Fall has arrived in Springfield, Missouri. Check out some of the events happening in Southwest Missouri in September 2023. To see our full calendar of events, click here.
First Friday Artwalk
Take a self-guided tour of Springfield’s local art scene, small businesses and galleries on the first Friday of every month! Enjoy original art, live music by local musicians, hands-on activities and live art demonstrations in more than 20 participating galleries.
When: 6–10 p.m. Sept. 1, 2023
Where: Downtown, Springfield
Brunch & Blooms
Enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast in a sea of golden sunflowers at Country Roads Family Fun Farm. Afterwards, you can even pick-your-own sunflowers to take some of the experience home with you. Tickets must be purchased in advance!
When: 9–11 a.m., Sept. 2, 2023
Where: 15144 State Hwy 97, Stotts City
Seymour Apple Festival
Come to the Seymour Apple Festival this year and celebrate its 51st anniversary. Enjoy 100+ vendors, live entertainment, a 5K run, a parade, a Johnny Appleseed contest and much more. The best part? Admission is free!
When: Sept. 7–9, 2023
Where: 123 West Market St., Seymour
"Fiddler on the Roof" at the Landers Theatre
Enjoy the first live performance of the Springfield Little Theatre's 2023-2024 season with "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Lander's Theatre. The story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
When: Sept. 8–24, 2023
Where: 311 E. Walnut St., Springfield
Japanese Fall Festival
Attend the Japanese Fall Festival at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden to celebrate Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. In addition to numerous vendor and artisan booths featuring wares authentic to Japanese culture, guests will enjoy the Nihon bunka taiken tent (Japanese culture experience tent), the omiyage and dagashi tent (souvenirs and snacks tent), concessions, live music and a candlelight walk.
When: Sept. 8–10, 2023
Where: 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield
Mother's Oktoberfest
This year's Oktoberfest at Mother's Brewing is focused on an all-day celebration for the whole family. Expect specialty German beers as authentic as your German stein, a bounce house to keep the kids bopping', stein-hoisting contests, bratwursts, oompah music, live-action knight combat, traditional dress contests, and so much more. Tickets are $5 at the gate.
When: 1 p.m., Sept. 9, 2023
Where: 215 S. 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: noon–8 p.m., Sept. 15, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sept.16, 2023
Where: 30 E. Washington Street, Marionville
Crafts & Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City
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.
When: Sept. 15–Oct. 28, 2023
Where: 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson
Mead Fest
Enjoy mead and wine samples, live music, period performances, demonstrations, and more at 7C's Winery's annual Mead Fest. The event is free to attend. Souvenir mead tasting glasses are $5.
When: noon–5 p.m., Sept. 16, 2023
Where: 502 E. 560th Road, Walnut Grove
9th Annual MO Food Truck Festival
Food trucks and foodies will gather this September in Springfield for the 9th 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. 16, 2023
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield
Cider Days
Head to Springfield’s Historic Walnut Street to celebrate the fall season at Cider Days. The two-day festival features live performances, delicious food, arts and crafts, and, of course, apple cider.
When: Sept. 16–17, 2023
Where: Walnut Street Historic District in Springfield
Brew At The Zoo
Pair a night at Dickerson Park Zoo with local beer at Brew at the Zoo! Enjoy samples of beer brewed right here in the Ozarks, along with a night of keeper chats, animal encounters, delicious food and more surprises. All guests must be 21+ to attend.
When: Sept. 16, 2023
Where: 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield
Springfield Symphony Orchestra Opening Night
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra's opening night for their new concert series "FOMO" begins this month. Enjoy audience favorites you won't want to miss, along with a new "Pictures at an Exhibition" exhibit complete with the original artwork that inspired this masterwork.
When: Sept. 16, 2023
Where: 525 S. John Q Hammons Pkwy, Springfield
Cedar Fest
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.
When: Sept. 18–Oct. 31, 2023
Where: 190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale
Candlelight Concerts
Photo courtesy of Candlelight Concerts
Want to see a concert by candlelight? Three candlelight concerts are coming to The Old Glass Place in downtown Springfield, Missouri, on Sept. 21, Oct. 26, and Nov. 9. Each show will have a different musical theme, from Taylor Swift hits to Spooky Halloween tunes. The concerts will see The Old Glass Place illuminated by thousands of candles, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the experience fully.
When: 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., Sept. 21, 2023
Where: 521 E. St. Louis St., Springfield
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 8th Annual Fiddle Contest on Wilder Day.
When: Sept. 22–23, 2023
Where: 3060 State Hwy A, Mansfield
Ozarks Model Railroad Train Show
See hundreds of model trains at the Ozarks Model Railroad Train Show at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Tickets are $10 for adults and children age 11 and under are free with a paid adult ticket.
When: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Sept. 23, 2023
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield
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. Attendance is free.
When: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Sept. 23, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sept. 24, 2023
Where: 38 S. Main St., Fair Grove
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. 28–30, 2023
Where: East Spring Street, Stockton
Sycamore Creek's Fall Roundup
Head to Sycamore Creek Ranch for their annual fall roundup on their gorgeous property. Participate in activities such as hay rides, corn mazes, yard games and more. To end out the night, sit by a roaring fire pit while enjoying delicious wood-fired pizza. Tickets are $15.95 for adults 12+ and ages 11-3 are $10.95.
When: Sept. 29–Oct. 29
Where: 2657 Sunset Inn Road, Branson
Schofield + Gray Fall Market & Festival
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, decor and seasonal treasures. General admission is $5.
When: Sept. 30, 2023
Where: 353 E. Main St., Fordland
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.–4 p.m., Sept. 30, 2023
Where: 321 E. Commercial St., Springfield
Cassidy Station Fall Market Days
Fall in love with autumn at Cassidy Station's Fall Market Days. This unique fall festival will feature local vendors, food trucks, and live music on this Nixa farm! All ages are welcome at this event. Parking will be $5 per car (cash only).
When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sept. 30, 2023
Where: 5176 N. Fremont Road, Nixa
99X: Seaside Dreams on the Boardwalk
See the Springfield Art Museum transform into a whimsical collection of fantastical scenes (tableaux) inspired by the ethereal art works of Will Barnet at 99X: Seaside Dreams on the Boardwalk event. This one night only event will showcase fabulous art displays, photo ops, a seated dinner, fashion show and more.
When: 5:30–11 p.m., Sept. 30, 2023
Where: 1111 E. Brookside Dr., Springfield
Blue On White Exhibit at the Springfield Art Museum
Another free art display you can view this year is the Blue on White exhibit at the Springfield Art Museum. This collection features 27 porcelain objects, focusing on Chinese blue-and-white ware and its complex history.
When: Until Dec. 3
Where: 1111 E. Brookside Dr., Springfield
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