What better way to spend your weekends than out in the 417 community?
Autumn has arrived in Springfield, bringing a host of exciting events and activities. As the weather cools and leaves change, the local scene comes alive with fall fun for all ages. From pumpkin carving to festival celebrations, corn maze adventures, and a variety of local vendors, there’s something for everyone.
Our staff kicked off this fall season by attending Downtown Springfield’s annual Cider Days with some family and friends. Cider Days is a two-day festival featuring live performances, delicious food, arts and crafts, and of course, apple cider!
Here are some more fall activities in the Ozark area worth considering this season:
Exeter Corn Maze | Exeter, MO | Sept. 2 – Nov 5
This attraction features a multitude of activities such as axe throwing, corn cannons, zombie paintball, a petting zoo, a giant slide, barn swings, hayrides, a rock wall, pumpkin picking, pig races, plenty of food vendors and more. Attractions include sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, pumpkin booths, apple orchards, and more. They also host a variety of different events such as Haunted Corn Mazes, a Craft Fair, Lumberjack Shows, etc. Check out their website to plan a visit!
Address: State Hwy MM, Exeter, MO
Silver Dollar City’s Crafts & Harvest Festival | Branson, MO | Sept. 15 – Oct. 28
Experience Silver Dollar City’s Harvest Festival featuring Craft Days filled with new artisans each week and Pumpkins in the City by night with thousands of illuminated pumpkins with non-frightful fun for the entire family.
Address: 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson, MO
Cedar Fest | Ridgedale, MO | Sept 18-Oct. 31
Grab your blanket and throw on your favorite flannel for Cedar Fest at Big Cedar Lodge. Enjoy fall activities such as fall tram tours, pumpkin patch visits, pumpkin carving, fall foliage tours, pottery painting, tie-dye, face painting and more throughout September and October.
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, MO
Hootin an Hollarin Festival | Gainesville, MO | Sept. 21-23
Ozark County’s annual Hootin an Hollarin Festival is a true celebration of Ozarks culture. This year’s festivities will include live music, several pageants, old-fashioned games for the kids, a 5<K run, cornhole tournament and much more. Every evening from 9 p.m. to midnight, guests may enjoy square dancing to live fiddle music.
Address: Ozark County Courthouse; 1 Court Sq, Gainesville, MO
Wilder Days | Mansfield, MO | Sept. 22-23
An annual celebration commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, America’s favorite pioneer girl, and her cherished Little House books, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum will host the 8th Annual Fiddle Contest on Wilder Day.
Address: 3060 State Hwy A, Mansfield, MO
Sycamore Creek’s Fall Round Up | Branson, MO | Sept. 29 - Oct. 29
Sycamore Creek Family Ranch in Branson hosts a slew of family-friendly activities during its Fall Roundup, including corn mazes, hayrides, corn bins, frisbee golf, lawn games, and tractor races. A wood-fired pizza food truck will be on site, alongside various fall snacks, like apple cider slushies. Pumpkins will also be available for sale. $19.85 for adults, $13.95 for children ages 3-11 at front gate.
Address: Sycamore Creek Family Ranch; 2657 Sunset Inn Road, Branson, MO
Cassidy Station’s Fall Market Days | Nixa, MO | Sept. 30
Cassidy Station, situated on Estes Farm, will host local vendors, food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities during its Fall Market Days. $5 parking (cash only).
Address: Cassidy Station at Estes Farms; 5176 N. Fremont Road, Nixa, MO
Schofield + Gray Fall Market & Festival | Fordland, MO | Sept. 30
Schofield + Gray is hosting their vintage fall market at their store in Fordland, MO, about 30 minutes east of Springfield. Enjoy food, desserts, vintage finds, gifts, décor and seasonal treasures. Admission is $5.
Address: 353 E. Main St., Fordland, MO
SGF CultureFest | Springfield, MO | Sept. 30
Featuring local musicians, dancers, and artisans to showcase incredible talents, CultureFest plans to celebrate rich ethnic diversity and heritage, collaborate with global-minded Springfield residents and cultivate a welcoming city for people around the world. The event starts at 10 AM and ends at 4 PM.
Address: 321 E. Commercial St., Springfield, MO
The Barley House Fall Festival | Springfield, MO | Sept. 30
The Barley House Fall Festival will feature local vendors, live music, local craft beer, a petting zoo, local food trucks, bounce houses and pets for adoption from Rescue One.
Address: The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing; 3060 N. Kentwood Ave., Springfield, MO
Ozark Fall Farmfest | Springfield, MO | Oct. 6-8
The Ozark Fall Farmfest is held annually on the first weekend of October at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, MO. With over 1,000 agricultural and rural living exhibits and more than 600 head of registered livestock on display it has become the Ozarks’ largest agricultural event.
Address: 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO
Republic Pumpkin Daze | Republic, MO | Oct. 6-7
Pumpkin Daze is held on the first Friday and Saturday in October each year. There’s no better way to experience the spirit of autumn in the Ozarks. Enjoy fall arts and crafts vendors, pumpkin displays, contests, fall food and more.
Address: 300 E. Hines St., Republic, MO
49th Annual Ozark Fall Craft Fair | Ozark, MO | Oct. 6-8
Shop over 350 unique vendors at the 49th Annual Ozark Craft Fair at Finely River Park in Ozark. The craft fair is run by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Utopia Club and raises money for many local organizations.
Address: 961 N. Riverside Road, Ozark, MO
Harvest Fest | Springfield, MO | Oct. 7-29
Join the Harvest Fest party at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park on weekends with hayrides, cow train, inflatables, pony rides, kettle corn and more. Meander through the corn maze while playing along with the Agents of Discovery app or pick your perfect jack-o-lantern from the pumpkin patch. This event takes place from 11 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sundays.
Address: 3825 W. Farm Road 146, Springfield, MO
Baker Creek Fall Harvest Festival | Mansfield, MO | Oct. 8-9
The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is hosting expert speakers local food vendors, greenhouse and garden tours, and old-fashioned entertainment during its two-day fall harvest festival. $15 for parking.
Address: 2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, MO
Apple Butter Makin Days | Oct. 13-15 | Mount Vernon, MO
Apple Butter Makin Days, one of Missouri’s most popular festivals, has been on the courthouse square in Mount Vernon each October since 1967. Join thousands of people ranging from serious mustache cultivators to competitive bubble gum bubble blowers and enjoy all the festival has to offer. Whether you’re watching a wiener dog race, tasting local food or learning the secrets to excellent apple butter, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Address: 319 E. Dallas St., Mount Vernon, MO
Hollister Grape and Fall Festival | Hollister, MO | Oct. 14
The Hollister Grape and Fall Festival returns to Downtown Hollister! Enjoy live entertainment, a grape stomp, a Color Me Grape 5K, petting zoo, street dance and more. The event starts at 10Am and ends at 7PM.
Address: Historic Downing Street, Hollister, MO
Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival | Springfield, MO | Oct. 21
The Pets and Pumpkins Family Festival returns to the downtown square. Come and enjoy a day of fun for the entire family, including pets! Entry into the event is $2 per person/pet. With paid admission, attendees can take part in all of the activities including a costume contest and walking parade. The event starts at 11 AM and ends at 4 PM.
Address: Downtown, Springfield, MO
Thriller on C-Street | Springfield, MO | Oct. 21
It’s the second annual performance of Thriller on C-Street: Macabre Promenade, Springfield’s first and only Halloween Parade. This event includes 4 monstrous performances of Michael Jackson’s Thriller! The first performance will take place on the west end of Commercial Street between Lyon and Campbell at 7 PM. The parade will move east and do 3 more performances on Historic Commercial Street. This performance will be mobile. Think Zombie crawl, infused with Thriller performances. All performances will face NORTH. This event is free!
Address: Historic C-Street, 299 E Commercial St., Springfield, MO
Wingapalooza | Springfield, MO | Nov. 4
Join the Wingapalooza party to enjoy live music from some of the Midwest’s best bands performing all day long and 100,000 wings to sample from over 30 of southwest Missouri’s best “Wing-Slinging” restaurants. All wing samples are free with paid admission. Starting at 11 AM and ending at 5 PM.
Address: Springfield Expo, 635 E St. Louis St., Springfield, MO