Head to Forest Park for the Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race. Watch as nearly 60 hot air balloons inflate, glow and launch. Families can also enjoy food trucks, fireworks, children's activities and live music.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday, September 19 (live music with DJ Reggie on the Main Stage, food trucks and kids' activities), and the Balloon Glow lasts from dusk to 9 p.m. Fireworks are set for 9:15 p.m.
On Saturday, September 20, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race Central Fields open at 1 p.m. with live music on the main stage, a family picnic area, and the Purina Children's Entertainment area. Don't miss the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team at 1:15 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. There will also be food trucks, inflatables, games and kids' activities from St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Balloon launches beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race are held at the Emerson Central Fields in Forest Park are free to attend.
More information: greatforestparkballoonrace.com
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.
What better way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66 than a road trip to Radiator Springs? Your family is invited to join Lightning McQueen at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum’s third annual Ka-Chow! Cars Event. With free action-packed activities and high-octane fun, this is one event no young racing fan should miss!