Events


  2. Harvest Fest


    Five weekends of fall-themed fun at the farm! Meander through the corn maze, take a hayride, pick your own pumpkin from our pumpkin patch, ride the Cow Train or Grain Train, try your luck at carnival games, bounce on inflatables and much more as you enjoy this Midwest fall tradition!  Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949


    All ages
    Sept. 28-Oct. 27
    Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Sun., Noon-6 p.m.
    Free admission, most activities have a small fee

  3. Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch


    Corn has never been so ear-resistible! Get lost in our corn maze (may take an hour), then pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Open during Harvest Fest and Friday and Saturday nights.  Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949

    All ages
    Sept. 27-Oct. 27
    Fri., 6:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
    (closed 6-6:30 p.m.); Sun., Noon-6 p.m.
    Pumpkin prices based on weight
    Corn Maze $4/adults, $3/kids 5-11 yrs.,
    kids 4 and under free.

  4. Haunted Trail


    Do you dare enter the woods after dark? Walk our one-third mile paved path on the Haunted Trail for a frighteningly awesome experience. Includes hayride and bonfire time. No photo or video please. Open Fri. and Sat. nights.  Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949

    8 yrs.-adult. Kids 8-12 must be with an adult; no kids under 8 admitted.
    Sept. 27-Oct. 26
    Fri. and Sat., 6:30-10 p.m.
    $7/person

  5. Training for the Trot


    Be a part of Springfield’s Thanksgiving Day Tradition! Get ready for the 25th Annual Turkey Trot 5K by training with a group at Dan Kinney Park. Designed for individuals who want to run a 5K race for the first time, get back to running or who want to train with a group. Program fee includes registration for Turkey Trot and a Training for the Trot t-shirt. Register by Oct. 4.  Dan Kinney Family Center 891-1500

    16 yrs. and up
    Tues., 6. p.m.
    Oct. 8-Nov. 26
    $45, includes Turkey Trot registration

  6. Gigs in the Garden Concert Series


    Musical guests perform outdoors each Sunday in October. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Donations to Friends of the Garden benefit garden projects.  Peace Through People Pavilion 891-1515

    All ages
    Sun., 2 p.m.
    Oct. 6: The Singer and the Songwriter
    Oct. 13: Springfield Community Jazz Ensemble
    Oct. 20: Claude Bourbon
    Oct. 27: The Lacewings
    Free admission, $10 suggested donation

  7. Mother-Son Night


    Moms, step-moms, aunts, grandmas, big sisters: bring your boys ages 5-12 for a wild night of laser tag games, plus indoor swimming and dinner. Bring your own athletic shoes, swim attire, towels, and a change of clothes. All other equipment provided. Dress as your favorite action hero! Space is limited. Register at Family Centers (Doling, Chesterfield or Dan Kinney) or by phone at 417-837-5900.Doling Family Center 837-5900

    Boys 5-12 years, with adult
    Sat., Oct. 19, 6-8:30 p.m.
    $20/Mother-Son duo,
    $5/Addl. boy

  8. Halloween Fest


    Celebrate the season with Halloween-themed activities at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. Wear a costume and join in the family scavenger hunt, games and crafts in the classroom. Everyone is a winner, with prizes and candy at each activity. The Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze and hayride are open for an additional fee. (Hayride may be canceled in rain, but all other activities will proceed.)    Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949

    All ages
    Sat., Oct. 26, 11 a.m. -6 p.m.
    Free, some activities have a small fee

  9. Truck or Treat


    The Springfield Fire Department and the Park Board partner for a Halloween event with costumes, candy, firefighters and fire trucks! Held at Ewing Park, across form Fire Station No. 8, 1400 S. Scenic.    Ewing Park 864-1049

    All ages
    Tues., Oct. 29, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Free

  10. Youth Try Hockey For Free


    Learn the fundamentals of hockey skating and drills during this one-hour class. Register beginning Oct. 16 at tryhockeyforfree.com, or register onsite Nov. 9 at noon.  Jordan Valley Ice Park 874-2933

    4-9 yrs.
    Sat., Nov. 9, 1-2 p.m.
    Free

  11. Veteran's Appreciation Day


    Free zoo admission for military veterans with ID, and their immediate family.  Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    All ages
    Mon, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Free for military veterans (with ID) and their immediate family
    $15/Adults and teens,
    $10/Children 3-12 yrs.
    $12/Seniors 60 yrs. and up

  12. 25th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk


    Springfield’s Thanksgiving tradition and the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri! Turkey Trot takes place in downtown Springfield Thanksgiving morning, with four race categories: Elite, Runner, Walker and Family/Pet. Trophies for overall winners and medals for each age group. Build up your Thanksgiving appetite while benefiting the Park Board Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund and the Developmental Center of the Ozarks. Bring five items or five pounds of food to donate to Ozarks Food Harvest. Register online here.  Downtown Springfield 837-5817

    All ages
    Thurs., Nov. 28, 8 a.m.
    Early-bird registration by Fri., Nov. 22
    (postmarked by Tues., Nov. 19):
    $20/Adult, $15/Child

    Registration in person only,
    at Springfield Expo Center, Nov. 27-28:
    $30/Adult, $25/Child

  13. Festival of Lights


    A flurry of downtown events, including carriage rides, holiday shows and concerts, free ice skating, the Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade, and of course, festive lights. Check out the displays at Park Central Square, opening Nov. 17 with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, and at Jordan Valley Park, where light shows are programed to music for an enchanting stroll. Details and schedules at itsalldowntown.com.  Downtown Springfield 864-1049

    All ages
    Sat., Nov. 23: Mayor’s Tree Lighting
    Nov. 23-Jan. 1: Light displays
    Sat., Dec. 14: Christmas Parade
    Time ongoing, lights run 5:30-11 p.m.
    Light displays are free,
    check venues for admission

  14. PGA Annual Golf Sale


    Save up to 75-percent off new and used golf products, as several area golf courses (including three Park Board courses) collaborate for their annual holiday PGA sale.
    Rivercut Golf Course 891-1645
    Horton Smith Golf Course 891-1639
    Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course 833-9962
    All ages
    Dec. 5-7
    Thurs. and Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.;
    Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Prices vary

  15. Gardens Aglow


    Enjoy a serene evening stroll through the Mizumoto Japanese Garden, sparkling with festive lights! Campfires and hot cocoa available to keep you warm. Limited wheelchairs available.  Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    All ages
    Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 28-Dec. 28
    5-8:30 p.m.
    $5/adult; FOG and SSCA members and children 12 yrs. and under free

  16. Holiday Train Garden Display


    The magic of miniature landscapes and moving model trains transforms the Botanical Center atrium into a holiday wonderland. Presented by the Ozarks Garden Railway Society. Donations accepted.   Botanical Center 891-1515

    All ages
    Dec. 1-31, Mon.-Sat.
    8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Free

  17. Candy Cane Lane


    Drive through the farm and enjoy dazzling farm-themed holiday displays and more than 10,000 lights. Hot cocoa available for purchase. Friday-Sunday nights only.  Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949

    All ages
    Fri.-Sun., Dec. 6-22, 5-8 p.m.
    $5/Vehicle

  18. Christmas at the Farmstead


    Join volunteers at the Gray/Campbell Farmstead to celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas. Decorate the tree with hand-made vintage ornaments and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and carols.  Gray/Campbell Farmstead 891-1515

    All ages
    Sat., Dec. 7, 1-3 p.m.
    Free