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2017 Eclipse Events around St. Louis

The Great American Solar Eclipse is a big deal and Missouri is getting ready to host a party! The path of the TOTAL eclipse will cut diagonally through our state from Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, with lots of towns sitting right in the middle. Solar Eclipse Events around St. Louis

A whole bunch of us can just stand in our yards to catch the event of the century, but if you’re not in the path of totality or you just have a big honkin’ tree in your yard, there’s a number of great places hosting events to watch the eclipse. 

Please remember that this event is attracting a lot of tourists to our area and it’s prime viewing conditions. Plan on traffic! Get where you’re going early and remember to pack sunscreen, hats and water because, duh, you’re going to be standing around outside for several hours!

Here’s a list of places near St. Louis hosting events!

Events are free unless otherwise noted. I would highly advise purchasing glasses before any event, just to make sure you get a pair…but most are selling them on site. 

Chesterfield Amphitheater ($25 Tickets)

Totality MO 2017 at the Chesterfield Amphitheater is really a festival. Your ticket includes viewing glasses, a commemorative bag and live music from The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band. Food trucks will be on hand as well as a Micro Brew Village. Watch solar car races and play games while you wait for the eclipse. Bring a chair. Event runs from 10 am to 3pm. 

Chesterfield Valley Sports Complex 

Free viewing area, with glasses available for $1. There will be a concession stand, but no events. 10am to 3pm.

Saint Louis Science Center

Eclipse Day Celebration includes eclipse narration by Planetarium staffers, demonstrations, solar observing, food and fun to celebrate the total solar eclipse! 

The Magic House

The Magic House is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party in the museum’s front garden with kid activities and a dance party. Glasses are available. 10am to 2pm. Included with your Magic House admission. 

St. Louis County Library

Many branches of the St. Louis County Library are hosting free viewing parties. Head over to the library website, search for Eclipse Watch Party and find your local branch.  Glasses will be provided while supplies last and some branches are requiring an RSVP. 

Jefferson County Library, Arnold Branch

Watch party from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Glasses are free as long as supplies last. Play giant lawn games, get snacks from the MoJo Food truck and enjoy live music by Steve Chosich. Bring your own blankets and chairs. 

Jefferson County Library, Northwest Branch

Watch party from noon to 2:30pm. Free glasses while supplies last. Kids can make Planetary Sun Catchers and scribble with sidewalk chalk.  Joe Callahan and the Bluegrass Band will be performing from 12:30 – 1:30.  Kona Ice will be selling refreshing treats.  Bring your own blankets and chairs.

Jefferson County Library, Windsor Branch

Free watch party from noon to 2:30pm. Free glasses while supplies last. Bring your own blankets and chairs. The library will live stream the Eclipse in their meeting room through NASA as well.

Jefferson Barracks Park

This is the county park’s department big bash! Gates open at 9am and CLOSE at 12:45 to make sure everyone is in place for the eclipse. The USPS will unveil a new stamp dedicated to the eclipse at 11:15 am. There will be food trucks and free admission to the Jefferson Barracks museum. BYOG (Bring Your Own Glasses)

Bluebird Park (Ellisville)

Solar Eclipse Viewing party with music, activities, t-shirts, free viewing glasses, and food.  from 11am to 3pm.

Shaw Nature Reserve (Gray Summit) $20 per car

Shaw Nature Reserve will open at 8am–get there early because parking might sell out! Glasses are free while supplies last. Bring your lawn chair and a picnic lunch, then hike out to grab a good spot in park’s fields. Fields will be mowed, but please wear sturdy shoes. No discount for members.\

Babler Memorial State Park

Events will take place at the River Hills Visitor Center and in the monument field. Check out the Human Sundial! Glasses for sale for $1. 10am – 2pm. 

Hawn State Park (Ste. Genevieve)

Camp all weekend and watch the eclipse on Monday. Events starts Saturday night with live music at the campground amphitheater. Viewing party at 11:50am on Monday. 

Mastodon State Historic Site (Imperial)

Gather at the special use campground for a viewing party! Learn how the eclipse were interpreted throughout history by different cultures, where you can make your own pinhole viewer and learn about safety for viewing solar events, and an activity where you may try your hand at lining up a model sun, moon and Earth to understand how an eclipse actually works. Event is from 11:30am to 1:30pm. with totality from 1:17 p.m. – 1:19 p.m.  

Meramec State Park (Sullivan)

Gather at the Meramec River canoe launch area. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.  Glasses can be purchased at the park. Interpreters will be on hand to assist visitors and answer questions.  Programs will be held between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  

Washington State Park (De Soto)

All events will take place at the petroglyph site. Parking will be at the shelter #1 parking lot within walking distance to the site. There will be solar energy demos, crafts, educational talks and a concession stand. Glasses available for purchase while they last.

 

(I’ll keep updating this list as I find more events!)

Amazon has solar viewing glasses you might want to check out here (affliate link)–>

solar eclipse events in St. Louis