St. Louis Area Fall 2022 Events and Venues
This list is only to serve as a guide and is just the venues and events that are my favorites. It b4y NO means a COMPLETE nor EXHAUSTIVE - it is a mere tiny drop in the bucket of activities that are available to see and do in the St. Louis Metro area in the Fall.
HOWEVER.... ALL but one of these events are free to attend. Of course, you might want to spend a bit of money on food and drink, etc - but admission to every single one of these events, with the exception of the Historic Shaw Art Fair (the St. Louis Art Fair is free and always has been), is **FREE**. The price of admission to the Historic Shaw Art Fair is $10 per person and is good for both days.
You are free to roam about the cabin!
HOWEVER.... ALL but one of these events are free to attend. Of course, you might want to spend a bit of money on food and drink, etc - but admission to every single one of these events, with the exception of the Historic Shaw Art Fair (the St. Louis Art Fair is free and always has been), is **FREE**. The price of admission to the Historic Shaw Art Fair is $10 per person and is good for both days.
You are free to roam about the cabin!
St. Louis Art Fair / Taste of Clayton
If Belleville, IL's (Spring) art fair isn't voted #1 in the entire nation, then the THIS one, the St. Louis Art Fair has taken that title! EITHER Belleville's "Art on the Square" or the "St. Louis Art Fair" has been voted #1 or #2 art fair (they trade off) for the past 20 years!
It is very difficult for the artists to get into this particular show - one of the most difficult to get into in the entire country. I prefer to go on Friday nights, in general, to art shows. I love the music, the food (get the lobster bisque, and you must get the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheese cake from Hank's Cheesecake!), a drink in my hand, a gentle breeze - the art just POPS! in the lights of the booths (it's not the same during the day!), and I love the schmoozing atmosphere between the patrons, themselves, and the artists, many of whom I have grown to know over the past 25 years.
Downtown Clayton, MO
Friday: Sept. 9th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday: Sept. 10th from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday: Sept. 11th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Historic St. Charles (MO) Mosaic Art Show
Located in downtown Historic St. Charles, MO, you can browse the local shops - don't forget to tell the gent that owns Kilwin's Sweet Shop ("Mr. Clean!") that "Michael, the guy with the nice hats says Hello!" :D
Friday, September 16 – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday, September 17– 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday, September 18 - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Historic St. Charles, MO
Taste of St. Louis
There will be Celebrity Chefs on stage all 3 days doing shows...music on stages and much, MUCH more!
Friday, September 23, 4pm - 10pm
Saturday, September 24, 11am - 10pm
Sunday, September 25, 11am - 6pm
Ballpark Village, Downtown St. Louis
https://www.tastestl.com/
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
Open Saturdays and Sundays, September 14th – October 14th, including Columbus Day. Festival hours are rain or shine from 10am – 6pm.
Head'n Home Hats (AKA "American Hat Makers") have stopped attending the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles, MO in August each year (where I bought my 10 hats from their road person). That leaves the St. Louis area without even this 2 day source for their fine hats.
HOWEVER, I have noticed an increasing number of vendors over the past 2 - 3 years at this Festival have started carrying a FEW of Head'n Home's hats. Granted, very few of them are on the upper end of the scale - the ones that I buy - but they DO have a few of the specific models that I own, so there is at least some hope that they will have a model that I am looking for.
Come to this festival - enjoy the food, the fancy, the shows - wear your best costume (God, I hate that word!), and enjoy a fantastic day!
http://www.stlrenfest.com/
Great Forest Park Hot Air Balloon Glow & Race
This is the oldest and largest FREE hot air balloon event in the United States.
Even though he hasn't flown in a couple years (maybe he will THIS year!!), the Energizer Bunny - based right here in Ole St. Louie!! - is the largest Hot Air Balloon in the world! He is SUPPOSED to lead the pack on race day. (His handlers tell me that it costs them $4,000 every time he is JUST inflated - not even flown!), SO - even on the Balloon Glow evening, the Friday night before the Saturday race, if the Energizer Bunny is present, it costs them 4 grand JUST to inflated him!
At any rate, on Saturday, arrive at noon (or a bit earlier!) to stake out a nice place in the shade - they are at a PREMIUM and they go quickly!! Then, you make a day of it. You can come and go, visiting the side events and venues until the parachutists jump out of the planes about 3:30 PM. There are always several food and drink booths (but you can bring your own!), live music on the stage(s), etc. Most folk like to bring blankets and make a family outing of it.
Sept 16 (Glow) - 5:00 PM - 9:15 PM
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
Open Saturdays and Sundays, September 14th – October 14th, including Columbus Day. Festival hours are rain or shine from 10am – 6pm.
Head'n Home Hats (AKA "American Hat Makers") have stopped attending the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles, MO in August each year (where I bought my 10 hats from their road person). That leaves the St. Louis area without even this 2 day source for their fine hats.
HOWEVER, I have noticed an increasing number of vendors over the past 2 - 3 years at this Festival have started carrying a FEW of Head'n Home's hats. Granted, very few of them are on the upper end of the scale - the ones that I buy - but they DO have a few of the specific models that I own, so there is at least some hope that they will have a model that I am looking for.
Come to this festival - enjoy the food, the fancy, the shows - wear your best costume (God, I hate that word!), and enjoy a fantastic day!
http://www.stlrenfest.com/
Great Forest Park Hot Air Balloon Glow & Race
This is the oldest and largest FREE hot air balloon event in the United States.
Even though he hasn't flown in a couple years (maybe he will THIS year!!), the Energizer Bunny - based right here in Ole St. Louie!! - is the largest Hot Air Balloon in the world! He is SUPPOSED to lead the pack on race day. (His handlers tell me that it costs them $4,000 every time he is JUST inflated - not even flown!), SO - even on the Balloon Glow evening, the Friday night before the Saturday race, if the Energizer Bunny is present, it costs them 4 grand JUST to inflated him!
At any rate, on Saturday, arrive at noon (or a bit earlier!) to stake out a nice place in the shade - they are at a PREMIUM and they go quickly!! Then, you make a day of it. You can come and go, visiting the side events and venues until the parachutists jump out of the planes about 3:30 PM. There are always several food and drink booths (but you can bring your own!), live music on the stage(s), etc. Most folk like to bring blankets and make a family outing of it.
Sept 16 (Glow) - 5:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Sept 17, (Race) 12 PM - 4:45 PM
Forest Park, St. Louis, MO
https://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/
Historic Shaw Art Show
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM
Craft, antique and food fair in the village center along the Maeystown Creek.
Arts, Crafts and Antique Fair. Experience the sounds and smells of Autumn.
Second Sunday in October each year
Featuring arts, crafts, antiques and food from 9:00-4:00 p.m. at the area around the stone mill and bridge. More than 60 artisans, crafters, dealers, and numerous food stands will be featured. Arts and crafts will include rug weaving, felting, blacksmithing, photography, woodworking, and a country store. Food will include turtle soup, potato pancakes and popcorn cooked in old-fashioned kettles. Bratwurst, funnel cakes, apple butter, and pies will be some of the other choices available. The village specialty shops, bed & breakfast, restaurants and museum will be open throughout the day.
https://maeystown.com/events/
Kimmswick Applebutter Festival
Sat - Sun, October 29 - 30, 2022, 10am-5pm
The annual Kimmswick, Missouri Apple Butter Festival 2-day event (last weekend of Oct.) draws over 100,000 people.
This is the largest single event in Jefferson County, MO - much larger than the annual Strawberry Festival that takes place in Kimmwick every June. The Apple Butter Festival is FREE, but expect to pay at least $5, if not $10, for parking. Paid parking will be available off of Highway K with just a short walk into town. Shuttle parking is available too, so watch for the signs. Visitors may park at Windsor School campus and ride a free shuttle bus into the Festival. The busses will run throughout the day shuttling visitors to/from the parking area at the School.
While Apple Butter is still made, served and sold at this event and there are still a FEW booths that sell other food and handmade arts and crafts, the bulk of the **hundreds** of booths at this event has turned to selling mass-produced items such as holiday and country-themed decor, perfumes and soaps, home goods and services and other merchandise that they can order online and through magazines and sell at their booths.
A WORD TO THE WISE AND A TIP FROM AN INSIDER:
1) Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour earlier than 10:00 AM, or you will be waiting in your car in a LONG line that often extends back to the interstate and stretches a mile to the parking areas.
2) Call as EARLY AS POSSIBLE for reservations to have lunch at The Blue Owl Restaurant (famous for their "Levee High Apple Pie" as featured on FoodNetwork). If you don't have reservations, you might never get in, or, you'll be waiting FOREVER!!!
https://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/
Historic Shaw Art Show
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM
There is one Spring and one Fall art fair that we attend - out of the 8 - that charges admission. This is the Fall show: $10 at the gate, and it is good for both days.
There is one Spring and one Fall art fair that we attend - out of the 8 - that charges admission. This is the Fall show: $10 at the gate, and it is good for both days.
Right across the street from the old entrance of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. This event is held at the same time as the Garden's "Best of Missouri Market".
http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/
St. Louis Grove Fest 2022
Saturday, October 1, 3PM - 11PM
(I won the beard contest the first year it was held.)
Grove Fest, St. Louis’ independent, wildly eclectic annual street festival in the Grove will return for its 14th year this year. This family-friendly event will feature a kids zone, street performers, live music, and amazing food and drinks from local Grove businesses. If you’re in the mood to shop there will be no shortage of crafts, fashion, and art for purchase from local artist and vendors. Want to be an artist for the day? Don’t forget to stop by and help paint the 14th annual paint-by-numbers outdoor wall mural, a Grove Fest tradition.
http://thegrovestl.com/grove-fest/
Maeystown Fall Festival (Oktoberfest)
October 9, 2022 (2nd Sunday in October)
9AM - 4 PM
http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/
St. Louis Grove Fest 2022
(I won the beard contest the first year it was held.)
Grove Fest, St. Louis’ independent, wildly eclectic annual street festival in the Grove will return for its 14th year this year. This family-friendly event will feature a kids zone, street performers, live music, and amazing food and drinks from local Grove businesses. If you’re in the mood to shop there will be no shortage of crafts, fashion, and art for purchase from local artist and vendors. Want to be an artist for the day? Don’t forget to stop by and help paint the 14th annual paint-by-numbers outdoor wall mural, a Grove Fest tradition.
http://thegrovestl.com/grove-fest/
Maeystown Fall Festival (Oktoberfest)
October 9, 2022 (2nd Sunday in October)
9AM - 4 PM
Craft, antique and food fair in the village center along the Maeystown Creek.
Arts, Crafts and Antique Fair. Experience the sounds and smells of Autumn.
Second Sunday in October each year
Featuring arts, crafts, antiques and food from 9:00-4:00 p.m. at the area around the stone mill and bridge. More than 60 artisans, crafters, dealers, and numerous food stands will be featured. Arts and crafts will include rug weaving, felting, blacksmithing, photography, woodworking, and a country store. Food will include turtle soup, potato pancakes and popcorn cooked in old-fashioned kettles. Bratwurst, funnel cakes, apple butter, and pies will be some of the other choices available. The village specialty shops, bed & breakfast, restaurants and museum will be open throughout the day.
https://maeystown.com/events/
Kimmswick Applebutter Festival
Sat - Sun, October 29 - 30, 2022, 10am-5pm
This is the largest single event in Jefferson County, MO - much larger than the annual Strawberry Festival that takes place in Kimmwick every June. The Apple Butter Festival is FREE, but expect to pay at least $5, if not $10, for parking. Paid parking will be available off of Highway K with just a short walk into town. Shuttle parking is available too, so watch for the signs. Visitors may park at Windsor School campus and ride a free shuttle bus into the Festival. The busses will run throughout the day shuttling visitors to/from the parking area at the School.
While Apple Butter is still made, served and sold at this event and there are still a FEW booths that sell other food and handmade arts and crafts, the bulk of the **hundreds** of booths at this event has turned to selling mass-produced items such as holiday and country-themed decor, perfumes and soaps, home goods and services and other merchandise that they can order online and through magazines and sell at their booths.
A WORD TO THE WISE AND A TIP FROM AN INSIDER:
1) Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour earlier than 10:00 AM, or you will be waiting in your car in a LONG line that often extends back to the interstate and stretches a mile to the parking areas.
2) Call as EARLY AS POSSIBLE for reservations to have lunch at The Blue Owl Restaurant (famous for their "Levee High Apple Pie" as featured on FoodNetwork). If you don't have reservations, you might never get in, or, you'll be waiting FOREVER!!!
Festival of the Little Hills
Salute to the Arts
Although I **HIGHLY** doubt that they are returning this year, this is the same festival that I have made acquaintances with the fine folks at Head'n Home Hats and I have bought all 10 of my hats directly from their road sales person (and the sister of the fella that owns the company and makes the hats) . You will find a WIDE range of products from useful to useless, from food to clothing, merchandise, etc.
Friday, August 16 4pm – 10pm (Shuttles 6pm – 11pm)
Friday, August 16 4pm – 10pm (Shuttles 6pm – 11pm)
Saturday, August 17 9:30am – 10pm (Shuttles 9am – 11pm)
Sunday, August 18 9:30am – 5pm (Shuttles 9am – 6pm)
Historic St. Charles, MO
https://www.festivalofthelittlehills.com/
https://www.festivalofthelittlehills.com/
Held at scenic Moody Park under the big white tents, this event features 100 Award winning artists and eleven mediums. Enjoy tasty food, artist demos, free entertainment, children’s area and gallery and fun for all ages!
Fri, Aug 23 6 PM - 10 PM
International Festival of Nations
Webster Groves Piano Festival
Fri, Aug 23 6 PM - 10 PM
Sat, Aug 24 10 AM - 8 PM
Sun, Aug 25 11 AM - 5 PM
Moody Park, Fairview Heights, IL
https://midwestsalute.com/ International Festival of Nations
August 24 – 25, 2019
Saturday, August 24 (10am-7pm)
Sunday, August 25 (10am-6pm)
There is food and merchandise from over 40 + nations.
You are there to sample food from OTHER nations. DO NOT LET ME CATCH YOUR ASS STANDING IN THE *AMERICAN* FOOD LINE UNLESS YOU ARE A VISITOR TO THIS COUNTRY!!
A tip to the adventuresome: Go to several booths and select items that you have NEVER SEEN BEFORE whose names you CANNOT pronounce. BUY AND ENJOY **THOSE**.
Saturday, August 24 (10am-7pm)
Sunday, August 25 (10am-6pm)
There is food and merchandise from over 40 + nations.
You are there to sample food from OTHER nations. DO NOT LET ME CATCH YOUR ASS STANDING IN THE *AMERICAN* FOOD LINE UNLESS YOU ARE A VISITOR TO THIS COUNTRY!!
A tip to the adventuresome: Go to several booths and select items that you have NEVER SEEN BEFORE whose names you CANNOT pronounce. BUY AND ENJOY **THOSE**.
PLAN TO GET THERE **EARLY** to start browsing each and every one of the food booths from the 40+ participating nations to make your selections and to avoid long lines! Take a tip from a pro!
Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, MO.
Webster Groves Piano Festival
Webster Groves Piano Festival will be held at Webster Groves Masonic Temple, 12 E. Lockwood Ave. Bring a lawn chair to this free event and enjoy the music of Carolbeth True and Two Times True, Jay Oliver and Bach to the Future. Food available for purchase.
https://www.timesnewspapers.com/calendar/webster-groves-piano-festival/event_54e74e8e-b7bc-11e9-baf3-4742cc771e91.html
105th Annual Greek Festival
It's REALLY **All about the food!!**
There is a menu on the website.
Friday, Aug 30 (3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m) (Limited menu).
Saturday, Aug 31 (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept 1 (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Monday, Sept 2 (11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Daily Live Music, Church Tours, Greek Folk Dance Program, and Gift Shop
https://www.opastl.com/
Queeny Park Art Fair (Fall 2022)
$5 Admission
Up to130 juried artists from 20 or more states, the Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. Rain or shine, hot or cold weather, relax in the comfort of the climate-controlled Greensfelder Recreation Center. The Art Fair at Queeny Park presents a opportunity for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.
https://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/
105th Annual Greek Festival
It's REALLY **All about the food!!**
There is a menu on the website.
Friday, Aug 30 (3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m) (Limited menu).
Saturday, Aug 31 (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept 1 (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Monday, Sept 2 (11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Daily Live Music, Church Tours, Greek Folk Dance Program, and Gift Shop
https://www.opastl.com/
Queeny Park Art Fair (Fall 2022)
Friday, August 30th, 2019 5 PM-9 PM
Saturday, August 31st, 2019 10 AM -6 PM
Sunday, September 1st,2019 11 AM -4 PM
$5 Admission
Up to130 juried artists from 20 or more states, the Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. Rain or shine, hot or cold weather, relax in the comfort of the climate-controlled Greensfelder Recreation Center. The Art Fair at Queeny Park presents a opportunity for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.
https://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/
