Missouri hosts a multitude of festivals throughout the year, but when fall rolls around, the state turns it up a notch. Communities large and small celebrate the season with an abundance of music, art, history, thrills and frights, plus food and drink – amidst all the beauty autumn has to offer.
Something Sweet
A family tradition for 45 years, Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival, Oct. 5 – 6 is sure to be a sweet time. Vendors line the downtown square selling crafts, décor, baked goods and so much more. The festival also includes a parade, a demolition derby, the crowning of Apple Festival King and Queen, and last, but not least – an apple pie baking contest. It’s the cherry – or apple – on top of a fun-filled weekend!
Apple Butter Makin’ Days in Mount Vernon takes place Oct. 11 – 13. This popular festival hosts thousands of visitors each year and features a variety of activities – wiener dog races, competitive bubble-gum-bubble blowers, plus learning the secret to creating its delicious namesake apple butter.
Sip and Snack Your Way Through Fall
Located in historic downtown Boonville on Sept. 28, Sippin’, Strollin’, Rockin’ & Rollin’ is an evening of delicious flavors and lively entertainment. Start with an “early sip” VIP experience, followed by a stroll through downtown where you’ll sample wine, beer and spirits. The memorable evening ends with a concert and dancing!
Follow the Cookie Crumb Trail through Ste. Genevieve’s historic downtown. Embrace the comfort of fall by tasting a variety of cookies as you wander and shop in locally owned stores. In addition, you’ll receive a Cookie Crumb Trail Recipe Book so you can try out some new cookie recipes ahead of the holidays.
Celebrate Arts, Crafts and Creativity
Admire the creativity and work of local artists at the Historic Shaw Art Fair on Oct. 5 – 6. Showcasing a variety of skills – including ceramics, fiber art, glass, painting, wood/metal work and so much more – this premier fair takes place along a beautiful, tree-lined parkway and features 120 artists, food and music.
See some of the best juried artwork in the region at the 10th Annual Joplin Arts Fest on Sept. 20 – 21. The day will be full of entertainment, from a wide variety of visual and performance artists to live demos. The event will also have music, activities for children, plus food and drinks. It’s sure to be two fun-filled days for the entire family!
Celebrate History in Autumn
Travel to Bethel for a marketplace of craftmanship, history and fun on Sept. 28 – 29. The Bethel Colony Fall Market has an array of food vendors, including Fest Hall Restaurant, regional wineries, Bethel Candy Kitchen, Colony Foodstand and Bethel Bakery. When this community was founded, they were well-known for a local band. That tradition has remained strong and guests to the marketplace can expect to peruse the beautiful, historic site while listening to live entertainment.
Celebrate the history of Maramec Spring Park at Old Iron Works Festival, Oct. 12 – 13. The event has old-time activities, artisan crafters and displays, plenty of vendors for historical must-haves, delicious food options and a lineup of traditional bluegrass music. Not to mention – the location is beautiful and the perfect way to spend an autumn day.
Get Spooked
Is it even fall if there aren’t some scary, ghoulish activities? Attend Halloween Haunt (open select nights from Sept. 13 – Oct. 26) in Kansas City at Worlds of Fun. The amusement park gives visitors a screaming good time with spine-chilling haunted mazes, elaborate scare zones and spooky live shows. The park’s most popular rides will be open at night to give you a thrilling time!
For a suspenseful, eerie evening, join the Haunted River Float in Waynesville (select dates from Sept. 14 – Oct. 26) and float down the Gasconade River under the cover of darkness. Expect to encounter river monsters, trek through a haunted trail and forest, and hasten through a haunted house with 25 rooms of frights and chilling surprises. Additionally, guests can choose to participate in Zombie Paintball, axe throwing and 15-minute escape rooms.
Explore more fall festivals and events in Missouri
Northeast Fall Festivals
Hannibal
- 10th Annual Big River Steam Punk Festival, Aug. 30 – Sept. 2
- Harvest Hootenanny, Sept. 20 – 21
- Jim’s Journey Birthday Celebration, Sept. 21
- Pumpkin Palooza 2024, Sept. 27 – 29
- Wicked Fest, Oct. 12
- 48thAnnual Folklife Festival, Oct. 19 – 20
- Living Dead Windows, Oct. 26
- Haunted Hannibal Halloween Festival, Oct. 26 – 31
- Main Street Trick or Treat, Oct. 31
Hermann
- 2nd Annual Hermann Farm Heritage Festival, Sept. 14
- Smokefest, Sept. 21
- Hermann Harvest Festival, Sept. 28
- Oktoberfest 2024, Every weekend in October
- 72nd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival, Oct. 12 – 13
- Witches & Wine Festival, Oct. 17
Kirksville
- Whiskey and Turkey Festival, Sept. 7
- 50thRed Barn Arts & Crafts Festival, Sept. 28
- Oktoberfest, Oct. 5
- 2ndAnnual Bolognafest, Oct. 19
Marthasville
- Emmaus Village Asylum Tours, select dates Sept. – Nov.
Pacific
- Iron Horse Rodeo, Sept 27 – 28
- Monster Fest, Oct. 26
St. Charles
- Oktoberfest, Sept. 27 – 29
- , select dates in Oct.
St. Louis
- Saint Louis Art Fair, Sept. 6 – 8
- Art Outside, Sept. 6 – 8
- Balloon Glowdeo, Sept. 13 – 14
- Fright Fest, Sept. 13 – Nov. 3
- Music at the Intersection, Sept. 14 – 15
- St. Louis Renaissance Festival, Sept. 14 – Oct. 27
- St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Forest Park Concert, Sept. 19
- The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race, Sept. 20 – 21
- Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival, Sept. 21
- Fright at the Museum, Sept. 27 – Oct. 27
- Evolution Festival, Sept. 28 – 29
- Tower Grove Pride, Sept. 28 – 29
- Best of Missouri Market, Oct. 4 – 6
- Historic Shaw Art Fair, Oct. 5 – 6
- St. Louis VegFest, Oct. 6
- Delish on Delmar, Oct. 18
- St. Louis Bourbon Festival, Oct. 18
- Wolf Fest, Oct. 19
- Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration, Oct. 19
- St. Louis Beer Fest, Oct. 19
- Fall Colors Expedition, Oct. 19 – 20
- Apple Butter Festival in Kimmswick, Oct. 26 – 27
- Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl, Nov. 2
- Laumeier After Dark, Nov. 2
- St. Louis International Film Festival, Nov. 7 – 17
- Flyover Comedy Festival, Nov. 14 – 16
Union
- Boo Bash!, Oct. 25
Washington
- Music at the Market, Sept. 12 – Oct. 10
- Sunset on the Riverfront, Sept. 26
- Fall Festival of the Arts & Crafts, Sept. 27 – 29
- Pumpkin Palooza, Oct. 26
Northwest Fall Festivals
Bethel
- Bethel Colony Fall Market, Sept. 28 – 29
Boonville and Cooper County
- 61thAnnual Steam Engine Show – Back to the Farm Reunion, Sept. 5 – 8
- Sippin’, Strollin’, Rockin’ & Rollin’, Sept. 28
- Blackwater Fall Festival, Oct. 12
- Brennen Leigh in Concert, Oct. 26
Chillicothe
- Chautauqua in the Park, Sept. 7 – 8
- Old Time Harvest Days, Sept. 28 – 29
- Fall Brew Crawl, Oct. 4
- BooFest in Downtown Chillicothe, Oct. 31
Kansas City
- Art Westport, Sept. 6 – 8
- Fiesta Hispana, Sept. 13 – 15
- Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 20 – 22
- KC Oktoberfest, Oct. 4 – 5
- Latino Arts Festival, Oct. 6
- Brew at the Zoo, Oct. 12
- Cornucopia, Oct. 18 – Oct. 20
- Dark Forest , Oct. 18 – 19, Oct. 24 – 26, Oct. 31, Nov 1 – 2
Kearney
- Jesse James Festival, Sept. 13 – 14 and Sept. 20 – 22
Liberty
- Witches’ Brew, Oct. 3
- Pumpkin Festival Block Party, Oct. 5
- Halloween Trick or Treat, Oct. 31
Platte City
- Main Street Fall Festival, Sept. 26
Weston
- Weston Applefest, Oct. 5 – 6
- Ghost Tales of Weston, Oct. 19, 25, 26
- Weston Whiskey Festival, Oct. 28
Central Fall Festivals
Benton County
- Cole Camp Fair, Sept. 5 – 7
- Annual Lincoln Fly-In, Sept. 7
- Lincoln Fall Market/Balloon Glow/Strongman Competition, Sept. 14
- Cole Camp Oktoberfest, Sept. 28
- Donktoberfest, Oct. 5
- Warsaw Heritage Day, Oct. 19 – 20
- Kaysinger Heritage Days, Oct. 19 – 20
- Cole Camp Pumpkin Fest, Oct. 26
Clinton
- Northern Cherokee Nation Powwow, Sept. 20 – 22
- Big BAM (Bicycle Across MO), Oct. 6 – 12
- Red Star Intertribal Gourd Dance Society Gourd Dance and Powwow, Oct. 19
- Main Street Wine Stroll, Oct. 19
Columbia
- Arcade District’s Zipper Fest, Sept. 7
- , Sept. 21 – 22
- Biscuits, Beats & Brews, Oct. 4 – 6
Hartsburg
- Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 12 – 13
Jefferson City
- Partners for Youth Music Festival, Sept. 7
- Show-Me State Airshow, Sept. 14 -15
- Oktoberfest in Old Munichburg, Sept. 28
- Rhymers Ridge Harvest Festival, Sept. 27 – Nov. 3
- Porchfest JCMO, Oct. 6
Kingdom City
- Central Missouri Renaissance Festival, Oct. 19 – 20
Lake of the Ozarks and Surrounding Area
- Lake of the Ozarks Air Show 2024, Sept. 7
- 18thAnnual Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest, Sept. 11 – 15
- Fall Harbor Hop, Oct. 12
- Alhonna Fall Classic Buddy Bass Tournament, Oct. 26 – 27
Pulaski County
- Crocker Railroad Days, Sept. 7
- Patriots Day Festival, Sept. 7
- Dixon Cow Days Fall Festival, Sept. 20 – 22
- Route 66 Hogs & Frogs Festival, Sept. 20 – 22
- Extremicon, Sept. 28 – 29
- Haunted River Float at Ruby’s Landing, Oct. – Nov.
- Fall Fest at Roubidoux Park, Oct. 5
- 14th Annual Oktoberfest on the Square, Oct. 12
- Oktoberfest at Humboldt 1854 , Oct. 12
Sedalia
- Fiesta Hispana, Sept. 14
- Mozark Fest, Sept. 20 – 22
- Oktoberfest at The Local Tap, Oct. 12
Versailles
- Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival, Oct. 5 – 6
Warrensburg and Surrounding Area
- Johnson County Rodeo, Sept. 6 – 7
- Holden Street Fair, Sept 12
- Burg Fest, Oct. 11 – 12
Southeast
Cape Girardeau
- Riverfront Fall Festival, Oct. 19
Perryville
- East Perry Community Fair, Sept. 20 – 21
- Perryville Downtown Cruise-In Rocktoberfest, Oct. 5
- Saxon Lutheran Fall Festival, Oct. 12
Rolla
- Fall Nature Festival, Sept. 14
- Celebration of Nations, Sept. 21
- Broken Oak’s Fall on the Farm, Sept. 27
- 45thAnnual Arts & Crafts Festival, Oct. 5
- Dracula, Oct. 9
- Boo-Palooza, Oct. 31
Sikeston
- Downtown Sikeston Wine Festival, Sept. 7
- 80thAnnual Cotton Carnival, Sept. 24 – 28
- Oktoberfest, Oct. 12
St. James
- Grape &FallFestival, Sept. 5 – 7
- Old Iron Works at Maramec Spring Park, Oct. 12
Ste. Genevieve
- Oktoberfest, Sept. 14 – 15
- Ste. Genevieve Fall History Conference, Sept. 14
- Plein Air Show and Sale, Sept. 26 – 28
- Rural Heritage Day, Oct. 26
- Déjà vu Spirit Reunion, Oct. 26
- Pecanapalooza, Nov. 2
- Cookie Crumb Trail, Nov. 9
Van Buren
- , Oct. 5
West Plains
- Ozark Heritage Mini Festival, Sept. 7
- Fall Block Party, Sept. 14
- HOBA Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 26 – 28
- OzFaire Renaissance Festival, Oct. 12 – 13
- 3rdAnnual Autumn Harvest Fest, Oct. 19
- Scare on the Square, Oct. 31
Southwest
Branson
- Harvest Festival with Pumpkins in the City at Silver Dollar City, Sept. 13 – Oct. 26
- Shepherd’s Craft Fair, Sept. 13 – 15
- Pumpkin Fest, Sept. 21 – Oct. 26
Carthage
- 4thAnnual Hispanic Heritage Days, Sept. 28
- Maple Leaf Festival, Oct. 11 – 19
Hollister
- Grape and Fall Festival, Oct. 12
Joplin
- Joplin Arts Festival, Sept. 20 – 21
Seymour
- Seymour Apple Festival, Sept. 12 – 14
Springfield and the Surrounding Area
- Japanese Fall Festival, Sept. 6 – 8
- 10th Annual Food Truck Festival, Sept. 14
- Mead Fest, Sept. 15
- Marionville Apple Fest, Sept 20 – 21
- Mother’s Oktoberfest, Sept. 21
- Cider Days, Sept. 21 – 22
- SGF CultureFEST, Sept. 28
- Fair Grove Heritage Reunion, Sept. 28 – 29
- Republic Pumpkin Daze, Oct. 4 – 5
- Ozark Fall Farmfest, Oct. 4 – 6
- 50th Annual Ozark Fall Craft Fair, Oct. 4 – 6
- Harvest Fest, Weekends in October
- Apple Butter Makin’ Days, Oct. 11 – 13
Stockton
- Black Walnut Festival, Sept. 26 – 28
Mansfield
- Wilder Days, Sept. 27 – 28