What's New in The Lou: January 8th

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Your final group of “Best in The Lou” WINNERS! 🎉

This final group of loud & proud winners brings the noise, the color, the cheers, and the “only in St. Louis” moments you love 🎉🎶👇

🌍 Best Festival or Annual Event: Festival of Nations

One weekend a year, Tower Grove Park becomes the best “party in the park” on the planet. Festival of Nations brings together nonstop music & dance with global food… 80+ countries are represented across more than 100 vendors!

⚽ Best Sports Venue: CityPark (Energizer Park)

CityPark has quickly become one of the most exciting soccer venues in the country. The supporter section is rocking and the skyline view is beautiful. Every match feels like an event, even for casual sports fans. The Lou shows up for soccer.

😎 Best STL Icon: Fredbird

A national treasure. You know Fredbird for dancing on dugouts, trolling opponents, and delighting fans for generations. He steals the spotlight every single Cardinals game, especially for the kids. No one reps STL harder!

🎶 Best Live Music Venue: Off Broadway

This legendary local spot is the longest-running independent music venue in town. Off Broadway delivers intimate shows with incredible sound and a lineup that blends national acts with local favorites. If you love live music, this is your spot.

🌟 U.S. Figure Skating Championship Events

St. Louis takes center ice as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships bring the nation’s top skaters to town, culminating in national titles and the official selection of Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. From rising junior stars to Olympic hopefuls, this multi-day event blends elite competition with unforgettable moments for fans.

Schedule:

• Championship Rhythm Dance & Men’s Short Program – Enterprise Center (Thu, Jan. 8).
  Ice dance and men’s technical skills take center stage.

• Championship Medal Events – Enterprise Center (Fri–Sat, Jan. 9–10).
  Titles are decided as pairs, women, men, and dance champions are crowned during the most dramatic sessions of the week.

• Making the Team: Olympic Selection Showcase – Enterprise Center (Sun, Jan. 11).
  A special, non-competitive celebration revealing Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics, featuring performances by all U.S. champions.

Additional Events:

• Winterfest at Kiener Plaza- Winterfest at Kiener Plaza is being extended through the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, transforming the downtown celebration into a skating-themed fan fest from Jan. 9–11. The free festivities include special open-skate sessions led by Learn to Skate USA, appearances by Olympic legends Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, and Tenley Albright, plus live music, interactive art, and family-friendly activities throughout the plaza.

What’s Happenin’ in St. Louis 👀

Friday, January 9th

• Brewhaha! (4 Hands Brewing)- Get ready for a fun night packed with “beer, barrels, and polka… dots.” This evening features performers, plus plenty of ways to play and sip- board games, trivia, beer & burgers, and a lineup of art vendors. Get ready for lots of laughs! Doors open at 7 pm, Show at 8 pm.

• The Outsiders (Fabulous Fox Theater)- Broadway’s Tony-winning musical adaptation of The Outsiders brings 1967 Tulsa to life with an original score and powerful storytelling. Follow Ponyboy Curtis and the Greasers as they navigate class conflict, loyalty, and belonging in one of the season’s most talked-about shows. Shows run through January 18.

• Neil Forever (The Factory)- Neil Forever is a live concert tribute celebrating the music and legacy of Neil Diamond. Expect amazing vocals, big sing-alongs, and all the hits that made Diamond an American icon. Doors open at 7 pm. Show at 8 pm.

• Ashley Gavin (Helium Comedy Club)- Rising comedy star Ashley Gavin has appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix, and more. She brings her standup set to town with multiple shows over the weekend. Friday at 7 and 9:15 pm. Saturday at 7 and 9:30 pm.

• Missouri State University Chorale (Cathedral Basilica)- The Missouri State University Chorale fills the Cathedral Basilica with rich choral harmonies in a stunning setting. Their performance showcases both classical sacred works and contemporary choral selections. 7:30 pm.

Saturday, January 10th

• Harlem Globetrotters (Chaifetz Arena)- The Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years of basketball magic with gravity-defying trick shots and and impressive skills. With shows in the afternoon and evening, this is a high-energy, family-friendly spectacle that never gets old. 2 pm and 7 pm.

• Great Winter Round‑Up (Brookdale Farms)- Brookdale Farms transforms into a winter playground with hayrides, inflatables, crafts, and cozy bonfire vibes. Explore the farm and warm up with cider and hot cocoa during this all-day outdoor festival. The event runs weekends through January 25 from 12-4 pm.

• Stravinsky & Debussy: Music in Motion (Powell Hall)- The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra joins Saint Louis Dance Theatre for a fusion of music and movement. Featuring Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite with world-premiere choreography and works by Debussy, this program reimagines classical ballet for modern audiences. Performances are Jan. 10 (7:30 pm) and Jan. 11 (3 pm).

• Eagle Saturdays (Audubon Center at Riverlands)- Peak bald-eagle season brings guided wildlife walks and up-close raptor encounters along the Mississippi River. With free s’mores and hands-on learning, this outdoor event is both educational and family-friendly. Runs every Saturday of January. 10 am- 2 pm.

Sunday, January 11th

• Iconic Conversations: Amanda Doyle (Old Courthouse)- Author Amanda Doyle shares stories and hidden gems from her book 100 Things to Do in St. Louis Before You Die. The free talk offers fresh inspiration for locals and visitors alike, followed by a book signing. 2 pm.

• Najee (City Winery)- Grammy-winning saxophonist Najee brings smooth jazz, R&B, and soulful melodies to an intimate City Winery setting. Enjoy music spanning his four-decade career while you wine and dine. 5 pm.

• Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater)- A string quartet performs Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by the glow of hundreds of candles in this immersive concert experience. The one-hour performance pairs timeless classical music with an unforgettable atmosphere. 6:30 pm.

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ST. LOUIS NEWS + UPDATES 📰 

Steve’s Hotdogs on Delmar/Fountain on Delmar to close: Steve’s Hot Dogs and The Fountain in Delmar Maker District will permanently close their doors on January 10 after struggling to sustain daily operations following the May 16 tornado and a slow neighborhood recovery. The parent company, HuSTL Hospitality Group, says it will shift focus to higher-volume ventures like stadium and festival concessions and plans to launch a Steve’s Hot Dogs food truck in March to reach more customers with a more flexible business model.

Crime Decline: The 2025 crime report has shown progress in the city. St. Louis’s homicide dropped 7% from 2024 and 46.8% overall since 2020. However, the May 16 tornado’s aftermath highlighted gaps in preparedness and temporarily diverted anti‑violence resources.

WEATHER FORECAST 🌡️ 

Friday
51° 🌤 | 5% rain | 🌬 11 mph

Saturday
44° 🌤 | 24% rain | 🌬 16 mph

Sunday
37° 🌤 | 1% rain | 🌬 14 mph

Monday
52° ☀️ | 3% rain | 🌬 11 mph