The long wait for baseball is finally over. The St. Louis Cardinals officially open their 2026 home schedule this Thursday, March 26, kicking off a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at 3:15 PM. The celebration begins early at Ballpark Village with the Official Pep Rally starting at 10:30 AM, featuring appearances by Fredbird and Cardinals alumni. Fans should keep an eye on uniform #26, as top prospect JJ Wetherholt is expected to make his major league debut during this home stand. Games continue through the weekend with afternoon starts on both Saturday and Sunday at 1:15 PM. You can find the full schedule and ticket information at MLB.com/Cardinals.
Washington University is also celebrating a major cultural milestone this weekend. The 20th Annual African Film Festival runs from March 27 through March 29 at Brown Hall. This year's festival is free and open to the public, showcasing twelve award-winning films that represent the diversity of cultures and stories across the African continent. A highlight of the anniversary celebration includes a special master class led by acclaimed filmmaker Ekwa Msangi on Saturday afternoon. Detailed screening times and film descriptions are available through the Washington University African Film Festival website.
In response to a series of high-traffic events downtown, the City of St. Louis has updated its public safety protocols. Mayor Cara Spencer’s office announced that the city will return to its standard 11:00 PM youth curfew following a successful temporary 10:00 PM measure implemented last weekend. Officials reported a significant decrease in disturbances and are continuing to utilize the Office of Violence Prevention to connect families with support services. The curfew applies to anyone age 17 and under within the Downtown and Downtown West neighborhoods. For more details on city safety measures, visit the City of St. Louis newsroom.
The local arts scene remains busy elsewhere as well. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child begins its highly anticipated run at the Fabulous Fox Theatre with its first performance on Saturday night followed by two shows on Sunday. Additionally, Laumeier Sculpture Park is welcoming visitors all weekend to celebrate its 50th anniversary and the current "Begin Again" exhibition. Tickets for the Fox Theatre can be found at FabulousFox.com, while visitor information for the sculpture park is at Laumeier.org.