The St. Louis Weekend Events Guide for Labor Day Weekend: Thursday, September 1 through Monday, September 5, 2016.

Downtown

UniverSoul Circus: A world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, UniverSoul Circus has come full circle in its influence in the international entertainment marketplace – garnering the distinction of being known as a one-of-a-kind, must see attraction. UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music.

Date: August 31-Sept 5
Time: Times vary
Place: 111 N Broadway

Bud Light Block Party: The Biergarten is throwing a Bud Light Block Party to kick off Labor Day weekend and celebrate The Biergarten’s third birthday. Guests can enjoy the inflatable obstacle course (ages 10 and up), live music from Griffin and the Gargoyles and play various lawn games. Guests are also invited to bring their dogs to the festivities. The event is free and includes several food and drink specials, such as $2 Bud Lights, $3 pretzel sticks and $5 wings.

Date: Thursday, Sept 1
Time 4-7pm
Place: 1200 Lynch Street

Downtown Flea Market/ReSale Pop-Up Shop: Every Sat & Sun throughout the entire month of September, there will be a resale pop up shop at the location of 2008-2010 Olive Street across from the Police headquarters. Come take advantage of savings on fashion designer apparel for men and women. No outdated fashions; we are talking about the latest styles and prices low as $3. Entry is free.

Date: Sept 3 & 4
Time: 11am-6pm
Place: 2008-2010 Olive St

En Vivo Latino Music Festival: RED LATINA proudly presents this outdoor festival on the Busch II Infield Stage at Ballpark Village which will feature authentic food vendors, fun for families, and music and entertainment all day long. Lineup includes: DJ Fonzo, Rocio y su Sonora, La Furia del Bravo, Omar Sanchez y la Banda Astilleros, Kinto Sol, and headliner is Latin Grammy Nominee La Santa Cecilia! GA tickets: Ages 18+ tickets are $20 in advance and $30 day of show. Guests ages 13 – 17 will be charged a $5 entrance fee at door. Kids 12 and under are free! All GA tickets are standing room only, festival grounds include food, beverage, and restrooms. VIP tickets (21+ only)are $40 in advance and $50 day of show.

Date: Saturday, Sept 3
Time: 1-10pm
Place: Ballpark Village – 601 Clark

Big Muddy Blues Festival: The area’s largest blues festival with artists from St. Louis and across the nation, will fill 3+ stages to hear a full range of Blues styles, from Louisiana, Chicago, St. Louis and more. From the Funky Butt Brass Band to Renee Smith, Roland Johnson Big Mike Aguirre, Big George Brock, Jeremiah Johnson Band, Soulard Blues Band, and many more. On Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th from 12:30-2:30pm, the National Blues Museum will host educational tributes to Johnny Johnson and Henry Townsend. Enjoy great food and drinks for the local restaurants. Single day GA tickets are $8 in advance ($10 day of). Two day passes are $20 day of.

Date: Sept 3 & 4
Time: Gates open: 1pm
Place: Laclede’s Landing

Labor Day Parade & Picnic: The annual parade through the streets of downtown St. Louis. 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. The picnic will follow directly after at Tilles Park at the corner of McKnight Rd and Litzsinger Rd.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 9am
Place: downtown St. Louis

Central

Meet The Makers Party: A Feast 50 Awards close out celebration with an evening featuring many of the St. Louis-area winners. Sip and sample from your favorite restaurants, breweries, wineries and more while you experience live cooking demonstrations from Feast 50 winners. Enjoy live cooking demos from: Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co., Sidney Street Cafe, Olive + Oak, Niche Food Group, and more. Enjoy bites and sips from: 4 Hands, Baetje Farms, Urban Chestnut, Schlafly, Chaumette Vineyards, Chandler Hill Vineyards, Pint Size Bakery, Sugarfire Smoke House, Planter’s House, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Square One, Seoul Taco, Vincent Van Doughnut, Sarah’s Cake Shop, Total Wine & More, Kakao Chocolate, Companion, Kaldi’s, Butler’s Pantry, and DiGregorio’s, GA tickets are $25, VIP tickets are $50(VIP bag included with VIP ticket).

Date: Thursday, Sept 1
Time: 6-9pm
Place: Roth Showroom – 2260 Ball Drive

Fall Art Fair: Up to 130 juried artists from 20 states will join the 2015 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. Get a $1 off coupon here.

Date: Sept 2-4
Time: Fri: 5-9pm, Sat: 1-am-6pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
Place: Queeny Park – 550 Weidman Rd

99th Annual Greek Festival: Come and experience a taste of Greece, live music, church tours & books, Greek folk dancing, and more. Start the holiday weekend at the new Kick-Off Event on Friday at the Athens On The Street, new on Forest Park Ave. Enjoy a select menu of festival favorites, beverages, and live music. Enjoy the weekend with live entertainment with music by 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: September 2-5
Time: Fri – Sun: 11am-9pm, Mon: 11am-8pm
Place: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – 4967 Forest Park Ave

Staenberg Group Gateway Cup: 4 days of racing in 4 unique St. Louis neighborhoods. Within each of these host communities, the race course is a defined one mile lap and the race is known as a criterium. This Americanized style of racing appeals to both athletes and spectators alike as the peloton, or pack of cyclists, pass by every few minutes at impressive speeds holding lines only inches apart from one another. Spectators can watch the race develop lap after lap and hear commentators announce race strategy, allowing more of an understanding and involvement in the excitement. There will be two recreational rides this year and the addition of a 5K Run where people of all ages and athletic abilities can participate. Each event provides the rare opportunity to take to the same closed race courses the pros will be competing on.

Date: September 2-5
Time: Times vary
Place: Benton Park, Lafayette, Francis Park, Giro Della Montagna

Japanese Festival: Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Japanese Festival, a three-day cultural adventure right here at the Garden. Experience the thunderous pounding rhythms of the taiko drums, the all-new thrilling samurai sword performance and more! Enjoy Origami demos, Bonsai demos, martial arts, cooking demos, ice sculpture, kimono fashion show, guided walking tours of Japanese Garden, Dashi Procession, storytelling, anime movie, Teahouse Island tours, and much more. Admission: Adults: $15, Children/Garden Members: $5,
Members’ children (12 and under) are free.

Date: Sept 3-5
Time: Sat & Sun: 10am-8pm, Mon: 10am-5pm
Place: MO Botanical Garden

4th Annual Gateway Jazz Festival: This 2 day festival, presented by the St. Louis Jazz Club, will feature awesome talented artists including: Cornet Chop Suey, The St. Louis Stompers, Miss Jubilee & The Humdingers, Pat Joyce with Scott Alberici, Michael Lacey’s Dixie Swing Band, and Liberty Jazz Band. Tickets are $35 per session or $80 for all events.

Date: Sept 4 & 5
Time: Sun: 11am-4:30pm or 6pm-10:45pm, Mon: 11am-3pm
Place:Double Tree by Hilton – 1973 Craigshire Rd

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 massages and stretching, and a huge spread of breakfast delicacies at the finish line. Cost: 10K and 5K: $25 until 9/2 ($30 after Sept 2).

Date: Monday, Sept 5
Time: 7:30am
Place: JCC’s Staenberg Family Complex – #2 Millstone Campus Drive

Benton Park Labor Day 5K Run/Walk: 5K Run, walk, or stroll through the neighborhood amongst historic architecture and abundant green spaces. This run coincides with the TSG Properties Gateway Cup- the fastest race on wheels- Missouri’s pro cycling event. You will get to race two laps of the totally closed race course…and then hang out all afternoon and tailgate during for the races. We’ll have an Expo and activities all day long. 5k and Kids Fun Run, stroller and dog friendly, Edible Gus’ Pretzel medals for all finishers, and a post-race festival at the Gateway Cup. Registration: Before September 5: $35, Race Day: $40, $10 for the Kids Fun Run

Date: Monday, Sept 5
Time: 8:30am
Place: Benton Park

Illinois

Apple Fest: Apple picking season has begun. And what better way to celebrate than with a festival! The Belleville Farm will be hosting live music from The Dusty Brothers this weekend. Along with music, there will be Wagon rides, festival foods including funnel cake and caramel apples, children’s activities, petting zoo, and more. Come out and pick-you-own-apples, enjoy free live music, and fun.

Date: Starting Sept 3
Time: 10am-5pm
Place: Eckerts – 951 S Greenmount Rd

Midwest Wing Fest: A wing festival featuring delicious wings from local vendors including: Dandy Inn, HotShots, Wings Over Shiloh, Cajun Nates, The Elks Club, Fairview Heigths Fire Dept, WingNut, and more, along with other food items ranging from pulled pork to chili dogs to just about anything you can dream of. Plus, live music from awesome artists including this year’s Friday night headliner: Jon Pardi. Enjoy other live music from Steel Creek Band, Nick Bifano & The Innocents and The Ultraviolets. Saturday morning there will ab a Wingfest Chicken Run 5K at 7am, a wing eating contest with cash prizes, and a car cruise from 12pm-4pm.

Date: Sept 2 & 3
Time: Fri: 5pm-11pm, Sat: 12-11pm
Place: St. Clair Square Mall Parking Lot

Mills Apartments