downtown St. Louis events

Welcome the holiday season at Kiener Plaza with the lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, live entertainment, and ice skating at the Winterfest Ice Rink.

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Citygarden's 10th Birthday Celebration with the Bubble Bus

Celebrate Citygarden's 10th birthday at a free celebration. Kids will have a blast with the Bubble Bus, and DJ Nune will be on hand to provide fun tunes. Don't forget to dress the kids to enjoy Citygarden's many water features including the splash pad.

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Winter Movie Night at Ballpark Village

Enjoy a free movie with your kids on select Wednesday nights at Ballpark Village. Movies are shown on the 40-foot screen inside Fox Sports Midwest and are free.

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Art in Motion Metro Bus Painting

People of all ages are invited to transform a MetroBus into a captivating piece of moving art featuring the iconic symbol of St. Louis: The Gateway Arch.

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Rise Up Festival Celebrates St. Louis with Family-Friendly Fun

On the national stage, St. Louis isn’t always seen in best light. You know, with Toyotas disappearing into sinkholes and movie stars tweeting photos of non-postcard worthy views from the comfort of their four-star hotel rooms. But those of us in the know love St. Louis for all of its envy-inducing traits – the free, world-renowned attractions for families, its thriving arts scene, and its culturally-rich neighborhoods where mom-and-pop shops mingle with award-winning restaurants.

Free Family Fridays at the Old Courthouse

Free Family Fridays at the Old Courthouse are a great opportunity for kids to learn about St. Louis history, the westward expansion and take part in hands-on craft projects.

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Free Summer Yoga for All Ages at Ballpark Village

Enjoy a free yoga session for all ages outdoors on the Busch II Infield at Ballpark Village on select Wednesdays throughout the summer. Sessions are led by instructors from Yoga Buzz and opens to all ages, levels and abilities.

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Things to Do

Seasonal Closing Weekend Activities at the Children's Garden

Sunday, November 1, 2026

A St. Louis family favorite – the Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden – will close for the season October 31 - November 1. Children are invited to have an adventure exploring all the Garden has to offer before the gates close.

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Fall Fest at Grant's Farm

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Families can enjoy the Fall Fest Kids Zone and all the fun of the farm at the Grant's Farm Fall Fest. There will be seasonal treats, animal feedings, a petting zoo, themed photo spots, and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales too!

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Sensory Friendly Science Time

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Sensory Friendly Science Time features reduced noise, modified lighting and sensory-friendly demonstrations at the Saint Louis Science Center.

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Storytime in Forest Park: Storytime in the Meadow

Monday, November 2, 2026

Monday, November 9, 2026

Meet up in Forest Park for a fun storytime followed by nature adventures! These free story times are open to children of all ages and their caregivers.

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Baby Bookworms Storytime with the St. Louis Public Library

Monday, November 2, 2026

Bring your little ones, 0-18 months, to Baby Bookworms Storytime to enjoy songs, stories and more.

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Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

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Find yourself at Forsyth on Sunday, October 25, 3:00–5:00 pm for All-School Open House! Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade, All-School Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet our classroom and specialist teachers, chat with current students and families, and hear from Head of School Rob Butler. Advance registration is required.

Forsyth School fosters a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children age 2 through Grade 6 to pursue challenges with confidence. At Forsyth, our talented and caring teachers encourage students to explore and question, enabling them to learn deeply. Each child's unique identity is known, celebrated, and nurtured by our supportive community. The results are profound: children take risks, pursue challenges, and find joy in learning. The "Forsyth experience" is enriched by the school's unique campus, location, and commitment to the natural world. LEARN MORE AND RSVP

The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May, homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade-level groups.

Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include colonial St. Louis, baseball, Black history, and wildlife. Detailed schedules for each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on October 9, November 13, December 11, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 9, and May 14. LEARN MORE

What if school were a place where curiosity leads the way, learning comes to life, and children discover just how much they're capable of? At The College School, students from Preschool through Eighth Grade learn by doing. They explore creeks and forests, tackle meaningful challenges, ask big questions, and build the confidence to think independently. With strong academics, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit community, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at our All-School Open House on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms and learning spaces, and discover what makes The College School such a special place to grow.

Come see how an extraordinary education begins with the freedom to explore.

Register for Open House

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