St Louis Events 2011

Below is a list of fairs, festivals, and parades in St. Louis, Missouri.  All of the following event dates are for 2011 and all have FREE admission.

January/February

Mardi Gras – join the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country! From February 19th to March 8th, festivities include several parades, a wiener dog derby, food, drink, arts and crafts and more.

 

March

St Patrick’s Day Parade – huge parade, food, and drink, held on March 12th downtown.

 

May/June

Shakespeare Festival – every summer is a new play!  This year, watch a live production of The Taming of the Shrew  in Forest Park, every night from May 25th through June 19th.

 

July

Fair St. Louis (formerly the VP Fair)- celebrate the 4th of July weekend with amazing fireworks, air shows, live music, food, craft booths, and more.

 

September

Big Muddy Blues Festival – Labor Day (September 3rd and 4th) at Laclede’s Landing. Live entertainment and food and drink at outside booths and surrounding restaurants.

St Louis Art Fair – September 9, 10, and 11th in Clayton.  This art show features tons of artists and a variety of mediums including glass, metal, ceramics, canvas, and wood.  Also features live music, digital art and poetry readings.

Italian Fest – for over 25 years, the Italian Fest has offered amazing Italian food (the cannolis, spumoni, and bagna cauda are among my personal favorites), a parade, grape stomp, Miss Italian and Little Miss Italian contest, and live entertainment. (Located across the river in Collinsville, IL, September 16th and 17th).

Great Forest Park Balloon Race - the 39th annual Balloon Race includes not only the race but pony rides, games, live entertainment, food, drinks, and more. Balloon Glow takes place on September 17th, and the race is held on September 17th.

 

October

Oktoberfest – held in Soulard across from the Anheuser Busch Brewery this October 7, 8, and 9th. Beer, food, music, and more.

 

November

Thanksgiving Day Parade – tons of marching bands, floats, and giant helium balloons of your favorite characters will make their way down through downtown.

 

December

Christmas Traditions Festival - celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas on Main Street in Historic St. Charles.  Listen to carolers, see the streets adorned with decorations, dine in one of the many restaurant and get your Christmas shopping done in the many shops along the strip.  Every weekened from late November through Christmas.