The open-air Whitaker Music Festival is a series of free concerts hosted on Wednesday evening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In 2024, the Garden will be featuring musical artists from a variety of genres including jazz, soul, country, folk, oldies and more.
To date, more than one million people have participated in this cherished St. Louis summer tradition, which welcomes guests to picnic at the Cohen Amphitheater while enjoying live music under the stars.
When Is the Whitaker Music Festival?
In 2024, the Whitaker Music Festival will take place every Wednesday May 29–July 31. Free admission begins at 5 p.m. and the music will start at 7 p.m. Last entry is at 8:15 p.m.
what is the Lineup for the Whitaker Music Festival?
May 29
Janet Evra
Originally from England, Janet Evra is an international jazz vocalist, bassist, and bandleader who has collaborated with jazz superstars and many St. Louis jazz legends. She is a Plum Jazz artist, and she has released four albums as a bandleader.
June 5
Clusterpluck
ClusterPluck mixes bluegrass, folk, rock, jam, and country into a hearty sonic stew. They utilize electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass, dobro, mandolin, banjo, drums, and four-part vocal harmony. This four-piece band produces an up-beat, electric, grassy energy with some country jam for listeners of all ages to enjoy.
June 12
Saint Boogie Brass Band
Saint Boogie Brass Band (SBBB) is a dynamic musical ensemble that comprises exceptionally talented musicians hailing from diverse backgrounds. The band’s distinctive sound is characterized by the fusion of horns and percussion, creating a lively and infectious party-like atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from various genres including hip-hop, pop, rock, jazz, blues, and funk, SBBB consistently delivers performances that captivate audiences and get them on their feet, grooving to the rhythm.
June 19
The Red Jackets
From the classics to the latest chart-topping hits, the Red Jackets’ non-step medleys will keep you dancing all night long. They deliver music in a way that is engaging and fun and creates memories.
June 26
Flying House
The Flying House sound is an eclectic mix that is both retro and contemporary and borrows flavors from late 60’s/early 70’s psychedelic rock/pop, 80’s infectious ska and reggae, as well as melodic alternative folk/rock/pop with a killer percussive drive.
July 3
Saint Chuck
Though Saint Chuck started as purely a cover band, the group released their first single, Can’t Get ‘Hold of You, in February of 2024 and plan to release two more in the spring of 2024. Through the mixture of stylistically differing covers and originals, their shows are certain to have everyone dancing.
July 10
Beth Bombara
Singer-songwriter, Americana Folk Rock artist Beth Bombara’s latest album “It All Goes Up” features songwriting first and foremost with a voice that connects on a raw, emotional level.
July 17
Star Roscoe
5 Star Roscoe is a group of musicians playing top shelf vintage Americana tunes.
July 24
Soulard Blues Band
Playing the blues for 45 years in many incarnations, the Soulard Blues Band still tears up the town one show at a time!
July 31
Red and Black Brass Band
St. Louis’ Premiere New Orleans-style second line brass band.
Do I have to buy a ticket?
Admission to the Whitaker Music Festival is free thanks to the Whitaker Foundation, which supports St. Louis arts and parks to promote common heritage, celebrate diversity and encourage vitality within the community.
Guests do not need to reserve advance tickets or make reservations for the 2024 festival. Guests must enter through the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at the Garden’s entrance where all items are subject to inspection. See the list of prohibited items >
If you are already at the Garden for daytime admission, you will be asked to exit the Garden at 4:30 p.m. You are not permitted to bring in outside food or reserve a spot for the festival before festival entry begins at 5 p.m.
What can I bring into the Whitaker Music festival?
We allow picnicking in open areas in and around the Cohen Amphitheater on Whitaker Music Festival performance evenings. Visitors can bring their own food and beverages or purchase items onsite.
Prohibited items:
- Glass of any kind (including bottles and food containers)
- Outside food or beverage prior to 5 p.m. on performance dates.
- Weapons and firearms or fireworks of any kind
- Grills or open flames
- Pets (service animals are welcome)
- Smoking, tobacco products and devices, or electronic smoking devices
- Music (Bluetooth speakers, playing instruments, etc.)
- Two-wheeled scooters (including “wheelie” shoes, skates, or skateboards)
- Guests without shoes or shirts
- Guests with clothing that may be taken as profane, vulgar, racist, sexist, or sexually suggestive
- Balloons, open flames, sparklers
- Large signage or banners
- Flowers, flower petals, props, glitter, confetti, or candles
- Tripods or monopods prohibited inside all buildings and conservatories
- Sporting equipment (soccer balls, baseballs and gloves, footballs, hula hoops, frisbees, etc.)
- Tents or structures
Visitors will not be permitted into the festival with prohibited items and will be asked to discard the item or leave the Garden.
What is open during the Whitaker Music Festival?
The Garden is proud to host this St. Louis tradition in our beautiful space, but please note on festival nights some areas of the Garden will be closed. If you would like to explore the Garden in the evening, we invite you to join us for Extended Evening Hours on Thursdays this summer.
During the Whitaker Music Festival, the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center will remain open to guests and is the only entry to the Garden during the festival. The Bellwether Café and Sassafras Restaurant will be closed, but food will be available for purchase near the Climatron®.
What is closed During the Whitaker Music Festival?
For safety and security purposes, portions of Garden grounds will remain closed for the duration of Whitaker Music Festival evenings. These include:
- Seiwa-en – the Japanese Garden
- The George Washington Carver Garden
- The Cherbonnier English Woodland Garden
- The Lichtenstein Victorian District
- Tower Grove House
- Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum
- Herb Garden
- Kresko Family Victorian Garden
- Piper Observatory
- Kaeser Maze
- The Stumpery
- The Pfautch Bavarian Garden
- The Strassenfest German Garden
- The Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden
- The Gladney Rose Garden
- The Ottoman Garden
- Central Axis
- Linnean Plaza
- The Ruth Palmer Blanke Boxwood Garden
- The Doris L. Schnucks Children’s Garden
Sassafras Restaurant and the Bellwether Cafe will be closed during the festival, but guests can purchase food at a tent near the amphitheater.
Will the Children’s Garden be Open?
Please note, the Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden will be closed during the Whitaker Music Festival. Additionally, guests are asked to accompany their children at all times during the festival.
The Brookings Exploration Center will be open for guests to pass through, but will not be offering any programming during Whitaker Music Festival. Restrooms and a Calming Corner will still be available for visitors.
The PlantLab located adjacent to the Brookings Exploration Center will not be open during the festival hours.
If you would like to explore the Children’s Garden in the evening, we recommend coming to our Extended Evening Hours on Thursday nights when the Children’s Garden is included with admission.
Where can I park?
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. View the Missouri Botanical Garden Parking Map >
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.
Join Us at the Whitaker Music Festival
Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer
Leave a Reply