The Best Upcoming Food and Drink Festivals in St. Louis

St. Louis Brewers Picnic

July 27, 2018
St. Louis, MO

Today brings the St. Louis Brewers Picnic, the official opening ceremony for the 2018 St. Louis Craft Beer Week. This evening you can enjoy a family-friendly picnic in the city and check out a selection of beers from local breweries. This party gets poppin’ at 5 p.m. on Locust Street between 10th and 11th Streets. Dig on sounds from DJ MAKossa while snacking on food from Baileys' Range and enjoying the scenery. Just $35 gets you unlimited tastings, a commemorative glass and more.

Photo courtesy of kateheartscake / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Midwest Belgian Beer Fest

July 28, 2018
St. Louis, MO

Perennial Artisan Ales has never let beer-lovers down and they’re not about to start now. This weekend they’re hosting their 7th annual Midwest Belgian Beer Fest. This huge event isn’t just any ol’ beer fest; this thing is a high-energy libation party zone. Arrive prepared to make some new friends. Tickets are $65 but all profits from the festival are donated to sarcoma research through The Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital. So you practically have to drink. For charity.

Photo courtesy of djmakossa / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Taste of the Greek Festival

July 28 - 29, 2018
Town & Country, MO

One of the most fun food festivals in town is St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church’s festival, Taste of the Greek Festival. The festival is full of fun and dancing and lively entertainment and the food cannot be beat. From delicate pastries to salty olives and crumbly cheese, you will leave his festival well-fed and delighted. Admission is free, parking is free and everyone is welcome. Opa!

Photo courtesy of April Fudgey / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Beer Geek Fest

July 29, 2018
Clayton, MO

Beer and geeks go together like… well… geeks and beer. This is Beer Geek Fests 5th annual party and it encourages lovable dorks to congregate and sip it up. This year the fest features 32 breweries and all geeks in attendance can sample these dozens of beers for free. They’ll even be tapping some rare one-off beers. Level up at the Beer Geek Fest this Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Arty / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

VegFest

August 4, 2018
St. Louis, MO

Vegans all across the region were delighted earlier this month with the announcement of VegFest, St. Louis’s first ever vegan festival. This one-day, family-friendly event was described by organizers as “a carnival, but veganized.” The event organizers are expecting thousands of people from all over the country. There is no cost to attend, but bring your money because there will be more than 60 vendors set up in and around the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. Veg on, brothers and sisters.

Photo courtesy of Mabel Suen / RFT
Find more information about the event here.

Peach Festival

August 12, 2018
Grafton, IL

When’s the last time you bit into a fresh, juicy peach? We bet it’s been too long. Think of the color. The scent. The soft little fuzz. Yeah, you want one, don’t you? Well don’t worry because the Peach Festival in Grafton, Illinois, will hook you up! This tasty party takes place at legendary Pere Marquette, so you can enjoy the view and the amenities while you’re noshing.

Photo courtesy of Mike Licht / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

The Great Muslim Food Festival

August 12, 2018
St. Louis, MO

Curious about Muslim food but aren’t sure where to start? Check out the 2nd annual Great Muslim Food Fest at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. You can try some of the thousands of unique food dishes created right here in St. Louis. This is a family-friendly event and bringing your kids is encouraged -- there are plenty of activities and games to keep them entertained while you check out the vendors who will be on site with clothing and henna art for sale.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg / RFT
Find more information about the event here.

Alton Food Truck Festival

August 25, 2018
Alton, IL

Food trucks have gone from novelty to necessity. Over the past few years, the St. Louis area has become a major food truck market. We just love these things. Always wanted to try the offerings from a specific truck but couldn’t track it down? Chances are it will be at the Alton Food Truck Festival. Go check it out and bring the family, this is one sure way to please every taste.

Photo courtesy of sonnyjriddle78 / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Festival of Nations

August 25 - 26, 2018
St. Louis, MO

This is the mother of all St. Louis food fests. Everybody loves the Festival of Nations. Here, you can go around the world… all with your mouth! This year they are featuring more than 40 ethnic food booths were you can nibble and munch on all manner of decadent and intriguing delicacies. The fest is a multicultural celebration that also features dance performances and international arts and crafts, but the food is the star of the show.

Photo courtesy of kschul24 / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Tart in the Heartland - A Sour Beer Appreciation Festival

August 26, 2018
St. Louis, MO

Sour beer isn’t always everybody’s favorite, but those who love it really love it. And now they have their own support group in the form of a beer festival! Slide on over to Alpha Brewing on August 26th for the fest, where you can get your pucker on with beers from nearby states including Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas and Oklahoma. This is an exclusive event, with attendance being capped at 100 heads, so make sure to grab your ticket early.

Photo courtesy of Spencer Pernikoff / RFT
Find more information about the event here.

Midwest Wingfest

August 31 - September 1, 2018
Fairview Heights, IL

Chicken wings finally have their own party! They're not just bar food; wings can be gourmet as heck when they’re done right. Saucy, dry rubbed, peppery and more, check out the latest in wing technology and advancement at Midwest Wingfest. Don’t forget to bring your bib and a big pile of napkins. It’s going to get messy up in there.

Photo courtesy of Isaac Wedin / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

BeanFest

September 2, 2018
St. Louis, MO

The bean gets no respect, and BeanFest is out to change that. This is the inaugural year of BeanFest, an event organized to celebrate the bean and encourage you to have the “beaniest night of all!” This party is at the Livery on S. Broadway and will feature a baked bean cookoff, a "bean donut" eating contest and even bean pool wrestling. Enjoy your favorite fruit!

Photo courtesy of Caro Wallis / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

Arbormeisters Home Brew and Craft Beer Festival

September 8, 2018
Creve Coeur, MO

St. Louis went from being a beer town to being a craft beer town. Our craft beer community is strong, active and competitive. Want to check out what some genius has been brewing in his basement? These brewers have been bubbling up some home recipes and are eager for you to try them. Arrive thirsty.

Photo courtesy of forestreleaf / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Taste of St. Louis

September 14 - 16, 2018
Chesterfield, MO

This festival brings together more than 35 local restaurants for a weekend-long celebration of the St. Louis food scene. Yes, this festival is held all the way out in Chesterfield now, but some events are worth the drive. At Taste of St. Louis you can try nibbles from all over town, check out cooking demonstrations, meet well-known chefs and even enjoy a culinary competition. Dig into deliciousness (and don’t forget to pack a snack for the long drive) at Taste of St. Louis this September.

Photo courtesy of Pro Photo STL
Find more information about the event here.

Schlafly Hop in the City

September 15, 2018
St. Louis, MO

If you’re from St. Louis, you already know that Schlafly Beer is all about bringing you good times and great beer. But this time, they’re stepping it up a notch. The Schlafly Hop in the City is a party not to be missed. Here they bring out their great beers from the entire year and you can try them all in one place. Everything from hopped-up IPAs to traditional lagers is represented, with more than 40 styles and six specialty tappings expected. Tickets are $35 but well worth it.

Photo courtesy of thesaraofoz / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Italian Fest

September 21-22, 2018
Collinsville, MO

If anybody knows how to eat, it’s Italians. This massive festival also features a parade, a 5K run, a bocce ball tournament and a grape stomp but somehow the main attraction is still the food. Bring the family and load up on delicious sauce and oil-covered carbohydrates, then kick back and enjoy sights that include a pageant and even an Italian film exhibit.

Photo courtesy of Karen Neoh / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

Great Grilled Cheese Off 2018

September 22, 2018
St. Louis, MO

It’s about darn time that there was a proper grilled cheese festival in St. Louis. This one is happening in beautiful Forest Park just as the weather gets cool and you want to cuddle up with a nice toasted cheese sandwich. Tickets to this fest are $25, but for that price you get eight grilled cheese samples, a full day of family activities and you’ll also be helping to raise awareness for many worthy St. Louis charities.

Photo courtesy of B / Flickr
Find more information about the event here.

Taste of Black St. Louis

September 22, 2018
St. Louis, MO

The biggest news in food festivals this year is that Taste of Black St. Louis is ready to launch. Taste of Black St. Louis aims to celebrate black chefs and restauranteurs. In an interview with RFT earlier this year, the organizers made sure to note that people of all colors are “more than welcome” and that inclusivity is a key feature of the event -- they hope that attendees will mingle and do some friendly networking. The event will be held September 22 in Tower Grove Park and though it is free, you need to register for a ticket in advance.

Photo courtesy of Layla Broderick
Find more information about the event here.

St. Charles Octoberfest

September 28, 2018
St. Charles, MO

Okay, yes, this Octoberfest is happening in September, but are you really going to complain? More beer = more beer, right? The St. Charles Octoberfest just wants you to have a good time, that’s why they’re even offering a VIP experience at this party. For a small fee you can get access to their fancy lounge area, a buffet of German food, private restrooms and it even includes three beers or glasses of wine. Or just show up for the free event, eat a pretzel and join the street party. Prost!bigbooty_may / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.

Best of Missouri Market

October 5-7, 2018
St. Louis, MO

This isn’t technically a food fest, but dang, there is a lot of food here. This market is organized to showcase the best offerings from Missouri crafters and artists. But it’s not just stuff, many of these products are consumables that you’ll want to stuff into your face. From baked goods to jams to herbs and more, there’s not a chance that you’ll still be hungry when you leave.

Photo courtesy of charmingcuisine / Instagram
Find more information about the event here.