Summer is a great time to get out and about when you live in St. Louis. No matter your age, there are plenty of festivals, events, and other community happenings to keep your calendar full!
Fun, social events like these are especially great for seniors. Having an activity on their calendar to look forward to helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Getting outdoors and walking around helps them stay active, and having some good, old-fashioned fun reduces stress and makes life rewarding.
Below is a sampling of scheduled St. Louis summer events, selected for their offerings, accessibility, and inclusivity, that seniors can enjoy by themselves, with a group of friends or even with the grandkids!
Click on the events below to find more specific details including how to get tickets, pricing, transportation options and directions.
Heritage & Freedom Fest, July 3-6
This O’Fallon Missouri-based annual event will include a carnival with rides, games and state fair favorite foods like corn dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy. Is your senior loved one a music fan? Bret Michaels and Mitchell Tenpenny will perform free concerts on the festival’s main stage on July 4th and 5th respectively. On July 4, activities kick off with a patriotic parade starting at 9:30 a.m. on the corner of Main Street and Civic Pride Drive, and will conclude through the Jena “Dusty” Mielke Fireworks Spectacular. Don’t miss the aerial show on July 4 beginning at 9:30 p.m. and July 5 beginning at 10:15 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Louis, July 4
Longtime Independence Day favorite, Fair St. Louis, has been reimagined this year as Celebrate St. Louis – the perfect addition to your list of St. Louis summer events! Returning to its traditional home in downtown St. Louis, the Fourth of July event will recognize the 150th anniversary of one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Eads Bridge. On the agenda are parades, concerts and, of course, plenty of spectacular fireworks.
Let Them Eat Art, July 12
A tribute to Bastille Day, Let Them Eat Art takes place in Maplewood. Let Them Eat Art features live art demonstrations, performances by regional musicians and children’s activities – plus, food and drinks from the neighborhood’s top-rated delectable restaurants. While you’re there, stroll through the picturesque streets and explore the shops of the historic downtown district while you enjoy the festival.
Art Hill Film Series, July 12-19
Are you a movie buff? For two weekends this summer, Art Hill, the Saint Louis Art Museum’s expansive front lawn, will transform into an amazing outdoor cinema. During the Art Hill Film Series, you’ll be able to watch the modern classic Back to the Future (July 12) and the Judy Garland favorite Meet Me in St. Louis (July 19) in this picturesque setting. The family-friendly shows begin at 9 p.m., and before that you can listen to live music, find a bite to eat from local food trucks and enjoy drinks from the cash bar.
Taste of St. Louis, August 2-4
One of the best food festivals in the Midwest returns to Ballpark Village next to Busch Stadium, this year featuring a Spice Wars theme. The festival will offer sample-sized fare from nearly 50 regional restaurants, plus 20 entertainment acts performing across three stages and a new VIP tasting terrace. At the Culinary Stage, you can also watch unique culinary demonstrations from top chefs and local personalities.
9th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival, August 8-18
Did you know that legendary playwright Tennessee Williams spent two decades of his life in St. Louis? In recognition of the creator of A Streetcar Named Desire, the city will play host to a festival of the arts. The 9th annual Tennessee Williams Festival will feature a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, readings of one-act plays, walking tours of Grand Center, panel discussions, a pool party and more!
Blues at the Arch, August 9-10
Hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, Blues at the Arch pays tribute to the role St. Louis-based blues musicians played in the historical musical movement. The talents of local and national artists will be featured at the two-day event.
18th Annual Gateway Dragon Boat Festival, August 17
The Gateway Dragon Boat Festival is unlike any other event in St. Louis, according to organizers. You can hop aboard a traditional Chinese boat as part of a team of 20 paddlers or join thousands of spectators to watch the races from the shore. In between rounds, enjoy cultural performances, delicious food, games, and arts and crafts. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, the 18th annual festival will include a dragon dance, a lion dance and taiko drummers.
Festival of Nations, August 24-25
At the Festival of Nations, held in Tower Grove Park, the many cultures that make up the city of St. Louis are celebrated. Produced by the International Institute of St. Louis, the event is the region’s largest multicultural event of the year, representing more than 75 nations. Tracing its roots to 1934, the two-day festival is open to the public and more than 100,000 people are expected to attend making it one of the cities most beloved St. Louis summer events. Featured are cuisines from around the world, music and dancing of many varieties, and plenty of international art and products to browse.
Explore the latest St. Louis events and activities perfect for seniors on Bethesda’s blog!
