The arts and entertainment playlist in St. Charles, Missouri, is multi-genre. Spanning live music, art exhibitions and galleries, performing arts, festivals, hands-on experiences, and more, you’ll discover small-town charm paired with big-city energy when you dive into the arts and entertainment scene here.
Check out these five exciting ways to explore the creative heartbeat of this historic river city.
1. Enjoy Live Music
You’ll find live music in St. Charles, MO, year-round. National acts book the 10,000-seat Family Arena while local and regional musicians perform at a variety of bars and restaurants and take the stage for seasonal outdoor concert series. Expect a range of genres like rock, blues, country, pop, Motown, EDM, and jazz, among others.
The Beale Street Concert Series invites acts to the outdoor stage at the shopping, dining, and entertainment development Streets of St. Charles on the second Wednesday evening of each month from May through October.
Head to the 600 to 900 blocks of North Second Street in Frenchtown for Hot Summer Nights on the second Saturday from June through September.
Music On Main is the third Wednesday night of each month from May through September in the 100 to 200 blocks of North Main Street. There’s also the New Town Concert Series from June to September at the New Town Amphitheater.
All of these events are free to attend, with food and beverages available for purchase at neighboring restaurants and vendors.
Some of the top St. Charles bars and restaurants offering live music are: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa’s Bottleneck Blues Bar and RYSE Nightclub, which brings top-tier EDM artists to perform; Main Street Honky Tonk, which books local, regional, and national country acts Friday through Sunday; and Tuner's on Main Street.
2. Experience the Performing Arts
For St. Charles theater and other live performing arts, the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the campus of Lindenwood University is home to a 1,200-seat Broadway-style theater and the Emerson Black Box Theater, designed for experimental theater with up to 180 seats. The center presents professional touring artists and entertainers year-round, and during the academic year, you can see shows by the university’s theater, dance, and music departments. In addition to concerts and sports events, Family Arena hosts touring family-friendly live productions.
3. Visit the Foundry Art Centre
Creatives meet to share and appreciate art in all its forms in St. Charles at the Foundry Art Centre. The repurposed 1920s train car factory is now a 36,800-square-foot arts hub featuring a performance hall, main galleries exhibiting artworks from regional and global creators, a gallery dedicated to emerging and experimental artists, another gallery hosting artwork by area children, and a gift shop. All art exhibitions are free and open to the public.
The Foundry is home to 13 studio artists who welcome visitors to learn more about their work. Classes and workshops are offered year round, and the center also hosts First Fridays, a monthly celebration of the arts featuring exhibitions, free art programming, and entertainment. The Foundry also has annual events such as the Fire Arts Fest that showcases fire as an artistic medium, Block Party, the Tattoo Arts & Crafts Fair, and the Merry Makers Market, a holiday market showcasing regional, makers, designers, and artists.
4. Explore Art Exhibitions and Galleries
St. Charles art galleries vary from small studios or walls within coffee houses to large community art centers.
If you’re short on time, Missouri Artists on Main exhibits and sells the works of dozens of award-winning artists from across Missouri, working in mediums that include painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, glasswork, sculpture, folk art, and more. The gallery fills a two-story former stagecoach station. While you’re there, check out class offerings and speak to artists working at the checkout counter.
If you have more time, visit additional galleries on the 14-block Historic Main Street. Native Traditions Gallery features Native American artwork and jewelry from across North America and South America. In the Garden Gallery, you’ll find art inspired by the botanical features of its historic property. And those two are just the beginning — there are so many more to explore.
Just a short drive from Main Street is Art Glass Array, a warm glass studio, gallery, and teaching facility. Admire handcrafted glass masterpieces like decorative wall hangings, bowls, seasonal decor, and more at their sun-filled gallery and store.
5. Attend a Special Event or Festival
For one week in the spring, you can watch art unfold and buy completed works during the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival, set amidst the nearby Historic Missouri Wine Country.
The MOSAICS Fine Art Festival is a juried, three-day festival in September. Nearly 100 invited regional artists exhibit and sell their works along Historic North Main Street. You’ll also find a creation station and an art shop for kids, live music, and other family-friendly entertainment.
Many of St. Charles’ seasonal festivals also incorporate music: Main Street in Bloom and the Missouri River Irish Fest in the Spring; Riverfest and Festival of the Little Hills each summer; Oktoberfest; and Christmas melodies sung by Victorian carolers and other musical ensembles during the month-long St. Charles Christmas Traditions®.
Scroll through our event calendar to find a complete list of festivals, gallery events, and upcoming performances to fully immerse yourself in the arts and entertainment scene in St. Charles!