Live music in the great outdoors might just be the perfect pairing for families. With picnic baskets laden with delicious treats, green grass setting the stage for little dancers, and the moon and stars encapsulating the night sky, outdoor concerts are magical adventures. Sprout researcher and outdoor concert lover Rachel Mefford compiled this list of best bets for outdoor concerts.

Whitaker Music Festival
One of the prettiest locations in St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden presents the Whitaker Music Festival each Wednesday night from May 30 through July 25. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but get there early. Admission to the Garden is free after 5 p.m., and on Wednesdays, the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden is open late with free admission from 5-7 p.m. Pack a picnic dinner or purchase one at the garden.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63110. Call 314-577-5100 for details.

Twilight Tuesdays
Spread your picnic blanket out on the north lawn of the Missouri History Museum each Tuesday May 1 through June 12. Concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a picnic basket, blankets and lawn chair. Concessions are available. Kids will enjoy the special arts and crafts projects available during the event.

The Missouri History Museum is located at Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. Call 800-916-8212 for details.

Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series
Your own wild animals can boogie alongside their favorite zoo friends on almost every Friday night from May 25 through Aug. 31 (no concert on June 15). Jungle Boogie at the Saint Louis Zoo features concerts at the center of the zoo from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Saint Louis Zoo is located in Forest Park at 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63110. Call 314-781-0900 for details.

Fair Saint Louis
A far cry from the more low-key concerts listed above, Fair Saint Louis is full of energy, noise and spectacle as the city celebrates Fourth of July. Who doesn't love air shows, rock concerts and fireworks? A St. Louis tradition, this year Fair Saint Louis features Heart, Third Eye Blind and Dierks Bently. Concerts are July 4-7.

Fair Saint Louis is held under the Gateway Arch. Call 314-434-3434 for details.

Chesterfield Summer Concerts
The Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce hosts Tuesday evening concerts from June 5 through Aug. 14. Held in Faust Park, you won't want to miss the first concert of the season; it's a birthday party for the City of Chesterfield, complete with birthday cake, fireworks and prizes for the kids. Chesterfield Parks and Recreation provides entertainment for children before the concert and at intermission. Concerts are 7 to 9 p.m. The park opens at 5:15 p.m., with concessions opening at 5:30 p.m.

Chesterfield Summer Concerts are held at Faust Park, 15185 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, Mo., 63017. Call 636-532-3399 for details.

Music and Movies
With a backdrop of dramatic sculptures, Music and Movies at Laumeier Sculpture Park features local musicians and a family-friendly outdoor movie on three Friday evenings in June: June 1, 15 and 29. These events are free, and families are encouraged to bring their own picnics, lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers are permitted (no glass) and concessions are available. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Music and Movies are held at the Laumeier Sculpture Park amphitheater, 12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, Mo., 63127. Call 314-615-5278 for details.

Des Peres Park
Concerts at Des Peres Park are a popular destination for area families. Pack a picnic dinner or purchase food from the concession and enjoy a picnic while listening to  The Fabulous Motown Revue on June 8, FatPockets on July 13 and Mirage on Aug. 10. Concerts are from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Des Peres Park is located at 12325 Manchester Road, Des Peres, Mo., 63131. Call 314-835-6102 for details.

O'Fallon Jammin'
Each Tuesday evening from June 5 through Aug. 21, the bandstand at O'Fallon Civic Park is rocking with free concerts. Concerts are from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and families can bring their own picnic dinners or purchase food at the concession. 

O'Fallon Civic Park is located at Civic Park Drive, O'Fallon, Mo., 63376. Call 636-379-5614 for details.

Other Concerts
Many municipalities in St. Louis County have outdoor concert series. Search the Sprout calendar for a concert experience close to home.

Photos
Top right: The sun sets over the Whitaker Music Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Bottom right: Outside the Saint Louis Zoo's Lakeside Pavillion young and old get down to the music duing Jungle Boogie. Photo by Josh Monken / courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo.

This article was originally published in April 2011. It has been updated for the 2012 summer concert season.

St. Louis Sprout researcher This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it compiled this list of best bets. Mefford is a St. Louis native and a local insurance broker who works from home to spend time with her 2-year-old daughter. Having a flexible work schedule has allowed her family to keep a very active schedule full of swim lessons, playgrounds, countless zoo visits, and long weekends out of town.

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