For one weekend each year, the Missouri Botanical Garden invites visitors to immerse themselves in Chinese pageantry, history, and culture through jaw-dropping acts, interactive demonstrations, unique souvenirs, and authentic regional food.
In 2024, the Missouri Botanical Garden is hosting Chinese Culture Days on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chinese Culture Days is the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest as well as one of the oldest. Officially starting in 1996 with the opening of the Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, Chinese Culture Days is a beloved tradition for the St. Louis community.
This festival is a collaborative effort between the Missouri Botanical Garden and Board of Chinese Culture Education and Services to celebrate Chinese culture and highlight its history in the St. Louis community.
What to Do at Chinese Culture Days
Chinese Culture Days welcomes guests of all backgrounds to experience and learn more about Chinese culture and history during the festival while having fun and making memories.
Whether you consider yourself a foodie, a history buff, are coming with friends, or bringing the family – there is something for everyone to enjoy at this event.
Watch jaw-dropping acts Or learn something new
From world-record holding acrobats to renowned musicians and historians, there is a lot to see and learn at Chinese Culture Days. Below is a sampling of the many performances happening during the weekend festival.
Opening Ceremony
Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center to Cohen Amphitheater
SAT.
10 a.m.
The festival kicks off with a magnificent Chinese dragon dance at the new South Garden near the Jack. C. Taylor Visitor Center. The dragon has always been regarded as a sacred creature, symbolizing power, courage, righteousness and dignity. As a sign of ethnic identity, the Chinese refer to themselves as “Descendants of the Dragon,” and 2024 is the year of the dragon.
Followed by the dragon dance, the Lion Dance Team and others will perform briefly before leading the visitors to Cohen Amphitheater. The Opening Ceremony will begin around 10:30 a.m. upon the arrival of the dragon and dignitaries, who will offer brief remarks.
Acrobatic Cultural and Heritage Show
Bayer Event Center
SAT. & SUN. |
11 a.m. & 4 p.m.
This assortment of cultural heritage show will include amazing Chinese acrobatic acts, magical changing faces, skillful Kungfu demonstrations, and beautiful folk dances. The Umbrella Queen, Lina Liu, will be performing a number of crowd-pleasing acrobatic feats, including her Guinness World Record of balancing eight open parasols.
Silk & Bamboo: History of Chinese Musical Instruments
Bayer Event Center
SAT.
3 p.m. |
SUN. 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.
This rare opportunity will feature a musical instrument demonstration and presentation from a renowned erhu artist and traditional Chinese music expert, Mr. Wang Hong, who offers an intimate look at various exotic traditional instruments, their unique history, musical qualities, and techniques.
NEW! Embodied Charm: The Artistry of Chinese Opera Acting
Farr Auditorium
SAT.
11 a.m. & 4 p.m. |
SUN. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
This lecture will lead the audience to understand the characteristics of Chinese opera acting skills by explaining and demonstrating the four basic skills of “singing, speaking, performing, and combating” in stylized acting. At the same time, a professional opera actor will demonstrate the acting skills of Chinese Opera. Meanwhile, the audience will enjoy the unique charm of Chinese opera stage performances only possible in a live performance.
NEW! History of Chinese Food in St. Louis
Kemper Classroom
SAT. & SUN.
Noon.
Presented by food historian Magdalene Linck, this presentation features narratives and historical records, including menus from iconic Chinese restaurants, to show the rich culinary history of the Chinese community. Findings from the Missouri Historical Society’s Chinese Collection Initiative related to food and restaurants will be shared as well. Presentation will highlight iconic Chinese restaurants and foods in St. Louis dating back to the late 1800s, including stories about the St. Paul Sandwich. Audience engagement is encouraged following the talk.
Take Home a Sweet Souvenir & Shop the Cultural Marketplace
Shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs at the Cultural Marketplace and learn about local Chinese-American organizations. The Marketplace will be set up at the Linnean Plaza throughout the entirety of Chinese Culture Days.
New this year, bring home your Chinese Zodiac in sugar form. In a captivating sugar art demonstration, a skilled artisan deftly manipulate molten sugar into intricate sculptures that embody the essence of each zodiac symbol. The Sugar Art Demonstration will be available throughout the festival on the Spink Patio.
Try Authentic Regional Cuisine & Watch Live Cooking Demos
Enjoy Boba Tea, Wok, and more during Chinese Culture days by visiting the Chinese Food Court in the East Lot of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Foodies and cooking enthusiasts can also learn more about the art of Chinese tea, see live cooking demonstrations, and explore the history of Chinese restaurants and food in St. Louis throughout the weekend at the Kemper Classroom.
Made for Kids
The entire festival is family-friendly and a great place for kids to learn more about Chinese culture, try new foods, and have some fun.
Here are a few exhibits specifically designed with little ones in mind:
Children’s Arts and Crafts
Spink Pavilion
SAT.
& SUN. ALL DAY
This program is designed for children and the young-at-heart. Have your face painted with the Chinese zodiac, make your own Chinese lantern, try the chopsticks games, solve some ancient Chinese puzzles, and learn to write Chinese Calligraphy using traditional writing brushes. Pay attention to the program schedule. There is no shortage of fun here!
Dance with Dragons and Dance with Lions
Central Axis
SAT. & SUN. |
Noon
This assortment of cultural heritage show will include amazing Chinese acrobatic acts, magical changing faces, skillful Kungfu demonstrations, and beautiful folk dances. The Umbrella Queen, Lina Liu, will be performing a number of crowd-pleasing acrobatic feats, including her Guinness World Record of balancing eight open parasols.
NEW! Sugar Art Demonstration
Spink Patio
SAT. &
SUN. ALL DAY
In a captivating sugar art demonstration inspired by the Chinese zodiac signs, skilled artisan deftly manipulate molten sugar into intricate sculptures that embody the essence of each zodiac symbol. The dragon’s sinuous form takes shape, capturing the mythical aura with delicate details in spun sugar. The sweet aroma of caramelized sugar permeates the air, adding an extra layer to the sensory experience. The skilled artisan seamlessly bring the symbolic creatures to life, leaving behind a sugary menagerie that pays homage to
how to Get Tickets to Chinese Culture Days
We recommend reserving your tickets to Chinese Culture Days in advance either online or at the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. As a reminder, the Missouri Botanical Garden never sells tickets on third-party platforms, including social media.
- General Adult Admission (13+) | $16
- General Children’s Admission (12 and under) | $8
- Garden Member Adults (13+) | $8
- Garden Member Children (12 and under) | Free
- Festival-Level Members | Free + 6 Free Tickets
Purchase Tickets in Advance
Where to Park During Chinese Culture Days
The Garden offers parking outside of the Visitor Center, including several EV charging stations.
There is no charge for parking at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the event that the parking lot is full, visitors should use the free parking at the overflow lots at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Vandeventer. Shuttles will be running from this parking lot to the Visitor Center throughout the festival.
As leaders in sustainability, we are also big fans of walking, biking and public transportation. We offer biking parking near the Visitor Center and are conveniently located near two Metro bus stops.
Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer
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