August Events in St. Louis

The Municipal Theatre of St. Louis in Forest Park, also known as The Muny, is America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, and August is your last chance this summer to see a performance on its stage.

The Muny's 2018 season, which marks its 100th year, comes to a close with presentations of "Gypsy" July 27 to August 2, and "Meet Me in St. Louis" from August 4 to 12. Tickets are still available through Metrotix, but you can also experience both shows from the free seats in the back—just make sure to bring your binoculars.

About 50 miles west of St. Louis, the small town of Washington, Missouri will host its annual Town and Country Fair from August 1 through 5, 2018. This five-day event has plenty of traditional fair activities like carnival rides, fried food, and livestock shows, but there's also big-time entertainment from performers like Josh Wilson, Walker Hayes, Jake Owen, and Sawyer Brown as well as featured exhibits in glass blowing, chainsaw carving, stunt performance, and a family fun center.

Presented by Sauce Magazine, Food Truck Friday returns to south St. Louis' Tower Grove Park on August 10, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. Each month during the summer, Food Truck Friday features over 20 trucks, live music, and drinks from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, 4 Hands Brewing Company, Brick River Cider, and Noboleis Vineyards.

The World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park hosts a unique free concert series on Thursday nights in August. Each concert begins with children's music from the Sanctuary's in-house band, "The Raptor Project" while birds fly just overhead. Then, local favorites like Javier Mendoza, Fowl Play, and others take the stage.

One of the best craft fairs in the St. Louis area is the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles. Historic Main Street and Frontier Park are filled with booths selling everything from jewelry and art to kids clothes and holiday decorations. More than 300 vendors from 30 states set up shop during the three-day event from Friday, August 17, through Sunday, August 19, 2018. Shopping isn't the only attraction though; there's also live music, kids activities, and some of the best festival food around.

The World's Fare Heritage Festival is a three-day celebration in Forest Park that pays tribute to the 1904 World's Fair held in St. Louis. The festival includes live music, food vendors, an artist's village, kids area, and business expo at the World's Fair Pavillion. Events take place on August ​17 through 19, 2018, ​and include performances by local and international musicians playing blues, rock, hip-hop, ragtime, jazz, funk, and soul.

For thousands of book lovers, August means it's time for the St. Louis YMCA Book Fair, one of the largest used book sales in the area. With more than 60 categories of books, as well as magazines, records, and CDs, you're sure to find something to take home during this yearly event. The 40th Annual YMCA Book Fair will take place from Friday, August 17 through Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the Greensfelder Recreation Center in St. Louis' Queeny Park. Admission for the first day of the sale is $10, but it's free the rest of the week.

The Young Zoo Friends are hosting a party at the St. Louis Zoo with music, entertainment, food, and drinks on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 for Zoo Friends members and $20 for non-members and includes a wine and beer tasting. Presented by Macy's this 21-and-over event will happen rain or shine and will include musical entertainment by Dirty Muggs with Johnny Henry. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the zoo's conservation efforts locally and abroad.

The Festival of Nations is your chance to experience the beauty of dozens of different world cultures without leaving St. Louis; the two-day event is filled with food, music, and entertainment from around the globe. There are dozens of food booths featuring favorite dishes from Bosnia, Brazil, and Ethiopia, among others, while shoppers will find items like Indian saris, Mexican glassware, and Israeli jewelry, just to name just a few. This free event is organized by the International Institute of St. Louis and held in Tower Grove Park on  August 25 and 26, 2018.

You can uncover the secrets of the past and learn about the history of the Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville during Archeology Day on August 4, 2018. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes demonstrations on basket making, fire building, artifact processing, and ancient crafts. There are also spear-throwing contests and other ancient games as well as food and beverages to purchase.