Summer has come to a close and soon it’ll be time to break out the long sleeves and jeans for fall. To make the most of your autumn, here are some unique festivals that feature dachshund races, apple butter, seasonal craft beer and more!
- Parktoberfest - Parkville
Parktoberfest/Facebook
Parktoberfest/Facebook Enjoy live music from Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac cover band, right along the Missouri River in beautiful English Landing Park. If you’re a runner or walker, the festival kicks off with a 5k race and 2 mile walk in the morning. It takes place Saturday, October 4th.
- Schlafly Great Pumpkin Festival - Maplewood
Schlafly Bottleworks/Facebook
Schlafly Bottleworks/Facebook Though this festival is put on by the Schlafly Brewery, that doesn’t mean it’s only limited to adults. Children are welcome to decorate pumkins and make arts and crafts while parents enjoy a seasonal craft beer or two. It takes place on Saturday, October 15th.
- Apple Butter Festival - Kimmswick
City of Kimmswick Strawberry and Apple Butter Festival/Facebook
2016 Kimmswick, Mo Apple Butter Festival - Oct 29/30/Facebook The population of Kimmswick is only 158, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to put on a good party. Head over to the Apple Butter Festival on October 29th and 30th for some live music and tasty homemade apple butter.
- Old Munichburg Oktoberfest - Jefferson City
Old Munichburg Association/Facebook
Old Munichburg Association/Facebook Enjoy some authentic German food at this Oktoberfest hosted by Jefferson City’s Old Munichburg Association. They even host a dachshund race and the competition is stiff! This fest takes place Friday, September 23rd-Saturday, September 24th.
- Wilder Days - Mansfield
Wilder Days - Mansfield, Missouri/Facebook
Wilder Days - Mansfield, Missouri/Facebook This annual festival commemorates one of America’s best authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder. The 3-day festival includes a pie eating contest, bluegrass music and of course, reading stories from Wilder’s “Little House on The Prairie” book series. It takes place September 16th-18th.
- Cider Days - Springfield
Cider Days/Facebook
Cider Days/Facebook Stroll down Springfield’s historic Walnut Street to shop for crafts, pumpkins and of course, cider. It takes place September 17th-18th.
- Brunswick Pecan Festival
Brunswick Pecan Festival/Facebook
Brunswick Pecan Festival/Facebook Head over to Brunswick to view the World’s Largest Pecan. In addition to seeing this record-breaking pecan, you can also enjoy pecan-flavored desserts and activities such as bull-riding, MoonBounce jumping and helicopter rides. It takes place September 30th-October 2nd.
- Ozarks Beerfest - Springfield
Ozarks Beerfest/Facebook
Ozarks Beerfest/Facebook If you like trying out all types of seasonal beers, then this fest is for you. The 7th Annual Ozarks Beerfest will feature over 100 craft beers from all over the country. GA tickets cost $30 in advance and $40 at the door. It takes place at the Springfield Expo Center on November 19th.
- Pumpkin Daze Festival - Republic
Republic Pumpkin Daze/Facebook
Republic Pumpkin Daze/Facebook With the winning weight for the heaviest pumpkin in 2014 being 1079.5 lb, no wonder this festival is called Pumpkin Daze. Besides its grow contests, the festival also features food and craft vendors, live entertainment and a pet parade.
- Hollister Fall & Grape Festival
Hollister Chamber/Facebook
Hollister/Facebook If you’ve been wanting to participate in a grape stomp, here’s your chance. In addition to the grape stomp, this festival in Hollister features a beer and wine garden, food, live entertainment and craft vendors.
Looks like these festivals will have you booked for most of the fall season, so we suggest you start making it out sooner rather than later before winter rolls in!
Parktoberfest/Facebook
Enjoy live music from Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac cover band, right along the Missouri River in beautiful English Landing Park. If you’re a runner or walker, the festival kicks off with a 5k race and 2 mile walk in the morning. It takes place Saturday, October 4th.
Schlafly Bottleworks/Facebook
Though this festival is put on by the Schlafly Brewery, that doesn’t mean it’s only limited to adults. Children are welcome to decorate pumkins and make arts and crafts while parents enjoy a seasonal craft beer or two. It takes place on Saturday, October 15th.
City of Kimmswick Strawberry and Apple Butter Festival/Facebook
2016 Kimmswick, Mo Apple Butter Festival - Oct 29/30/Facebook
The population of Kimmswick is only 158, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to put on a good party. Head over to the Apple Butter Festival on October 29th and 30th for some live music and tasty homemade apple butter.
Old Munichburg Association/Facebook
Enjoy some authentic German food at this Oktoberfest hosted by Jefferson City’s Old Munichburg Association. They even host a dachshund race and the competition is stiff! This fest takes place Friday, September 23rd-Saturday, September 24th.
Wilder Days - Mansfield, Missouri/Facebook
This annual festival commemorates one of America’s best authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder. The 3-day festival includes a pie eating contest, bluegrass music and of course, reading stories from Wilder’s “Little House on The Prairie” book series. It takes place September 16th-18th.
Cider Days/Facebook
Stroll down Springfield’s historic Walnut Street to shop for crafts, pumpkins and of course, cider. It takes place September 17th-18th.
Brunswick Pecan Festival/Facebook
Head over to Brunswick to view the World’s Largest Pecan. In addition to seeing this record-breaking pecan, you can also enjoy pecan-flavored desserts and activities such as bull-riding, MoonBounce jumping and helicopter rides. It takes place September 30th-October 2nd.
Ozarks Beerfest/Facebook
If you like trying out all types of seasonal beers, then this fest is for you. The 7th Annual Ozarks Beerfest will feature over 100 craft beers from all over the country. GA tickets cost $30 in advance and $40 at the door. It takes place at the Springfield Expo Center on November 19th.
Republic Pumpkin Daze/Facebook
With the winning weight for the heaviest pumpkin in 2014 being 1079.5 lb, no wonder this festival is called Pumpkin Daze. Besides its grow contests, the festival also features food and craft vendors, live entertainment and a pet parade.
Hollister Chamber/Facebook
Hollister/Facebook
If you’ve been wanting to participate in a grape stomp, here’s your chance. In addition to the grape stomp, this festival in Hollister features a beer and wine garden, food, live entertainment and craft vendors.
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