7 Fall Things to Do in St. Louis, Missouri

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As summer fades, the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter—ushering in a new season full of exciting things to do. From corn mazes to lively festivals, fall is the perfect time to get outside and try something different.

If you're looking for the best fall things to do in St. Louis, Missouri, you're in the right place. With perfect weather and plenty to explore, it's time to grab your cozy sweaters and experience everything this vibrant city has to offer in the fall. Continue reading to learn more!

Heading to St. Louis and planning last-minute?

Book your St. Louis accommodations and experiences early! See the short list of top suggestions below.

🏨 Top accommodations in St. Louis

• Best Western Plus StLouis West-Westport (under $100 USD a night)
• Drury Inn & Suites StLouis Near Forest Park (rated highly)
• Drury Inn & Suites StLouis Brentwood (relax by the pool)

☂️ Top tours and experiences in St. Louis

• A Taste of Two Cities - Food History Tour of STL Past Present (likely to sell out)
• The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour (rated highly)
• Museum of Illusions st Louis Admission Ticket
• St Louis Arch Small Group Walking Tour & Arch Entrance Ticket
• St Louis Ghost Tours - Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour

7 Fall Activities in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis Japanese Festival

Held over the Labor Day weekend, the Japanese Festival is one of the most anticipated fall events in St. Louis. It takes place at the Missouri Botanical Garden—a historic St. Louis landmark and one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States, founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw.

The garden covers 79 acres, with 14 acres dedicated to the beautiful Japanese Garden, one of the largest Japanese gardens in North America. This tranquil oasis offers the perfect setting for the festival's many activities, including Sumo wrestling demonstrations, traditional Japanese dancing, and other cultural performances.

Visitors can also enjoy a variety of authentic Japanese foods, from sushi to ramen, offered by local vendors. The festival celebrates Japanese history and culture and is a fun, educational event for all ages.

🏨 Accommodations nearby Missouri Botanical Garden

• Drury Inn & Suites StLouis Near Forest Park (highly rated)
• Hampton Inn & Suites StLouis at Forest Park

Scarefest

Fall in St. Louis wouldn't be complete without a visit to Scarefest, home to three of the area's most intense haunted attractions: The Darkness, Creepyworld, and The Lemp Haunted House. Each one offers a unique scare experience using live actors, detailed sets, and chilling sound and light effects.

Located in Downtown St. Louis, The Darkness is frequently ranked as one of the top haunted houses in the country. Expect pitch-black rooms, terrifying costumes, strobe lights, and loud noises designed to keep your adrenaline pumping. In nearby Fenton, Creepyworld features 13 themed haunted houses in one walkthrough, each with a different nightmare scenario.

The Lemp Haunted House is a real-life haunted building. This 19th-century mansion is said to be one of the most haunted places in America, with a tragic family history tied to St. Louis's beer scene. Reports of paranormal activity make it especially eerie during Halloween.

St. Louis Renaissance Faire

Travel back to the days of knights, royalty, and magical creatures at the St. Louis Renaissance Faire in Wentzville, MO. Organized by Mid-America Festivals, this weekend-only event runs from mid-September to mid-October and is packed with immersive, family-friendly fun.

Guests can enjoy traditional medieval jousting, interactive performances, and themed food and drink. You might even run into the King and Queen as you explore the village!

The faire also hosts a variety of unique contests, including a costume contest, a fantasy mask competition, a mural contest, and even a fairy house competition—perfect for creative visitors of all ages.

With ongoing entertainment, artisan vendors, and multiple dining options throughout the grounds, the St. Louis Renaissance Faire is a fall favorite for anyone looking to experience a bit of old-world magic.

Jason Vargas/Shutterstock.com

Boo at the Zoo

A favorite for families each fall, Boo at the Zoo is a kid-friendly Halloween celebration held at the St. Louis Zoo, located in Forest Park. The event typically runs during the second half of October, transforming the zoo into a festive wonderland after dark. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, themed decorations, and special nighttime activities.

Visitors can still view many of their favorite animals while exploring Halloween-themed zones across the zoo. Activities may include pumpkin painting, craft stations, light displays, and interactive games. While attractions can vary year to year, the event is designed to be fun (and not too scary) for all ages.

The St. Louis Zoo itself is a historic landmark, originally established during the 1904 World's Fair, and officially became a zoological park in 1910. Today, it spans 90 acres and is home to over 12,000 animals, divided across six themed zones: Historic Hill, Red Rocks, Lakeside Crossing, River's Edge, The Wild, and Discovery Corner.

🏨 Places to stay close to the STL Zoo

• The Cheshire (rated 4-stars)
• Moonrise Hotel

The Great Godfrey Corn Maze

Head over to Godfrey, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis, for the Fall Corn Festival, featuring the Great Godfrey Corn Maze—one of the largest and most popular corn mazes in the area.

The event is held at Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park. It runs on weekends from mid-September through early November, with operating hours on Friday evenings and all day Saturdays.

Beyond the maze itself, families can enjoy a variety of fall-themed activities, including hay wagon rides and even a haunted maze on select nights.

Fright Fest St. Louis

If you're looking for a serious scare this fall, head to Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis. This nationally hosted Halloween event kicks off in mid-September and runs through early November, transforming the park into a haunted playground after dark.

During the day, the park operates normally, with all the usual rides and family-friendly fun. But once the sun sets, the atmosphere changes completely. The park becomes filled with haunted mazes (requires an extra ticket purchase), scare zones, live performers, and spooky decorations at every turn.

Many thrill rides, including roller coasters, remain open at night, making the experience even more intense in the dark. Whether you're into haunted attractions or want to enjoy the adrenaline rush of roller coasters at night, Fright Fest is a fall tradition for thrill-seekers in the St. Louis area.

Art Festivals

Almost every weekend in the fall, St. Louis comes alive with art festivals that showcase local and regional talent. Whether you're a casual browser or serious collector, these events offer a chance to discover one-of-a-kind pieces while exploring different neighborhoods throughout the city.

• The biannual Art Fair at Queeny Park, located in Ballwin, features artists from over 20 states. While it technically takes place in late August, just before the official start of fall, it's still worth a mention on this list!

• The St. Louis Art Fair (early September) is held in the heart of Clayton. Streets are closed off, and the business district transforms into a vibrant outdoor gallery with tents, food, and live entertainment.

• Art in the Park takes place in late September in St. Louis Hills. Visitors can enjoy free live music, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and a wide variety of local artwork stalls in a relaxed, community-focused setting.

• The Best of Missouri Market (early October), held at the Missouri Botanical Garden, is known for its mix of food, handmade goods, and local art.

• The Historic Shaw Art Fair (also early October) has been taking place in the Shaw neighborhood since 1993. Proceeds from the fair support community improvement efforts.

• Grove Fest (also early October) is a lively street festival held in the heart of The Grove. This free, one-day event features live music, local art, street performers, food trucks, and more. It's a vibrant celebration of one of St. Louis's most eclectic neighborhoods.

• Harvest Festival (mid-October) takes over Tower Grove Park with local food and drink, live bands, and dozens of artisan vendors. Hosted by Sauce Magazine, this family-friendly event offers a relaxed way to enjoy fall with picnic vibes, autumn colors, and plenty of seasonal flavors.

In Conclusion

Now that your fall activities in St. Louis are all planned out, you'll be counting down the days until autumn arrives. With its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and seasonal charm, St. Louis is the perfect place to experience the magic of fall. Time to start packing your bags!

This article was edited by Loredana Gogoescu.

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