The open-air Whitaker Music Festival is a series of free concerts hosted on Wednesday evening at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In 2025, the Garden will showcase St. Louis’ rich music scene, featuring artists from diverse backgrounds and genres, including Latin/folk fusion, Americana, blues, punk, reggae, hip hop, indie pop, Irish-style bluegrass, and much more.
The annual festival is presented by the Whitaker Foundation, which supports St. Louis arts and parks to promote common heritage, celebrate diversity, and encourage vitality within the community.
When Is the Whitaker Music Festival?
In 2025, the Whitaker Music Festival takes place every Wednesday May 28–July 30. 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 2025?
This year, the Whitaker Music Festival features 10 local bands and artists that showcase the rich history and diversity of St. Louis Music scene.
May 28 | Vince Martin Band
June 4 | Manos PanAmerica
June 11 | 5 Star Roscoe
June 18 | Steve Ewing Band
June 25 | Funky Butt Brass Band
July 2 | Saint Chuck
July 9 | Jig Jam
July 16 | Dawn Weber & Good Company
July 23 | Tele-Starr
July 30 | Karla Harris Quintet
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 2025 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
- Knives of any kind
- Grills or open flames
- Pets (service animals are welcome)
- Smoking, tobacco products and devices, electronic smoking devices, or vaping of any kind
- 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 2025?
The Garden is proud to host this St. Louis tradition in our beautiful space, but please note that 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 each Thursdays 5–8 p.m. through September 25.
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, drinks, and signature Whitaker Music Festival T-shirts will be available for purchase near the Climatron®.
Get your Whitaker Music Festival 2025 T-Shirt.
Available for purchase on site during concert nights. $15 Each. Cards Only.
What is closed During the Whitaker Music Festival 2025?
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
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 Thursdays through September 25. During extended hours, Children’s Garden is included with admission to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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 bike 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
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