Best Fall Festivals in Missouri: Celebrating the Beauty of Autumn

Autumn is a season of change, marked by cooling temperatures, the changing colors of leaves, and an array of harvest festivals. Missouri, in particular, is a top destination for fall festivities, with a wealth of events that celebrate everything from apples and pumpkins to live music and art. In this article, we’ll explore the best fall festivals in Missouri and what makes them worth a visit. Let’s dive in!

1. 🍁 Ozark Arts & Crafts Show

The Ozark Arts & Crafts Show is an annual event that gathers over 300 crafters and artisans from across the state. Held in Springfield, it’s the perfect place to find unique, handcrafted gifts for the upcoming holiday season. You’ll find everything from pottery and jewelry to woodwork and textiles, all made with the utmost care and skill.

What are the dates for this year’s Ozark Arts & Crafts Show?

The Ozark Arts & Crafts Show typically takes place on the first weekend in October. This year’s event will be held on October 2nd and 3rd.

2. 🎃 Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a beloved fall festival that celebrates the German heritage of Hermann, Missouri. The festival features live music, traditional German food and beer, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Don’t miss the wiener dog races, where Dachshunds compete for the title of fastest wiener.

What is the history of Oktoberfest in Hermann, Missouri?

Oktoberfest has been a tradition in Hermann since 1981. The festival was originally started as a way to celebrate the town’s German heritage and to promote tourism in the area.

3. 🍎 Apple Butter Makin’ Days

For over 50 years, the town of Mt. Vernon has been celebrating Apple Butter Makin’ Days. This festival is all about apples, with vendors selling everything from apple pie to apple cider. But the real highlight of the festival is watching the locals make apple butter using a traditional copper kettle over an open fire.

What is the best time to visit Apple Butter Makin’ Days?

The festival takes place on the second weekend in October, so plan your visit accordingly. The weather is usually cool and crisp, making it the perfect time to enjoy all things apple-related.

4. 🎨 Art in the Park

Art in the Park is an annual festival that takes place in Columbia’s Stephens Lake Park. The festival features over 100 artists selling their original artwork, including paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and more. There’s also live music and food vendors, making it a great way to spend a fall day outdoors.

Is Art in the Park a family-friendly event?

Yes, Art in the Park is a family-friendly event. There’s a designated kids’ area where children can participate in hands-on art activities and create their own masterpieces.

5. 🌽 Missouri Days

Missouri Days is a four-day festival that celebrates the history and culture of Trenton, Missouri. The festival features live music, a parade, a carnival, and a variety of food vendors. One of the highlights of the festival is the corn maze, where visitors can get lost in a field of corn and try to find their way out.

What is the history of Missouri Days?

Missouri Days was first celebrated in 1985 as a way to promote tourism in Trenton and to celebrate the town’s heritage. The festival has since grown into a major event, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

6. 🍁 Fall Family Festival

The Fall Family Festival takes place at the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park in Springfield. The festival features live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a pumpkin patch. There’s also a corn maze, hayrides, and a variety of food vendors.

What are the dates for this year’s Fall Family Festival?

The Fall Family Festival typically takes place on the first weekend in October. This year’s event will be held on October 2nd and 3rd.

7. 🎶 Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival

The Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival is a three-day event that celebrates music, food, and culture. The festival features over 30 musical acts, including blues, gospel, and country artists. There’s also a barbecue competition, where pitmasters from around the country compete for the title of best barbecue.

Where is the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival held?

The festival takes place at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. The park is transformed into a lively outdoor venue, with multiple stages and food vendors throughout.

8. 🍂 Hermann Oktoberfest

The Hermann Oktoberfest is a two-weekend event that celebrates the town’s German heritage. The festival features live music, traditional German food and beer, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Don’t miss the grape stomping contest, where participants compete to see who can stomp the most grapes.

What are the dates for this year’s Hermann Oktoberfest?

The Hermann Oktoberfest takes place on the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October. This year’s event will be held on September 30th to October 3rd and October 8th to 10th.

9. 🎨 Art Walk

Art Walk is a quarterly event that takes place in downtown Springfield. The event showcases the work of local artists and galleries, with over 30 venues participating. Visitors can stroll through the galleries, meet the artists, and purchase their work.

When is the next Art Walk?

The next Art Walk will take place on October 1st, 2021.

10. 🍁 Fall Festival of the Arts

The Fall Festival of the Arts takes place at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. The festival features over 100 artists selling their original artwork, including paintings, sculpture, and pottery. There’s also live music and food vendors, making it a great way to spend a fall day outdoors.

Is the Fall Festival of the Arts a juried show?

Yes, the Fall Festival of the Arts is a juried show. Artists must submit their work for review before being accepted into the festival.

11. 🎃 Boos and Brews

Boos and Brews is a Halloween-themed event that takes place in downtown Springfield. The event features live music, food vendors, and a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including a costume contest and pumpkin carving contest.

What are the dates for this year’s Boos and Brews?

The Boos and Brews event usually takes place the weekend before Halloween. This year’s event will be held on October 23rd, 2021.

12. 🌽 Fall Harvest Festival

The Fall Harvest Festival takes place at Purina Farms in Gray Summit. The festival features a variety of family-friendly activities, including a corn maze, hayrides, and a pumpkin patch. There’s also a dog show, where visitors can watch talented pooches perform tricks and agility courses.

Are dogs allowed at the Fall Harvest Festival?

Yes, dogs are allowed at the Fall Harvest Festival. In fact, there’s a dedicated dog show where visitors can watch talented pooches perform tricks and agility courses.

13. 🎶 Rock the Spectrum

Rock the Spectrum is a music festival that raises awareness and funds for autism research. The festival features a variety of musical acts, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. One hundred percent of the proceeds go towards autism research.

Where is Rock the Spectrum held?

Rock the Spectrum is held at the Chesterfield Amphitheater in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Conclusion

Missouri truly comes alive in the fall, with a wealth of festivals and events that celebrate the season. From traditional German Oktoberfests to pumpkin patches and apple butter-making demonstrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So why not plan a trip to Missouri this fall and experience the beauty of autumn for yourself?

Thank you for reading our article on the Best Fall Festivals in Missouri. We hope that you found it informative and useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. Happy fall!

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. The information is provided by the festival organizers and while we strive to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on