This September, don’t miss LouFest in Forest Park, Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and more.
1. LouFest has arrived, and the heavies on this year’s schedule are really heavies (i.e., The Avett Brothers and Hozier). Nevertheless, the fest has stayed true to its mission to keep local bands on the bill, including Pokey LaFarge, American Wrestlers, and Clockwork. September 12 & 13, Forest Park, loufest.com.
2. Focused on affordable art made by artists within a 100-mile radius of St. Louis, Art Outside is a great place for young or new collectors to buy art (and then, of course, there’s the beer). September 11–13, Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest, schlafly.com.
3. Started as a nature-conservation and tree-appreciation event way back in the 1970s, the Kirkwood Greentree Festival has evolved into a celebration of all things Kirkwoodian. The weekend includes a dog show, book fair, food, live tunes, and arts and crafts. September 18–20, Kirkwood Park, kirkwoodmo.org.
4. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra opens its fall season with the multimedia concert The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of Goddesses, which runs concurrently with Webster’s PixelPop gaming festival. September 11–13, Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand, stlsymphony.org.
5. Taylor Swift’s The 1989 World Tour is the biggest thing rolling this fall, and the “Blank Space” singer is doing not just one but two St. Louis concerts. September 28 & 29, 7:30 p.m., Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark,scottradecenter.com.
6. You know it’s fall in St. Louis when you see the giant balloons drifting through the sky: The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Balloon Race is back for its 43rd year. September 18 & 19, Central Field in Forest Park, greatforestparkballoonrace.com.
7. It’s hard to believe that this is the 98th annual (!) St. Nicholas Greek Festival, which makes it one of our longest-running Labor Day traditions. As always, there’s Greek food, live music, dancing by the St. Nicholas Greek Dancers, and tours of that gorgeous old church. September 4–7, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 4967 Forest Park, sngoc.org.
8. Taiko drummers, top-spinners, sumo wrestlers, ice carving, bonsai, martial arts, origami… The Garden’s annual Japanese Festival is one of the biggest (and oldest) fests in America celebrating Japan’s people and culture. September 5–7, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4434 Shaw, missouribotanicalgarden.org.
9. The Big Muddy Blues Festival draws more than 60,000 to St. Louis every September, some allthe way from Europe. On the bill this year: Rich McDonough & Rough Grooves, Grady Champion, and the Jeremiah Johnson Band, to name a few. September 5 & 6, Laclede’s Landing, bigmuddybluesfestival.com.
10. Trailnet’s Share the Street Party celebrates our city’s growing bike culture with food, microbrews, art demos, and music provided by the St. Louis Blues Society. September 20, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Old Post Office Plaza, trailnet.org.
