FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Kelly Lu, earthday365
kelly@earthday-365.org, 314-282-7533

2026 St. Louis Earth Day Festival Bans Plastic Use

St. Louis, MO (April 2, 2026) — Drawing tens of thousands of attendees each year, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival returns to the Muny Grounds in Forest Park on April 25–26, 2026, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Organized by local nonprofit earthday365, this free Festival highlights environmental solutions and sustainability through educational activities, live entertainment, hands-on programming, and participation from hundreds of local organizations and businesses, all centered on the 2026 theme: Planet vs. Plastic.

“We have always worked to reduce disposable plastic at the Festival, but this year, attendees can experience a space truly devoted to Zero Waste Principles while learning about the environmental and health effects of plastics,” says Dr. Jess Watson, Executive Director of earthday365. “It feels overwhelming, but we can take action, individually and collectively.”

The St. Louis Earth Day Festival, which is the largest Earth Day celebration in the Midwest, connects attendees with 200 local businesses, organizations, and artists, all offering sustainable products, hands-on activities, and educational resources. This year, earthday365 is requiring all vendors to use only compostable packaging and be 100% free of oil-based plastics as part of its initiative to create a fully Zero Waste festival environment and demonstrate practical alternatives to single-use plastics.

The Festival’s Main Stage will once again spotlight regional leadership and creativity, featuring live music, performances, and special programming throughout the weekend. Highlights include Keynote Speaker Dana Ripper, Executive Director of the Missouri River Bird Observatory, earthday365’s annual Sustainability Awards, honoring individuals and organizations advancing environmental impact across the St. Louis region, performances from Emmy award winning artist, Bobby Norfolk, and a Sustainable Fashion Show by Liberated Roots Co’Creations.

The Community Stage will offer engaging, family-friendly programming including wild bird shows from World Bird Sanctuary, a recycling mermaid storytime from Amara Arts, drag storytime with Fourth City Sisters, performances for kids by the Boogie Band, and more. 

Hands-on experiences will include a kids’ balance bike course with St. Louis BWorks, a climbing wall with Upper Limits, roller skating with Skate Culture STL, and an interactive display of beautiful geodesic domes crafted from recycled plastic materials by artist Adrienne Outlaw, among many other opportunities to connect directly with organizations and individuals working towards a healthier city and planet. 

Festival goers can also explore the Earth Day Café, featuring many local Green Dining Alliance certified businesses as well as an All Vegan Zone full of delicious plant-based eateries and wine from City Winery.

earthday365’s Climate Education tent will invite attendees to learn more about the root causes of climate change and environmental injustice, with interactive exhibits focused on sustainable solutions, public policy, and everyday actions that make a difference. Attendees can take the Climate Pledge, capture their memories at the DIY photo booth, and discover meaningful ways to stay involved year-round.

Festival attendees are also encouraged to take part in the Plastic-Free Scavenger Hunt and Earth Day Challenge by making their visit as sustainable as possible. Simple steps including taking public transit, biking or walking, bringing reusable water bottles and bags, choosing plant-based foods, becoming an earthday365 member, and composting at home can earn participants a Metro Transit pass or Dr. Bronner’s soap bar sample. 

Additionally, earthday365 will be hosting a virtual silent auction to help fund future Festivals featuring over 70 exciting items from local businesses, such as two free shoe cards to Naturalizer.com donated by Caleres, $500 Hunter Tree Service gift certificate, 1-hour garden consultation from Ro’s Wigglers + merch, and 6 months of biweekly compost service from New Earth Farm.

The St. Louis Earth Day Festival is made possible with the support of generous sponsors and community partners, including Companion Baking Co., St. Louis CITY SC, Metro Transit, St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, The City of St. Louis, Missouri American Water, Missouri Division of Tourism, Caleres, Green2Go, Washington University in St. Louis, WeDriveU, Meridian Supply, City Winery, McCarthy Building Companies, St. Louis Magazine, and Republic Services.

Join us for a weekend of community, creativity, education, and fun at the 2026 St. Louis Earth Day Festival. For more information, visit earthday-365.org/festival.

About earthday365

earthday365 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and mobilizing a collaborative movement towards an equitable and environmentally sustainable St. Louis region. Through programs like the St. Louis Earth Day Festival, Green Dining Alliance, Recycling On the Go, and Environmental Justice Days of Action, earthday365 empowers local businesses, communities, and individuals to take action for the planet, every day.