Fall in the Ozarks is pure magic—think crisp air, vibrant foliage, and the smell of kettle corn drifting through the breeze. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a dime to soak it all in. From charming small-town festivals to lively downtown celebrations, the region is packed with free events that celebrate everything we love about autumn. Whether you're into pumpkin patches, live music, handmade crafts, or just want an excuse to wear your coziest flannel, these free fall festivals across the Ozarks should be on your calendar this season.
4TH ANNUAL CELEBRATE SPRINGFIELD KICKOFF EVENT
Celebrate Springfield is back for 2025! Attend the 4th annual Kickoff Event at Hammons Field for an epic afternoon of fun, food, and community connection! Enjoy free entry, live music, interactive booths, food trucks, a beverage garden, swag bags, and a roadmap to adventure across 417-land. This event marks the launch of Celebrate Springfield as a year-round initiative to help everyone discover and enjoy all our city has to offer.
When: 1–4 p.m., Sept. 7, 2025
Where: 955 E. Trafficway St., Springfield
SEYMOUR APPLE FESTIVAL
Come to the Seymour Apple Festival this year and celebrate its 51st anniversary. Enjoy 100+ vendors, live entertainment, 5K run, parade, Johnny Appleseed contest and much more. The best part? Admission is free!
When: Sept. 11–13, 2025
Where: 123 West Market St., Seymour
11th Annual Missouri Food Truck Festival
Food trucks and foodies will gather this September in Springfield for the 11th Annual Missouri Food Truck Festival. This one-day event will feature the best gourmet food trucks, carts and trailers from around the state of Missouri and beyond. Featuring the brightest and most inspired street chefs bringing everything from burgers, cajun, BBQ, pizza, tacos, Italian, Asian, Jamaican, and sweet treats.
When: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sept. 13, 2025
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield
MARIONVILLE APPLE FEST
Enjoy beautiful crafts, mouth-watering foods, musical entertainment, and a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Marionville Apple Fest. Enter the apple pie baking contest, attend the pie auction or pie eating contest, and take part in the karaoke contest, free kids carnival and more.
When: Sept. 19–Sept. 20, 2025
Where: 30 E. Washington Street, Marionville
BLACK WALNUT FESTIVAL
The Black Walnut Festival will take place this year at Stockton City Park. The festival is filled with good food, crafts, various vendors, great music and a large parade Saturday afternoon.
When: Sept. 25–27, 2025
Where: East Spring Street, Stockton
WILDER DAYS
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 9th Annual Fiddle Contest on Wilder Day.
When: Sept. 26–27, 2025
Where: 3060 State Hwy A, Mansfield
FAIR GROVE HERITAGE REUNION
An annual craft fair, the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion is attended by thousands of people every year enjoying the sights, sounds and food each day. Attend the parade, listen to live music, and see live demonstrations at a historic blacksmith shop, sawmill and the restored Wommack Mill.
When: Sept. 27–Sept. 28, 2025
Where: 38 S. Main St., Fair Grove
REPUBLIC PUMPKIN DAZE
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.
When: Oct. 3–Oct. 4, 2025
Where: 300 E. Hines St., Republic
OZARK FALL FARMFEST
The Ozark Fall Farmfest is held annually on the first weekend of October at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri. 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.
When: Oct. 3–5, 2025
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield
51ST ANNUAL OZARK FALL CRAFT FAIR
Shop over 350 unique vendors at the 51st Annual Ozark Craft Fair at Finley River Park in Ozark. The craft fair is run by the GFWC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Utopia Club and raises money for many local organizations.
When: Oct. 3–5, 20245
Where: 961 N. Riverside Road, Ozark
APPLE BUTTER MAKIN’ DAYS
Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce
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.
When: Oct. 10–12, 2025
Where: 319 E. Dallas St., Mount Vernon
59TH ANNUAL MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL
Photo courtesy of Maple Leaf Festival
Held the 3rd week in October annually, this festival hosts daily events for an entire week and ending with the biggest parade in Southwest Missouri. This nearly 2-mile parade begins at 9 am and encompasses the beautiful Historic Carthage Square. The square is filled with arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment all day, a quilt show, activities for kids, a petting zoo, and so much more.
When: Oct. 10–18, 2025
Where: Carthage Square
SGF CULTUREFEST
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.
When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Oct. 11, 2025
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