Explore St. Louis

Where is love? At The Muny in Forest Park. Attending live musical theatre at The Muny, the nation’s largest outdoor theater, is a venerated St. Louis summer tradition.

This week, Oliver, the Artful Dodger and their pickpocket gang will steal your heart. The classic Charles Dickens’ tale-turned-Broadway smash, OLIVER!, runs August 1 through 6.

Falling in love is what it’s all about when seven brothers are each seeking a bride. The rousing, romantic romp Seven Brides for Seven Brothers brings The Muny’s 89th season to a delightful conclusion.

For ticket information, click on www.muny.org

It's Music and It's Free

Come down to the Riverfront Overlook Stage under the Gateway Arch for Live on the Levee when Lyle Lovett lights the stage on Friday, July 28 and Grand Funk Railroad retro rocks on Saturday, July 29. The festival grounds open at 5 p.m., local bands play at 6 p.m. and the headliners take the stage at 8 p.m. The evenings end with fireworks over the Mississippi at 9:30 p.m.

At the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park, enjoy Art After Five, a free music concert by jazz man Dave Stone and his trio. The music moves you from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Sculpture Terrace. Delectable food and drink are available at Puck’s, the museum’s elegant café. Bonus: the special exhibition gallery is open free on Fridays until 9 p.m.

Get Fired Up!

All boys and girls love shiny red fire trucks and they can climb aboard one at the Missouri History Museum on Saturday at 3 p.m. during the Benjamin Franklin: Fired Up! event. Celebrate Franklin's contributions and the heroism of our city's own municipal fire department (second oldest in the nation). Join St. Louis Fire Captain Derek Phillips as he presents a public safety demonstration and take in the Benjamin Franklin 300th birthday exhibit.

Here’s Mud in Your Eye…

…and your hair, and your toes and your elbows. It’s time for Mighty Mud Mania on Saturday, July 28 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks Historic Park. The ultimate in muddy madness ensues when kids aged 5-15 can slither, crawl and romp through a 200-foot-long obstacle course built in a gooey, slippery, wet and cool mud pit.

Gentlemen, start your engines!

Rev it up at Gateway International Raceway this weekend during the Shop 'n Save 150 ARCA RE-MAX Series on Friday night, July 28 and the NASCAR Busch Series 250 races on Saturday, July 29.

How do you like them tomatoes?

The Best Homegrown Tomato Challenge returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday, July 29. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.; judging at 11:30 a.m. Garden admission is Free on July 29 before noon to anyone who brings three tomatoes or 12 cherry tomatoes (of the same type) to enter in the contest. A 5,000 grand prize will be awarded to the gardener whose homegrown tomato is chosen as the best by a panel of judges. Contestant entry forms are available in early July at local Schnucks, Dierbergs and Shop 'n Save stores. The event is sponsored by NatureSweet.

There's more! Visit the interactive Calendar of Events on the Official Travel Portal of St. Louis for a comprehensive list of this weekend's events.

Cheer on the Cardinals and help fight breast cancer.

Catch a potentially-decisive game at new Busch Stadium on Tuesday, September 12 when the Cards take on their Central Division rival, the Houston Astros. First Pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

That night, the Cardinals have teamed up with The Judy Foundation to take a swing at breast cancer. Proceeds from select ticket sales benefit the foundation which provides uninsured and disadvantaged women access to mammograms and follow-up breast health care.

Individual seat Judy Foundation tickets are available now at St. Louis-area Dierberg grocery stores. Price are: $29 Pavilion Box; $18 Bleacher; and $15 Terrace Reserve plus a lucky Cardinal’s pink tie-dyed “Giving Back Matters” wristband.

Group tickets are available through The Judy Foundation by calling 314-727-JUDY (5839).

Since its inception in 1998, the Judy Foundation has donated more than $926,000 to regional breast health centers.

It's Music and It's Free
Come down to the Riverfront Overlook Stage under the Gateway Arch for "Live on the Levee: Better Than Ezra, Sister Hazel & India Irie," Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. The festival grounds open at 5 p.m., local bands play at 6 p.m. and the headliners take the stage at 8 p.m. The evenings end with fireworks over the Mississippi at 9:30 p.m. Better Than Ezra plays Friday night and India Irie is Saturday.

Off With Their Heads (Or, Let Them Drink Beer)
It's time for the 20th Annual Soulard Bastille Days Festival. A jovial mob of peasants kicks off the celebration at 7 p.m. Friday, July 14 in Soulard Market Park with the ceremonial (mock) beheading of King Louis and Marie Antoinette to mark St. Louis' French heritage. You'll find music and food in the park and in the fine and lively establishments of the Soulard neighborhood all weekend as well as a championship bicycle race on Sunday. For more information call: (314) 621-6226

Where's the Fire?
All boys and girls love shiny red fire trucks. Show up at City Museum on Saturday, July 15 and you can explore the emergency vehicles in person at the Fire Engine Rally and mingle with some real firefighters.

Speaking of Red
The Redbirds are in town for a weekend home stand at the new Busch Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Games are played at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, 6:15 p.m. on Saturday and 1:15 p.m. on Sunday.

That Wet Dog Smell
Bring your best friend and your camera to the annual "Paddle With Your Pooch" event at the Boathouse in Forest Park on Sunday, July 16. The dog and master boat race is one of the highights of summer for animal lovers.

There's more
Visit the interactive Calendar of Events on the Official Travel Portal of St. Louis for a comprehensive list of this weekend's events.

July 7 & 8
Pyeng Threadgill
Jazz at the Bistro
Pyeng Threadgill's musical roots run deep. Daughter of jazz composer Henry Threadgill and choreographer Christina Jones, her sound defies categorization. Threagill's voice invokes her wish to tie together the old with the new. At times, listening feels like a Billie Holiday record, and the next moment you are transported into a smoky, New York City hipster joint. Two sets at 8:30 & 10:15 p.m.

Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows
July 7
UMB Bank Pavilion 7:00 p.m.

The Wizard of Oz
Through July 16
The Muny in Forest Park
8:15 p.m.
Experience one of MGM’s grandest musicals come to life, as The MUNY recreates all of the magic and marvel of this best-loved children’s classic.

Bluegrass Concert At The Farm: George Portz and His Friends of Bluegrass
July 8
Suson Park, down by the Barn
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(314) 894-3089
Bring your lawn chair and sit under the stars while enjoying the area's best bluegrass sounds.

String Cheese Incident and Bob Weir & Ratdog
July 8
The Fox Theatre in Grand Center
7:30 p.m.