Family events in St. Louis, MO

Enjoy a relaxed Summer Park Days gathering near the Stone Shelter at Tower Grove Park, where the shade makes it comfortable to linger. Bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket to settle in. A creek runs nearby, so a spare set of clothes and a towel can be handy for kids who want to splash and get muddy. If you are exploring a homeschooling community, this informal meet-up offers a simple way to connect and see whether it feels like the right fit.

Take in Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan with no admission charge on Friday. The Museum remains open into the evening, and a ticket is still required for entry even though admission is free.

Sauce Magazine’s Food Truck Friday brings Tower Grove Park to life with more than 20 local food trucks serving a wide range of bites, from burgers and tacos to international street fare. Look for live music, local beverages, and a lively community vibe throughout the evening. Recognized as St. Louis’ original and largest food truck series, each installment features a rotating mix of trucks and entertainment, so no two Fridays are the same. This edition features live music from Ghost Kitchen.

Each month on the first Friday, the McCausland site hosts a family movie night. Film selections will be shared closer to each date, and snacks are provided.

After dark, the Garden glows with LightForm, a nighttime experience that reveals patterns found in nature through light and shadow. Large-scale geometric sculptures by HYBYCOZO shine with intricate designs that play across the landscape, inviting unhurried exploration. The atmosphere is enriched by live music, and special food and beverages are available for purchase. Member tickets are $15 to $17, with $10 for member children. Non member admission is $20 to $22, with $12 for children. Members at the Festival level and above receive free entry. Buying tickets in advance is recommended. The event takes place rain or shine, and if an evening is canceled, tickets will be accepted on another LightForm night. Support is provided by the Crawford Taylor Foundation.

This free public telescope viewing takes place monthly, weather dependent, outside the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. As dusk approaches, a range of telescopes will be set up to showcase planets, stars, and other sights in the night sky. Experienced operators will be present to answer questions and guide observations so visitors can make the most of each view.

Celebrate an August birthday with a special offer at the St. Louis Aquarium. During this event weekend, guests born in August receive complimentary admission and a birthday sticker to make the visit feel extra festive.

Explore how science, play, and imagination intersect at a free, daylong expo highlighting innovations from across the St. Louis region. Guests can interact with scientists, artists, creative makers, entrepreneurs, and other experts throughout the event. Hands-on and demonstration areas feature the science behind Renaissance sword techniques, building challenges that spark creative construction, rocket launches and a station focused on helicopter wind tunnels, opportunities to assemble submersibles, and art-meets-science projects in painting, fiber arts, tile, and woodworking. Additional stations examine STEM in costume design, clothing, and jewelry, delve into quantum topics, astrophysics, and black holes, and explore neuroscience, imaging, and medical technologies. Visitors can also engage with artificial intelligence and robotics, try drone flight inside a cage with navigation practice, experiment with electrical circuits and applications of 3D printing, investigate the chemistry of color, and look at the mechanics of dance and sports. Sponsored by Mastercard.

The Back-to-School Bash at Affinia Healthcare helps families prepare kids for the new school year with physicals and immunizations available for children ages 4 and up. Attendees can pick up free school supplies while they last and enjoy free haircuts, face painting, and more. Walk-ins are welcome, or schedule an appointment by calling 314-814-8700. This free event is open to the public.

Slumfest is a live music event at Atomic Pavilion. General admission tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the show. Kids 6 and under are free. Tickets for minors cost $25 and must be purchased at the box office, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 3:00 PM, and the show begins at 4:00 PM. The event is all ages.

St. Louis Union Station hosts a select-Saturday Summer Spins Series filled with sunny vibes, ride thrills, and sweet treats. With a Summer Spins Wheel Park Pass, guests get unlimited access to every attraction, including the Wheel, Carousel, Flying Louie, Wave Swinger, and Loco Motion, along with an 18 hole round of mini golf. A live, family friendly DJ keeps the energy high, and each pass includes a complimentary snack or drink from Fairground Eats. It is suited to families, thrill seekers, and anyone enjoying a summer staycation.

Enjoy a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean presented in a drive-in style setting. A musical guest will perform beforehand, with details to be announced. Popcorn will be available for purchase, and proceeds help support this free event. Sponsored by Jeremy Renfro Reality.

Set out on a two hour riverboat brunch that pairs live entertainment with chef inspired cuisine and wide open river views. Known as St. Louis’ only floating brunch, this relaxed cruise blends great food with a scenic ride. Tickets are $62 for adults ages 13 and up, $25 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for infants ages 0 to 2, and every infant must have a ticket. Available on select dates.

Within the historic Lemp Mansion, a timed escape room challenges teams to uncover a long-buried secret using clues tucked inside Charles Lemp's diary. Friends, families, and coworkers collaborate through surprising turns as every page reveals a hint that moves them closer to the solution. Teams race to decipher codes and break free before time runs out, or the mansion's mysteries remain unsolved. This experience suits friends nights out, team building, family adventures, birthdays, and anyone who loves puzzles and mysteries. All experience levels are welcome, from seasoned fans to first timers, with moments of suspense, excitement, and plenty of satisfying aha moments. The mystery is set, the clues are hidden, and the countdown is on. Step into the story and see if your team can escape in time.

Family Sunday features a new family friendly theme each time. This installment highlights a German Circus theme with activities designed for families. More information will be shared soon.

The Levitt VIBE STL Music Series is a free, family friendly run of outdoor concerts presented by Delmar Main Street at Phillip Lucier Park in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic to relax on the grass while the music plays. Along with welcoming attendees, the series offers opportunities for performers, vendors, and volunteers.

A live music event with a beach theme fills Carondelet Park in the Holly Hills neighborhood. The Moonlighters perform in the park. Attendees can bring lawn chairs, stocked coolers, and an appetite for hot dogs.

Two best friends, Valentine and Proteus, vow to stand by each other, then both fall for the same woman and watch loyalty and good sense unravel. Expect clever disguises, tangled misunderstandings, and a dog that steals the spotlight. Shakespeare’s early romantic comedy explores friendship, forgiveness, and the messy journey toward growing up. This production is performed without an intermission and is presented free in parks across the region.

Discover HYBYCOZO’s exploration of art, science, and nature across the Missouri Botanical Garden. Twenty-one interactive, large-scale geometric sculptures by artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk are placed throughout the grounds, with intricate patterns that play with light and shadow to reveal underlying natural systems. As sunlight filters through the designs, shifting shapes move over paths and plantings, encouraging quiet reflection and a closer look at nature’s geometry. This presentation is the first of its kind to be shown in Missouri. Daytime viewing is included with Garden admission. Members receive free daily entry, with the number of complimentary admissions determined by membership level. Reserving daytime tickets in advance is recommended, especially on weekends.

Catch the Philadelphia Phillies as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals for a baseball game at Busch Stadium. Tickets are available through the AXS Marketplace, and all sales are final with no refunds for postponed events.

Settle into an easygoing yet upbeat early evening farmers market featuring fresh produce and meats, hot and prepared foods, drinks, and a variety of artisan goods. Enjoy sunset in the park with family or friends, pick up dinner and a beverage, and support local vendors, with more than 40 participants each week. Also featured on the month’s last Tuesday market is a Vintage Bazaar.

The Philadelphia Phillies take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Single game tickets are available starting at $12. There’s also a special theme ticket promotion for Fredbird’s Garage Sale on this date.

Enjoy a read-aloud at the Stephen & Peter Sachs Museum featuring Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney and Thank You, World by Alice B. McGinty. Holly Hubenschmidt and Sean Doherty will share these selections as part of a continuing series led by Garden staff in the museum’s historic building. This program welcomes all ages, does not require registration, and is included with Garden admission. Attendees can also explore The Literary Garden: The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives.

This Summer Park Days gathering takes place near the Stone Shelter in Tower Grove Park. The shaded setting suits relaxing on a lawn chair or picnic blanket. With a creek nearby, families may want to bring a towel and a change of clothes for kids who enjoy muddy play. It is also a simple way for those exploring a homeschooling community to learn more and see if it could be a good fit.

The Purina Incredible Dog Team brings free, high-energy performances to St. Louis Union Station. Head to the Purina Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel to see exceptionally skilled dogs team up with two trainers for crowd-pleasing feats of athleticism. With a lineup of more than 20 canines, including several rescues, the show highlights what dogs can achieve with quality nutrition, consistent training, and plenty of care. Make the most of your visit by exploring the attractions at Union Station and choosing from the many on-site dining options.

Experience the Garden in a new light with Patterns in Nature: LightForm, a nighttime installation that turns the grounds into a glowing landscape. Large-scale geometric sculptures by HYBYCOZO illuminate the surroundings and cast intricate designs in light and shadow, inviting unhurried wandering and moments of reflection. Live music enhances the atmosphere, and special food and beverages are available for purchase. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. Member admission ranges from $15 to $17, with $10 for children, and members at the Festival level and above receive free entry. Non-member tickets are $20 to $22, with $12 for children. The event is held rain or shine. If a night is canceled, tickets may be used on another LightForm evening. Supported by the Crawford Taylor Foundation.