SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The fall festival season has arrived in southwestern Missouri. Those looking to bring in and celebrate Autumn have ample opportunities to do so in the area.

Though these events are some of the most popular in the area, they’re by no means the only ones in the area. If you have a favorite go-to fall festival you enjoy visiting every year, let us know so we can add it to this list.

Below are some of the biggest and more exciting fall festivals coming up in southwest Missouri and the Ozarks.

September

Cedar Fest

  • Sept. 18-Oct. 31
  • Location: Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale
  • Admission: Varies by event

Big Cedar Lodge takes its fall festivities seriously by making its festival over a month long. You’ll find a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch for the kids, a fall foliage cruise on Table Rock Lake, a 5K run, and much more at Cedar Fest.

Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City

  • Sept. 21-Oct. 29
  • Location: Silver Dollar City, Branson
  • Admission: $79 for park admission

Silver Dollar City ramps up its usual blast-from-the-past approach with its Harvest Festival adding events such as chuck wagon demonstrations, craftsmen, very large pumpkins, pumpkin carving art, and extended ride hours. Be sure to check out the new Foggy Hollow addition, which has synchronized lights and music and fog.

Hillberry — The Harvest Moon Festival

  • Sept. 29-Oct. 2
  • Location: The Farm Campground & Events, Eureka Springs, AR
  • Admission: $70+

Hillberry 2022 — The Harvest Moon Festival is one of the largest music festivals in northwestern Arkansas. If you’re a fan of folk and indie music, you may want to clear your calendar for this multi-day event. Rent a campsite if you want to make a weekend out of your visit.

Republic Pumpkin Daze

  • Sept. 30-Oct. 1
  • Location: J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines St., Republic
  • Admission: Free

Republic Pumpkin Daze is a community-focused event that is increasing the event to two days instead of the usual one this year. This decades-old tradition brings people from all around to compete with their giant fruits and vegetables.

Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks

  • Sept. 30-Oct. 1
  • Location: Fox Trotters Park, Ava
  • Admission: Free

History buffs should make their way to the Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks over in Ava. People in period costumes, old-timey crafters, and traditional musicians are just a few of the highlights of this community gathering.

October

Neosho Fall Festival

  • Oct. 1
  • Location: Historic Downtown Neosho
  • Admission: Free

The City of Neosho will be hosting the Neosho Fall Festival the first Saturday of October. This festival is focused on arts and crafts, but you’ll also find a coaster car race, a car show, games and activities for the kids, and plenty of food to enjoy.

Ozark Fall Farmfest

  • Oct. 7-9
  • Location: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield
  • Admission: Free

The Ozark Fall Farmfest is one of Springfield’s largest fall festivals. This is the festival’s 43rd year, and this year’s iteration is scheduled to bring more than 1.000 agricultural and rural living exhibits, as well as hundreds of livestock.

Apple Butter Makin’ Days

  • Oct. 7-9
  • Location: Courthouse Square, Mt. Vernon
  • Admission: Free

The 56th Apple Butter Makin’ Days are coming up in Mt. Vernon. Live music, intense weiner dog races, plenty of food and craft booths, and enough apple butter to keep you satiated for a while, this event is a great family event worth checking out.

Hollister Grape and Fall Festival

  • Oct. 8
  • Location: Historic Downing Street, Hollister
  • Admission: Free

Whether or not you love wine, the Hollister Grape and Fall Festival is a great time. Join the grape-stomping competition, participate in the Color Me Grape 5K run, watch the puppy pageant, or just relax and enjoy a glass of your favorite varietal while listening to live music.

Carthage Maple Leaf Festival

  • Oct. 15
  • Location: Carthage
  • Admission: Free

The 56th Annual Carthage Maple Leaf Festival is scheduled to start off with a bang with one of the largest parades in southwest Missouri. The rest of the day will bring car and tractor shows, craft and food vengers, a chicken pageant, a beauty pageant, a 5K run, and much more.

Pets & Pumpkin Family Festival

  • Oct. 22
  • Location: Park Central Square, Downtown Springfield
  • Admission: $2 per person and pet

If you love dogs, the Pets & Pumpkin Family Festival is the hottest event of the year. This is a costume party and walking parade, but it’s also a great community-building event for dog-lovers.