Best of Missouri Market
Oct. 6 – noon to 8 p.m., Oct. 7 and 8 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.577.5100, missouribotanicalgarden.org
More than 130 vendors will converge on the Missouri Botanical Garden including food stops like Seoul Taco and Doughboy’s Wood Fired Pizza and drinks from local wineries like Noboleis Vineyards, Still 630 Distillery and Edg-Clif Vineyards. There are also classes to attend throughout the day, live music, and craft and art vendors to see as well. Tickets available online.
Sauce Food Truck Friday
Oct. 6 – 3 to 7 p.m., Tower Grove Park, 4501 Southwest Drive, St. Louis, 314.772.8004, saucefoodtruckfriday.com
Like tough choices? Hit up our last Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park for the year. More than 20 of our favorite trucks will be there and, luckily, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Free admission.
St. Louis Bourbon Festival
Oct. 6 – 6 to 9 p.m., Lemp Grand Hall and Lofts, 1817 Cherokee St., St. Louis, stlouisbourbonfestival.com
The St. Louis Bourbon Society is taking over three city blocks on Cherokee Street and Demenil Place and filling them with food trucks, street performers, music and more – all in the name of bourbon. There will be a collection of more than 500 spirits to sample from. Unwind at the cigar patio or nosh on something from one of the many participating food trucks – the night is yours. A portion of the proceeds from the event go to the St. Louis Hero Network for First Responders. Tickets available online.
Sauce Harvest Festival
Oct. 8 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tower Grove Park, 4501 Southwest Drive, St. Louis, 314.772.8004, harvestfeststl.com
A bountiful harvest of St. Louis’ creativity. You can grab a bite from places like Farmtruk, Cajun Seduction and Sedara Sweets then pair it with drinks by places like Noboleis Vineyards, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Sauce’s own cocktail bar. Local artists and farmers will be there with handmade and homegrown goods. You can also chill out in a chair and listen to tunes from live rock and blues bands. Free admission.
Farmers Formal
Oct. 13 – 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., The World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, 1904 Concourse Drive, St. Louis, 314.521.1006, earthdancefarms.org
This event celebrates everything local – from the area chefs to the fresh ingredients grown by local farmers. Even the proceeds will go to Earthdance’s Organic Farm School program – a teaching program for budding farmers in the St. Louis area. Farm-festive attire is recommended. And be sure not to miss the live auction of unique dining experiences and garden-inspired items. Tickets available online.
St. Louis Beer Fest
Oct. 21 – 8 to 11 p.m., Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 314.289.4400, stlouisbeerfest.com
The St. Louis Beer Fest is taking over the Science Center after hours, featuring more than 40 local breweries with nearly 120 kinds of beer. Your ticket includes unlimited samples and access throughout the museum with food available for purchase. Tickets available online.
Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival
Oct. 28 and 29 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kimmswick, 636.467.7407, gokimmswick.com
Kimmswick takes apple butter very seriously. Kimmswick Historical Society members will be up before dawn to begin apple peeling and prep work. The carefully crafted spread is cooked over a wood-burning fire for seven to eight hours until it’s thick enough to put in jars. Nearly 500 vendors will take the streets at the festival with their own goodies – from food and drinks to handmade crafts. Apple butter will be for sale throughout the day until the last jar is sold. Free admission.
This article appears in October 2023.