Looking for Affordable Family Fun This Fall?

Although school has started and cooler temperatures are just around the corner, there are still plenty of exciting things to do in the Springfield area -- without breaking your budget.

Check out our fall community events calendar below for fall festivals and other fun family activities!

September

Fall Kickoff Carnival

Friday, September 9, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Dan Kinney Family Center

Admission: $5 per family
Fun activities for families include face painting, carnival booths, popcorn and lemonade, arts and crafts, pumpkin bowling, and bouncy castle.
To learn more visit http://www.parkboard.org/DocumentCenter/View/991.

Springfield Greek Festival

September 9-11, 12 to 10 p.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church

Admission: FREE!
This annual festival to celebrate Greek heritage features traditional Greek music, dancing, food, and drinks, including Greek coffee and desserts.
There will also be a silent auction, iPad raffle, and inflatables.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/articles/U59TxSwAADwAEp9I/sixth-annual-greek-festival-is-sept-6-8/.

21st Annual Japanese Fall Festival

September 9, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, September 10, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

Admission:

September 9: $7 adults/$3 kids 12 and under
September 10: $10 adults/$3 kids 12 and under
September 11: $7 adults/$3 kids 12 and under

Enjoy Shoji Tabuchi, Osuwa Takio Drumming, Seiran Japanese Calligraphy, Samurai Sword Soul, Hiroshi Tada Top Spinner, Springfield Aikido & Tracy's Karate, and a performing delegation from Springfield sister city Isesaki, Japan.
Savor authentic Japanese foods, teas, and gifts, including a tea ceremony.
The festival also features interactive folk dancing with Kizuna, fish printing, origami, and other crafts, children's crafts and activities, and a candlelight stroll.
To learn more visit http://www.parkboard.org/DocumentCenter/View/969.

Springfield Little Theatre presents Peter Pan

September 16-October 9, Springfield Little Theater

Join SLT's presentation of this beloved childhood classic that takes you to a place where dreams come true and you never have to grow up!
Visit SLT website for showtimes and ticket prices: http://www.springfieldlittletheatre.org/st_show/peter-pan/.

Cider Days

September 17 and 18, Walnut Street

Admission: $4
View the works of more than 100 juried artists and crafters, along with a free hands-on children's area, scarecrow village, live performances, food, and more!
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/39236/cider-days.

Family Days at the Springfield Art Museum

September 17, 10 a.m., to 12 p.m., Springfield Art Museum

Admission: FREE!
Kids and grown-ups are invited to explore the museum together, with hands-on gallery activities and art-making fun for the whole family!
To learn more visit http://mo-springfieldartmuseum.civicplus.com/144/Events.

Missouri Food Truck Fest

September 17, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 735 East St. Louis Street

Admission: FREE!
Get a taste of the best gourmet food trucks, carts, and trailers from Missouri and beyond.
Enjoy hot dogs, sandwiches, Creole, BBQ, Mexican, Tex Mex, American, Vegan, Italian, seafood, Asian, Latin, Mediterranean, and sweets.
The festival also includes live entertainment, crafts, and vendors.
To learn more visit http://mofoodtruckfest.com/.

Nixaque

September 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nixa Junior High

Admission: FREE!
Join this family-friendly charity event to determine the best BBQ in Nixa!
Features local BBQ, along with inflatables, entertainment, and more.
To learn more visit http://www.nixa.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/963/17?curm=9&cury=2016.

Songs About Animals

September 17, 6 to 7 p.m., Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Admission: FREE!
Conservatory of the Ozarks students share songs about animals.
To learn more visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/view/1047395.

14th Annual Dogfest and Dachshund Dash

September 24, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Chesterfield Park

Admission: FREE!
Everyone, including the family dog is invited to this event featuring canine-related vendors and nonprofits, dog-themed bounce houses, and other attractions.
To learn more visit http://www.parkboard.org/DocumentCenter/View/1105.

October

Harvest Fest

September 30-October 30, Rutledge Wilson Farm Park

Admission: FREE! Some activities have a small fee.
Enjoy fun fall activities including a corn maze, hay rides, pumpkin patch, and more!
Haunted Trail on Fridays and Saturdays, 6-10 p.m.
To learn more visit http://www.parkboard.org/150/Events.

Apple Butter Makin' Days

October 7-9, Town Square in Mount Vernon

Admission: FREE!
Come experience the sweet goodness of apple butter made the old fashioned way in large copper kettles on the courthouse lawn.
Other attractions include crafts, food, games, parade, and car show.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/38623/apple-butter-makin-days.

Ozarks Fall FarmFest

October 7-9, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds

Admission: FREE!
Come see livestock exhibitions, livestock equipment, tractors, trailers, balers.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/38654/ozarks-fall-farmfest.

Pets & Pumpkins Festival and Parade

October 15, 12 p.m., Commercial Street Historic District

Admission: FREE!
Bring the whole family for some spooky fun with trick-or-treating, marshmallow roasting, inflatables, games, food, and music.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/38660/pets-pumpkins-festival-and-parade.

Strollathon

Saturday, October 15, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Dan Kinney Family Center

Admission: FREE!
Parade/competition registration: $10
Join us for BIKE IT: Promoting bike safety for kids.
To learn more visit http://www.parkboard.org/DocumentCenter/View/992.

Nature and the Arts -- Songs and Birds

October 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Admission: FREE!
Ages 12-adult
Musician and bird expert Bo Brown shares music, stories, images, and musings about birds.
To learn more visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/view/1047295.

Thriller on C-Street

October 22, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Historic Commercial Street

Admission: FREE!
Take in this annual performance of Michael Jackson's classic "Thriller."
After the 4 p.m. show, enjoy games, dining, and shopping.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/38661/thriller-on-c-street.

Halloween Happening: Into the Woods with Red Riding Hood

October 27 and 28, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Admission: FREE!
This annual event features Halloween guided hikes, and also includes indoor activities and games.
Enjoy free popcorn and soda, and fun for all ages!
To learn more visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/view/1047396.

Halloween Spooktacular

October 28, 2016, 6-9 p.m., The X Center in Nixa

Admission: FREE!
Wear your costume and trick-or-treat at the X Center!
Other activities include laser tag, inflatables, and crazy hair.
Booth spaces available for businesses.
To learn more visit http://www.nixa.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/961/17?curm=10&cury=2016.

Trick-Art-Treat

October 29, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Springfield Art Museum

Admission: FREE!!!
This special Family Days event lets kids and grown-ups explore the museum together.
Take part in hands-on gallery activities and art-making for the whole family!
To learn more visit http://www.sgfmuseum.org/163/Family-Learning.

November

Family Art Workshops

November 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Springfield Art Museum

Admission: FREE!
Led by teaching artists, this one-session workshop lets kids and grown-ups explore exhibits and create art together!
Best for kids 5-10 and their parents.
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
To learn more visit http://www.sgfmuseum.org/163/Family-Learning.

Festival of Lights

November 19-December 31, Downtown Springfield, Various Locations

Admission: FREE!
Participate in Springfield's annual tree lighting celebration, fireworks, free ice skating, shows, plays, music.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/38613/festival-of-lights.

Queen City Craft Show

November 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Old Glass Place

Admission: $4 for adults; FREE for kids 12 and under.
Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, come enjoy an indie craft market featuring local and regional artisans, makers and crafters. Free non-alcoholic beverages will be available, and half the proceeds go to Rescue One.
To learn more visit https://www.springfieldmo.org/events/39449/queen-city-craft-show.

We hope you enjoy these and other local events this fall. At BluCurrent, we are proud to serve our neighbors in such a vibrant and growing community!