The Gateway City offers food, culture, and activities for residents and visitors year-round, but it particularly comes alive in the summer months. Whether you enjoy music, theater, or general outdoor celebrations, the city is buzzing with events to enjoy. This June in St. Louis, check out some of these exciting events:

Shakespeare Festival - Romeo & Juliet

Date: June 1-24th

Time: 8pm nightly, except Tuesdays; Pre-show activities at 6:30pm

Location: Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park

Cost: Free

The start of June marks the beginning of the Shakespeare Festival in St. Louis. The mainstage event, Romeo & Juliet, happens nightly in Forest Park in the Shakespeare Glen all month long (except Tuesdays). Visitors will enjoy this production under the stars and, best of all, it’s free to the public. You can choose to bring your own chair or blanket, or you can pay to reserve a spot and chair. They also have gourmet box dinners for purchase. Come down around 6:30 for The Green Show — 90 minutes of pre-show fun, including local entertainers, a family activity, and crafts.

Food Truck Friday

Date: Friday, June 8th

Time: 4:00-8:00pm

Location: Tower Grove Park

Cost: Free; Speed Passes: $10/each or 3/$25

For foodies all over the Gateway city, Sauce Magazine’s Food Truck Friday is not to be missed. Tucked in Tower Grove Park, this food-truck frenzy happens once a month from May through October. This month, catch the event on June 8th, and sample some of the best mobile eateries from around St. Louis. You’ll find over 20 local food trucks, including Steak Louie, Mission Taco Truck, and Fire & Ice Cream Truck. One of the best outdoor food events in the city is complete with several breweries, including Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. They’ll also have live music and sponsor stations to set the soundtrack for the afternoon. If you’re on the run, you can purchase speed passes that allow you to cut the line at one food truck for your meal.

Central West End Cocktail Party

Date: Saturday, June 9th

Time: 5:00-10:00pm

Location: Central West End business district

Cost: Free

Celebrate the supposed first cocktail party on record in the Central West End this June. The first was held in 1917 by Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. in her home at 4510 Lindell. As a tribute, this event celebrates the history of the neighborhood with an evening of entertaining acts, food, libations, and a spirited cocktail competition between some of the CWE’s best bartenders. With music, fire dancers, unicyclists, and swing dancers, this is sure to be an exciting event.

Taste of Downtown STL

Date: Saturday & Sunday, June 16-17th

Time: Saturday, June 16th 12-9pm; Sunday, June 17th 11-7pm

Location: Kiener Plaza

Cost: Free

To get a true sense of St. Louis’ food culture, check out the Taste of Downtown STL outdoor festival. This two-day event offers an opportunity to experience some of the many unique local restaurants and great live music. You’ll even get to experience some of the chefs up close as they work their magic. In addition to delicious food, there will also be plenty of tasty beverages, unique artists, and local retailers to check out.

The Muny’s Centennial - The Wiz

Date: June 19-25th

Time: 8:15pm

Location: The Muny Theater

Cost: Tickets are $15+ and vary by seat

For fans of the theater, this summer marks the Muny’s 100th year of sharing broadway productions under the night sky. Towards the end of June, you can catch a performance of The Wiz, a production based on L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This reimagined show is a favorite, with plenty of catchy gospel and rock rhythms. Check it out at the Muny — the oldest and largest outdoor theater in the U.S..

Pridefest St. Louis

Date: Saturday & Sunday June 23-24th

Time: Saturday: 11:00am-7:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am-6:00pm; Sunday Parade: 12:00pm

Location: Soldiers Memorial Park on Market Street

Cost: Free admission, $5 donation

The St. Louis PrideFest is one of the most popular Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) events held in the Midwest. It kicks off on Saturday, June 23rd, and continues into Sunday with the famed Grand Pride Parade at noon on Market Street. The parade will happen against the beautiful backdrop of the Arch and will celebrate the LGBT community’s creative talents as well as the support from legislators and candidates. The theme this year, “Community Proud”, celebrates the organization’s community engagement. They’ll also host performers each day for the hundreds of thousands of expected visitors to enjoy.

This June, the Gateway city is filled with great events to kick off the start of the summer. Whichever aspect of St. Louis culture interests you, there’s sure to be something fun to experience. Check out some of these wonderful events, and take advantage of all that St. Louis has to offer.