September’s a month where we’re saying farewell to summer and welcoming autumn’s crisp temperatures. The milder weather means there’s lots of festivals and outdoor activities to enjoy all month long, from illuminated evening walks through local farms, music and art festivals, cider and spirits festivals, plus this month there are two opportunities to eat delicious food and hear live music at Tower Grove Park at Sauce’s Food Truck Friday events.
Autumn Glow Festival
Every Thursday to Sunday in September through Oct. 26, 8004 Twin River Road, Eureka, brookdalefarms.com
Celebrate autumn like never before at Autumn Glow Festival at Brookdale Farms in Eureka. This event combines art, tradition and technology to light up the night. Take a magical stroll through dazzling Chinese lantern displays that are perfect for a cozy, family-friendly night out. Tickets for each evening are limited and can be purchased online.
La Vie Al Fresco
Weekdays through Oct 31 – 4 to 8 p.m., Cafe la Vie, 7730 Bonhomme Ave, St. Louis, cafelaviestlouis.com
Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton, located in the heart of downtown Clayton, will feature outdoor dining for the first time on its terrace with La Vie al Fresco. Dining on the terrace is on a first-come, first-served basis and features a special La Vie menu of five chef-crafted petit plates and full bar service. Some of the dishes include braised pork belly tartine, housemade salt and vinegar chips, island spiced braised pork Wellington, artichoke and Boursin croquette and local Baetje Farms goat cheese.
Art Outside
Sept. 4 to 5 – Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, schlafly.com/events
Schlafly Bottleworks in historic Maplewood is proud to sponsor and host the 22nd annual Art Outside Art Fair. This is an alternative art festival, in which every piece of artwork is unique and made by the artists. This annual festival features over 60 local artists and an array of mediums including acrylic, ceramics, glass, jewelry, metalwork, oil, pastel, ink, photography, stonework, tempera, textile, watercolor, woodworking and much more. Find more information, including festival times for each day online.
AppleFest
Every weekend in September – Eckert’s, eckerts.com
Happening at all three Eckert’s Farms on Saturday and Sunday throughout September, AppleFest features wagon rides, live entertainment, kid’s activities, apple picking and festival foods like kettle corn, funnel cakes, cider donuts and caramel apples.
Ballwin Craft Beer Festival
Sept. 6 – 3 to 6 p.m., Vlasis Park, Ballwin
The 2025 Ballwin Craft Beer Festival happens at Vlasis Park and will feature a variety of beer, seltzers and live music. Each tasting ticket includes a complimentary tasting glass and attendees will have a three-hour tasting time block for sampling. All ticket holders will be carded and must be 21 to participate in the tasting portion of the event, but soft drinks and water will be available for purchase from food vendors. Vlasis Park will be open to all during the festival but the tasting area will be open only to ticket holders. Tickets can be purchased online until Friday, Sept. 5.
Summer Concert Series
Sept. 12 – 4 to 9:30 p.m., Defiance Ridge Vineyards, 2711 S. Missouri 94, Defiance, defianceridge.com
Defiance Ridge Vineyards’ Summer Concert Series concludes with a fun-filled evening featuring Dancing Queen and Night Fever – A Tribute to Bee Gees and Abba. Concert-goers can enjoy a fireworks show in front of the vineyards.
Music at the Intersection
Sept. 12 to 14, Midtown St. Louis, matistl.org
Hear musical performances from artists like Common, De La Soul, Patti LaBelle, and many more at this three-day festival. With over 100 performances and presentations across 19 stages and venues, the festival also features food and beverages, carnival rides, an artisan market, workshops and much more. Passes are available for single day admission and weekend admission, with $10 donated to 4TheVille and their boots-on-the-ground tornado relief efforts. Purchase passes online.
Mosaics Fine Art Festival
Sept. 12 to 14 – North Main Street, Historic St. Charles, stcharlesmosaics.org
The 30th annual Mosaics Fine Art Festival will feature over 80 juried artists from more than 15 states exhibiting and selling their artwork. Media categories include clay, drawing, glass, leather, metal, pastel, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood. The event also includes hands-on art experiences for children, musical performances throughout the weekend, and the Artists for Adoption Pet Pavilion, located at the north end of the festival, will be open to families interested in adopting pets from Stray Paws Adoptables.
Sauce Food Truck Friday
Sept. 12 – 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 26 – 3 to 7 p.m., Tower Grove Park, saucefoodtruckfriday.com
This month there’s two Food Truck Friday events, on Friday, Sept. 12, and again two weeks later on Friday, Sept. 26. At every Food Truck Friday event, you’ll find lots of food and drink to choose from – with around 20 food trucks per event, as well as live music. Enjoy music from Moon Valley on Sept. 12 and a performance by Neil Salsich & Friends on Sept. 26.
Farm Crawl
Sept. 13 to 14 – multiple locations, neighborhood.coop/farm-crawl
Take a road trip to southern Illinois to participate in Neighborhood Co-op Grocery’s Farm Crawl. Proceeds of this annual event will benefit Food Works, a nonprofit facilitating the development of a regional food economy in southern Illinois. Local farmers open up their farms to share a bit of their lives with the community, allowing attendees of the self-guided farm tour the chance to connect with local growers, while also celebrating local agriculture and food. Purchase tickets online.
Jack’s Lighted Trail
Sept. 13 through Nov. 1, Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, eckerts.com
A new fall attraction is coming to Eckert’s Belleville Farm, and the walkable attraction immerses visitors in glowing displays of pumpkin sculptures, thematic photo opportunities and festive surprises around every corner. Guests will stroll through the half-mile Lighted Pumpkin Trail, featuring giant carved pumpkins and whimsical illuminated scenes through towering corn stalks. Along the way, visitors can enjoy seasonal bites and sweet treats before and after their adventure at Eckert’s Cider Shed. Guests ages 21+ can slip into the adults-only Spook-Easy for themed cocktails, a perfect stop for friends and family to enjoy even more fall fun after dark. The Cider Shed will feature farm-fresh food, craft hard ciders, and, on select nights, live music. The Spook-Easy will pop up on special dates, adding an extra festive twist to the evening. Advanced tickets are required. Tickets are available online.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
Sept. 19 & 20 – Forest Park, greatforestparkballoonrace.com
Each fall, The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race takes over part of Forest Park. This free event features food trucks, live music and family fun activities that include inflatables and games. Friday evening is the glow portion of the event, with attendees encouraged to walk the grounds to take in the sight of dozens of balloons aglow, as well as talk with pilots and crew members, with the race set for Saturday afternoon. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs as well as soft-sided coolers and canned beverages.
Brick River’s Ciderfest
Sept. 20 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Brick River Cider Co., 2000 Washington Ave., St. Louis, brickrivercider.com
Brick River Cider Co. is hosting a one-day cider festival with a new cider release, family-friendly activities and live music performances by Lo Stone, Andrew Dahle and Ranya Iqbal. There will also be free behind-the-scenes tours, giving an up close view of the cider-making process, along with free trivia, cider and brandy classes and more.
South Grand Fall and Music Fest
Sept. 20 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., multiple locations along South Grand
Now in its eleventh year, South Grand Fall and Music Fest will include 70 retail vendors ranging from handmade, boutique and vintage participants as well as a DIY Craft zone along with free face painting and balloon art. Businesses located on Grand will offer varying specials, discounts and entertainment, with vendors 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., DIY Craft Zone 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and music from 4 to 9 p.m.
Tenacious Eats Presents “The Goonies” 40th Anniversary
Sept. 20 – 6:30 p.m., Work & Leisure, 3015 Locust St., St. Louis
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film “The Goonies” at Work & Leisure. This film and food pairing event is presented by Chef Liz Schuster of Tenacious Eats. Guests will find themed cocktails and mocktails made by Work & Leisure’s mixologist Raven Weinrich, snack on popcorn, search out clues and prizes, play “Goonies” trivia, watch the movie and enjoy four courses plus a surprise course from Sugarwitch titled “Dead Guy in the Cooler.” Purchase tickets online.
Copita
Sept. 21 – noon to 4 p.m., 4749 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis
Copita is St. Louis’ first and only festival dedicated to traditional Mexican spirits. Attendees will find small-batch mezcal and tequila, ancestral rums, sotol, wild Mexican wines and rare liqueurs, and be able to meet the people who make them. Copita is rooted in culture, education and unapologetic flavor. Sample over 150 of the best traditional and terroir-driven brands from Mexico. Tickets can be purchased online.
Evolution Festival
Sept. 27 & 28 – Langenberg Field, Forest Park, evolutionfestival.com
Back for its third year, Evolution Festival is a celebration of music, art and St. Louis culture. The two-day event features multiple stages, a variety of food and beverage vendors, and a lineup of diverse musical acts, with headlining performances by Sublime and Lenny Kravitz. Additional performances throughout the weekend by Father John Misty, Sam Fender, Public Enemy, The Hives, TLC and many more. Evolution Festival was created to celebrate music, food and community, and this year, a portion of festival sales will benefit United Way’s efforts at local tornado relief, with Evolution Festival pledging a minimum donation of $100,000 toward the cause. Daily and weekend passes are available for purchase online.
This article appears in August 2025.