These 25 Ozarks fall festivals are worth exploring. Here's when, where to go
If you're a fan of sipping warm apple cider, exploring a corn maze with the family or just being outdoors as the leaves begin to change colors, the Ozarks has plenty of family-friendly activities to seek out.
Within Springfield city limits, organizers are gearing up for the annual Japanese Fall Festival at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in early September and Cider Days along Historic Walnut Street later in the month. If you don't mind a drive, there are plenty of other fall-themed festivals and craft fairs throughout the Ozarks in September and October. The News-Leader compiled a list of 25 of them.
Seymour Apple Festival
When: Sept. 7-9
Where: Seymour Downtown Square
Cost: Free
Lovers of apple pie, caramel apples and apple cider aren't going to want to miss the 51st annual Seymour Apple Festival. Hosted by the Seymour Merchants Association, the festival will include more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, a parade, 5K run and family-friendly contests. The festival will be open Thursday, Sept. 7 and Friday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 9 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This year's live music will be provided by the Finley River Boys and The ABLeS on Thursday, Buff Lamb & The Arrested, White Oak Revival and Members Only on Friday, and Isaac Kenneth Band, Joey Herd and SoulRoot Band on Saturday.
The parade will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. on Market Street, circling the downtown square. The Seymour Merchants Association encourages those participating in the parade to center their decorations around apples, but there is no hard-set theme. Pre-registration is not necessary. The parade will begin lining up at the intersection of Market and Main Streets at 9 a.m.
For those with a competitive side, several apple-themed contests will be held throughout the festival, including an apple peeling contest and apple baking contest. A pet show, one-mile run, decorated bikes contest and turtle race will be open for kids.
Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games
When: Sept. 8-9
Where: Dallas County Fairgrounds and Buffalo City Park at 401 Park Drive in Buffalo
Cost: Free
The 20th annual Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games celebrates the history of the Buffalo Herd Prairie and the immigrants of Celtic origin who settled in the area. The festival will showcase traditional Celtic music, vendors and demonstrations.
The Highland Games include traditional competitions including the Braemar stone toss, open stone toss, sheaf toss and caber toss.
Japanese Fall Festival
When: Sept. 8-10
Where: Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at 2400 S. Scenic Ave.
Cost: $9 for adults on Friday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 10, $14 for adults on Saturday, Sept. 9 and $4 for children ages 3-12 all weekend
The Springfield Sister Cities Association's 27th annual Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture, highlighting Springfield's sister city connection with Isesaki, Japan.
Live entertainment will be provided by USA Sumo, large-scale calligraphy artist Seiran Chiba, Uzumaru (a Yosakoi dance team), Yasu Ishida (a Japanese magician), St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, Kizuna Japan America Friendship Group, Tracy's Kenpo Karate, Springfield Cosplay, local cosplay group KiRa-KiRa Springfield and Springfield musician Dallas Jones.
More: Country-folk musician Dallas Jones to represent Springfield, perform in Japan this fall
Several workshops, including tea ceremony, tai chi chuan and bonsai workshops, will be held throughout the weekend. More information about scheduled workshops and sign-up is available on the Springfield Sister Cities Association website at peacethroughpeople.org/events/japanese-fall-festival/.
Shepherd's Fall Craft Fair
When: Sept. 8-10
Where: Shepherd of the Hills Farm in Branson
Cost: $5 per person, free for children 12 and under
Shepherd of the Hills' annual Fall Craft Fair will include craft booths, treehouses, a petting zoo, obstacle course, food trucks and an ice cream shop.
Gardener's Apple Cider Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Gardener's Orchard and Bakery at 4455 W. Farm Road 2 in Brighton
Cost: $12.95 per person, $9.95 for seniors and military, free for children two and under
Fresh apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple crisp sundaes and more fall favorites are on the menu for Gardener's Apple Cider Festival. The day-long fall festival will include a corn maze, petting zoo, hay ride, corn pit and many other family-friendly activities. Pumpkins and apples will also be available for picking at the farm.
Oktoberfest in the Ozarks
When: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.
Where: Mother's Brewing Company at 215 S. Grant Ave.
Cost: $5 per person
Mother's Brewing Company is packing a whole lot of German into one day of festivities for its annual Oktoberfest in the Ozarks. For the adults, German beers will be on tap, for the kids, a bounce house will be on site and for the whole family, bratwursts, oompah music, live action knight combat and a traditional dress contest. Kansas City-based The Whiff will be providing live music throughout the festival. Pre-sale tickets are available online at bit.ly/3QYUP4y.
Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival
When: Sept. 14-16
Where: Downtown Branson
Cost: Free
Historic Downtown Branson is celebrating 50 years of its Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival. Over 100 vendors with handmade jewelry, woodwork, soaps, canvas prints, clothing and more will be on site. Local food trucks selling chili dogs, funnel cakes, snow cones and lemonade will help satisfy visitors' hunger. Branson entertainers will be performing throughout the entire three-day festival.
Marionville Applefest
When: Sept. 15-16
Where: Downtown Marionville
Cost: Free
"Give us a Whirl with the Great White Squirrel" is this year's theme for the Marionville Applefest. The white squirrel is honored each year at the festival as the rare animal calls Marionville home. Celebrating its 34th year, the Marionville Applefest includes a parade, pageant and plenty of other family-friendly activities.
Silver Dollar City's Crafts & Harvest Festival
When: Sept. 15 through Oct. 28
Where: Silver Dollar City
Cost: Access available with admission ticket
Silver Dollar City is gearing up for its annual Crafts & Harvest Festival, which features countless fall-themed activities, performances and of course, food. The beloved sweet and savory waffle cones and apple dumplings are only available during the fall season at the park.
Throughout the festival, Silver Dollar City fans have the opportunity to experience the park in a completely different way, riding coasters like Time Traveler and PowderKeg at night, looking down upon the park's thousands of illuminated pumpkins.
More: SDC's Fire In The Hole will live again. Here's what's in the new version opening in 2024
7C's Winery Mead Fest
When: Saturday, Sept. 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 7C's Winery at 502 E. 560th Road in Walnut Grove
Cost: Free
Out in Walnut Grove, 7C's Winery is hosting its annual Mead Fest, featuring the Cluckin' Pig BBQ food truck, live music by Rowan's Crossing and demonstrations by Iron Alliance and Dickerson Park Zoo. Souvenir mead tasting glasses will be available for $5.
4 By 4 Brewing Company's Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, Sept. 16 from noon to 10 p.m.
Where: 4 By 4 Brewing Company at 9003 Sawgrass Ave. in Nixa
Cost: Free
4 By 4 Brewing Company is hosting its inaugural Oktoberfest at its Fremont Hills location this year. The festivities will begin with Fremont Hills Mayor Luke Davis tapping a keg of 4 By 4's new O'Zapft Is! Oktoberfest brew at noon. In addition to O'Zapft Is!, 4 By 4 is unveiling its new hefeweizen, Banana Stand, and SummerFest, Bock & Roll, at the festival.
The Fremont Hills Country Club will serve bratwursts with sauerkraut and pretzels and beer cheese all day long. Music will be provided by The Garbonzos and Drew Beine & David Pyck. A beer stein holding competition will be held at 6 p.m. and prizes will be awarded to the best dressed and customer with the best pretzel necklace.
Cider Days
When: Sept. 16-17
Where: Historic Walnut Street
Cost: $5 per person
The Downtown Springfield Association is hosting its 25th annual Cider Days along Historic Walnut Street. Hundreds of regional artisans, food vendors and live performances are held throughout the weekend celebration.
Big Cedar Lodge's Cedar Fest
When: Sept. 18 through Oct. 31
Where: Big Cedar Lodge
Cost: Access available with admission ticket
Big Cedar Lodge's annual Cedar Fest puts a fall twist on the venue's year-round festivities. Activities include a Trick or Treat Trot, Fall Wreath Making, Pumpkin Decorating, Fall Tram Rides and Family Fun Campfires. A full list of Cedar Fest activities are available on the Big Cedar Lodge website at bigcedar.com/seasons/cedar-fest/#itineraries.
Hootin an Hollarin Festival
When: Sept. 21-23
Where: Ozark County Courthouse at 4th Street in Gainesville
Cost: Free
Ozark County's annual Hootin an Hollarin Festival is a true celebration of Ozarks culture. This year's festivities will include live music, several pageants, old-fashioned games for the kids, a 5K run, cornhole tournament and much more. Every evening from 9 p.m. to midnight, guests may enjoy square dancing to live fiddle music.
Wilder Days
When: Sept. 22-23
Where: Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum at 3060 State Highway A in Mansfield
Cost: Access available with admission ticket
Commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, Wilder Days is a weekend-long festival honoring the Ozarks author. Wilder's home will be open for tours and the grounds of Rocky Ridge Farm will be available for wondering.
Sycamore Creek's Fall Round Up
When: Sept. 29 through Oct. 29
Where: Sycamore Creek Family Ranch at 2657 Sunset Inn Road in Branson
Cost: $19.85 for adults, $13.95 for children ages 3-11 at front gate
Sycamore Creek Family Ranch in Branson hosts a slew of family-friendly activities during its Fall Roundup, including corn mazes, hayrides, corn bins, frisbee golf, lawn games and tractor races. A wood-fired pizza food truck will be on site, alongside various fall snacks, like apple cider slushies. Pumpkins will also be available for sale.
Schofield + Gray Fall Festival and Antique Market
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to
Where: Schofield + Gray at 353 E. Main St. in Fordland
Cost: $5 per person
Schofield + Gray, a homestead tucked away in Fordland, is hosting a small fall pop-up market with antique, garden, home décor, boutique and gift vendors. Live music and food trucks will also be at the market.
Cassidy Station's Fall Market Days
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Cassidy Station at Estes Farms at 5176 N. Fremont Road in Nixa
Cost: $5 parking (cash only)
Cassidy Station, situated on Estes Farm, will host local vendors, food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities during its Fall Market Days.
The Barley House Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing at 3060 N. Kentwood Ave.
Cost: Free
The Barley House Fall Festival will feature local vendors, live music, local craft beer, a petting zoo, local food trucks, bounce houses and pets for adoption from Rescue One.
Ozark Craft Fair
When: Oct. 6-8
Where: Finley River Park at 600 N. 3rd St. in Finley
Cost: Free
Managed by the GFWC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Utopia Club of Ozark, the Ozark Craft Fair is celebrating its 49th anniversary this fall. The craft fair features over 350 different vendors and benefits local nonprofits.
More: Utopia Club of Ozark, 'well-kept secret,' celebrates 70 years of philanthropy
Pumpkin Daze Fall Festival
When: Oct. 6-7
Where: J.R. Martin Park at 300 E. Hines St. in Republic
Cost: Free
Republic is hosting its 32nd annual Pumpkin Daze Fall Festival this October. The two-day festival will include more than 300 craft vendors, food trucks, bingo, giant pumpkins and produce for sale, live music and more.
More: Celebrate 20 years of the PSL with pumpkin spice coffee, baklava, shaved ice and dog brew
Ozark Fall Farmfest
When: Oct. 6-8
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Cost: Free
Over 1,000 agricultural and rural living exhibits and 600 head of livestock will be on display at the 44th annual Ozark Fall Farmfest. The Ozarks Steam Engine Association and the Southwest Missouri Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will have antique tractors on display at the festival too.
Harvest Moon Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Shoals Bend Park at 235 Corner Stone Drive in Forsyth
Cost: Free
The Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Harvest Moon Festival with vendor booths, live entertainment and a classic car show.
Baker Creek Fall Harvest Festival
When: Oct. 8-9
Where: Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company at 2278 Baker Creek Road in Mansfield
Cost: $15 for parking
The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is hosting expert speakers local food vendors, greenhouse and garden tours, and old-fashioned entertainment during its two-day fall harvest festival.
Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Park Central Square
Cost: $2 per pet
One of the largest pet costume parades in Missouri, the Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival benefits local children and animal nonprofit organizations.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Celebrate autumn in the Ozarks at these 25 fall festivals
