Summer

The CWE is home to the first ever cocktail party on record, and the neighborhood celebrates this distinction every year by hosting an annual cocktail party in the streets. Hop from tent to tent sampling cocktails, watch the cocktail competition as local bartenders compete for the title Best Bartender in the City, and take in the street performers and live music. (Free to attend, concessions for purchase!)

[caption id="attachment_12592" align="alignleft" width="350"] The Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park draws a big crowd.[/caption]

If you’re a foodie or craving some international food favorites, the Festival of Nations is where it’s at. See live dance and music performances representing many cultures and buy food at any one of 40 tents, each showcasing the cuisine of a different country. This is a well-attended event, so plan to take public transportation or parallel park on an adjoining street and walk into Tower Grove Park, where the festival is hosted in late August. Consider volunteering with WUSM to do health screenings at the event!

[caption id="attachment_12593" align="alignleft" width="350"] Need to stock up on sparklers this July 4? Fireworks stores are located on the outskirts of St. Louis.[/caption]

There are various options for celebrating Independence Day in St. Louis, as most municipalities host a fireworks display. Some standout events are Fair St. Louis, and the Webster Groves’ Community Days celebration. The historic, multi-day Fair St. Louis (formerly called the VP Fair) is held along the riverfront downtown. They’ll have a parade, live music performances by popular mainstream artists, many vendors, and of course, the Boeing Air Show (in addition to BJC, Boeing is one of the largest employers in St. Louis). The municipality of Webster Groves hosts a huge four-day carnival at their rec center and has great fireworks. Expect to parallel park on one of the adjacent residential streets and walk to the carnival.

One of the first events that will happen on a Friday night when you arrive in St. Louis for med school, the Balloon Glow is held at night, just west of campus at Central Fields in Forest Park. Over 50 tethered hot air balloons, inflated by their burners, light up the night sky. Stroll amongst the balloons, hear the live music on the main stage, and be sure to stop by the St. Louis Children’s Hospital balloon. The glow takes place from dusk until 9 p.m. and culminates in a fireworks display. Then, Saturday in the early evening, come by to watch the balloons take flight as the Great Forest Park Balloon Race commences — the St. Louis sky will be freckled with balloons in the hours after launch. Into skydiving? Come watch the skydivers take off in the afternoon. (Free to attend, concessions for purchase!)

Held right on the edge of campus each Labor Day weekend at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Greek musicians, Greek dancers and of course, incredible, affordable Greek food, are the reason St. Louis Magazine has named it amongst the best local festivals in St. Louis. (Free to attend, concessions for purchase!)

Hop on and off the shuttle between these two iconic districts, sampling the beer from our many craft breweries. A ticket gets you a shuttle pass, tasting glass, and tasting of 50 or so beers. Live entertainment from local musicians performing at each stop.

Held on Labor Day weekend at the Missouri Botanical Garden every year. Come celebrate culture; witness taiko drumming, bon odori dancing, and martial arts; take candlelit walks through the beautiful Japanese Garden as dusk settles in.

[caption id="attachment_12591" align="alignleft" width="350"] WUSM students celebrating at Pride.[/caption]

We love celebrating our LGBTQ+ community members here in St. Louis, and every year, PrideFest and the Grand Pride Parade get bigger and bigger. Don your rainbow attire and join the city in celebrating that love is love! (Free to attend, concessions for purchase!)

Live music and 14,000 pounds of barbecue made by the best pitmasters from around the country are what you can expect at this annual St. Louis barbecue festival. Sample as much quality que as you can handle, then watch the pros stuff their faces at the Rib Rumble rib eating competition, where 12 contestants compete to eat the most ribs in five minutes. Festival held each September. (Free to attend, BBQ for purchase.)