We are lucky indeed to once again have a festival just about every weekend coming up here in 2017 - check out the list and see you there!
APRIL 7–9
This huge touring con promises three days of over-the-top experiences, including visits from Gene Simmons of KISS and Lou Ferrigno (a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk), lots of merchandise, and of course hordes of cosplay fans dressed in their finest. $8.68–$79.95. 5–10 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. America’s Center, 701 Convention.
APRIL 22 & 23
In addition to lots of info on recycling, solar panels, sustainable technology, worm bins, and more, there will be food trucks, live music, performance art, and hands-on activities that teach kids (and adults) all about how to tread more lightly on the earth. Free. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Forest Park.
MAY 6
What started a decade ago as a few booths has blossomed into one of the city’s biggest and happiest festivals (and though people definitely drink piña coladas from hollowed-out pineapples, compared to Mardi Gras, the drunken belligerence factor is nearly zero). Sample delicious food from Cherokee’s Mexican and South American eateries, listen to live music, and be sure to catch the unforgettable People’s Joy Parade, which begins at 1:11 p.m. Free. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Cherokee Street neighborhood.
MAY 7
Make sure to bring cash: The entire village of Maeystown, Illinois, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and you won’t find an ATM here. Though some vendors use Square, most of the antique dealers and nurserymen with booths at this spring fest still ask for cash—but that’s part of the charm. Stop for ice cream at the Corner George Inn. Free. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Historic Maeystown.
JUNE 7–10
Organizers were still sworn to secrecy at press time as far as this year’s lineup, but all you need to do is look at past years to get a sense of why it’s considered one of the finest Americana music festivals in the country; past artists have included James McMurtry, Hooray for the Riff Raff, Dolly Varden, Neko Case, and Alejandro Escovedo. Visit website for ticket prices, times, and venues.
JUNE 23–25
Downtown St. Louis’ Soldiers Memorial is home to a celebration of St. Louis’ LGBT community replete with parades, live music, DJ sets, and crowds of 250,000 or more. This year’s theme is “Community Proud.” Free. 2–7 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Downtown St. Louis.
JULY 2–4
We could get used to this, as long as MetroLink runs on time: Fair St. Louis will, once again, take place in Forest Park. And though we’ll have to wait a little longer to learn what the music lineup will be, we can at least plan on ziplines, waterskiing demos, the Fairway, and fireworks over the Grand Basin. Free. Visit website for times. Forest Park.
JULY 16-20
This annual event has grown from a handful of local filmmakers screening their work at the Tivoli to a high-caliber multi-venue preview of local talent; last year, nearly 20 of these films went on to be screened at the Saint Louis International Film Festival. Like SLIFF’s, the programming includes features, documentaries, and shorts. $10, $13. Various times and venues.
AUGUST 26 & 27
Organized by the International Institute, FoN shows off the wealth of talent in St. Louis’ global immigrant community, and it offers little bit of everything: a cool, leafy setting in a city park; live music and dance; more than 40 food booths; interactive arts-and-crafts stations; kids’ activities; a sports meadow; and even a cookbook that allows you to re-create international recipes at home. Free. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Tower Grove Park.
AND DON'T MISS
Films @ SLIFF.ZACK (April 3–September 25)
Jour de la Terre Wine Festival in Ste. Genevieve (April 22)
St. Louis Bach Festival (April 20–May 21)
St. Louis Dance Festival (April 30)
St. Louis Storytelling Festival (May 3–6)
Tennessee Williams Festival (May 3–7)
Greater St. Louis Book Fair (May 4–7)
Maifest in Hermann (May 20 & 21)
St. Louis County Greek Fest (May 26–29)
Circus Flora (June 1–25)
48 Hour Film Project (June 2–4)
International Horseradish Festival (June 2–4)
Ste. Genevieve French Heritage Festival (June 10)
Life Outside Festival (June 10)
Rhythm & Blues in Hermann (June 17)
St. Louis World’s Fare (August 18–20)
St. Louis African-American Arts Festival and Bazaar, Crown Square in Old North St. Louis (August 19)
Hermann Wine & Jazz Festival/Solar Eclipse Watch Party (August 19–21)
www.stlmag.com/arts/fairs-and-festivals/top-10-fairs-and-festivals-this-spring-and-summer/