Fun, Free Events Newsletter

Judy Bateman Arboretum at City Centre Park in St. Peters: Looking for somewhere new to explore in St. Peters? Stop by the Judy Bateman Arboretum at City Centre Park! This five-acre space features 40 species of trees and offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature while learning more about the importance of our urban forest. Whether you’re enjoying a peaceful walk or looking for a new outdoor destination, the arboretum is a great place to spend some time outside. Eagles, owls, and other rescued raptors make this free Missouri sanctuary a fascinating stop with a mission worth supporting. The arboretum is located at City Centre by the gazebo at the west entrance of City Hall in St Peters. Learn more and view the arboretum map at: Information~ St. Peters Parks Facebook Page: 

More Spotlights HERE

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Recreation Council News…

Events For People with Disabilities…

The Black Cat Coffee Cafe Project Pop-Up Café (SCC), Saturday October 10 from 9 am – 12 noon at Francis Howell North High School, 2549 Hackmann Rd. St. Charles MO 63303, (map), Please enter through Door #27 (side bus lot door). The Black Cat Coffee Cafe Project is a pop-up mobile cafe that supports young, motivated workers with disabilities to gain valuable vocational experiences. Join us at this pop-up host location and enjoy the menu of breakfast food and drinks. There is no charge; this is a cash “tips only” event.  Information ~ Flyer

The Freddie Ford Family Foundation: Sensory-Friendly Trunk-or-Treat (STL), October 16 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Jewish Community Center in the upper back parking lot past the Arts and Education building, located at 2 Millstone Campus Drive, Creve Coeur, MO 63146. The event will include candy, games, activities, and a movie. There will be a prize for the best family costume, funniest costume and most unique costume.  An RSVP is required to attend. Information

We Rock the Spectrum in Fenton, Trunk or Trick (STL), Saturday, October 17 from 4-7pm at 2075 Bentley Plaza , Fenton, MO, United States, Missouri 63026. Join us for a sensory-friendly, allergy-friendly Trunk-or-Treat designed for families with children who have allergies or sensory needs. Friends, family, and advocates are all welcome. What to Expect: No candy, but sensory toys galore, Vote on your favorite trunk, Exciting raffle baskets, Costume Contest,  Arts & Crafts, Blacklight Party, Ms. Rachel Character Visit, and lots of vendors handing out tricks. Please RSVP:  Information

Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis: Application for a FREE Standard Bike is now open. If your child is under the age of 21, lives within one of the 30 counties we serve in the STL region, and has a physical or developmental disability, they qualify to receive a free standard bike. Bikes give children freedom and independence to explore the world around them and interact with family and friends. Ready to ride? Learn more about our application requirements and our Bikes for Kids program by visiting: varietystl.org/bikes-2026

Fun, Free Events for Everyone…

Romeo & Zooliet (STL), Thursday to Sunday through October 11. Performances this Week: Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 pm [Audio description & ASL interpretation available]; Friday, October 9 at 11 am; Saturday, October 10 at 2 pm & 6:30 pm; Sunday, October 11 at12 pm & 4 pm. Location: Shakespeare Glen in front of the Art Museum in Forest Park. Romeo & Zooliet is a family-friendly outdoor production that tells the story of zoo animals who put on their own version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” Information

Movie Nights at Westport Plaza:  (STL), Check out all the October events at Westport:Information

Chesterfield Movies Under The Stars: Hotel Transylvania (STL), Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Drive, Chesterfield, MO, 63017., Bring your own blanket or chair for lawn seating; fixed seating is available but limited. Food trucks will be available or bring your own refreshments. Doors open at 5:30pm, movie begins at dusk (approx. 6:30pm). Movie admission is FREE. Information

Artisan Day at The Historic Daniel Boone Home (SCC), Thursday, October 8 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Highway F, Defiance, MO, 63341. On the second Thursday of the month through November, tour the historic Daniel Boone Home for FREE. Docents will be available to answer questions, and all levels of the Home will be open to explore. Stay and tour the Historic Village. Event repeats on Nov 12. Information

O’Fallon, MO Food Truck Fright (SCC), Friday, October 9, 2026 from 6-8:30pm at Dames Park, 387 Dames Park Dr, O’Fallon, MO 63366. Additional Entertainment includes character visits, live DJ music, and an outdoor movie on the athletic field at 6:45 p.m. “How To Train Your Dragon” (2025 Live Action). Information

Guided Walking Tour of Chain of Rocks Bridge (STL), Friday October 9 from 12 noon-2pm at Mississippi Greenway at Chain of Rocks Park, 10840 Riverview Dr, St Louis, MO 63137. Join us for a slow-paced, two-mile guided walking tour to learn about the nature, history and culture along this greenway. Free, but pre-registration is required. Register here

Soulard Oktoberfest (STL), October 9 & 10 daily in Soulard Farmers Market Park, 730 Carroll St, St. Louis, MO 63104. Admission to Soulard Oktoberfest at Soulard Farmers Market Plaza is free and open to the public. Entry into the beer/wine tent is limited to ages 21+ and requires ticket to be purchased. Free festivities include live music, authentic German food and drink available for purchase. Events at Soulard Farmers Market Plaza run from 4pm to 11pm on Friday and 11am to 10pm on Saturday. Soulard Oktoberfest

Legends & Lanterns Opening Weekend (SCC), October 10 & 11 from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm on Main Street in Historic St Charles, 63301. This annual festival is a “spirited” journey through Halloween history with costumed characters creating mischief along Main Street. The festival runs on Saturdays and Sunday through October 25 with activities for all ages, live music, ghostly guests, and a Pumpkin Glow on October 23 & 24. Information

International Food Festival (SCC), Saturday, October 10 New Town Amphitheater, 3312 Rue Royale, Saint Charles, MO 63301. Experience the flavors and traditions of cultures from around the world at the City of Saint Charles’ first International Food Festival. Enjoy authentic international cuisine, cultural performances, artisan vendors, and unique merchandise in a vibrant market-style atmosphere that celebrates the diversity of our community. Information

St. Charles County Police Department Trunk or Treat (SCC), Saturday, October 10 from 10 am – 1 pm at 101 Sheriff Dierker Court, O’Fallon MO, 63366. Police vehicles, K9s, Community Partners & lots & lots of candy. Information

Manchester Park: Day of the Dead Celebration and Outdoor Movie, Coco (STL), Saturday, October 10 from 6-9pm at  Schroeder Park, 359 Old Meramec Station Road, 63021. Join Manchester Parks and the Venezuelan Association for Día de Los Muertos, a celebration of departed loved ones. Food and drink is available for purchase starting at 6 pm along with free activities and historical information, followed by the movie Disney-Pixars Coco at 7 pm. Come be part of an event that honors memory, celebrates life, and brings community together through culture, cinema, and cuisine. Information

Pumpkin Painting at Ace (STL), Saturday, October 10 from 11 am-1 pm at 1140 Meramec Station Road, Ballwin, Missouri 63021. Join us for our popular FREE pumpkin decorating event. We provide the pumpkins and supplies so kids just need to bring their creativity and enthusiasm! See last year’s masterpieces and more details on our Facebook Page.

Florissant Old Town Fall Festival (STL), Sunday, October 11 from 10am-5pm in Olde Towne Florissant, Rue St. Francis, 63303. Join us for a day of lively music, craft and food vendors, pony rides (fee), a dog show, and a car show. Information ~ Flyer

St. Louis VegFest (STL),Sunday, October 11 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at World’s Fair Pavilion at Forest Park. Vegfest is an event that encompasses all things vegan. Visit with over 70 vendors, listen to speakers in the main pavilion, enjoy entertainment, try yoga for free, and check out the kids’ activities.Information

Italian Heritage Parade and Festa (STL),Sunday, October 11 from 12:30-5 pm with parade beginning at Botanical & Macklind and ending at Berra Park where the Festa begins. Join us for a day of joyful, one-of-a-kind celebration bursting with food, family, music, live music, games, activities, and plenty of good, old-fashioned fun.  Information

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration (STL), October 12 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm in Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Road, 63011. Celebrate the day with demonstrations, educational information, and activities honoring indigenous knowledge and culture. Admission is FREE! Information

Third Friday at 3rd Degree Glass: It’s the Great Pumpkin (STL), Friday, October 16 from 5-9pm on the Delmar Loop in University City, 63130. One of our most popular Third Degree Glass (TDG) when our studio artists will have all the glass gourds & pumpkins your little heart desires out & ready to shop. Plus, the 8:15 pm demo is always an amazing show as we make our GIANT glass pumpkin. Information

Westport OctoberFest (STL), October 16 & 17 at Westport Plaza, 63143. Join us for the ultimate Bavarian bash. We’re filling the plaza with everything you need for a perfect fall weekend: flowing bier, authentic food, and live music that will have you dancing all night long. Information

Maryland Heights Fall Family Fair (STL), Saturday, October 17 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Vago Park Enjoy a fun-filled day of free family activities at Vago Park! The event will feature an all-day petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, plus hayrides and face painting available for free! Take a “Paint-a-Pumpkin” to go, starting at 11:00 a.m. (Available while supplies last.) Don’t miss the crowd-favorite Kids’ Costume Contest, kicking off at noon sharp! Food trucks will be on-site with delicious food and drinks available for purchase. A pop-up market will also be available all day. Stay tuned for more details! Information

Powder Valley Nature Center Trek or Treat Critter Crawl (STL), Saturday, October 17 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, at 11715 Cragwold Road (map) in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.  The MO Department of Conservation invites visitors of all ages to put on their favorite Halloween costumes and bring a candy buckets for an afternoon of family-friendly fun. Participants will stroll down the Tanglevine Trail to learn about bats, owls, snakes, spiders . . . are they really that spooky? Tanglevine Trail is a mostly flat, paved trail that runs approximately 1/3 of a mile and is both stroller and wheelchair friendly. The trail should take around 30 minutes to complete. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins will be welcome as well.  Register HERE.

BARK Ranger Event: Pet Parade (STL), Saturday, October 17 from 10-11 am at the Gateway Arch, meet at the entrance plaza. Grab your pup and friends, and join Gateway Arch National Park Rangers for a parade of pets around the Arch. Costumes aren’t required, but highly encouraged. The group will meet at 10 am outside of the Gateway Arch visitor center entrance. All dogs are required to be on a leash. Information

Props & Pistons (STL), October 17 from 9 a.m.–noon at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Spirit Sky Club, 604 Spirit Airpark East. FREE! Cars and planes will share the tarmac plus collector cars, exotics, hot rods, and classics alongside aircraft and open hangars, giving visitors an unusually close look at both. Families can also check out Cars & Creepies, where kids can sit inside exotic supercars, along with hands-on animal encounters from The Reptile Room STL; costumes are welcome. Admission is free, with proceeds raised during the event benefiting Chesterfield-based Wings of Hope, which provides free medical air transportation to patients who need specialized care. Information

Chesterfield Fall Festival (STL), Saturday, October 17 from 1-6pm at the Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Drive, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. Don’t miss this exciting day that includes food vendors, craft and market vendors, carnival rides, a pumpkin patch and hayride, live music by Box of Chocolates and Russo & Co. and so much more. Information

Harvest Festival at Tower Grove Park (STL), Sunday, October 18 from 11 AM – 5 PM in Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110. This single-day event brings the region’s best, uniting a diverse lineup of local makers, handcraft artisans, gourmet food trucks, craft breweries, and live music. Come to eat, shop, and celebrate.  Information

Sababa Festival (STL), Sunday, October 18 from 11am-5pm at 40 South Central Ave, Clayton, 63105. St. Louis’ Jewish Arts & Culture Festival, bringing contemporary Jewish culture to life through music, food, art, family experiences, and community.  Information | 

Check out these links for more fun and festivals in the Metro area (some charge entry fees):

•  www.festivalguidesandreviews.com/missouri-festivals »
• St Louis Magazine’s Ultimate Fall Family Fun Guide »
• St Louis Magazine’s Pumpkin patches to visit this fall »

 

Trunk or Treat Events Around Town…

KVC Trunk or Treat, October 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at KVC Missouri Webster Groves 330 N Gore Ave, Webster Groves, Missouri, KVC Missouri Webster Groves for a fun-filled Trunk or Treat featuring family-friendly activities, games, music and special character appearances. KVC Missouri is a nonprofit team that’s passionate about strengthening families, preventing child abuse and neglect, and helping people achieve mental wellness.

St. Charles Harley-Davidson Trunk or Treat Fall Fest (SCC), Saturday, October 17 from 2:00-4:30 PM at 3808 West Clay, St. Charles MO 63301. Bring the little ones dressed in their favorite costumes for a fun afternoon filled with trunk-or-treating, FREE face painting, and FREE hot chocolate! We can’t wait to celebrate Halloween with you and the kids! Bring your decorated vehicle and candy to be a part of our fun afternoon.

Outdoor Concerts….

 

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