May is one of our favorite months in St. Louis. The chill of spring is wearing off, but the heat of summer is not yet in full effect, making it the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather. Here’s where we’ll be out and about this month.
Sauce Food Truck Friday
We couldn’t leave off our own event, could we? Sauce’s Food Truck Fridays are officially back this summer, powered by STL Bucket List. Head over to Tower Grove Park at 4 p.m. to start your weekend with the best vibes in the city. Food Truck Friday is free and perfect for all ages, with 20+ food vendors, plus local drinks and live music.
May 1 & 29 – 4-8 p.m., Tower Grove Park, saucefoodtruckfriday.com
Hands for Mental Health Luncheon
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Niche Food Group is working with local hospitality professionals to raise awareness. The food industry often includes long hours under high pressure, and the luncheon panelists hope for an open and honest discussion about mental health. Moderated by former Feast editor Shannon Weber, the panel will include Brian Schuman of Fox Park’s Press, James Beard Award finalists Nick Bognar of Sado and Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box, and James Beard Award winners Gerard Craft of Niche Food Group and Kevin Nashan of Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co. Tickets are $40 plus tax and tip and will include lunch from Pastaria, networking, the panel discussion and audience Q&A. 20% of the proceeds will benefit the St. Louis chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
May 4 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pastaria, 7734 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, exploretock.com/pastariastl/event/605167/hands-for-mental-health-2026
Maifest: A German Celebration of Spring
Grant’s Farm is hosting a free festival to celebrate spring. This German festival starts with a tram ride through Deer Park, then experience all your favorite Grant’s Farm activities. The event will have German food, live music, plus adult beverages. Visitors 21 and older will get two complimentary samples at the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Bar. Commemorative steins will be available for purchase, along with draft beers on tap. General admission to this event is free. Save on parking by purchasing in advance online.
May 2, 9, 10, 16 & 17 – Grant’s Farm, 7385 Grant Road, St. Louis, 314.843.1700, grantsfarm.com
Strawberry Season
It’s strawberry season at Eckert’s! Their Strawberry Festival starts on May 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Memorial Day. The festival will have live music, carnival-style attractions and, of course, strawberry treats. Plus, visitors get the chance to learn how to make their own strawberry jam. The farm has brought back its Workshop Wednesdays series, encouraging visitors to put down the phones and learn tangible skills in the Cider Shed. On May 13, learn about selecting fresh berries and getting the best consistency and flavor. Everyone will go home with their own jar of jam, plus a recipe card (plus enjoy tasty samples during class). Tickets for jam-making are $50 a person; register now on Eckert’s website.
Multiple dates. Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, 800.745.0513, eckerts.com
Mother’s Day Brunch at the St. Louis Aquarium
This Mother’s Day brunch includes admission to the aquarium, making it a hands-on celebration for the whole family. Brunch will include breakfast tarts, eggs Benedict, French toast and an omelet station. A bouquet bar will be available for kids to create and purchase their own flower arrangements, personalized for mom. Combo tickets for brunch and the aquarium are $77 for adults and $44 for children ages 3-12; kids under 3 are free. While at Union Station, moms can ride The Wheel for free.
May 10 – 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, 314.923.3900, stlouisaquarium.com
Taste of Tequila, Splash of Charity
Ready to drink for a good cause? Taste of Tequila, Splash of Charity will have tequila tastings, of course, as well small bites, live music and a silent auction. Each ticket also includes one specialty margarita or beer. This event, taking place at Felix’s Pizza Pub, benefits the Gateway Bleeding Disorders Association and their scholarship program. Tickets for this 21+ event are $50 in advance or $60 on the day of the event. Get more info and find tickets at gatewaybd.org/taste-of-tequila.
May 14 – 6-8 p.m. Felix’s Pizza Pub, 6401 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, 314.482.5973, gatewaybd.org
Improv Glass Showdown
Third Degree Glass has been putting on Third Friday events for over 20 years. Each event has live music, food, drinks and multiple demos that follow monthly themes. This May, Third Degree is hosting the Improv Glass Showdown, where two teams of glass artists will compete to see who can make the best St. Louis landmark or themed piece out of glass. Third Friday, a free and family-friendly event, starts at 5 p.m., with the showdown beginning at 8:15.
May 15 – 5-10 p.m. Third Degree Glass, 5200 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.367.4527, thirddegreeglassfactory.com
St. Louis County Greek Festival
Opa! The St. Louis County Greek Festival is back this Memorial Day weekend. Get ready to be immersed in culture with food like gyros and baklava, folk dancing and tours of a Greek Orthodox Church. This event is happening over four days, rain or shine.
May 22-25 – Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 1755 Des Peres Road, Des Peres, stlgreekfest.com
St. Louis African Arts Festival
The St. Louis African Arts Festival is celebrating its 35th year in Forest Park. For three days, visitors can experience an event focused on culture, family and unity. The festival will feature food, apparel, jewelry and art vendors, plus live stage performances. On May 24, the Muny will host a screening of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, with a pre-show discussion starting at 8 p.m. The rest of the festival takes place at the World’s Fair Pavilion throughout Memorial Day weekend.
May 23-25 – World’s Fair Pavilion, Forest Park, 1904 Concourse Drive, St. Louis, 314.626.3115, stlafricanartsfest.com
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
The Tempest is blowing into Forest Park. This year’s St. Louis Shakespeare Festival headliner, directed by Rick Dildine, starts showing in Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen on May 27. The show is free, though ticketed options are available for select sections. Food and drink vendors will be on-site. See the full list of dates and learn more about this year’s later season, including The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Romeo and Zooliet on the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival website.
May 27 to June 21 – Saint Louis Art Museum, 6604 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, 314.531.9800, stlshakes.org