Memorial Day is marked as the unofficial start to the summer. Here's a list of some of the biggest events happening in the Lou this Memorial Day weekend.
1. Mississippi Nights Music Festival
For anyone who grew up close to St. Louis, Mississippi Nights was the place to see up-and-coming bands. Laclede's Landing is launching something for the first time called Mississippi Nights Music Festival featuring several great local bands. Friday night concerts are free. Admission for Saturday all-day is $10 a person.
May 26-27, 2017
Laclede's Landing
lacledeslanding.com
2. St. Louis Ribfest
A memorial day tradition is moving to a yet another new location this year.
Ribfest originated in Downtown, it later moved to New Town, in St. Charles County and this year it's moving to Ferguson. The event isn't changing, there will still be plenty of ribs, lots of vendors and live music.
They'll start serving ribs Friday evening at 5 p.m. and stay open until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday it's from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Memorial Day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May 26-29, 2017
January-Wabash Park
facebook.com/STLRibfest/
3. Missouri River Irish Festival
The Missouri River Irish fest is another Memorial day weekend celebration.
For three days Frontier Park along the St. Charles Riverfront will play host to Irish music, dance, food and beer. There will also be a cultural booth where you can learn about life in Ireland. Admission is free.
May 26-28, 2017
Frontier Park in St. Charles
moriveririshfest.com
4. Tour De Taco
Mike's Bikes in the Central West End is hosting Tour De Taco. It's basically a bike ride with stops along the way to taste tacos from different restaurants. Tour De Taco is this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m starting at Mike's Bikes. The tour will take you to Taco Circus, Atomic Cowboy, and El Burro Loco. Tickets are $30 and that includes a t-shirt, one taco at each place and access to drink specials.
May 28, 2017
324 North Euclid Avenue
mikesbikesstl.com
5. St. Louis County Greek Festival
This annual four day celebration features Greek Culture with live music, dancing, shopping and food.
It all happens at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country starting at 11 a.m. on Friday.
It's free to attend.
May 26-29, 2017
1755 Des Peres Road
stlouisgreekfest.com
6. Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue
Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue will be at the Peabody Opera House this weekend. Kids will recognize popular locations from the TV series including Adventure Bay, The Lookout and Seal Island. There are 5 performances scheduled for while they are in town. Tickets start at $18.
May 26-27, 2017
1400 Market Street
peabodyoperahouse.com
7. Gypsy Caravan
The 45th annual Gypsy Caravan is this Memorial Day at the Family Arena. Vendors from across the country are bringing in their collections making it one of the largest vintage, craft, and antique markets in the Midwest. Early bird picking starts at 7 a.m. on Monday morning and costs $20. General admission starts at 9 a.m. and costs $10. You'll be able to shop until 4. There is free parking at the Family Arena and off-site parking locations with multiple air-conditioned motor coach shuttles.
May 29, 2017
Family Arena
stlsymphony.org
8. Grants Farm Extended Hours
Grant's Farm will have extended hours on Fridays starting May 26. The historic family attraction will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. every Friday. This Friday there will be a couple of food trucks on the property and live music. Of course you'll still be able to feed the baby goats.
May 26, 2017
Grants Farm
grantsfarm.com
9. Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series
On Friday, Jungle Boogie, the free Friday Night Concert series at the Saint Louis Zoo begins. It will run every Friday through Labor Day weekend with the exception of June 16. Great bands will set up at the Schnuck Family Plaza near the center of the Zoo. You'll hear a little bit of every type of genre of music.
It's free to attend and starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
May 26, 2017 & runs through Labor Day
Saint Louis Zoo
stlzoo.org
10. African Arts Festival
The African Arts Festival also takes place this weekend. It will invade the World's Fair Pavilion at Forest Park with food, art, dance and activities to celebrate African Culture. The festival will also feature the Children's Village where kids can explore the culture through hands-on activities like African drumming and jewelry making. The festival is free to attend. It opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
May 26-28, 2017
World's Fair Pavilion, Forest Park
stlafricanartsfest.com
11. 10th Annual Emerson Spring to Dance Festival
This annual Memorial Day festival brings together 30 professional dance companies from across the country for three unique, exhilarating nights. There is a different program for everyone. Tickets range from $10 to $20.
May 26-28, 2017
Touhill Performing Arts Center
dancestlouis.org
12. Schlafly's Art Outside
Art Outside is a three-day celebration of local artists at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood. The festival features the works of 60 St. Louis artists. The festival is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
May 26-28, 2017
7260 Southwest Ave
schlafly.com
13. Pools Open
Most area pools open for the summer season on Memorial Day. Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags, Splash City in Collinsville, Aquaport in Maryland Heights, Raging Rivers in Grafton and White Birch Bay in Hazelwood are just a few places to make a splash.
14. The Discovery of King Tut
The newest exhibit at the Saint Louis Science Center debuts on Saturday, May 27. The special exhibit will feature a total of 1,000 breathtaking recreations that were scientifically and expertly hand-crafted over five years by leading Egyptian artisans. Special exhibition tickets cost $8 for Saint Louis Science Center members and $16 for non-members. Tickets are cheaper for children and seniors.
Debuts May 27, 2017
Saint Louis Science Center
slsc.org
15. Garden of Glass at Night
Garden of Glass opened on May 13th, but now you can see this floral glass exhibit in a new light...the moonlight to be exact. These are beautiful pieces Craig Mitchell Smith created specifically for these spaces. His work has been on display at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center and featured on HGTV. You can see Garden of Glass now through August 13th. A ticket to see it in the evening is $16 for adults and $10 for children. You can also see it throughout the day.
May 25-August 12, 2017
Missouri Botanical Garden
missouribotanicalgarden.org
