Spring is the time to enjoy getting back outside after a long, cold winter season. Fortunately, St. Louis boasts a broad array of family-friendly events that are perfect for seniors longing for fresh air in their lungs and a feast of sights for their eyes.
It’s a great time to take advantage of the beautiful weather before the heat of summer sets in, seeing St. Louis come to life and bloom once again. These events for seniors stimulate both the mind and body, offering seniors an opportunity to get some physical activity while exploring what the region has to offer through rich art, music, food, and culture.
Here’s a handy guide to some of the most popular senior-friendly springtime events in the St. Louis area.
Animals Aglow Lantern Festival
Open now and running through May 11
New this year, the Animals Aglow Lantern Festival is a nighttime event featuring more than 60 larger-than-life lanterns depicting animals, plants, and traditional Chinese elements that will dazzle your eyes. There will also be interactive light displays taking the shape of plants and animals that will illuminate paths throughout the zoo. Guests can stroll through the colorful Chinese Dragon Corridor, pose with giant glowing animals and play with interactive displays such as the Moonlight Swings and the Star Stepping Pads.
The Art Fair at Queeny Park
April 4 – 6
One of the finest fine art shows in the area, this annual event takes place in April in beautiful Queeny Park near Des Peres and features original artwork of more than 120 juried artists. If you’re looking for something beautiful for your home, there will be works in a variety of mediums including paintings, sculptures and other creations at a wide range of price points. But you don’t have to be a collector to have a good time. There will be live art demonstrations, musical performances, and children’s activities. Or you can grab a tasty bite to eat from a fleet of food trucks.
Saint Louis Art Museum’s Roaring: Art, Fashion and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939
April 12 – July 27
An automotive exhibit like no other, Roaring features more than 100 works of art and design, including paintings, photographs, prints, posters, furniture, lighting, architectural plans, fashion, textiles and automobiles.
Expansive and interdisciplinary, Roaring illuminates the rich, creative period that was the golden age of French automotive design. The exhibition highlights the bold visions of figures such as Sonia and Robert Delaunay, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Le Corbusier, André Citroën and Josephine Baker, who embraced the automobile in the years between World War I and World War II.
16th Annual Mushroom Festival & Hunt at Pere Marquette Lodge
April 27
The Pere Marquette Lodge will host its 16th annual Mushroom Festival & Hunt. There you can enjoy a day of live music, craft vendors, lunch in the Lodge’s restaurant, local wines and the centerpiece event – hunting for morel mushrooms. The “Great Morel Hunt” will be held at 1 p.m. in the woods around the Lodge. Find more information on the Pere Marquette website. The event is free and open to the public.
St. Louis Earth Day Festival
April 26 – 27
A long running community tradition, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival is both fun and educational. You can learn about sustainable products and services offered by local businesses and organizations that share Earth Day values, and try local restaurants which comprise the Green Dining Alliance. You can enjoy live entertainment including food and music, while learning about conservation efforts that make our planet a better place to live. The event takes place in Forest Park on the Muny grounds from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden
May 3 – 4
Chinese Culture Days is an annual event held at the Missouri Botanical Garden celebrating Chinese culture through performances, music, art, food, and more. The feature event is a Grand Parade with a 70-foot dancing dragon. Attendees will also enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine, t’ai chi and martial arts demonstrations, and special tours of the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. See the Botanical Garden’s website for more information. The event is very popular, so the purchase of advance tickets is highly recommended.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Festival Season
Starting May 24
Starting in May, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis will offer a slate of beloved classical operas and bold contemporary works during its 50th festival season. The talents of hundreds of local, national and international artists will be on display, offering audiences the opportunity to witness the experience of magical and innovative storytelling. Fantasy, comedy, romance and tragedy are all on the agenda for 2025 featuring performances of Die Fledermaus, This House, Don Pasquale, and more. All the operas will be sung in English and accompanied by the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
For more events for seniors in St. Louis, visit Bethesda’s blog!
