The Blues at the Arch Festival at Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis has been a summer staple since 2015.
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation — the official philanthropic partner and nonprofit conservancy for Gateway Arch National Park — has now announced the eagerly anticipated festival will be held this summer from Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13.
“This popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis’s storied blues history and showcases the talents of national and local artists,” according to the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “Produced in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, this free festival is the only one of its kind to take place on national park grounds.”
The first Blues at the Arch Festival was held in 2015 to celebrate the opening of the National Blues Museum. In 2022, the festival drew more than 9,000 visitors. This year, Gateway Arch Park Foundation executives expect over 10,000.
“The blues continues to be a thriving art form in St. Louis because of accessible programming like the Blues at the Arch Festival,” Erin Simon, president and CEO of the National Blues Museum, said in a statement.
“Offering this free event for the community showcases the best in the genre, both locally and nationally, and helps teach new generations of St. Louisans and visitors about our city’s rich heritage,” Simon continued. “That is what keeps blues thriving, and it’s incredible to bring all of these artists on one stage to celebrate together.”
Here’s the schedule for this year’s Blues at the Arch Festival.
Friday, August 11
Miz Renee Smith (5:15–6:15 P.M.) & Sugaray Rayford (6:30–8 P.M.)
The popular Kids Korner, with coloring, yard games, interactive pop-up sports, and other activities, will also be open. It will even feature a “musical petting zoo,” where kids can learn about and play real musical instruments.
Booze @ Blues will also be open, featuring local craft beers from 4 Hands Brewing Co. and specialty cocktails from Narwhals’s Crafted, STL Barkeep, and Sugarfire Smokehouse.
Saturday, August 12
- House Music: 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Dwayne Burnside: 12–1:30 p.m.
- Carolyn Wonderland: 2–3 p.m.
- Uvee Hayes: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- Slide Show: 4:30–4:45 p.m.
- Larry McCray Band: 5–6 p.m.
- Toronzo Cannon and The Chicago Way: 6:30–8 p.m.
- Fireworks: 8:00 p.m.
You can even start the day from 10–10:45 a.m. with a Sunrise Yoga with Citra Fitness & Movement class. Participants should bring their own water bottle, mat, and towel.
The Kids Korner will also be open again on Saturday, as well as Booze @ Blues.
Sunday, August 13
Blues Brunch: 10 A.M.–2 P.M.
Blues at the Arch Festival finishes with a Blues Brunch at 612North, next to the park. It will feature a photo booth as well as a live blues performance by Robert Nelson Band.
Tickets are required for the brunch and space is limited.
You can purchase tickets at 612North Event Space + Catering.
Know Before You Go
August 11–13 will be a busy weekend for downtown St. Louis since the Blues at the Arch Festival, Taste of St. Louis, and other events will be taking place at once. The Gateway Arch Park Foundation recommends booking hotel rooms, buying tickets for other attractions, and making restaurant reservations early.
You can learn more about the entire event, as well as find information about nearby parking and visiting the Arch, at Blues at the Arch Festival.
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