Hot town, summer in the city … and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Our top picks for the month of July feature full-on fun – whether it’s in the sun or under the stars – at Fair Saint Louis, The Muny, Missouri Botanical Garden and Art Hill at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
WHAT: FAIR SAINT LOUIS
WHEN: Various times; July 2, 3 and 4
WHERE: Downtown St. Louis
One of the nation’s biggest Fourth of July celebrations kicks off this weekend at Kiener Plaza and Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. Concerts, a live eSports tournament and what organizers are calling the largest fireworks display in Fair Saint Louis history take place over the course of three days.
Highlights include America’s Birthday Parade along Market Street (10 a.m., July 2), Purina Incredible Dog Team shows (1 and 4 p.m., July 3 and 4); and the Grand Finale Fireworks Spectacular on the grounds of the Gateway Arch (9:30 p.m., July 4).
The concert lineup includes headliners X Ambassadors (July 2 at Ballpark Village), Third Eye Blind (July 3 at Ballpark Village) and a ‘90s House Party with Color Me Badd, Montell Jordan, Coolio, Tone Loc and Young MC (July 4 at Kiener Plaza).
Admission to the fair is free. Food and drink from local vendors, as well as from a number of food trucks, will be available for purchase. For a complete schedule of events, parking information and more, visit the Fair Saint Louis website. fairsaintlouis.org
WHAT: MARY POPPINS
WHEN: 8:15 p.m.; July 5 to 13
WHERE: The Muny
The Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” is sure to be a highlight of the Muny season!
The adventure begins on Cherry Tree Lane, where things are not going well for the Banks family: Jane and Michael are misbehaving, and their strict father wants to find a nanny who will teach them how to be proper and orderly. Cue Mary Poppins, who mysteriously drops in, bringing a spoonful of magic and plenty of adventure, helping the family learn to appreciate and understand each other.
The Muny production features sing-along favorites such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Step in Time,” “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” as well as a stellar cast led by Jeanna de Waal as Mary Poppins and Corbin Bleu as Bert. De Waal most recently played Diana in “Diana, The Musical” on Broadway and on Netflix. Bleu, star of Disney’s “High School Musical” franchise, last appeared on the Muny stage in 2018 as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain.
$18 to $115; muny.org
WHAT: WHITAKER MUSIC FESTIVAL
WHEN: 7 p.m.; Wednesdays through Aug. 3
WHERE: Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden’s popular evening concert series continues this month with a lineup of local artists for live music under the stars. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the performances on the lawn of the Cohen Amphitheater surrounded by the beauty of the garden.
New this year: Free advance reservations are required for admission to the concert, with tickets for each concert available one week prior to the date (every Thursday at noon before the concert). Free admission entry begins at 5 p.m. on concert nights; last entry is at 8:15 p.m. The music begins at 7 p.m.
The upcoming concert lineup includes: We Are Root Mod (soul, hip-hop and funk-inspired music) on July 6, Sweetie & the Toothaches (‘40s to ‘60s R&B, jump blues) on July 13, Mo Egeston All-Stars (jazz, modern soul, Latin and funk) on July 20, The Soulard Blues Band on July 27 and Old Salt Union (bluegrass) on Aug. 3.
Free with advance reservations; mobot.org/whitaker
WHAT: ART HILL FILM SERIES
WHEN: 6 to 11:30 p.m.; July 8, 15, 22 and 29
WHERE: Art Hill in Forest Park
Summer in St. Louis means you can catch a Friday night movie under the stars on St. Louis’ favorite front lawn. The Saint Louis Art Museum’s Art Hill Film Series returns in July with a lineup of sports-themed movies that will have fans cheering in their seats.
This year’s theme, “Game On!” is a salute to the museum’s ongoing exhibit, “Catching the Moment,” featuring contemporary art acquired by the museum from the collection of Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Simmons and his wife, Maryanne Ellison Simmons.
The series kicks off with “A League of Their Own” on July 8, followed by “Love & Basketball” on July 15, “Bend It Like Beckham” on July 22, and “The Sandlot” on July 29.
Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music, food and drink available for purchase from local food trucks, and more. The movie begins at 9 p.m.
Free; slam.org/2022-Art-Hill-Film-Series
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