Check out these events happening in the Springfield, Missouri area in September 2025, from outdoor fall festivals and plays to exhibits and haunted houses. To see a full event calendar, click here.
GARDENER'S ORCHARD FALL FESTIVAL
Celebrate the best of fall at Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery during their annual fall festival, running from late August through early November. Nestled in the countryside just north of Springfield, this family-friendly event is packed with autumn charm. Don’t miss out on the fresh-pressed apple cider, homemade donuts, and goodies from the bakery, all made right on-site.
When: Aug. 30-Nov. 1, 2025
Where: 4455 W. Farm Road 2, Brighton
Falling for the Ozarks
Join the Regional Arts Council for a night of stunning local art, refreshments, and the cozy atmosphere of Falling for The Ozarks, a community art exhibition highlighting how the fall season inspires artists across the Ozarks.
This show invites artists of all backgrounds to capture the mood, color, and light of autumn in the place we proudly call home. From changing leaves to crisp air, cozy textures to vibrant landscapes—experience how fall sparks creativity in our community.
When: Sept. 5, 2025
Where:: 411 N. Sherman Pkwy, 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. 5–7, 2025
Where: 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield
ROSEBUD'S COTTAGE FALL FESTIVAL
Rosebud’s Cottage Fall Festival is back for its third year in downtown Nixa, Missouri. This free, family-friendly event will feature over 80 local vendors offering handmade goods, fall décor, boutique fashion, home items, and sweets. Guests can enjoy a variety of food trucks, a dedicated kids zone with bounce houses, yard games, a petting zoo, face painting, and more. Inside Rosebud’s Cottage, you'll find over 20 small shops, permanent jewelry services, giveaways, and seasonal specials.
When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sept. 6, 2025
Where: 205 N. Main St., Nixa
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
Because You Are Mine: The Music of June Carter and Johnny Cash
Get ready for an electrifying tribute to the iconic love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter in “Because You Are Mine”, starring Charles Evans Jr. as Johnny Cash and Caitie Grady Evans as June Carter, along with some of the finest country musicians.
When: Sept. 7, 2025
Where: 514 S. Nicholas Rpad, Nixa
A Rockin’ Riverside Symphony
Join us in welcoming back the Monarch String Quartet (previously 417 String Quartet) to Finley Farms! Don’t miss their performance, featuring iconic classic rock hits, all while soaking in the scenic view of the Finley River.
When: September 10, 2025
Where: 802 Finley Farms Ln, Ozark
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
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. 12–Oct. 26, 2025
Where: 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson
The Fillharmonic
This LA-based a cappella group of Filipino-Americans who were featured in NBC’s hit musical competition, The Sing-Off, have performed with artists like John Legend, Shawn Mendes, and many more. The Filharmonic brings their unique blend of hip hop, pop, and R&B to stages everywhere and can be found on YouTube and all music streaming platforms.
When: Sept. 12, 2025
Where: 514 S. Nicholas Road, Nixa
Dungeons of Doom and Hotel of Terror
Dungeons of Doom & Hotel of Terror are Springfield’s longest-running scare-houses. Open since October 1978, this horror-filled adventure takes guests through multiple rooms where danger and dismay lurk around every corner. Though all ages are welcome, come prepared for the fright of a lifetime; you never know what you will find waiting for you.
When: Sept. 12–Nov. 1, 2025
Where: 701 W. Wall St., Springfield
Lit-Fest
Join us at Farmers Park for Lit-Fest! Support local authors and celebrate all things literature with family story time, open mic poetry reading, and more lit adventures. Come on out and show your love of literature as you shop your favorite Farmers Market vendors!
When: Sept. 13, 2025
Where: Farmers Park Building 1, 2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield
11TH ANNUAL 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
Don Juan
This must-see season premiere for Springfield’s Symphony Orchestra starts with an episode full of seduction, passion, and romance in Don Juan. Composer Richard Strauss’s brings this classic romance to life.
When: Sept. 13, 2025
Where: 411 N Sherman Pkwy, Springfield
Discovery Center-Night at the Museum
This unique, 21+ and up event will be the most fun night of Springfield. Explore 60,000 square feet of exhibits, hands-on experiments including hands on fire and DNA Daquiris, and science theme drinks all included with your ticket! This exciting night is also raising funds that provide access to inspiring and hands-on learning for children across the Ozarks. Night at the Museum attire is date night or business casual–you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes so you can experience all of the activities!
When: Sept. 13, 2025
Where: 438 E. St. Louis St.,Springfield
Roadside Gems: Rediscovering Route 66's Cultural Attractions
Come to the History Museum on the Square for Roadside Gems! Visitors will discover everything from the Jewell Theater and the rise of the nationally televised Ozark Jubilee, to the thrills of hidden caves, lively public parks, and even the early days of the Springfield Cardinals baseball team. Together, these stories paint a picture of a city rich in entertainment, natural beauty, and Americana charm, truly a destination worth the drive.
When: Wednesday–Sunday until Sept. 14, 2025,
When: 154 Park Central Square, 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
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds: OMRA Train Show
Visit the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds for the largest train show in Southwest Missouri!
When: Sept. 19–20, 2025
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave, Springfield
Field of Screams
FIELD OF SCREAMS returns with two haunted attractions—The Haunted Forest, a chilling trail along the James River, and Coulrophobia, a clown-filled maze. Guests can also enjoy live games, outdoor horror movies, food, and drinks while waiting their turn. The ¾-mile experience runs Sept. 12–Nov. 14, with tickets at $25 per person.
When: Sept. 19–Nov. 1, 2025
Where: 2142 N. Sports Complex Lane, Nixa
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 contest, and so much more. Tickets are $5 at the gate.
When: 1 p.m., Sept. 20, 2025
Where: 215 S. 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. 20–21, 2025
Where: Walnut Street Historic District in Springfield
PUMPKINFEST 2025
Photo courtesy of Shepherd of the Hills
Enjoy breathtaking fall views of Branson at PumpkinFest 2025 at Shepherd of the Hills. Take a delightful hayride, paint and pick out pumpkins, and even the chance to make your own scarecrow. Don’t forget to capture picture-perfect moments in front of the pumpkin house, iconic pumpkin chair, and many more photo ops throughout the pumpkin event.
When: Sept. 20–Oct. 25, 2025
Where: 5585 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson
Spooky Sprint - Springfield
This Halloween-themed 5k/10k & Half Marathon is sure to bring the fun! Free photos and delicious treats will be waiting for you at the finish line.
When: Sept. 21, 2025
Where: 515 E Jackson St, Willard
'RODNEY CARRINGTON: Live 2025'
Rodney Carrington is one of the top-grossing comedians of the past two decades, selling out shows worldwide with his signature blend of stand-up and music. A platinum-recording artist, he's released multiple hit albums, including Morning Wood and Greatest Hits, and his special Here Comes the Truth became a Netflix sensation. Beyond the stage, Rodney starred in ABC’s Rodney, co-wrote and co-starred in Beer for My Horses with Toby Keith, and even penned a book, Coming Clean.
When: Sept. 21, 2025
Where: 525 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy, Springfield
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
CASSIDY STATION FALL MARKET
Soak up the season at Cassidy Station’s Fall Market! Celebrate autumn with a day full of charming local vendors, mouthwatering food trucks, live music, and kid-friendly activities the whole family will love.
With a festive atmosphere and plenty to explore, it’s the perfect way to welcome fall. Admission is just $5 per person (kids 12 and under get in free). Pay at the gate—cash and cards accepted at the ticket booths.
When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sept. 27, 2025
Where: 5176 N. Fremont Road, Nixa
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds-Bacon, Bourbon and Beer
A tribute to Bacon, Bourbon and Beer – is an exciting celebration of all things bacon, bourbon, and beer. Returning for its 8th annual event at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex. This mouthwatering festival brings together the Ozarks’ top chefs, bacon lovers, and purveyors for an unforgettable experience.
When: Sept. 27, 2025
Where: 3001 N. Grant Ave, Springfield
Oktoberfest at Wire Road Brewing Co.
Come to Oktoberfest for live music and authentic German food at Wire Road Brewing Co! Some activities will include axe throwing, costume contests, dog races, corn holes, and beer specials all day.
When: Sept. 27, 2025
Where: 4453 S Timbercreek Ave, Battlefield
Brew at the Zoo
Brew at the Zoo returns to Dickerson Park Zoo for an evening of sipping, strolling, and supporting Friends of the Zoo. Guests can sample a wide selection of brews while exploring the zoo, with tickets including a tasting mug, lanyard, and access to animal areas like the giraffe feeding deck and petting zoo. VIP tickets offer early entry, food vouchers, and behind-the-scenes keeper tours, while general admission includes tastings and animal feeding fun.
When: Sept. 27, 2025
Where: 1401 W. Norton Road, 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: Sept. 27–Sept. 28, 2025
Where: 38 S. Main St., Fair Grove
Aetos for the Performing Arts: Michael W. Smith
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter, Michael W. Smith, is excited to come to the Aetos Center in Nixa, MO, with his BEYOND THE FAR HORIZON TOUR. Michael is bringing a whole new dimension to this tour with a reimagined live show, featuring brand new music that ventures into new creative ground, while still resonating with long-time fans through beloved hits and uplifting worship moments.
When: Sept. 28, 2025
Where: 514 S. Nicholas Road, Nixa
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