St. Louis in May means great weather and lots of reasons to get outside. There are multiple festivals, concerts and fairs almost every weekend. You can kick off the season by raising a glass of locally brewed beer at the Brewer's Heritage Festival, check out "man's best friend" at Bark in the Park, or catch a bit of Shakespeare under the stars in Forest Park. Here's details on those events, plus seven others that shouldn't be missed.
Brewers Heritage Festival
Photo by ULTRA.F, Getty Images
If you truly love beer, or just like a good festival, then Forest Park is the place to be May 8-10 for the Brewers Heritage Festival. Top local breweries, including Anheuser-Busch, Schlafly and Alandale, will have more than 60 beers for you to sample. And you won't leave hungry either. Harvest, Sqwires and other restaurants will be selling their most popular dishes. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the event.
Forest Park, near the Visitor Center
May 8-10
Forest Park, near the Visitor Center
May 8-10
Spring Wildflower Sale
Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
The flowers are blooming at Shaw Nature Reserve, but you can have some of that same beauty in your own yard. On May 10, several local nurseries are joining forces at the Reserve for the Spring Wildflower Sale. They'll be selling hundreds of varieties of wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs. You can also get expert advice on how to care for your new plants.
Shaw Nature Reserve
May 10
Shaw Nature Reserve
May 10
Lewis & Clark Heritage Days
Photo by Joe Armour, courtesy Lewis & Clark Heritage Days Board
Come along for one of the greatest expeditions in American history. Lewis & Clark Hertiage Days mixes history and adventure with food, fun and celebration. You'll see life-size replicas of Lewis and Clark's boats, visit a military camp from 200 years ago and taste meals the way they would have been prepared in the 1800's.
Frontier Park, St. Charles
May 17-18
Frontier Park, St. Charles
May 17-18
Strawberry Festival
Photo by Chris Windsor, courtesy Getty Images
A sure sign that spring is here is the annual Strawberry Festival at Eckert's Orchards in Belleville. The two-day festival is a family friendly event with food, live music and plenty of fun for kids including wagon rides, a petting farm and inflatables. But the best part are Eckert's delicious, ripe strawberries. You can pick your own or take home pies, muffins and other goodies from the bakery.
Eckert's Orchards, Belleville
May 17-18
Eckert's Orchards, Belleville
May 17-18
Art on the Square in Belleville
Photo courtesy ART on the SQUARE
It's just a short drive to Belleville to see one of the top ranked art fair's in the country. This year's Art on the Square features more than 100 artists showing off their talents in painting, ceramics, photography and more. The festival also has food, live music and a Children's Garden of Art where kids can make their own masterpieces.
Downtown Belleville
May 16-18
Downtown Belleville
May 16-18
Bark in the Park
Bark in the Park promises a day of fun for both dogs and their owners. The annual pet walk and festival in Forest Park is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Humane Society of Missouri. After the pet walk, the Purina Incredible Dog Team will be performing high flying stunts. There's also a fun area for kids and a food court where you can get favorites like funnel cakes, kettle corn and fresh squeezed lemonade. All of the money raised goes to the Humane Society to provide veterinary care for homeless animals.Cricket Field, Forest Park
May 17
Kids Day at Cahokia Mounds
Photo courtesy Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Cahokia Mounds is one of the most historic attractions in the St. Louis area and kids of all ages are invited to learn more about the site that was home to the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico. Children can learn about the Cahokia culture with hands-on activities like making pottery, grinding corn and throwing spears.
30 Ramey Street, Collinsville
May 18
30 Ramey Street, Collinsville
May 18
Shakespeare Festival
The Shakespeare Festival is rapidly becoming a favorite St. Louis summer tradition. Following the spirit of The Muny, the Shakespeare Festival offers free theater in the wonderful confines of Forest Park. This year the company is performing Richard III. No tickets are required, just show up with your blanket or lawn chair. Many people bring a full picnic, or at least a bottle of wine, although you can also buy food once you get there. The performances are every night at 8 p.m., except Tuesdays.Forest Park, next to the Art Museum
May 23 through June 15
Greek Festival
Photo courtesy Stockbyte, Getty Images
Baklava, Gyros, Karithopita. The Greek Festival at Assumption Orthodox Church is a Memorial Day weekend tradition. Thousands of visitors flock to the church in Town & Country to enjoy authentic Greek food, music and dancing. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Monday. Admission and parking are free.
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Town & Country
May 23-26
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Town & Country
May 23-26
Gypsy Caravan
Photo courtesy Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Some bargain hunters wait all year for the Gypsy Caravan, one of the midwest's largest antique, craft and flea markets. This one-day sale is on Memorial Day every year. More than 300 vendors will be selling everything from birdhouses to baseball memorabilia. Admission is $5, but children under 12 get in free. Money from the sale helps support the St. Louis Symphony.
UMSL Campus
May 26
UMSL Campus
May 26
