St. Louis This Weekend: Best of Missouri Market, Shaw Art Fair and Boo at the Zoo

Verified October 8, 2026.

This weekend brings three useful options within a short drive of one another: the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Historic Shaw Art Fair on Flora Place and the opening nights of Boo at the Zoo. Each has different hours, admission rules and parking needs.

Best of Missouri Market

The Best of Missouri Market runs Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden members have a members-only shopping hour Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.

More than 150 artisans, food producers and beverage makers are scheduled. The Kids' Corner is open Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• General admission, ages 13 and older: $18
• Children, ages 3 to 12: $9
• Garden members, ages 13 and older: $9
• Free parking is available at Shaw Boulevard and South Vandeventer Avenue, with continuous shuttles during the weekend.

The event is rain or shine. Tram service and early Saturday walking hours will not operate during the festival. Check the official market page before leaving.

Historic Shaw Art Fair

The Historic Shaw Art Fair is Saturday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is held along the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Flora Place.

The fair includes juried artists, live music and local food vendors. Because the art fair and Best of Missouri Market are within walking distance, visitors can plan one trip around both events. Expect extra neighborhood traffic and follow posted parking restrictions.

Review the official Shaw Art Fair information, including the current program and directions.

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo opens Friday, October 9 and runs on select nights through October 30. Event hours are 5 to 8:30 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. This is a family Halloween event, not a trick-or-treating event.

• Zoo members: $13
• General admission: $16
• Children 23 months and younger: free
• Parking: free in the North and South lots while space is available

The sensory-friendly night is Monday, October 12. It includes sensory maps, quiet areas and trained staff; the Zooline Railroad will not run that night.

Check the Zoo's official page for tickets, operating nights and attraction updates.

How to plan the weekend

For a daytime outing, pair the Shaw Art Fair with the Best of Missouri Market and allow time for parking or shuttle lines. Boo at the Zoo is a separate evening ticketed event. Buy Zoo tickets before arriving and check each organizer's page again if weather changes.