Party for the Planet

Celebrate Earth Day at Dickerson Park Zoo with hands-on conservation learning stations and zookeeper chats. Activities free with paid zoo admission. Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

Arbor Day Movie Night

Free screening of the film, “The Sandlot,” at the Peace through People Pavilion. Come early for information on the emerald ash borer, tree activities and take-a-ways. The movie begins at dark. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Botanical Center 891-1515

Bark in the Park

A fun and relaxing day in Phelps Grove Park with your family and beloved canine. Enjoy live music and other activities at the Canine Vendor Village. All ages welcome! Vendors must register by April 19. Proceeds benefit Cruse Dog Park. Phelps Grove Park 864-1049

Master Gardener and Garden Society Plant Sale

Presented by the Master Gardeners of Greene County and other garden societies. Sale includes annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, bulbs, grasses, vines, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Master Gardeners accept credit cards. Other societies accept cash or check only. Botanical Center 891-1515

Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street

The largest fine arts festival in southwest Missouri, featuring original art from more than 120 juried artists from across the country. Includes live music, dance and theater on multiple stages, food from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and food trucks, and hands-on art activities for all ages. It’s Springfield’s springtime tradition! Proceeds benefit Springfield Regional Arts Council. Historic Walnut Street 864-1049

Gigs in the Garden Concert Series

Musical guests perform at the Peace Through People Pavilion. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Donations benefit garden projects. Botanical Center 891-1515

Wednesday Concerts at Noon at Founders Park

Free half-hour lunchtime concerts in the park, in partnership with Downtown Springfield CID. Bring your lunch or buy one onsite, and enjoy area performers on stage on the site where Springfield was founded. Founders Park 866-7444

Bike, Walk and Wheel Week

Presented by Hy-Vee. Use Springfield’s active transportation options at least once this week to get around town. Where does your route take you? Any active trip counts:  bike, walk, bus, carpool, skate—anywhere, in any combination! Everyone who registers receives a prize! Find activities and register as an individual or team.Ozark Greenways 864-2015

Summer Junior Golf Special

Kids 17 years and younger, enjoy unlimited golf all summer, weekdays, noon to close at Horton Smith, Bill & Payne Stewart and Rivercut. Does not include range balls, carts or amenities.
Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course 833-9962
Horton Smith Golf Course 891-1639
Rivercut Golf Course 891-1645

Romance in the Garden

Enjoy the full moon and serene landscape of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at dusk. Tiki torches and lanterns light the pathway. Wishing lanterns for floating on the ponds available for purchase. Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, 891-1515

Dirt Day at Lafayette Park

Get your hands dirty at the 6th Annual Dirt Day in historic Lafayette Park. The Woodland Heights Neighborhood presents this garden-themed event with activities and demonstrations from garden professionals and clubs, plant exchange, green living, interactive garden art, kids’ dinosaur dig and birdhouse painting.Lafayette Park 864-1049

Outdoor Pools open

Fassnight, Grant Beach, Silver Springs, Meador and Westport outdoor pools and McGee/McGregor Wading Pool are open Memorial Day weekend through mid-August. Enjoy discount Splash & Sizzle admission daily after 5:30 p.m., and all day on holidays and special weekends (select locations.) Pool maintenance (closed) days are staggered throughout the week. Check ParkBoard.org/Aquatics for schedule. Summer schedule also includes Chesterfield and Doling indoor aquatics admission for outdoor pool prices, Mon.-Thurs. only. Aquatics Hotline 864-2099

Southwest Missouri Senior Games

Competitive events for athletes age 50 years and up, including track and field, bowling, golf, swimming, Pickleball, basketball skills, table tennis, washers, baggo, horseshoes, bocce, Kubb, archery, 8-ball and more. May serve as preparation for Missouri State Senior Games. Some games may allow onsite registration. Register by May 15 Northview Center 837-5808

38th Annual Kids Fishing Fun Day

A morning of learning and fishing in our stocked pond. Kids may catch and keep up to three fish. Kids weigh their fish and learn how to clean them with the Mo. Dept. of Conservation. Bring your own bait and gear. Space is limited. No event day registration. Register by May 31 Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 864-1049

Run for Fun Club

Hop into summer with free kid-friendly creative exercise activities, promoting healthy lifestyles and getting kids running. The Run for Fun Club takes place every Saturday in June and July at Westport School-Park. Water and snacks provided. Register by May 31 Westport School-Park Track 864-1049

Discount Splash & Sizzle Swimming

Outdoor pool admission is $1, or free with a canned food donation, every day after 5:30 p.m. Select locations offer Splash & Sizzle extended hours on holidays. Food donations go to Ozarks Food Harvest. Aquatics Hotline 864-2099

Mon., May 27, 1-6:30 p.m. at Fassnight, Grant Beach and Meador
Thurs., July 4, 12-5:30 p.m. at Fassnight, Grant Beach and Meador
Mon., Sept. 2, 1-6:30 p.m. at Fassnight and Grant Beach
Fri. and Sat., July 5-27, 5:30-8 p.m. at Grant Beach, Westport and Silver Springs
Sat., July 6-27, 5:30-8 p.m. at Meador
Sat., July 6-27, 5:30-10 p.m. at Fassnight

4th Annual Tennis Under The Lights

Come play tennis at night at Lafayette Park! Tennis courts will be all aglow with lights everywhere. Participants shine with glow necklaces and bracelets! Grab your family and friends and get on the court with music, snacks and fun. All equipment is provided. Presented by USTA. Lafayette Park 837-5826

Movies at Founders Park

A contemporary version of the drive-in theater at Springfield’s founding site. Enjoy new release and classic movies in an outdoor setting. Fridays are Family Night; Saturdays are Date Night. All movies are G, PG, or PG-13. Concessions available, bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Read more about movie titles and details. Founders Park 866-7444

3rd Annual Summer Solstice Art Fair

The Moon City Creative District, in partnership with the Park Board,  presents this white-tent, juried art show at Lafayette Park. Features 20 regional artists: jewelers, potters, wood turners, printmakers, painters, fiber artists, and more. Join us for fine art, food vendors and live music with a distinctly neighborhood feel. Read more about the fair and the Moon City Creative District. Lafayette Park 864-1049

Go Skateboarding Day

Grab your board and celebrate Go Skateboarding Day, established in 2004 by the International Association of Skateboard Companies, with thousands of participants all over the world. Free admission to all skateboarders, beginners to pros (Sorry, no bikes, scooters or rollerblades during the event.) Contests throughout the day, with prizes and all-around shredding! Springfield Skate Park 868-8758

Butterfly Festival with Young Sprouts in the Garden

Celebrate gardening, nature and butterflies. Visit the Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House and caterpillar petting zoo, enter the pollinator costume contest, “pollinate” flowers, enjoy magic shows and more. Free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. The Gray-Campbell Farmstead and Liberty School are open for tours. Daylily exhibit and classes inside the Botanical Center. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

Summer SnowFest

Who says summer can’t have snow? SnowFest features a mountain of snow from Jordan Valley Ice Park, as well as entertainment, interactive games, snowman building contests and bounce house. The Springfield Regional Arts Council partners to present Free Art Day, with interactive art projects. Bring the whole family, and your mittens, and play in the snow. Jordan Valley Park 866-7444

Timmons Hall Grand Opening

Celebrate the grand opening of Timmons Hall (formerly Timmons Temple), a historic Springfield church relocated to Silver Springs Park in 2015. The newly-refurbished building retains its historic charm and will be used as a community meeting and event venue, operated in partnership with Friends of Timmons Temple. Timmons Hall 864-1049

Racquet, White and Blue

Come play tennis at Tom Watkins Park! Grab your family and friends and join the celebration on court with music, snacks and having fun playing tennis. All equipment is provided. Presented by USTA. Tom Watkins Park 837-5826

16th Annual Kid’Athlon

A mini-triathlon for kids. Swim, bike, and run your way to victory in events designed for your age group, and take home a medal, t-shirt, giveaways and the pride that comes with finishing a triathlon. Registration required by July 31. Discount early registration closes July 20. Meador Park 891-1500

National Night Out

An annual community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, making our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. Visit with local police officers, firefighters and park rangers, and enjoy tennis and other games and special activities. A kick-off to individual Neighborhood Nights Out. Nichols Park 864-1049