SCROLL DOWN FOR WHAT TO DO IN ST. LOUIS THIS WEEK
Coming Soon (Not too soon): Polar Express! (tickets are on sale now!)
BRINGS 2026 HOLIDAY MAGIC TO ST. LOUIS UNION STATION; GET TICKETS AT www.stlpolarexpressride.com
All aboard! It’s time to make holiday plans. Tickets go on sale to the general public Tuesday, August 4 at 9 a.m. for The Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station.
More information and tickets for the popular holiday tradition are available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
A Midwest holiday tradition — the real trains travel from Union Station to the North Pole again this year to tell the magical story of a boy’s search for the real meaning of Christmas. The train rides begin at St. Louis Union Station on November 13 and continue through December 30, 2026. Riders are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas on the train rides. Choose from these seats:
HOLIDAY SAVER: Forward-facing seating. 5 to a row (split as 3 and 2 on either side of the aisle). Tickets can be purchased in any quantity.
COACH: Forward-facing seating in sets of two. One window seat, one aisle seat.
FIRST CLASS: Pods of four seats facing each other with a small table in between. Sold in groups of four with a commemorative Polar Express mug (must purchase a seat for everyone in your party)
PREMIUM DOME CAR: Booths seating 4 people, 1 four seated couch and 8 swivel chairs. Seats located under a ceiling of windows. Each seat comes with a commemorative Polar Express mug (must purchase a seat for everyone in your party)
PREMIUM DOME CAR LOUNGE: Lower level seating with lounge chairs in a spacious area. Each ticket comes with a commemorative Polar Express mug (must purchase a seat for everyone in your party)
Early ticket buyers will have the best choice of available dates. Weekday riders in November also will get a free ticket to ride the St. Louis Wheel at Union Station.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates. Group tickets and private events can be booked at https://www.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Families can enjoy a magical Pancakes With Santa meal in the magnificent Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station. Held on select dates during the holiday season, the meal includes a meeting with Santa himself. Tickets are available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
SCUBA CLAUS AT THE AQUARIUM
Santa also will dive in the St. Louis Aquarium’s Shark Canyon habitat at Union Station on select dates during the holidays. The Scuba Claus encounters are included with general admission to the Aquarium.
ABOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
The beloved story of The Polar Express comes to life when the real train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented characters familiar to everyone who loves the classic movie and book, including the Boy, the Hobo, the Conductor, dancing and singing chefs and, of course, Santa and his elves.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy time in a pre-ride venue filled with Christmas-themed selfie stations and activities for the kids.
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. The Jolly Old Elf will meet every child on the train and will give them the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. It’s an immersive, family-oriented experience that will create lasting holiday memories.
MORE INFORMATION
St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Follow on social media @unionstationstl. Polar Express Train Ride phone inquiries: (314) 942-6942.
There is still time for some summer fun…
As the summer rolls on and the kids will soon be back in school, our thoughts turn to the cooler days of the fall with festivals. We will list some of the fall festivals we know of, here and if you know some we should include, please email us at: Rains@stlsportspage.com. This is an on-going article and will be updated often. For recurring events or additional ones, check out ExploreStLouis.com
They call them the “Dog Day”– those days in August when it is hottest and most humid, and downright unbearable at times. The way to stay cool in St. Louis is head out to an air conditioned facility for some late summer fun. Places we suggest are swimming pools, bowling alleys, and the Aquarium at Union Statioin.
Throughout August: Route 66 Fun in Our own Town
Aug. 7, 8, 9- St. Louis Public Library Quest: Route 66- going on until Aug. 15
Hit the road without ever leaving the building. This summer, celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with St. Louis Public Library Quest: Route 66—an all-ages search and discover adventure from June 1 – August 15 at Central Library. Pick up your official Quest brochure at any circulation desk, then start exploring.
There are several ethnic festivals in the Greater St. Louis Area in August.
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- 39th Annual SerbFest: August 1–2 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. Celebrate Serbian culture with authentic dishes (lamb shanks, cevap sandwiches), traditional drinks, desserts, and live music.
- Kirchweih 2026: August 16 at the German Cultural Society. An annual German heritage event featuring a church service, food, dancing, music, and an auction. [1]
Other Events in August:
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- Blues at the Arch Festival: August 14–16 at the Gateway Arch National Park. A free weekend-long event featuring modern blues acts, fireworks, food trucks, history walks, and family activities. [1, 2, 3]
- St. Louis Water Lantern Festival: August 8 at The Arch Store. Personalize and release beautifully crafted lanterns onto the water for an evening of floating lights, peace, and unity.
- The Moonlight Ramble: August 29 at Carondelet Park. Returning for its 62nd year, this “World’s Original Nighttime Bike Ride” invites thousands to take a leisurely ride near the full moon, accompanied by food, drinks, and entertainment.
- Blues at the Arch Festival: August 14–16 at the Gateway Arch National Park. A free weekend-long event featuring modern blues acts, fireworks, food trucks, history walks, and family activities. [1, 2, 3]
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- Final Friday August at Dutchtown Common: August 28 at Dutchtown Common. A free monthly community gathering with local vendors, visiting food trucks, and live entertainment.
Aug. 15- 140th Anniversary of Moola Shrine Open House
10 a.m.-4 p.m. T at the Moolah Shrine Center, 12545 Fee Fee Road.
The family-friendly celebration will feature games, food and tours, all free of charge. For information: CLICK HERE.
Aug. 15 -Bubble Run St. Louis 2026 – Arsenal BG Ballpark
A family-friendly, non-competitive 5K filled with colorful bubbles! Unleash your inner child and run through clouds of foam. Ages 4 & under FREE. White clothing suggested.
Enjoy the Pre-Party, then run through Bubble Stations where you’ll get drenched in mountains of colorful foam on the course, and finish at the largest Bubble After-Party on the planet — with music, dancing, and bubbles for days.
Why St. Louis Loves Bubble Run
St. Louis, IL is gearing up for an incredible Bubble Run experience at Arsenal BG Ballpark! Join thousands of participants on Saturday, August 15, 2026 for the most fun 5K in town. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, this event is designed for everyone. For information on the Bubble Run: CLICK HERE.
September
Sat. Sept. 12, 2026, Red Jacket Hall of Fame Ceremony
September 19 in Washington, MO– Ox Fest-Fun day for a good cause
Gates Open at 11:30am
Music Noon – 10:15pm
Great entertainment:
MAIN STAGE
Anthology: Allman Brothers Tribute Band
The Hard Promises: Tom Petty Tribute Band
SappingTones
Molly Lovette
The Mighty Pines
BLUES STAGE
SOUL Cracker
Amanda Fish
Jeremiah Johnson
Moe Barry
Bag Lunch Blues Band
COUNTRY MUSIC STAGE
Justin Bizzle
Adam Knight
Runaway Train
RiverBend
Since 2017 OxFest Charities has donated more than $400,000 to non-profits that serve children & youth in our region.
Providing scholarships for local high school students; grants for teachers to improve their classrooms; and helping impoverished rural families with children receive the healthcare they need.
Free Kids Zone
Vendors
Food / Beverages
Meet Sarah Krafty
Sarah Kraffty, a viral food creator known for turning everyday recipes into must-try dishes for her 2.3M+ followers. She’ll be on-site at OxFest for a meet & greet, signing copies of her cookbook, and bringing her cooking to life with two exclusive menu items she’ll be making and selling herself, with all proceeds benefiting OxFest.
Promoting Community Events:
Faust Park Folklife Festival
The Folklife Festival returns to Faust Park‘s Historic Village on September 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experience life in the 1800s as you explore the village and enjoy hands‑on demonstrations, traditional crafts, cooking demos, rope-making, and so much more.
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- Dates & Time: September 26–27, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Faust Park, 15025 Faust Park Drive, Chesterfield, MO
- Cost: $5 per person (children 10 and under are free)
- Activities: Hands-on history, traditional Indigenous pottery firing, corn husk doll making, rope making, and cooking demonstrations. [1, 2, 3, 4]
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- Paint Louis: Taking place over Labor Day weekend (Sept 4–6), this is the world’s largest graffiti festival, where artists paint the Mississippi River flood wall. [1]
- Schlafly Art Outside Festival: Held at Schlafly Bottleworks from September 5 to 7, this outdoor event showcases handmade art alongside live music and craft beer. [1, 2, 3]
- Intersect Festival: A music and street art festival occurring September 12–14, featuring local and national artists. [1]
- Copita Agave Spirits Festival: Head to Das Bevo on September 13 to taste over 100 brands of mezcal, tequila, and other traditional Mexican spirits. [1]
- Tower Grove Pride: Celebrate LGBTQ+ pride in Tower Grove Park on September 26 with live music, food vendors, and drag performances. [1]
October
- Best of Missouri Market (Oct 9–11, 2026): Held at the Missouri Botanical Garden, this massive fall festival features over 120 regional artisans, crafters, and food producers, alongside live music and a two-acre Kid’s Corner. [1, 2]
- Italian Heritage Parade & Festa (Oct 11, 2026): The 158th annual celebration in Berra Park on The Hill features a lively procession, marching bands, floats, and family-friendly cultural activities. [1]
- Brew in the Lou (Oct 10, 2026): Head to Francis Park for unlimited sampling of St. Louis’s best beers, wines, spirits, and food, all benefiting local Lutheran school scholarships. [1, 2]
- Wine and Food Holiday Festival (Oct 9–10, 2026): A multi-day event kicking off with a Casino Night at 18Rails | THE venue @ City Foundry STL, followed by an outdoor tasting at Cortex Commons to benefit local charities. [1, 2, 3]
- Barktoberfest (Oct 18, 2026): A dog-centric festival at Zoomies Pet Cafe + Boutique featuring adoptable pups, live music, a costume contest, and local vendors. [1]
- St. Louis VegFest (Oct 11, 2026): An outdoor, family-friendly vegan and vegetarian festival
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St. Charles County Parks and The Historic Daniel Boone Home Spirits of the Past tickets go on sale in one week!
What stories shape your memories? Gather round and hear tales of legend and memory inspired by the storytelling traditions of generations past.As darkness settles over The Historic Daniel Boone Home, join us on Saturday, Oct. 10 for a lantern-lit walk around the historic village. Discover the stories of the past and how they shape generations to come.
Village-Only Tickets: $10 each (does not include admission to the Boone Home) Home & Village Tickets: $15 each (Boone Home tour times are established at registration)Tickets will be available for purchase Tuesday, Aug. 4:
636-949-7535
Halloween Trunk or Treats or other Oct. 31 Events for Your Family
St. Peters Area
Candy Crawl for Kids: Water’s Edge Banquet Center at St. Peters Golf Club
Spooktacular Candy Crawl 
October 31, 2026
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Water’s Edge Banquet Center FREE to attend- no tickets needed! Event Highlights:
Indoor trunk-or-treat candy stations Games & activities
Rain or shine- completely indoors
Costumes encouraged (must be family-friendly)
Meet Iggy the 7 foot DINO! (photo ops!)
Make it a complete family night by stopping into Caddy’s (in the same building just down the hallway!) for a quick and easy dinner before or after visiting Izzy the 7-foot dinosaur and enjoying our Indoor Trunk-or-Treat Candy Crawl (3:30–5:30 PM)
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. 
Start your Halloween with us, then keep the candy crawl going in your subdivision after… if weather allows! 200 Salt Lick Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376Looking Ahead to the December Holidays… Let us know when you see something to add as we go along.
November
December
13th Annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt on Belleville’s Public Square beginning Fri., Nov. 27, 2026. For more information visit https://www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com/
