NextStop Blog

Metro Transit is one of the best ways to reach downtown St. Louis tomorrow, Thursday, July 4, to enjoy all of the fun and festivities of Celebrate Saint Louis. Avoid the traffic, construction, road closures and parking issues, and let Metro Transit help you enjoy the parade, air show, music, food, fireworks and more, at the region’s most popular Independence Day destination.

Metro Transit Information for July 4

MetroLink will operate on a weekend schedule on July 4, with trains arriving and departing downtown St. Louis every 10 minutes. There are 21 free Park-Ride lots with more than 10,000 free parking spaces available where fairgoers can park their vehicles, and ride MetroLink to any of the MetroLink stations serving downtown St. Louis. Please note that the 8^th & Pine MetroLink Station will be closed on July 4 due to ongoing construction work. Customers should note that the last MetroLink trains leave downtown on July 4 around midnight, and they are encouraged to check the weekend schedule in advance for departure times. Metro Transit will have extra public safety and security personnel, law enforcement officers, transit personnel and volunteer employee ambassadors on the transit system on the 4^th of July to assist fairgoers. Metro Public Safety is available by calling 314.289.6873 or by texting 314.300.0188.

MetroBus is another great option to enjoy Celebrate St. Louis festivities, with more than a dozen bus routes serving the Civic Center Transit Center, located just south of Enterprise Center at 14^th & Spruce Streets in downtown St. Louis. The #4 Natural Bridge, #10 Gravois-Lindell, #11 Chippewa, #19 St. Louis Ave., #30 Arsenal, #31 Chouteau, #32 Dr. ML King, #40 N. Broadway, #41 Lee, #73 Carondelet, #74 Florissant, #94 Page, #97 Delmar and #174X Halls Ferry Express MetroBus routes all serve the Civic Center Transit Center. A one-ride MetroBus ticket is just $1. MetroBus will be operating on Sunday schedules for July 4.

Fairgoers can use the Transit app to conveniently plan their 4th of July Metro Transit trips and avoid lines at the Ticket Vending Machines by purchasing a $5 Day Pass mobile fare to enjoy unlimited rides on MetroLink and MetroBus for an entire day. To plan your trip, use the Transit app; check out transit schedules, parking information and the online trip planner at metrostlouis.org; or contact Metro Transit Information at 314.231.2345 (phone) or 314.207.9786 (text), available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Metro Transit Information is closed on July 4.

No eating, drinking, smoking or vaping (including e-cigarettes) is permitted on Metro vehicles or property. Only personal sized coolers are allowed to be brought on trains, buses and Metro Call‑A‑Ride vans. Alcohol and firearms (both open carry and concealed carry) are prohibited on Metro Transit vehicles and Metro property. Child strollers and wagons must be able to be broken down and stowed while on the train.

Metro Transit Guide to Celebrate St. Louis

America’s Birthday Parade | 10 a.m.

Celebrate St. Louis festivities start with America’s Birthday Parade at 10 a.m. The parade travels west on Market Street from Broadway to 17^th Street.

Transit Options: MetroLink – Union Station, Civic Center or Stadium MetroLink Stations (just south of parade route); MetroBus – Civic Center Transit Center (just south of parade route), MetroBus customers should allow extra time for reroutes in downtown St. Louis due to street closures for Celebrate Saint Louis events.

July 4^th Celebration on Riverfront | Noon

Vendor booths officially open up on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. along the riverfront and Gateway Arch grounds.

Transit Options: MetroLink – Laclede’s Landing and Convention Center MetroLink Stations

Eads Bridge 150^th Celebration | 1:35 p.m.

Special ceremony with music on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. to commemorate the opening of historic Eads Bridge in 1874. The bridge, designed and built by James Buchanan Eads, is the oldest bridge standing on the Mississippi River. It is used daily by pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and MetroLink trains to travel across the Mississippi.

Airshow | 2 p.m.

The 4^th of July airshow returns to downtown St. Louis, with the best viewing available along the riverfront and Gateway Arch grounds.

Transit Options: MetroLink – Laclede’s Landing and Convention Center MetroLink Stations

Musical Performances | 4 p.m. – 9:40 p.m.

The Gateway Arch grounds will also host a number of musical performances on July 4, including FEEL, Lupe Fiasco, LOCASH and The Urge.

Transit Options: MetroLink – Laclede’s Landing and Convention Center MetroLink Stations

Fireworks at the Arch | 9:40 p.m.

Enjoy the 43^rd year of mesmerizing fireworks over the Mississippi River, framed by the iconic Gateway Arch.

Transit Options: MetroLink – Laclede’s Landing and Convention Center MetroLink Stations

For questions or assistance planning your Celebrate St. Louis adventure, contact Metro Transit Information at 314.231.2345 (phone) or 314.207.9786 (text), available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Metro Transit Information is closed on July 4.