The open-air Whitaker Music Festival is a series of free concerts hosted on Wednesday evening at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
In 2026, the Garden will showcase St. Louis’ rich music scene, featuring artists from diverse backgrounds and genres, including Latin, funk fusion, rock-and-roll, orchestra, soul, Americana spirituals, and 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 2026, the Whitaker Music Festival takes place every Wednesday May 27–July 29. Free admission begins at 5:30 p.m. and the music will start at 7 p.m. Last entry is at 8:15 p.m.
Please note that the Garden will begin welcoming guests to the Whitaker Musical Festival starting at 5:30 p.m. in 2026. This is 30 minutes later than previous years.
what is the Lineup for the Whitaker Music Festival 2026?
This year, the Whitaker Music Festival features 10 local bands and artists that showcase the rich history and diversity of the St. Louis Music scene.
May 27 | Tiffany Ann (Multi-genre Singer-Songwriter)
June 3 | Manos PanAmerica (Latin and North American Fusion)
June 10 | Playadors (70s Funk-Fusion)
June 17 | John Henry (Rock-and-Roll)
June 24 | Steve Ewing Band (Punk, Reggae, Hip Hop, and Ska)
July 1 | U.S Air Force Band of Mid-America (Concert Band/Orchestra)
July 8 | Laka Soul (Soul, R&B, Pop)
July 15 | Walter Parks and The Unlawful Assembly (Roots fusion and Americana Spirituals Revival)
July 22 | Nick Gusman and the Coyotes (Folk, Country, Blues)
July 29 | The Bedlam Brothers (Americana/Folk)
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 2026 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 before the festival begins. You are not permitted to bring in outside food or reserve a spot for the festival before festival entry begins at 5:30 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 5:30 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 2026?
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.
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 2026 T-Shirt.
Available for purchase on site during concert nights. $15 Each. Cards Only.
What is closed During the Whitaker Music Festival 2026?
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.
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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