8 Fourth of July events to check out in St. Louis this week

Who doesn’t love a day off, mid-week? Who won’t jump at the chance to eat cake, chow some ‘cue, listen to some tunes, and twist balloons into dog shapes? If you’re looking for us on Thursday, we’ll be doing all of those things. And later, of course, we’ll be watching the fireworks. Listed here are a few great places for you to do the same.

July 3

Alton Fireworks Spectacular
Alton’s 4,000-seat amphitheater in Riverfront Park on the Mississippi River will host a Fireworks Spectacular kicked off by live music. Food vendors and games will contribute to the fun.
4 to 10 p.m. – Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton, Illinois, riversandroutes.com

July 4

Celebrate Saint Louis
This boisterous all-day bonanza of live music, food, fireworks and an air show is pretty hard to beat. As it has almost every year since 1878 (in some form or other), this celebratory event takes place on the Gateway Arch grounds, and promises – as always – to be a blast. America’s Birthday Parade begins at 10 a.m.; the air show is at 2 p.m. The Fireworks Spectacular starts at 9:40 p.m.
10 a.m. – Gateway Arch, 11 N. Fourth St., St. Louis, celebratesaintlouis.org

Red, Arts & Blue Party
Angad Arts Hotel jumps aboard the party train with a fireworks viewing event up on the building’s 13th floor. Guests may reserve a table for two to six people for a fee. There is a food and beverage minimum of $75 per person. Spin Society’s DJ Epic will provide the music.
7 to 11 p.m. – Angad Arts Hotel, 3550 Samuel Shepard Drive, St. Louis, angadartshotel.com

Electric Sky Rooftop Party – City Museum
Another rooftop will offer exclusive 360-degree views of the fireworks around the region when City Museum hosts a party for all ages. Think balloon animals and face paints, think food and drinks (for purchase) and summer dance vibes from 314DJ. There will be limited seating on the roof so BYOC (bring your own chair) is recommended. Tickets, which include general admission to the museum during the day and must be purchased in advance, are $25 for members; $35 for non-members.
7 to 11 p.m. – City Museum, 750 N. 16th St., St. Louis, 314.231.2489, citymuseum.org

Freedom Festival – Kirkwood
Kirkwood hosts its annual Freedom Festival at Kirkwood Park. Food trucks begin at 5 p.m., live music kicks off at 7 p.m., with fireworks taking place once it gets dark. The rain date for this free event is July 5.
5 p.m. – Kirkwood Park, 111 S. Geyer Road, Kirkwood, 314.822.5855, kirkwoodparksandrec.org

July 4 & 5

St. Charles Riverfest
St. Charles Riverfest is where it’s at July 4 and 5. The two-day festivities kick off on Thursday at 10 a.m. with a parade in Bales Park. Family fun and games continue in Frontier Park on the 5th, with fireworks scheduled for 9:20 p.m. on both nights. Live music over the two days includes The Mighty Pines, Bone Daddy and Whiskey Morning, and Soulard Blues Band. But we’re most excited about the Bubble Bus, which will be working overtime from 5 to 10 p.m. both days.
10 a.m. – Frontier Park, 500 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles, stcharlescitymo.gov

July 4, 5 & 6

Hermann Freedom Fest 2024
Friday’s high jinks begin with food vendors at 5 p.m followed by a parade at 6 p.m., and a band concert at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks start just after dark. There’s a 5k Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, as well as a petting zoo and a kiddie tractor pull. Food trucks roll in at 2 p.m. The movie Independence Day will be shown Friday at 7 p.m. at Showboat Community Theatre; a showing of Grease will take place there on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Hermann Riverfront, 301 Wharf St., Hermann, hermannareachamber.com

July 6

Have A Blast Bash
In case you missed the fireworks July 4, or just want more of them, Westport Plaza celebrates on its own time, Saturday, July 6 with Have a Blast Bash. The family-friendly event will include music from Bad Habit, magic shows, food and drink, a pie-eating contest and fireworks which start at 9 p.m.
3 to 10 p.m. – Westport Plaza, 111 Westport Plaza Drive, Maryland Heights, westportstl.com