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Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s ‘Blues at the Arch’ music festival returns in August

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The festival draws more than 10,000 people to groove to blues in Gateway Arch National Park each year

Gateway Arch Park Foundation has unveiled the highly anticipated lineup for the 11th annual ‘Blues at the Arch’ music festival, presented by The Steward Family Foundation. The festival returns to the North Gateway of Gateway Arch National Park for a free, weekend-long celebration, set against one of the most iconic backdrops in the country.

This riverfront gathering honors St. Louis’ deep blues legacy while spotlighting the genre’s enduring influence across rock, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and beyond proving that no matter your musical taste, it all traces back to the blues.

St. Louis has long held a defining place in the evolution of American music, from the ragtime roots of Scott Joplin to the electric rhythms of artists like Miles Davis and the clubs that once lined Gaslight Square. Blues at the Arch celebrates that lineage, connecting past to present in a city where the Mississippi River carried not just commerce, but culture, sound, and story.

This year’s festival will feature Toronzo Cannon, a modern blues artist with 10 Blues Music Award nominations, alongside standout performances from Tullie Brae and the Soulard Blues Band.

“St. Louis has played a pivotal role in shaping the blues and its influence across American music,” said Ryan McClure, executive director for Gateway Arch Park Foundation, “From the Old Rock House, which once stood on the Arch grounds, to the rail lines and waterways that carried the sound across the country, St. Louis helped create and proliferate blues music and the many genres that grew from it. This festival is a celebration of that legacy.”

Throughout the weekend, the North Gateway will transform into a vibrant, open-air festival experience with energetic convergence of live music, local flavor, and community connection set against the backdrop of the iconic Gateway Arch.

The Blues at the Arch Music Festival Schedule is:

Friday, Aug. 14:

  • 4:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues
  • 5 p.m. – Soulard Blues Band
  • 6:45 p.m. – Mr. Sipp

Saturday, Aug. 15:

  • 1:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues
  • 2 p.m. – Stevie J Blues
  • 3:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues on the main stage
    “Exploring the BluesPrint” in the Explorers’ Garden
  • 3:35 p.m.  – PACK Dance Demo in the Kids Korner
  • 4 p.m. – The Lady J Huston Show
  • 5:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues
  • 5:35 p.m. – PACK Dance Demo in the Kids Korner
  • 6 p.m. – Toronzo Cannon
  • 8:30 p.m. – Fireworks Display & Guest DJ spinning the blues

Sunday, Aug. 16:

  • 1:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues
  • 2 p.m. – Devin C. Williams
  • 3:30 p.m. – Guest DJ spinning the blues
  • 3:35 p.m. – PACK Dance Demo in the Kids Korner
  • 4 p.m. – Tullie Brae

Gateway Arch Park Foundation members at the Supporter level and above are invited to join the Foundation at our Blues Member & Sponsor Tent on Friday, August 14. Members and a guest can enjoy complimentary barbecue, drinks, and live music as a thank you for your sustaining support of our nonprofit and our efforts in Downtown St. Louis. Join or renew at the Supporter level or above by August 1 to get your invite to the Member & Sponsor Tent.

Beyond the stage, attendees can explore a variety of family-friendly activities, including a Kids Korner featuring interactive programming from The Magic House and City Museum, along with a curated selection of some of St. Louis’ most popular food trucks. For those interested in diving into the history of the genre, wander along the history walk to learn about blues music facts or attend a new educational program on Saturday called “Exploring the BluesPrint,” offering an opportunity to hear from a panel of blues legends, including Uvee Hayes, Bernie Hayes, Chris Shepherd, and Meaza Joy.

This festival continues Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s work to activate the park with programming that connects people to places and celebrates the stories that make St. Louis and our hometown national park unique. Driven by the dedication of our members and supporters, and corporate sponsors like The Steward Family Foundation and The Whitaker Foundation, these festivities remain a free community resource, fostering a welcoming gathering place where residents and visitors alike can experience the spirit of our city.

More information can be found online at www.archpark.org/blues.

Images courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

About Gateway Arch Park Foundation

Gateway Arch Park Foundation is the official philanthropic partner and nonprofit conservancy for Gateway Arch National Park. Its mission is to ensure the Gateway Arch, its grounds, neighboring public spaces, and attractions are a vital, welcoming, well-supported resource to the community and nation for generations to come. It seeks to fulfill its mission by providing for ongoing conservation, preservation and education at the park, in addition to hosting, facilitating and promoting community programs that bring the park and its surrounding areas in Downtown St. Louis to life. The Foundation is part of an alliance that helps meet this mission, which includes the National Park Service, Bi-State Development, Great Rivers Greenway, Jefferson National Parks Association, and the City of St. Louis. For more information, visit http://archpark.org.

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