Autumn is officially here, bringing with it changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything and more. In and around Springfield, there are plenty of festivals and events to keep you busy.
Fill your fall with frights and fun with these 27 Ozarks events.
Celebrate the season at the Silver Dollar City Harvest Festival
When: Through Oct. 31
Where: Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson
The annual Harvest Festival is back at Silver Dollar City. The festival features more then 20,000 pumpkins across the park as well as giant pumpkins, craftsmen demonstrating pumpkin carving and western-inspired art, fall flavors and live music. Tickets are available online.
Hear about reimagined classic horror tales from two authors
When: Oct. 1
Where: Library Center Hatch Auditorium at The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield
Two bestselling authors reimagine classic
horror tales in their latest novels, and the Springfield Library is hosting them for a discussion. Alma Katsu will speak about "Incarnate," which is a retelling of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and Saratoga Schaefer will speak about "A Thousand Monstrous Forms," which is a sapphic version of "Bluebeard."
See giant pumpkins, raise funds at Republic Pumpkin Daze Fall Festival
When: Oct. 2-3
Where: J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines St., Republic
Come for the giant produce and to raise funds, stay for the crafts and food trucks. Republic Pumpkin Daze and Kiwanis Club of Republic come together to raise funds for scholarships and community grants during this annual festival. In addition to crafts and food trucks, the festival also features a pet parade, tractor pull and live music.
Tour Brentwood homes during the Junior League of Springfield Fall Home Tour
When: Oct. 3
Where: Brentwood neighborhood, Springfield
Tour some of Springfield's most beautiful homes during the Junior League of Springfield's Fall Home Tour. The self-guided event takes you through four Brentwood neighborhood homes and includes live music as well as "local culinary offerings." For more information or to purchase tickets, visit springfieldmo.jl.org/fall-home-tour.
Learn from experts at the 2nd Psychedelic Freedom Conference
When: Oct. 3
Where: University Plaza, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield
The Psychedelic Society of the Ozarks is hosting its second Psychedelic Freedom Conference. This year's theme is "Knowledge for the Front Lines," and brings together a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit PsychedelicSOTO.org.
Attend a free women's self-defense class
When: Oct. 4
Where: Team Fusion, 2400 E. Bennet Ave., Springfield
WAVE Springfield and Team Fusion are offering women a free introductory self-defense class, where women can learn basic self-defense skills "in a welcoming, supportive environment." No previous self-defense or martial arts experience is required. No registration is required to attend.
Run the Frisco Highline Trail during the Spooky Sprint
When: Oct. 4
Where: Starts at Willard High School, 515 E. Jackson St., Willard
Run the Frisco Highline Trail and have a frighteningly good time with the Spooky Sprint in Springfield. Participants can choose 1 mile, 5K, 10K or a half marathon, and will receive a custom medal and free photos. For more information or to register, visit RunSignUp.com/Race/MO/Willard/SpookySprintSpringfield.
Enjoy an accessible 'Day at the Lake' with empower: abilities
When: Oct. 2
Where: Fellows Lake, 4208 E. Farm Road 66, Springfield.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy a day of adaptive fun at Fellows Lake during empower: abilities' Day at the Lake. The event is free to attend but registration is appreciated. People can go kayaking and sailing, take accessible boat rides, fish from the dock, listen to music, play games and more. To register, call 417-886-1188.
Up your leadership game with the Nonprofit Leadership Conference
When: Oct. 9
Where: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Drury University's Drury Leadership Collaborative is hosting its Nonprofit Leadership Conference at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center this year. With a "Time-Tested. Future-Focused." theme, this conference will highlight the foundations of effective nonprofit leadership while facilitating forward-thinking approaches that create lasting impact. For more information, visit drury.edu/leadership-collaborative.
Join in Apple Butter Makin' Days
When: Oct. 9-11
Where: Mt. Vernon Square, 319 E. Dallas St., Mt. Vernon
Mt. Vernon'sApple Butter Makin' Days features more than just its eponymous apple butter. In between watching apple butter being cooked on the courthouse lawn, check out the car and truck show, compete in a contest for bubble gum blowing or apple pie eating, and enjoy live music.
Enjoy live performances, food at SGF CultureFest
When: Oct. 10
Where: Historic Commercial Street, Springfield
Celebrate cultures, traditions and flavors in the Springfield area at the SGF CultureFest on Commercial Street. The event features vendors, performers, artists, food and more.
Celebrate Dolly Parton's life during 'Threads: My Songs in Symphony'
When: Oct. 10
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield
Hear new orchestrations of Dolly Parton's hit music, with Parton appearing on screen to lead audiences through the journey of her songs, her life and her stories during Dolly Parton's "Threads: My Songs in Symphony." The show includes hits like "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You," in addition to an as-yet unreleased song that will be in her upcoming Broadway musical. Visit HammonsHall.com for more information or tickets.
Discuss death and dying at Springfield Death Cafe
When: Oct. 14
Where: Mystical Thoughts Shop, 1924 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Death doulas Cecily Robertson and Alex Alatorre lead an open conversation about death, dying and grief in the effort to normalize talking about death. The discussion will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. No RSVP required, no cost to attend. Refreshments are provided. Donations are accepted.
Talk about horror novel 'Nothing Tastes as Good' with its author
When: Oct. 15
Where: Annie Busch Community Room at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield
Author Luke Dumas will discuss the inspirations for his novel "Nothing Tastes as Good" during "Horror & Hunger" at 7 p.m. The book follows the story of a dissatisfied man who enrolls in a weight-loss drug trial that blurs the line between desire and nightmare.
Celebrate Missouri culture at the Ozark Heritage Festival
When: Oct. 16-17
Where: Downtown West Plains
The Old Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival, now in its 32nd year, will celebrate Missouri culture. Admission to all festival events is free. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, with music scheduled to begin at noon.
Springfield Little Theatre puts on 'Arsenic & Old Lace'
When: Oct. 16-25
Where: The Landers Theatre, 311 E. Walnut St., Spingfield
Enjoy black comedy classic "Arsenic & Old Lace" during a season of scares. In this 1939 play, a drama critic's impending nuptials are threatened by the discovery of a shocking secret in his elderly aunts' cellar. Tickets are available at SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org.
Find oddities and treasures at Moth Market: Apocalypse
When: Oct. 17
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield
More than 100 vendors will peddle hand-made items, collectibles, oddities and more at the Moth Market: Apocalypse. Admission is $5 cash or $6 card.
Take part in a Springfield tradition with the 17th Annual Thriller on C-Street
When: Oct. 17
Where: Commercial Street, Springfield
In its 17th year, the dead will shamble along Commercial Street during the annual Thriller on C-Street. Starting at 7 p.m., there will be five performances of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" along the historic district.
Enjoy all things fall with the 6th Annual Rogersville Farm + Harvest Festival
When: Oct. 18
Where: Rogersville City Park, 270 County Line Road, Rogersville
Celebrate the season at Rogersville's Farm + Harvest Festival. Admission is free. The festival will feature vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, games, contests, bounce houses, and face painting.
Get one last farm yoga session in before it gets too cold
When: Oct. 18
Where: Gooseberry Bridge Farm, 177 Elm Grove Road, Rogersville
Essential Yoga Studio owner and yoga teacher Sunni Nutt will lead the last Yoga on the Farm session of 2026. Starting at 2 p.m., participants will spend 45 minutes practicing yoga and then the remainder of the time at one activity of their choice. Tickets are $30 per person and can be booked at Essential-Yoga.com/events.
Check out the 62nd Annual Coin and Stamp Show
When: Oct. 23-24
Where: Glendalough Convention Center at Double Tree Hotel, 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
People can buy, sell or trade coins and stamps at the 62nd Annual Coin and Stamp Show. The show will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 24. There will be events for kids 5 and older as well as daily door prize drawings for all ages.
Hear Rainn Wilson give the keynote speech at MSU's Public Affairs Conference
When: Oct. 23
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield
Actor and digital media company founder Rainn Wilson will be the keynote speaker at Missouri State University's Public Affairs Conference this year. Perhaps known best for his role as Dwight Schrute in the TV show "The Office," Wilson is one of the co-founders of SoulPancake, which produced more than a decade of content across digital, television, branded and live engagements until it was acquired by Participant Media in 2016. Attendance to the keynote is free and open to the public.
Sample craft brews and more for a good cause at Ozarks Beerfest
When: Oct. 24
Where: Springfield Expo Center, 635 E. St. Louis. St., Springfield
Spend the day trying unlimited samples of craft brews, seltzers, ciders, and flavored malt beverages during Ozarks Beerfest, all while supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Numerous area breweries are participating, including Springfield Brewing Company, Mother's Brewing Company, 4 By 4 Brewing and more. There will also be concessions for sale and free sample snacks provided by partners. Tickets start at $35 and can be bought online at OzarksBeerFest.com
See dogs in costume at the Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival
When: Oct. 24
Where: Park Central Square, Springfield
Celebrate fall with your favorite furry friends during the Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival, which includes a costume contest and walking parade. Admission is $2 per attendee.
Meet the ghost with the most during 'Beetlejuice'
When: Oct. 27-29
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield
Based on the 1988 Tim Burton film of the same name, "Beetlejuice" kicks off Great Southern Bank's Broadway Season with frights, music "that's out of this Netherworld" and its eponymous deranged demon. Tickets start at $57. For more information, visit HammonsHall.com.
Get a head start on holiday celebrations with Straight No Chaser
When: Oct. 31
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield
Eager to skip Halloween and Thanksgiving and get right to Christmas? A cappella group Straight No Chaser is bringing their holiday show to Springfield at the end of October. The concert will include holiday classics and new favorites. To learn more or to buy tickets, visit HammonsHall.com.
Trick-or-Treat in the Lebanon-Laclede County Library
When: Oct. 31
Where: Lebanon-Laclede County Library, 915 S. Jefferson Ave., Lebanon
With Missouri weather, you never know what you're going to get. Instead of braving the heat or frigid temperatures, parents can take kids trick-or-treating in costume at Lebanon-Laclede County Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For any questions, call 417-532-2148.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Fill your fall with frights, fun at 27 Springfield-area October events
