A September to Remember
Forest Park spans 1,300 acres and has something for everyone—especially this month! Below are just some of the upcoming events for you on our park-wide events calendar.
Location: Edward and Margaret Imo Family Plaza (formerly the Missouri History Museum North Lawn)
This perennially popular concert series returns to usher in autumn! Pack a picnic or grab a bite from one of several food trucks. Live music is from 6 to 8 p.m., but plan to come early to visit the museum’s 1904 World’s Fair and Collected exhibits, which will remain open until the end of intermission.
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park, and accessible parking is located in the museum’s west lot.
Transit: To take the Loop Trolley, which will have extended hours on Twilight Thursdays, park at 5875 Delmar Blvd. The Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station is 0.2 miles from the plaza. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Grand @ History Museum northbound and southbound bus stops are approximately 0.2 miles from the plaza.
Shakespeare at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Enjoy a family-friendly, 90-minute version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden at the Saint Louis Art Museum
TourCo, a traveling group of six actors, presents bite-sized Shakespeare in the Park. This production is a music-filled rendition of the play, directed by artist Tre’von Griffith with an all-Black cast and creative team. The performance will include MindsEye Audio Descriptions and an ASL interpreter.
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park, and accessible parking is available in the east or west parking lot located on the north side of Fine Arts Drive. Paid parking, including accessible spaces, is available in the St. Louis Art Museum’s underground parking garage on Fine Arts Drive.
Transit: The Skinker MetroLink station is 0.8 miles from Art Hill. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Fine Arts @ Art Museum northbound and southbound bus stops are at the top of Art Hill in front of the Art Museum.
The Great Gather Round from Great Rivers Greenway
Gather around a 1,500-foot table for a one-of-a-kind community meal.
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 4:30-7 p.m.
Location: DeBaliviere Circle surrounding the Missouri History Museum
Great Rivers Greenway invites you to celebrate their 25 years of turning community input into 135 miles of greenway trails—with many more under construction. Gather around a 1,500-foot table for a milestone meal (and free mini-cupcakes from SweetArt!) at the DeBaliviere Circle surrounding the Missouri History Museum.
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park, and accessible parking is located in the museum’s west lot.
Transit: The Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station is 0.2 miles from DeBaliviere Circle. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Grand @ History Museum northbound and southbound bus stops are approximately 0.2 miles from the DeBaliviere Circle.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Concert on Art Hill
Stretch out on Art Hill for rousing renditions of Beethoven, Copeland, Mozart and more.
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Art Hill
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra kicks off their 2025-26 season with a free concert on Art Hill, featuring highlights from the upcoming year. Several food trucks will be on site, or you can bring your own drinks and snacks. A world-class performance and gorgeous views make this a can’t-miss tradition.
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park, and accessible parking is available in the east or west parking lot located on the north side of Fine Arts Drive. Paid parking, including accessible spaces, is available in the St. Louis Art Museum’s underground parking garage on Fine Arts Drive.
Transit: The Skinker MetroLink station is 0.8 miles from Art Hill. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Fine Arts @ Art Museum northbound and southbound bus stops are at the top of Art Hill in front of the Art Museum.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Glow
Experience the magic of hot air balloons—aglow and aloft—in your favorite urban habitat.
Date: Friday and Saturday, September 19-20
Time: Friday, 5-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1-6 p.m. (The flight window for the race is 4:30-6 p.m., depending on the weather.)
Location: Emerson Central Fields
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Glow return to Emerson Fields to awe spectators of all ages. On Friday, wander among inflated balloons, meet the pilots and listen for the air horn that signals the synchronized firing of burners, which creates the magical “glow.” If you still haven’t gotten your fill of controlled combustion, stay for the fireworks finale at 9:15. On Saturday, watch the same balloons chase the “hare” in the 52nd annual race after the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team touches down on Emerson Fields. The weekend also will feature food trucks, family-friendly activities, photo opportunities and more.
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park.
Transit: The Central West End MetroLink station is 1 mile from Emerson Central Fields. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Concourse @ Washington northbound and southbound bus stops are approximately 0.7 miles from the fields.
Evolution Festival
Get true festival vibes right here in St. Louis.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28
Time: Gates open at 1 p.m. each day
An eclectic mix of performers—including Sublime, Sam Fender, Public Enemy, Lenny Kravitz, Father John Misty, TLC and many more—will be in Forest Park to round out this memorable month. The festival will host more than 30 local food vendors, cocktail and culinary demonstrations, a local vendor marketplace and an art gallery curated by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket, concession, merchandise and parking sales—a minimum of $100,000—will go to the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ disaster recovery efforts.
Location: Langenberg Field
Parking: Free, public parking is located throughout Forest Park.
Transit: The Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station is 0.4 miles from the main festival entrance. The #90 Hampton MetroBus route runs through the Park, and the Grand @ History Museum northbound and southbound bus stops are approximately 0.1 miles from Langenberg Field.
Support Forest Park Forever
As the nonprofit conservancy that maintains Forest Park in partnership with the City of St. Louis, we know large events impact the Park and cause temporary disruptions. We work closely with City partners and event holders to minimize the physical impact of these great cultural events that bring our community together. You can be part of that work by becoming a Forest Park Forever member, supporting our daily efforts to ensure Forest Park is a joyful, welcoming place for 15.5 million visits each year.
