Explore St. Louis

No need to work at having fun over Labor Day Weekend. Head to St. Louis where summer’s finale weekend is packed with fun options including festivals with an international flair, air shows, baby showers for Zoo animals and a free blues music extravaganza.

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Here’s a sample of St. Louis’ special Labor Day weekend events:

St. Louis’ roots music heritage is highlighted along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi when the annual Big Muddy Blues Festival fills Laclede’s Landing with the rhythmic, soulful sound of the blues on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The 2005 edition of "Big Muddy" will feature Bo Diddley, Robert “Junior” Lockwood, the incomparable Henry Townsend, Koko Taylor and her Blues Machine, and St. Louis’ top blues talent including the Rich McDonough Band.

Fans of electronic music can tap their feet during the Beat Fest on Washington Avenue on Sunday, September 4. This indoor, electronic music festival showcases international, regional and local electronic music artists. The creative vibe runs from 9:00 p.m. through 3:00 a.m. at the hottest clubs in downtown’s newly remodeled and exciting Washington Avenue Entertainment District.

Several of St. Louis’ vibrant ethnic cultures will be on display during the Labor Day weekend. The 29th Annual Japanese Festival takes over the grounds of the Missouri Botanical Garden from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, September 5. This year, the festivities include a demonstration of sumo, the official sport of Japan and screenings of a Japanese cartoon animal or anime film. Visitors also can tour the nation’s largest traditional Japanese garden, browse an arts and crafts marketplace, sample exotic foods, hear traditional taiko drum performances, experience tea ceremonies and much more.

Nearby, in the charming Central West End neighborhood, nothing says Labor Day in St. Louis like the Greek Festival filled with authentic food and music at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The festival opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5 and closes at 9 p.m. on the weekend and 8 p.m. on Monday. There’s a special Hispanic Celebration and Mass on Sunday, September 4 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in nearby Belleville, Illinois. Events include a Eucharistic celebration in Spanish, a Mexican buffet, procession and piñatas.

The lovely Central West End neighborhood near St. Louis’ historic Forest Park is staging its Central West End Craft Festival on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4. Unique handmade gifts, jewelry, art and other must have wares will be on display from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day. The festival is held along the pretty, café-lined streets at the intersection of Maryland and Euclid avenues.

While in the Central West End for the Greek Festival or craft shopping, head west for a few blocks into Forest Park to celebrate Elephant Labor Days at the famed Saint Louis Zoo. Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Zoo will honor expectant Asian elephants Sri and Ellie. Visitors can make “baby shower” gifts for the expectant moms, participate in keeper and veterinary chats, learn about babyproofing the habitat and the Zoo’s volunteer “midwife” team. Admission to the Saint Louis Zoo and Elephant Labor Days activities are free. You can do the “Elephant Walk” or any dance you choose while enjoying the Zoo’s “Jungle Boogie” free concert on Friday, September 2. The concert starts at 5:00 p.m. and runs until the Zoo closes at 7:00 p.m.

The St. Louis County Fair and Air Show begins Friday, September 2 and continues through Monday, September 5 at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The event includes breathtaking air shows, world-class carnival rides, an aircraft display and much more. Fireworks follow concerts on Saturday and Sunday nights with headliners Hootie and the Blowfish and American Idol’s Kimberley Locke. Free Segway motorized scooter rides, Zoppe’s Circus, a Dale Jr. NASCAR driving experience for kids and more make this an event the entire family can enjoy.

You also can say “thank you” to the working families of America and remember the real reason for the holiday weekend at St. Louis’ annual Labor Day Parade. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Broadway and Market streets in downtown St. Louis and ends at 15th street near St. Louis Union Station.

While you’re at play on Labor Day, top athletes are busily working. The National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals meet their historic rivals, the Chicago Cubs for a 1:15 p.m. first pitch during the first game of the last Cards/Cubs series in Busch Stadium. Construction crews are laboring on the new Busch Stadium that opens next season, next door. On Friday, September 2, the NFL’s St. Louis Rams get to work in a pre-season match with cross-state rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. Coin flip is at 7:00 p.m. at the Edward Jones Dome. Pro-am cyclists compete for cash, medals and glory during the Gateway Cup, a series of four races – one each day from Friday, September 2 through Monday, September 5. It’s free to watch the thrills and spills through St. Louis’ Lafayette Square, Kirkwood, The Hill and Loop neighborhoods.