Fall hasn’t started just yet, but the events happening around St. Louis this September want to give you a taste. From apples to Oktoberfest, movies to teahouse tours, families and adults alike have their pick of foodie fun.
Cowboy Night Market
Grilled Thai food on the patio anyone? Chef Nick Bognar’s new pop-up is taking over the Indo patio Wednesdays through October. He’s testing out new ideas for his next restaurant, Khao Soi Cowboy, opening in 2027. The Cowboy Night Market menu is designed to encourage spontaneous restaurant plans without stress on your wallet. The patio will be walk-in only, and alongside Indo’s full menu, guests can order Bognar’s take on Thai recipes like the refreshing salad, som tum watermelon, or satay gai, a marinated chicken with spicy peanut sauce. Bognar will be grilling everything to order, right there on the patio.
Wednesdays at 5 p.m. – Indo, 1641 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.899.9333, indo-stl.com
Hard-Pressed Cider Fest and AppleFest
September 5 kicks off a lot of fun at Eckert’s. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., they’ll be hosting the Hard-Pressed Cider Fest, where guests can sample more than 40 hard ciders, craft beers and specialty cocktails while enjoying live music, local artisan vendors, lawn games and food from the Cider Shed and local food trucks. The festival will also feature a Dunk the Deputy fundraiser benefiting BackStoppers, plus VIP admission and a limited Brunch & Brews add-on. Tickets are available online. For fun for the whole family, AppleFest kicks off the same day and runs every Saturday and Sunday in September from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features pick-your-own apples, wagon and pony rides, farm animals, children’s activities and live entertainment. Guests can also enjoy seasonal favorites, including caramel apples, cider donuts, fresh apple cider, kettle corn and homemade pies. More information is available online.
Sept. 5 and throughout September. Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, 800.745.0513, eckerts.com
Opening Day at Eckert’s Millstadt Farm
Not to be outdone, Eckert’s Millstadt Farm is holding opening day on Sept. 5. Families can enjoy pig races, pumpkin cannon shows, carnival rides, a jumping pillow, farm animals and pick-your-own apples, along with seasonal food and sweet treats. Starting the next weekend, the farm will also offer haunted hayrides and private bonfire rentals on select Friday and Saturday nights. More information is available online.
Sept. 5 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, 618.233.0513, eckerts.com
Japanese Festival
The Japanese Festival has been a staple at the Missouri Botanical Garden for almost 50 years. Visitors will be able to enjoy sumo wrestling demonstrations, taiko drum performances and tours of the secluded Teahouse Island. This year, the garden has added new food and beverage vendors, including Fuko Matcha and Coffee, a drink cart serving Thai and Japanese-inspired beverages, as well as Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill, which serves Japanese and Hawaiian fusion. Festival tickets start at $20 for adults with discounts available for children and garden members.
Sept. 5-7 – Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.577.5100, missouribotanicalgarden.org
Blazed & Infused: Master of the Munchies
No one does infused food competitions like STL’s Pot Chef, and they’re back Labor Day weekend. Tickets range from $25-$109, allowing guests to customize their experience. All tickets include vendor access and a raffle ticket, but the Taster Pass includes tasting samples, and the VIP experience comes with goodie bags, tasting samples, live competition voting and more. Hourly raffles feature prizes like Cardinals tickets, Old Vienna merchandise, and other giveaways. The first 125 attendees will receive a free bag of Red Hot Riplets, courtesy of Old Vienna. They’ll also have fun 420-themed games and a 420 Photo Booth for guests to enjoy throughout the event.
Sept. 6 – 1-6 p.m., HandleBar, 4127 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, stlpotchefs.com
Sauce Food Truck Friday
There’s only one Food Truck Friday in September, and after that, only one more in 2026. Time is ticking if you haven’t joined thousands of St. Louisans for live music, local vendors and access to some of the city’s best food, all in one spot. The days will start getting shorter soon, but summer isn’t over yet. One Way Traffic Trio will provide the tunes for this event.
Sept 11 – 4-8 p.m., Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, saucemagazine.com
Grant’s Farm Oktoberfest
Grant’s Farm is celebrating its German heritage with a festive Oktoberfest celebration. All the fun is included in a free general admission ticket, including live German music and dancing, the Tiergarten, a Deer Park ride and animal exhibits. Traditional German food is available for purchase, along with commemorative steins full of German or American beer for 21+ guests. Check out grantsfarm.com/plan-your-visit/oktoberfest/ for the full lineup of musicians.
Sept. 11-13 & 18-20 – Grant’s Farm, 7385 Grant Road, St. Louis, 314.843.1700, grantsfarm.com
City Nights: Oktoberfest
This 21+ event celebrates all things fall. Tickets are $30 and include admission to City Museum all day long, and beginning at 7 p.m., the entire museum is adults only. That includes slides, ramps and outdoor areas. Enjoy live music by German band ÜberCool. Pretzels, brats and German potato salad will be available for purchase, plus seasonal beers such as 2nd Shift’s Oktoberfest, Third Wheel’s “It’s a Banger” Festbier, Bluewood’s Awwtoberfest, Narrow Gauge’s Third of the Way to Marz, Maplewood’s Festbier and 4 Hands’ Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ale. Art City will be onsite, leading keepsake collages. Tickets are on sale in advance and day of the event.
Sept. 18 – 7-11 p.m., City Museum, 750 N. 16th St., St. Louis, 314.231.2489, citymuseum.org
Great Forest Park Balloon Race
The oldest and largest free hot air balloon event takes place in Forest Park every year. In 2026, the fun is back beginning at 5 p.m. on Sept. 18. The festivities include a live DJ, food trucks and games before the balloons begin to glow at 6:45. The night ends with fireworks. Sept. 19 is race day: The fields open at 1 p.m. for more fun, but the main event is the race. Opening ceremonies begin at 3 p.m. before the hot air balloons take to the sky at 4:30. Check out the website for details about parking and lists of vendors.
Sept. 18-19 – Emerson Central Fields, 5265 Wells Drive, St. Louis, greatforestparkballoonrace.com
Ferguson Foodies Festival
The Ferguson Foodies Festival centers on food, culture and community. This free event has live entertainment and more than 30 vendors including food and local makers. The organizer, Chef Curtis McCann, has designed this welcoming, high-energy event with families in mind. The festival was created to bring people to Downtown Ferguson while promoting local businesses. Food vendors include Good News Brewing Company, Chillax Tap & Co. and Coy B Que.
Sept. 19 – 2-8 p.m., Plaza 501, 501 S. Florissant Road, Ferguson, Facebook: Ferguson Foodies Festival
Heroes Among Us
2026 marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and Eckert’s Millstadt Farm is thanking the local heroes who keep us safe every day, such as first responders, military members and veterans. The corn maze will officially open, and active and retired firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, dispatchers, military members and veterans will receive complimentary admission with valid ID. Saturday’s activities include a Touch-A-Truck event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring emergency vehicles and local first responders, while a Hometown Heroes Wall will recognize community members throughout the weekend. Eckert’s will also donate $1 from every paid admission to BackStoppers. More information is available on the Eckert’s website.
Sept. 19-20 – Eckert’s Farm, 2719 Eckert Orch Lane, Millstadt, 618.233.0513, eckerts.com
Death Becomes Her: Dinner and a Movie
Tenacious Eats and Sister Cities Cajun are partnering to celebrate “Death Becomes Her” before the Broadway show heads to the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Tenacious Eats will serve five courses and five cocktails themed to the movie starring Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep. Dishes include the “Sweet Bird of Youth,” a lemon verbena and fresh lime mascarpone cream twinkie served with a Champagne cocktail. The interactive event features surprise performances, giveaways and a chance to win tickets to the Fox Theatre. Tickets are $135 if purchased in advance and $165 the day of the event. The feast takes place at Sister Cities Cajun.
Sept. 26 – 6:30-10 p.m., Sister Cities Cajun, 3550 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.605.3684, stltenaciouseats.com
Pawpaw Festival
Every year, the Paw Paw Lions Club hosts the Pawpaw Festival, celebrating North America’s largest tree fruit. The fruit is famed for its unique texture and flavor, almost like a custard. The event proves just how versatile the fruit is, with pawpaw beer, ice cream and cheesecake, as well as free tastings and fruits and trees for sale. They’ll also have live music, vendors, tram tours and a Kids Corner. Paw Paw, Illinois, may have less than 900 residents, but the festival draws over 5,000 people from as far away as France.
Sept. 26 – 10 a.m., Paw Paw Veterans Park, 314 Chapman St., Paw Paw, Illinois, pawpawfest.org