*Check out 2015’s Labor Day weekend festivities here.
Labor Day weekend event guide in St. Louis for Thursday, August 28 through September 1, 2014.
Highlighted Event
Big Muddy Blues Fest: The Big Muddy Blues Festival is St. Louis’ largest blues festival, with 24 renowned acts from across the nation and around St. Louis filling three stages on historic Laclede’s Landing. This year, Big Muddy not only has more national, regional and local artists, the festival also offers a wider variety of artists than recent years. Festival goers will experience a full range of Blues styles, from Louisiana, Chicago, St. Louis and more throughout the newly rebuilt cobblestone streets of the Landing. In addition to the amazing music, many of The Landing bars and restaurants will be offering delicious food and drinks to keep you cool. General Admission tickets are $10.
Date: August 30-31
Time: 3pm-12am
Place: Laclede’s Landing
Thursday
Thirst For Life: Over 30 local establishments will donate 30% or more of their beverage sales on Thursday, August 28th 2014 to help raise funds and awareness for PAWS. PAWS is the only program of its kind in St. Louis; providing pet food and veterinary care for the pets of clients who are living with HIV/AIDS. By providing this support, people with a chronic and often debilitating illness are able to keep their pets at home as long as possible. PAWS helps maintain a lasting connection between our clients and their pets. Participating establishments include: ArtBar, Bastille, 34 Club, Park Avenue, Square One, Cafe Ventana, Diablos Cantina, JJ’s Clubhouse, Hendrick’s, Just John’s, Meyer’s Grove, O’Shay’s Pub, Sanctuaria, Three Kings, Absolutely Goosed, The Shaved Duck, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta, and more.
Date: August 28
Time: during business hours
Place: Participating locations
Burlesque Bingo: As anyone who frequents the bingo parlors knows, the facade of genteel decorum drops once the first game is won. The first cry of “Bingo!” fires up the blood something fierce, and all bets are off from that point forward. Now, imagine what would happen if you throw semi-clad young women into the mix — O…K, now stop imagining. The Randy Dandies present Burlesque Bingo this Thursday and it promises all the thrills of cutthroat bingo, with the added titillation of local burlesque performers and specialty acts plus silly prizes. $5 at the door and a $10 bar tab. Drinks specials courtesy of Stiletto Vodka.
Date: August 28
Time: 9 – 11:30pm
Place: Bombshell Bar & Grill – 221 N Main, St. Charles
Chippendales: Chippendales is like Disneyland for women, and this time it will be for 2 days! There’s something for everyone in the show, from chart topping music to high energy hip hop to country-western dancing to slow sexy gyrations. It’s a fun, party-like environment where women can let loose, have a great time and appreciate the fantasies played out on stage. The men of Chippendales rehearse for four hours each day, maintain a healthy lifestyle and get a lot of sleep. Many cast members are career dancers, having trained for years. Each Chippendales performer has his distinctive look and mannerism. That’s what makes The Show so diverse; there truly is something for everyone. The show starts at 8pm. 21+. GA tickets are $28.60.
Date: August 28-29
Time: 8pm
Place: River City Casino – 777 River City Casino Blvd
Friday & Saturday
Midwest Wingfest: The best wing festival in the St. Louis area. Not only are the number of vendors and the entertainment being doubled, you can expect food items ranging from pulled pork to chili dogs to just about anything you can dream of. Enter the wing eating competition for a chance to win $100. Join the 5K Chicken Run on Saturday at 7am. $100 goes to the best dressed chicken. Kids 1/2 mile fun run is also Saturday -all kids receive a medal. Come and enjoy the fun and festivities. There will be live music from Gentleman Bandits, Derrick Keith, the Jeremiah Johnson Band, Jza-Jzanell & the Company, and The VCR’s.
Date: Aug 29 & 30
Time: Fri: 5pm-12am, Sat: 12pm-12am
Place: St. Clair Square Mall, Fairview Heights, IL
Fall Art Fair at Queeny Park: Up to 140 juried artists from 20 states will join the 2014 Queeny Park Art Fair. One of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region, it presents the public an opportunity to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them. In addition to the art, there will be wine tastings from Three Squirrels Winery, gift certificate drawings and a children’s art discovery adventure. Admission is $5. Proceeds go to GSLAA’s Art Scholarship Fund and help cover show expenses. Click here to get a $1 off coupon.
Date: August 29-31
Time: Fri: 6-9, Sat: 10-6, Sun: 11-4
Place: Greensfield Rec Center – 550 Weidman Rd
Gateway Cup: The Gateway Cup is 4 days of intense bicycle riding through the neighborhoods of St. Louis. The first race is the Tour de Lafayette on Friday. This race will take place at night under the lights on a flat, wide-open 0.9-mile course with four 90-degree turns. The second race is the Tour de Francis Park on Saturday. In addition to the cup race, there will also be a Ride to Unite at 10am. The third stop is the Giro Della Montagna on The Hill on Sunday. In keeping with tradition, the Bocce Club will hosts a pasta dinner for the cyclists Sunday evening after the completion of the last race of the day. In addition, Trailnet will host the Trailnet Giro della Montagna Fun Ride at 8:30am. The fourth and final leg is the Benton Park Classic on Labor Day. In addition to the pro races and fun rides, there will also be a 5K run, and races each day for kids.
Date: August 29-Sept 1
Time: Times vary per race
Place: Lafayette Square, Francis Park, The Hill, Benton Park
Old Hollywood Ball: You’re invited to Yelp’s Old Hollywood Ball to pay homage to the glitz and glam of vintage Hollywood. It’s time to don your best star glasses, rock that string of pearls, and ignore the paparazzi as you strut down the red carpet. Come out and enjoy food samples from top restaurants around STL as well as complimentary drinks. Groove to some jazzy beats and witness Grand Hall’s brand new light show. this event is free and open to anyone 21+ who creates a free Yelp profile with a real profile picture. We are asking for a $10 donation at the door. 100% of these donations go to Pedal The Cause, a local non-profit that raises money for cancer research. The event will include: tasty food samples from Onesto Pizza and Trattoria, Juniper, Wildsmoke, Edgewild, Basso, The Restaurant at The Cheshire, 360, The Cup, Amy’s Corner Bakeshop, Park Avenue Coffee, Athlete Eats, and Kakao. Plus complimentary drinks – 3 signature cocktails provided by BEAM Global, Urban Chestnut, and Juniper, and live music from The Kevin Mitchell 4.
Date: August 29
Time: 7pm
Place: Grand Hall Union Station – 1820 Market
97th Annual Greek Festival: Come and experience a taste of Greece, live music, church tours & books, Greek folk dancing, and gift shop daily. The parishioners of St. Nicholas welcome you with hospitality and joy. Start the holiday weekend at the new Kick-Off Event on Friday at 5pm at the Beer Gardne on the East Lot. There will be a select menu of festival favorites, beverages, and live music. The Greek Festival features live entertainment with music by The Christos Sarantakis and folk dancing by the St. Nicholas Greek Dancers. Enjoy delicious food & drink, a tour of the beautiful church, and browse the gift shop featuring imported items from Athens.
Date: Aug 30-Sept 1
Time: Sat & Sun: 11am-9pm, Mon: 11am-8pm
Place: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – 4967 Forest Park Ave
Japanese Festival: So many things to see, so little time. The annual Botanical Garden festival, one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States, celebrates the history, culture, and people of Japan. There will be more than 125 opportunities to learn about the culture, art, beauty, food, and music of Japan, from Akido to Anime, Bonsai, Origami, Sumo and so many more. Events include Origami So many things to see, so little time. The annual Botanical Garden festival, one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States, celebrates the history, culture, and people of Japan. There will be more than 125 opportunities to learn about the culture, art, beauty, food, and music of Japan, from Akido to Anime, Bonsai, Origami, Sumo and so many more. Events include: Origami Demonstrations, Kimono Fashion Show, Martial Arts, Cooking Demos, and more. Check the website for the full entertainment schedule.
Date: August 30-Sept 1
Time: Sat & Sun: 10am-8pm, Mon: 10am-5pm
Place: Missouri Botanical Garden
Sunday
RK Gun & Knife Show: The R.K. Shows has a reputation for bringing you the highest quality gun shows. For over 20 years, RK has been putting on gun shows. There will be 500 spaces for guns, knives, and other vendors. Come out to the St. Charles Convention Center and buy, sell, trade, learn more about firearms, chck out collector’s items, and chat with fellow enthusiasts.
Date: August 30-31
Time: Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 9am-3pm
Place: St. Charles Convention Center – 1 Convention Center Plaza
Labor Day
Reclaiming the 80’s 5K: 5K Run, walk, or stroll through the neighborhood amongst historic architecture and abundant green spaces. The race will offer electronic timing using ChronoTrack D-Tag system. This is a flat course, accurately measured and timed by Big River Running, begins and ends in scenic Benton Park. Bring the kids for the fun run for children 11 and younger: $10. After the race, join in the festival, whcih will include live 80s music by Frankie Says Relax, a Break dancing exhibition, Sponsor exhibits, Post-race snacks and beverages. There will be an 80’s costume contest plus awards and prizes. Dogs & strollers welcome! Registration is $20 through May 12 or $25 after May 12. Technical race shirts for first 500 registrants.
Date: Monday, Sept 1
Time: 9am-11:30am
Place: Benton Park
Labor Day Parade: The annual parade through the streets of downtown St. Louis. This year’s parade theme is “Unions Built This City!” St. Louis’s Labor Day Parade celebrates the workers of America and the successes of the labor movement. Come out and show your support for laborers and enjoy the music and floats of this traditional parade. The parade begins East on Olive & 15th Street to Tucker, South on Tucker to Market, West on Market to 15th Street.
Date: September 1
Time: 9am
Place: downtown St. Louis
37th Annual JCC Labor Day Run: One of the toughest, hilliest 10k and 5k courses in St. Louis. Run along the rolling hills of Creve Coeur and St. Louis County. Registration includes professionally timed race by Fleet Feet, complimentary massages and stretching, commemorative performance shirt and other goodies, complimentary day pass to the J and a huge spread of breakfast delicacies at the finish line. Cost: 10K and 5K: $25. Kid’s Triathlon: $45.
Date: Sept 1
Time: 7:30am
Place: Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex – 2 Millstone Campus Drive
Labor Day BBQ: It’s a Labor Day Parking Lot Party at the one and only Budweiser Brew House. Don’t miss live music, giveaways, beer games and more. And for BBQ lovers, there will be all you can eat BBQ – brisket, ribs, pulled pork and all the sides you love for just $25. Come out for free raffles, Dunk the Beer Man, and beer pong. Watch sports on the BPV big screen and enjoy your holiday.
Date: September 1
Time: 11am
Place: Budweiser Brew House – Ballpark Village
Mills Properties
