Fall weather may feel delayed a little this season! But STL transforms into a lively hub of festivities every autumn, offering a rich selection of fall festivals and family fun throughout the region. As the heat fades, you may find yourself more willing to venture out for some Fall Fun! This guide provides an in-depth look at every major event, with direct links to official resources for easy planning and additional details.
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
From September 13 to October 26, the St. Louis Renaissance Festival brings magic, music, and merriment to the region every weekend, plus Monday, October 13. Set in a whimsical medieval village, guests can enjoy interactive performances, artisan crafts, hearty food, jousting tournaments, themed weekends, and costumed parades. The event is rain or shine, packed with family-friendly fun and opportunities to explore living history.
Explore the Festival
Six Flags St. Louis: Oktoberfest & Fright Fest
Six Flags St. Louis hosts a two-part fall celebration beginning with Oktoberfest (August 31–September 22), featuring craft beer, German cuisine, and live entertainment. Fright Fest (September 13–November 2) takes over the park at night, with terrifying haunted houses and scare zones for older kids and teens, while the daytime Kids Boo Fest (select weekends; see schedule) offers gentler fun, including trick-or-treat trails, straw mazes, and themed rides for all ages.
Six Flags St. Louis Events
Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race
September 19 and 20 mark St. Louis’s most iconic fall event, the Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race. One of the world’s oldest and best-attended hot air balloon races, it attracts thousands for a magical evening of illuminated balloons, food trucks, wagon rides, fireworks, and live music. The following day features the competitive launch across Forest Park, as families search for perfect picnicking spots and photo ops. Admission is free.
Balloon Glow Details
Festival of the Little Hills
The Festival of the Little Hills is held every August in the historic district of St. Charles, a short drive from St. Louis. This tradition, one of the country’s largest craft fairs, features over 300 arts, crafts, and food booths along the scenic Missouri Riverfront. Visitors will enjoy live music, street performers, historical reenactments, and kids’ activities. With its unique blend of local history, artisan talent, and culinary treats, the festival is a St. Louis area autumn must-see.
Festival of the Little Hills
Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival
On September 20, celebrate local music culture at the Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival. Featuring multiple stages with bands spanning jazz, blues, and R&B, plus food vendors and local boutiques, it’s a lively way to immerse in the city’s rich musical heritage.
Visit the Festival
Hanley Fall Festival in Clayton
Clayton’s Hanley Fall Festival takes place September 18 with pumpkin painting, delicious food trucks, and performances from local musicians. It’s a short and sweet evening event suitable for families seeking classic autumn fun.
Best of Missouri Market – Missouri Botanical Garden
From October 3–5, the Missouri Botanical Garden welcomes families for the annual Best of Missouri Market. Over 120 vendors offer food, crafts, jewelry, and native plants. Kids can enjoy pumpkin decorating and sustainable craft stations. The garden also hosts “Ghouls in the Garden” on October 26 and ongoing Great Green Adventures for curious young explorers.
Market Details
St. Louis Bourbon Festival
On October 3, the St. Louis Bourbon Festival returns, expanding along four city blocks with tasting lounges, food trucks, live music, and more than 500 whiskies. Held at the historic Lemp Mansion and nearby spaces, the event includes VIP lounges and a scotch/cigar patio, combining spirited fun with a Halloween vibe.
Festival Info
The Great Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze Events
Numerous farms around St. Louis host traditional fall activities, including pumpkin patches, corn mazes, wagon rides, sunflower fields, petting zoos, barrel train rides, and seasonal treats. Notable options include Brookdale Farms, Eckert’s Farm, and others, offering memorable experiences for children and adults.
Brookdale Farms Events
Wolf Fest – Endangered Wolf Center
Celebrate Wolf Fest at the Endangered Wolf Center (October 18) with food trucks, live music, children’s activities, and unique wildlife tours. Meet red wolves, painted dogs, and other rare canids, enjoy interactive exhibits, and take part in their Evening Wolf Howls for a truly special St. Louis autumn evening.
Wolf Fest Details
Laumeier After Dark – Laumeier Sculpture Park
On November 8, the Laumeier Sculpture Park lights up for Laumeier After Dark, an annual event featuring light-based art installations, fire pits, local artisans, and live music. Perfect for art lovers and families seeking a unique fall experience amidst stunning sculptures.
Laumeier Event Info
City of Des Peres Fall Fest
On October 11 from 3–7 pm, Des Peres Park hosts Fall Fest with food, games, inflatables, live music, pumpkin decorating, and activities for all ages. Admission is free, and the celebration promises an afternoon of local fun and community spirit.
Des Peres Fest Info
Fall Fun at Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites
Washington State Park hosts its Fall Harvest Fest (October 4), featuring craft fairs, kid-friendly activities, and local vendors. The Felix Vallé House State Historic Site offers “Parallel Pasts” walking tours delving into Ste. Genevieve’s historical narratives (October 4 and 18). These events, as well as programs at Powder Valley and Rockwoods Reservation, bring nature, history, and community together.
State Park Events
St. Louis Storytelling Festival
From November 10–16, the St. Louis County Library hosts the celebrated Storytelling Festival, presenting folklore, legends, traditional dance, and featured storytellers across various venues. Readers and families can join themed events and discover the magic of stories.
Storytelling Details
Must-See Family Attractions with Fall Events
Saint Louis Zoo: Zootoberfest celebrates the season with themed stations, entertainers, brews, and root beer for kids. Boo at the Zoo in late October features festive decor and trick-or-treat activities.
Magic House & City Museum: Offer special weekend programs, crafts, and seasonal play zones in October.
Eckert’s Farm: Famous for apple and pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and wagon rides—classic autumn fun near St. Louis.
Additional Fall Events
Old Orchard Fall Festival: Returns with two days of live music, food, artisan markets, and family games on October 25–26.
Weinacht Fall Festival: Occurs November 8, featuring unique holiday-themed crafts and local goods.
St. Stanislaus Fall Events: Hosts community gatherings and seasonal celebrations in November.
Family Sunday at Saint Louis Art Museum: Occurs October 19 and November 16, with hands-on activities for all ages.
St. Louis’s 2025 fall festival calendar bursts with vibrant events for every taste— from high-energy parades, art fairs, and culinary tastings, to tranquil nature walks, storytelling sessions, and family-friendly farm outings. Whether you’re new to St. Louis or a lifelong local, Dodge Moving & Storage is here to help you settle in so you can spend more time enjoying your community (and less time worrying about office moving or moving a parent into senior living). If you’re planning a move this fall in St. Louis, we’re ready to help.