Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park August 29–30, 2026, and Mostly Superheroes goes behind the scenes with Terry Bates, Director of Marketing and Communications at the International Institute of St. Louis. Terry joins Logan Janis to talk about the history of Festival of Nations, the International Institute’s work supporting immigrants and refugees, this year’s massive lineup of vendors and performers, why the festival remains free, and how sponsorships help make it possible.

With more than 215 vendors expected, multiple stages, international food, local performers and two full days of programming, Festival of Nations is one of St. Louis’ biggest annual celebrations.

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro & Festival of Nations preview 01:03 Meet Terry Bates 01:40 Logan’s Festival of Nations connection 02:17 2026 festival overview 02:43 215+ vendors 03:40 The International Institute of St. Louis 05:43 The mission behind Festival of Nations 06:27 2026 music & performance lineup 08:05 The history of Festival of Nations 09:07 Food, vendors & the festival experience 09:48 Sponsors & community partners 11:14 Why keeping the festival free matters 12:48 Why Festival of Nations is cashless 14:25 The mission behind the celebration 16:06 Festival of Nations 2026 16:19 Terry’s message to St. Louis 16:55 Closing 17:32 Mostly Superheroes support message

ST. LOUIS (Aug. 7, 2026) - Festival of Nations, powered by the International Institute of St. Louis, announces its 2026 performance lineup and a new single-day VIP ticket option ahead of the festival’s return to Tower Grove Park on Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30. The free two-day festival brings together 100,000+ attendees and features dozens of performances from all local talent.

Performances will take place throughout the festival grounds on two stages: the Main Stage and the Whitaker Foundation stage, bringing together musicians, dancers, poets, Djs and cultural organizations for one of St. Louis’ most expansive weekends of live cultural programming.

Nyara (Nyara Williams), a prominent St. Louis-based DJ, multidisciplinary artist, photographer, and creative director known for her dynamic DJ sets and visual storytelling exploring Black culture, will serve as the Main Stage DJ host throughout the weekend.

• Saturday’s Main Stage lineup includes Spirit of Angela West African Dance and Drum, Joia: World Percussion, Nando STL, American Raga Band, Gateway Science Academy and Eldraco+FreeNation.

• Sunday’s Main Stage features Ryan Marquez, Ballet Ollin USA, Enoch Raavi and the Indigenous Groove, Aska Maret, Orchestra Chevre and Blvck Spvde.

• The Whitaker Foundation Stage, hosted by St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Elaine, will feature performances and appearances from St. Louis Cultural Flamenco Society, Mexicanos en St Louis, Debsuta Roy, Sumak Kamari, STL Irish Arts, St. Louis Okinawa Eisa Yui, Ayati Rara Dance, Raw Style Kollective + Amara Arts and others.

The complete lineup and performance schedule are available at festofnations.com/lineup.

New this year, guests can purchase a single-day VIP pass, offering a more flexible and affordable way to enjoy the Festival’s upgraded experience without committing to the full weekend. Passholders receive access to the VIP Oasis at the Piper Palm House, including a dedicated entrance, air-conditioned lounge, indoor restrooms, a shaded patio, yard games, a dedicated Main Stage viewing area, complimentary beverages in limited quantities and in-and-out access throughout their selected day for $150 per person.

Festival of Nations isn't just a massive St. Louis party. Terry Bates of the International Institute of St. Louis explains the mission behind the festival, why keeping it free matters, and how the community helps make it happen.

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Avengers Endgame is returning to theaters, and Mostly Superheroes is breaking down what fans need to know about the Encore! Logan Janis discusses the reported new footage, Infinity Vision, IMAX, Alamo Drafthouse, and how the re-release could connect directly to Avengers Doomsday and the future of the MCU.

The conversation also covers Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vision Quest, Ultron, Wanda, the future of the MCU, Lanterns, Invincible, and the evolution from the Infinity Saga to the Multiverse Saga.

Timestamps: 00:00 Live Marvel discussion begins 11:29 Avengers Endgame Encore 12:28 New footage and Avengers Doomsday 13:14 Why seeing Endgame in theaters matters 13:38 Tony Stark, Steve Rogers and possible new footage 13:58 Infinity Vision and IMAX 15:03 Seeing Endgame 17 times 15:40 Spider-Man: Brand New Day 16:02 Vision Quest and Ultron 17:22 White Vision and WandaVision 18:35 Wanda's kids and the MCU future 21:29 The Infinity Saga vs. Multiverse Saga 24:18 Marvel's new strategy 24:44 The X-Men and the next MCU saga 26:33 MCU oversaturation and taking a break 27:05 See you Friday LIVE

Watch, listen, subscribe, support at mostlysuperheroes.com/support ©2026 Carrogan Studios

It’s Friday LIVE on Mostly Superheroes! Logan Janis dives into DC’s Lanterns, gives his spoiler-filled thoughts on X-Men ’97 Season 2, breaks down the latest D23 Marvel news, and recommends the official Marvel podcast Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday.

First up: Lanterns. After being tough on the first episode, Logan explains why Episode 2 changed his mind, why the show feels like a mix of Yellowstone and True Detective, and what he wants to see from the Green Lantern story going forward.

Then it’s X-Men ’97 Season 2. Logan looks back at the incredible first season, the Apocalypse storyline, Cable, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Rogue and the emotional finale. He also explains why he rates Season 2 slightly below Season 1 despite still loving the series.

Plus: D23 announcements including Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars, Vision Quest, Ultron, the upcoming X-Men movie, Ghost Rider, Star Wars: Starfighter and more.

Logan also talks about trailer culture, why he thinks studios are showing too much, and his rule for watching movie trailers in 2026.

Finally, get the latest on Team Jakey Fest, happening September 19, 2026 in Florissant, Missouri.

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to Friday LIVE 01:47 Tonight’s topics: Lanterns, X-Men ’97 & D23 05:21 Lanterns and the new DC Universe 08:17 Lanterns Episodes 1 & 2 10:23 Does Lanterns work for non-comic readers? 12:22 Making superhero stories accessible 14:19 Why Logan was hard on Lanterns 16:25 Logan is officially “in” on Lanterns 18:14 Green Lantern lore, Hal Jordan & Jon Stewart 20:23 Sinestro, the Yellow Ring & Lanterns theories 21:29 Why Logan hates movie trailers 25:05 The one-trailer rule 28:19 X-Men ’97 Season 2 29:21 Season 1 vs. Season 2 32:56 X-Men ’97 Season 2 spoilers 34:45 Apocalypse, Cable & the Season 2 story 36:06 Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler & the finale 37:45 Logan’s Season 2 rating 38:23 Behind-the-scenes X-Men ’97 discussion 41:28 Possible conversation with Beau DeMayo 42:33 D23 Marvel announcements 43:21 Avengers: Doomsday & Avengers: Endgame Encore 44:12 Vision Quest & Ultron 45:23 X-Men, Avengers: Secret Wars & Ghost Rider 46:57 The Road to Doomsday 47:53 Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday podcast 50:15 What’s next on Mostly Superheroes 50:58 Team Jakey Fest 52:35 The Team Jakey mission 53:00 Mental health resources & 988 53:55 Support Mostly Superheroes

Watch, listen, subscribe & support at mostlysuperheroes.com/support ©2026 Carrogan Studios