! 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. culturalfestivals.com - Loufest | September 8 – 9
Robert Plant is the headliner at this year’s Forest Park spectacular, along with Modest Mouse, The Head and the Heart, Michael McDonald, T-Pain and more! Two-day passes are $95. loufest.com - Taste of St. Louis | September 14 – 16
For the last 14 years, this fantastic festival has brought the best in St. Louis food and music—and it’s free! 4 to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tastestl.com - Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Balloon Race | September 14 – 15
From a Friday night balloon glow, the great balloon race on Saturday, and all of the food and fun in between, this is the oldest and most well-attended free hot air balloon event in the world! 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday (arrive early!); Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. greatforestparkballoonrace.com - The Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival | September 15
One of the most family-friendly jazz festivals around, Old Webster Jazz & Blues features two stages of non-stop music, great food, and the stuff memories are made of. Free. Noon to 11 p.m. oldwebsterjazzfest.com - HOP in the City Beer Festival | September 15
Schlafly shows off over 40 different beer styles and six specialty beers on tap during the 20th annual festival. Tasting tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the event. Noon to 4 p.m. Schlafly Tap Room, 210 Locust St., St. Louis. schlafly.com - South Grand Fall Fest | September 15
If you haven’t been to the South Grand business district, this is your chance! Located near Tower Grove Park, this area features some of the finest ethnic restaurants and unique shops around! During Fall Fest, you can also enjoy local performers, artists, and more! Free. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Q in the Lou | September 21 – September 23
Where there’s smoke, there’s fun! Some of the world’s most renowned pitmasters go whole hog at this tasty event in Kiener Plaza, downtown St. Louis. Free entry. Bash passes and VIP tickets available online. Broadway and Market Streets. qinthelou.com… and the bonus event—one of our personal favorites! - Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival | September 21 – 23
Celebrate the sights, sounds, music, dance, food, and other fantastic contributions to our communities from the vibrant Latino culture! Free. Soulard Park, 7th Street and Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. hispanicfestivalstl.com
Of course, we have to add that the very best way to enjoy these events is without the hassles of glasses and contacts! Schedule an appointment today to find out if you are eligible for a life with visual freedom! Visit brintonvision.com or call us at 314.375.2020.