August is comin’ in hot in STL, but there are lots of cool things to do in the downtown area this month — for everyone from foodies to kids to puppy parents to music lovers:

Yappy Hour at the Biergarten – Thursday, August 11, 18, 25, 4 – 8 p.m.

Anheuser Busch Biergarten

Menu specials, live music and your canine companion… What more could you ask for on a summer day? Bring your puppy to the patio and enjoy some $2 Bud Lights (and many more deals) and performances from local bands Jackson Howard, My Friend Mike and Arvell Keithley Duo.

Blues at the Arch – Friday, August 12, 19, 26, 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Luther Ely Smith Square

Beat the end-of-summertime sadness with a free, three-week series of blues concerts and local food! Join the National Blues Museum and City Arch River Foundation at the newly renovated Luther Ely Smith Square (at the corner of 4th and Market streets) for live performances from well-known local and national acts:

• August 12 – Phi, Vasti Jackson
• August 19 – Marsha Evans & the Coalition and Skeet Rodgers & the Inner City Blues Band
• August 26 – National Park Service Centennial Jazz Band, Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child”

And come hungry, as there will be plenty of yummy local eats from Sugarfire Smoke House, Taze Mediterranean Street Food and many others.

Cars + Coffee – Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ballpark Village

Calling all car aficionados! Stop by Ballpark Village for your Saturday dose of cars, coffee and a special free professional photo opportunity for participating exhibitors. Attendees are invited to bring their own show vehicles—anything goes, from classics to moderns to hotrods—or just to partake in the great camaraderie and coffee.

Rise Up Festival – Saturday, August 20, 2 – 11 p.m.

In front of the Rise offices at 1627 Washington Ave.

This annual one-day free street festival celebrates the revitalization of St. Louis with music, art, food, microbrews and entertainment — all local, of course. This year’s lineup include 6 regionally-renown acts, including the World Famous Dr. Zhivegas.

The day will also feature a Kids Carnival and Circus Area and an Artists on the Rise art show and competition.

National Parks Service Centennial Commemoration Ceremony & Birthday Party and Supersized Centennial Celebration – Thursday, August 25 – Saturday, August 27

The National Parks Service is turning 100! Spend the weekend celebrating with the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, starting with a commemoration ceremony (and food trucks and free cupcakes) on Thursday and ending with performances of a play titled “Lift Every Voice” and a concert from the Centennial Band on Saturday.

To top it all off, entry to the Gateway Arch is free all weekend! (Guests will also receive $3 off Arch tram tickets.)

Check out Thursday’s schedule here and Saturday’s activities here.

UniverSoul Circus – Wednesday, August 31 – Monday, September 5

1111 N. Broadway

The #BestCircusEver is coming to the Lou! Get the whole family together under the Big Top to take in the mind-blowing acts that have wowed crowds around the globe.

Get hyped with this promo vid, purchase tickets here, and prepare to be amazed.