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Fun, Free Events Newsletter

Listings by AREA:
St. Louis, MO ~ STL=St. Louis
St. Charles, MO ~ SCC= St. Charles County
Email us to receive this e-newsletter weekly: stchascounty@recreationcouncil.org
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Places to Explore…

Little Creek Nature Area, Florissant. You probably wouldn’t think of a school property as a peaceful green getaway, but here’s a place that may change your mind. At 2295 Dunn Rd, Florissant, MO 63033, on the north outer road of Highway 270 between West Florissant  and Washington/Elizabeth Avenue is the Little Creek Nature Area. (map). This 97-acre outdoor educational facility that doubles as a nature preserve is part of the Ferguson-Florissant School District. While it primarily serves as a living laboratory for ecology, environmental science, field biology and living history programs for area students, it’s also open to the public during work hours (M-F 9am – 4pm) for visitors to enjoy its wooded trails, prairies, ponds, butterfly garden, 19th century log cabin, and an arboretum. Walking the trails, almost two miles in total, you would hardly think the entrance is a hundred feet from a major freeway running through town. The facility and grounds are closed weekends and after hours, but if you are able to take off during the middle of the work day, this is an absolute oasis that would be ideal to visit with your kids / grandkids, or just by yourself or with a friend. A small portion of the trails are sidewalk, but soon they become gravel and bare earth. For the most part they are not steep, but in points footing can be quite irregular. And if you need / want a snack after your walk to blow all the benefits of the calories you just burned, there’s a Krispy Kreme nearby. Information ~ Pictures
For the more adventurous folks…
9 “HAUNTED” TRAILS TO EXPLORE (IF YOU DARE). Ready for a spooky outdoor adventure? From the infamous Zombie Road in Wildwood to eerie caves, mysterious lights, and haunted bridges, Missouri and Southern Illinois are full of places where local legends linger. Whether you believe in ghosts or just enjoy a good campfire story, these nine trails and landmarks offer plenty of creepy folklore and outdoor exploration. Grab a friend, plan a daytime visit, and discover the stories behind some of the region’s most unsettling destinations. Information

Past Spotlights HERE

Events For People with Disabilities…

Easter Seals Autism Summit (Virtual): Thursday, November 5 from 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM & Friday, November 6 from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Join Easterseals Midwest for a Day of Learning, Connection, and Growth! Discover, share, and deepen your understanding of autism at our upcoming conference—open to families impacted by autism, students, and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and practice. Registration Details: FREE for Easterseals Midwest families and families with a child with autism; $55 for professional registrations. Register Here

Saturday Explorers: Dolly’s Dream House Rabbit Rescue (STL), Saturday, November 7 from 2-3 pm at the Weber Road Library branch, 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 (map). This month we will have some furry friends visiting. They are soft and have two big ears.  You might recognize this animal’s famous friends named Peter, Rodger, or Bugs. Can you guess our animal guests? Saturday Explorers is program designed specifically for adults with disabilities. Caregivers are welcome. Contact Lauren Budde at 314-994-3300 or lbudde@slcl.org at the library with questions. Repeats on the first Saturday of each month. Information ~ Flyer

Giant Rocket’s Foundation Family Community Day (SCC), Saturday, November 7 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Skate Haus,  2015 Campus Drive, St. Charles, MO, United States, Missouri 63301. Giant Rocket’s Foundation is teaming up with Clippers and Cops, sponsored by Waste Connections. Free to get in. Free to skate. Free skate rental. Pizza and a soft drink while supplies last. The Skate Haus is a sensory-friendly place where “Sensory is a Superpower!” Sign Up HERE

 

Fun For Everyone Around Town…

Stargazing Around Town: Friday, November 6 at Broemmelsiek Park (SCC) and Friday, November 6 at the McDonnell Planetarium (STL). Stargazing is perfect for all amateur astronomers who are interested in learning more about the solar system. Daytime Solar Gazing happens on Sunday, November 15 at the McDonnell Planetarium.  

First Fridays: Foundry Art Centre (SCC) Friday, November 6 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center, Saint Charles, MO 63301. Visitors can spend time in the galleries, meet resident studio artists, engage with the community, and enjoy a wide array of art programming, entertainment, and special events. Information ~ Grand Center Arts District (STL) Friday, November 6 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Galleries are free and open until 9:00pm. Discover the remarkable array of visual arts in St. Louis’s premier neighborhood for arts and culture while enjoying cocktails, conversation, and entertainment. Stick around for after party events, dinner or a show. Information

Gallery Laughs (STL), Friday, November 6 from 5-8pm with comedy show beginning at 6:30pm at the Art Museum in Forest Park, 63110. Enjoy live music and stand-up comedy by STL-Made actor and filmmaker Guy Torry at SLAM’s Gallery Laughs. Free tickets will be available in person at the Museum starting at 10 am on the day of the performance at the welcome desk in Taylor Hall. Information

Holiday Zootique Craft Vendor Show (STL), Friday, November 6 from 4-8pm. Location: Treetop Shop in The Living World at the Zoo’s North Entrance on Government Drive) ~ Free admission ~ The Treetop shop is open all day to help you find unique, eco-conscious gifts from artists around the world. Plan a day trip to the Zoo and shop during your visit, or swing by after 4pm to browse local craft vendors selling their wares. Information

Pumpkin Smash (STL), Saturday, November 7 from 9 am to 1 pm at Blackburn Park,  .Don’t toss your pumpkins in the trash – give them a smashing send-off instead. Participate in the annual Pumpkin Smash, a fun and environmentally friendly way to discard pumpkins after Halloween. Smash your pumpkin to pieces with a baseball bat and deposit the contents into a large dumpster so they can be diverted from the landfill. Pumpkins collected during the event will be composted, turning seasonal decorations into nutrient-rich material rather than waste. Please remove candles, lights, wax, paint, stickers, plastic (googly eyes/glitter) and other non-compostable decorations. This year’s event will feature informational booths, educational activities, games, and giveaways. Participating municipalities include Webster Groves, Brentwood, Maplewood, Crestwood, and Sunset Hills. Can’t make it to the festivities? The dumpster will remain on site for self-serve drop-offs all week long through Friday, November 13. Information

Celebrate Veterans Day at Soldiers Memorial (STL), Saturday, November 7 with parade beginning at 10:30am at the Soldiers Memorial, 1315 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Join Soldiers Memorial Military Museum for a festive morning honoring the veterans who have served our nation. Wave American flags, cheer on the Veterans Day Parade, create thank-you signs for veterans, and enjoy family-friendly activities, including a special visit from the Honorary Grand Marshal, an American bald eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary. It’s a joyful community celebration of service, gratitude, and patriotism for all ages. Free and open to all. Information

St. Charles Salutes Veterans Day Celebration (SCC), Saturday, November 7 from 11 AM – 3 PM. Join us as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. The day begins with a parade down Main Street, followed by a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial and a community celebration at the Lewis & Clark Boathouse featuring food, drinks, vendors, music, and more. Parade at 11:00AM & Celebration from 12:00PM – 3:00PM. Information

Church of the Shepherd Fall Festival (SCC), Saturday, November 7 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Church of the Shepherd, 1601 Woodstone Drive, St. Charles, 63303. FREE fall fun for the whole family. Join us for free food and drinks (please RSVP so we know how much food to provide), inflatables and bounce houses, playground and gaga ball pit, games and crafts, surprises you’ll have to see to believe.  RSVP HERE ~ Church of the Shepherd Facebook Page

Hispanic Festival Día de los Muertos (STL), November 7 & 8 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd, 63112. Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Missouri History Museum. Enjoy altars, live music, dance performances, food, face painting, souvenir printmaking, live music and dance performances, an art display, food and drink vendors, and more. www.hispanicfestivalstl.com ~ Information

Second Nature Zoo Preschool – Open House (STL), The St. Louis ZOO is excited to invite you to to learn more about Second Nature Zoo Preschool. Join us for our open house and learn about our Reggio-inspired program, where children  spend at least 50% of their day outdoors, drawing inspiration from animals and nature. Chose from 2 open house dates: Sundays, November 8, 2026 or Sunday, January 10, 2027 from 9 am to 12 noon. RSVP HERE

Family Sunday at the Art Museum (STL), Sunday, November 8 from 1–4 pm at The SLAM, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO, 63110. This week, explore your emotions with a special screening of the movie Inside Out, a family-friendly tour, 10-minute interactive performances by Metro Theater Company, and the Create Lab where you can color your emotions through therapeutic art exercises. Information

Touch a Truck Events (STL), Saturday, November 7 at two locations: Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC), 13161 Taussig Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044 from 10 AM-12 Noon with sensory friendly time from 10-10:30 AM. Come explore trucks, tractors, construction and first responder vehicles up close. Attendees will get the joy of exploring, climbing, sitting in the driver’s seat and talking with the operators of these exciting machines. Kona Ice snow cone, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, the Library Mobile and the Bubble Bus will also be onsite for your entertainment. This event is FREE and open to the public. Information  ~ The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, 8749 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO, United States, Missouri 63119 from 2-4pm: Get ready for a lively, FREE event where community helpers roll in with their coolest vehicles, filling the Webster Gardens parking lot with excitement! Kids and families can touch, explore, and climb aboard a variety of trucks and emergency vehicles. Come for the trucks, and stay for the autumn festivities and yummy s’mores by the fire pit. Information

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

 

Recreation Council & Partner Reminders…

Guide of more than 50 metro area parks. The best parks in the metro St. Louis/St. Charles area

Missouri Department of Conservation FREE nature classes:  Visit these links to find all the class listings: MDC’s Free Classes & Programs Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events here: Sign Up for MDC News.

Search for more Activities in your part of town…

Here are a few links to continue your search for fun in the metro area. Some places charge entry fees, so check on costs before you go.

Footnotes…