If you're looking for free, family-friendly activities to explore around Springfield this month, there are plenty to add to the calendar.
Throughout the month of October, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board is hosting its free Gigs in the Garden concert series at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at 2400 S. Scenic Ave. This month's lineup includes Dallas Jones and Molly Healy on Oct. 6, Johnnie Angelia King and the Anointed Voices on Oct. 13, Jin J. X. on Oct. 20 and Aaron Mayer on Oct. 27. Concerts start at 2 p.m.
Though the concerts are free, a $10 donation is suggested. Beer and wine will be available for purchase during the concerts.
In addition to Gigs in the Garden, the News-Leader compiled a list of more than 25 activities around Springfield for the month of October.
This list of events is not comprehensive for the month of October, as there are countless activities going on around the Ozarks. If you would like your event to be considered for the month of November, email event information to trending topics reporter Greta Cross at gcross@news-leader.com by Oct. 15. Events can also be self-listed on the News-Leader's Things to Do webpage year-round atnews-leader.com/things-to-do/events. The News-Leader has published separate stories for area fall festivals, in addition to family-friendly and adult-geared Halloween festivities.
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Acts at Blue Room Comedy Club
Where:Blue Room Comedy Club at 420 W. College St.
When:
- Oct. 2: The Unscripted Tour - Jess Leeson
- Oct. 2: Libbie Higgins and Tina Dybal
- Oct. 3-4: Kyle Kinane
- Oct. 5: Trae Crowder
- Oct. 6: A Better Trip with Shane Mauss
- Oct. 11-12: Chris Porter
- Oct. 17-19: Gianmarco Soresi
- Oct. 22: Yakov Smirnoff
- Oct. 25-26: Phil Hanley
All tickets are available on the Blue Room Comedy Club website atblueroomcomedyclub.com/home.
Empty Bowls
When: Oct. 3 from 3-7 p.m.
Where: Panera Bread at 4100 S. Campbell Ave.
Ozarks Food Harvest and Panera Bread Co. are partnering once again to host its Empty Bowls fundraiser. During the in-person event, folks can purchase handmade bowls from local artists for students in need of a meal. All funds raised during the event benefit Ozarks Food Harvest's Weekend Backpack Program, which provides meals and snacks to students in need every weekend of the school year. The first 250 donors will receive a free soup and bread from Panera, while supplies last. Bowls can also be purchased online through Oct. 2 on the OneCause website.
Southwest Missouri Film Industry Weekend
When: Oct. 3-6
Where: Downtown Springfield
The Southwest Missouri Film Office is hosting an inaugural weekend event full of industry networking and skill building. The lineup of events is as follows:
- Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6-9 p.m.: Industry Mixer with speakers, refreshments and silent films on the second floor of the Gillioz Theatre (325 Park Central East)
- Friday, Oct. 4 from 6-9 p.m.: Visit the Southwest Missouri Film Office during First Friday Art Walk at TheTHIRDFloor of the Gillioz Theatre (325 Park Central East)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: Workshopapalooza (various locations)
- Sunday, Oct 6 from 7-10 p.m.: Film screening of Jack Robinette's "Summer Children" at Moxie Cinema (305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite #101)
Registration for the Industry Weekend is available on the Southwest Missouri Film Office website.
More:These Springfield-area art organizations now call Gillioz Theatre home
Celebrate Springfield
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 from 4-8 p.m.
Where: Hammons Field at 955 E. Trafficway St.
Celebrate Springfield is billed as the "biggest party celebrating Springfield." The free event will feature live music from Ambiance and Dawson's Hollow, family-friendly activities, food trucks and a beer garden. Vendors will include 417 Aerial, Princesses of the 417, Ozark Greenways, Better Block Springfield, The Discovery Center of Springfield and The History Museum on the Square, just to name a few. The event will conclude with fireworks at dark.
Walk to Defeat ALS
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m.
Where: Hammons Field at 955 E. Trafficway St.
The ALS Association is hosting its annual Walk to Defeat ALS to raise awareness for ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells the brain and spinal cord. ALS gradually affects people's ability to walk, move, talk, swallow and eventually breathe. ALS has no known cause or cure.
Springfield's Walk to Defeat ALS starts at 10 a.m., with registration opening at 9 a.m. To register, visit the ALS Association website. Participants who raise $100 or more will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
Junior League of Springfield's Fall Home Tour
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Various homes in Springfield
The Junior League of Springfield is hosting its 11th annual Fall Home Tour. Throughout the tour, guests will have the opportunity to explore several homes throughout Springfield, all designed by Ellecor Interior Design. Tickets are available on the Junior League of Springfield website, starting at $40.
More:Take a look at the homes of the Junior League Fall Home Tour
Scotty McCreery
When: Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
Where: Aetos Center for the Performing Arts at 514 S. Nicholas Road in Nixa
Country musician Scotty McCreery is bringing his "Fall of Summer Tour" to Nixa this month. The musician is known for hits like "Damn Strait," "I Love You This Big" and "You Time." Tickets are available online, starting at $49 for balcony seats.
Possum Trot
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 from noon until 4:30 p.m.
Where: Walnut Grove City Park at 212 E. College St. in Walnut Grove
The Walnut Grove Development Team's Possum Trot is a free festival, featuring family-friendly activities like a calk walk, gaga ball, egg race, corn hole tournament, sack race and antique car show. Live entertainment will be provided by the Queen City Ukulele Club between 12:30-1:30 p.m., RC Hopper between 2-3 p.m. and Yallternative Dance Group between 3:30-4:30 p.m. DK Farm will provide barbeque from noon to 7 p.m.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra's I Got Rhythm
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Springfield Symphony Orchestra's I Got Rhythm concert will feature NarongPrangcharoen's "Sound, Echo, and Silence," Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 4" and Thai traditional instruments provided by Nuengsaran Prukthaisong (Phin) and Patchaya Nantachai (Khaen). Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website, starting at $51.
Barefoot and Sunshine at The Shoe Tree Listening Room
When: Sunday, Oct. 6 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Shoe Tree Listening Room at 1342 E. St. Louis St.
Alternative roots folk and Americana duo Barefoot and Sunshine are performing at The Shoe Tree Listening Room, the performance arts portion of the Arrow Creative Reuse nonprofit.
Tickets are available on the Arrow Creative Reuse website for $20. Tickets will also be available at the door. The Shoe Tree Listening Room is a sober venue, meaning no alcohol is sold or permitted on the premises.
'Dear Evan Hansen'
When: Oct. 8-10 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
The latest production of the Great Southern Bank Broadway Season is "Dear Evan Hansen."
A newer musical, "Dear Evan Hansen" follows high school senior Evan Hansen who struggles with social anxiety and finds himself in a new role following a community tragedy, the suicide of one of his classmates. A six-time Tony Award-winning production, "Dear Evan Hansen" takes a new look at youth anxiety, depression and the implications of social media. "Dear Evan Hansen" is intended for audiences 12 and up. Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website.
More:Experience Neverland and more with these 5 Great Southern Bank Broadway Season shows
Free screening of 'Tremors' at Moxie Cinema
When: Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Moxie Cinema at 305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite #101
The Springfield-Greene County Library District and Moxie Cinema are hosting a free screening of the 1990 movie, "Tremors" as part of the FilmStubs series. Starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward and Finn Carter, "Tremors" follows repairmen Val McKee and Earl Bassett who are looking to leave their small desert town of Perfection, Nevada. But as the two are trying to leave, they are stopped by a series of mysterious deaths. A seismologist begins to study unnatural readings below the ground and discovers giant worm-like creatures with a taste for people.
Tech N9ne
When: Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
Where: Gillioz Theatre at 325 Park Central East
Nationally-acclaimed rapper Tech N9ne is performing at the Gillioz Theatre this month. Known for singles like "Face Off," "Like I Ain't" and "Erbody But Me," Tech N9ne is from Kansas City. Tickets are available on the Gillioz Theatre website, starting at $35.
More:Tech N9ne is performing at the Gillioz Theatre in October. Here's when tickets go on sale
'Bridgerton' Beer Garden Party
When: Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Tie & Timber Beer Co. at 1451 E. Cherry St.
Tie & Timber Beer Co. is hosting a "Bridgerton"-themed party, featuring live music from Ozark Mountain Strings. Guests are encouraged to wear their best "Bridgerton"-inspired outfit. Tickets are $10 per person and include one complimentary glass of champagne.
"Bridgerton" is a Netflix original series that follows the Regency era in England through the lives of eight siblings. Three seasons have been released on the streaming platform.
Fall Wellness Retreat
When: Oct. 11-13
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
Finley Farms' Fall Wellness Retreat features an array of mindfulness practices, yoga sessions, holistic workshops and farm-to-table meals. The retreat starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. to Sunday, Oct. 13. Specific activities include wellness journal decorating, watercolor painting, guided poetry and a sound bath.
Registration is available on the Finley Farms website. The retreat costs $795 per person.
Wonders of Wildlife School Roaring River
When: Oct. 11-13
Where: Roaring River State Park
The mission of the Wonders of Wildlife National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School is to educate participants on how to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities through skill, conservation, safety and ethics during a weekend retreat. Participants will learn how to kayak, cook with a Dutch oven, identify plants, snorkel, fly fish, build an atlatl, amongst many other recreational activities. The full course schedule is available on the Brushfire website.
The school is intended for folks age 5 and up. Children between 5-8 must register for the Kids Camp, held on Saturday and Sunday. Children 9-12 may attend the adult-geared camp but must be accompanied by an adult. Limited registration is available on the Brushfire website. Individual registration is $70 and Kids Camp registration is $60.
More:Here are 10 places to see the best fall colors around the Ozarks
X Conference
When: Oct. 11-13
Where: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center at 2546 Glenstone Ave.
The Un-X Network is celebrating its third annual X Conference in Springfield. The conference features guest speaks, workshops and seminars, a live ghost hunt and a Mad Hatter Costume Party.
The Un-X Network focuses on paranormal news, UFOs, cryptids, ghosts, hidden histories, alternative research, crop circles, near-death experiences, psychic ability and much more. The network features 27 programs that air on digital radio applications and 10 programs on YouTube.
Tickets are $299 per person, with an optional meal plan for an additional $90.
Art in the Park
When: Oct. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sequiota Park at 3500 S. Lone Pine Ave.
The Southwest Missouri Art & Craft Guild is hosting its 29th annual Art in the Park, an event that celebrates diverse art throughout the region. The event is free and open to the public.
Dusty Slay: The Night Shift Tour
When: Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Gillioz Theatre at 325 Park Central East
Comedian Dusty Slay is bringing this "The Night Shift Tour" to Springfield. Slay is known for his blue collar-style of standup comedy. In addition to comedy, Slay is a country musician, making his Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville, Tennessee in 2019. Tickets are available on the Gillioz Theatre website, starting at $35.75.
Jared Freiburg & The Vagabonds
When: Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center at 500 E. Elm St. in Lebanon
Jared Freiburg & The Vagabonds are known for serving the memorable tunes of Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and many more. Tickets for the concert are $25 at the door.
Jelly Roll
When: Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
Where: Great Southern Bank Arena at 685 John Q. Hammons Parkway
Country musician Jelly Roll is performing at the Great Southern Bank Arena as a part of his "The Beautifully Broken Tour." The musician is known for singles like "Wild Ones" with Jessie Murph, "Need A Favor" and "I Am Not Okay." Jelly Roll will be joined on stage by openers Warren Zeiders and Alexandria Kay. Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website, starting at $99. Parking near the venue is $20.
More:Country artist Jelly Roll is performing in Springfield. Here's when tickets go on sale
MaMa Jean's 22nd Birthday Extravaganza!
When: Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4-7 p.m.
Where: MaMa Jean's Natural Market at 1110 E. Republic Road Suite 112
MaMa Jean's Natural Market is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this fall. The festivities will include the Not'cho Ordinary Taco food truck, free samples from vendors, furry friends from Dickerson Park Zoo, live music from Creek Stink and the Owlettes, raffles and other activities.
Taste of Tlaquepaque: Jalisco es Mexico
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Where: Clara Thompson Hall of Music at 900 N. Benton Ave.
Springfield Sister Cities Association's Taste of Tlaquepaque celebrates Springfield's 21-year sister relationship with Tlaquepaque, Mexico. The celebration will feature Paco Padilla, a ceramicist, singer-songwriter and guitarist and Viva Xalisco, Tlaquepaque's renowned mariachi band. Tickets are available on the Springfield Sister Cities Association website. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for students.
Springfield Little Theatre's 'Murder on the Orient Express'
When: Oct. 18-27
Where: The Landers Theatre at 311 E. Walnut St.
Moving along through its 90th season, Springfield Little Theatre opens "Murder on the Orient Express" in mid-October. Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, "Murder on the Orient Express" is a whodunit play based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name. Detective Hercule Poirot embarks on a journey aboard the Orient Express, only to find himself in the middle of a murder investigation.
Tickets are available on the Springfield Little Theatre website, starting at $28. The production is rated PG-13, suitable for children 13 and up with parental guidance. "Murder on the Orient Express" is approximately two hours long with one 15-minute intermission.
More:'Built because of a dream': Springfield Little Theatre celebrates 90th anniversary
The Spirits of Mexico
When: Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Vandivort at 305 E. Walnut St.
Hotel Vandivort and Vantage are hosting advanced sommelier Aaron Fry of Bonded Beverage to help serve a unique collection of beverages that represent Mexican history and culture. The event will feature five spirits, a co*cktail made of each and a small bite to represent where they come from. Tickets are available on ExploreTock for $95 per person.
Wizards and Fantastic Beasts at the Zoo
When: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Dickerson Park Zoo at 1400 W. Norton Road
Dickerson Park Zoo is hosting a day full of Harry Potter activities. Tickets are $19 for adults, $14 for children ages 3-12 and $16 for seniors 60 and up. An after-hours event for adults 21 and up will be held between 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Brews with Moos
When: Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m.
Where: 4 By 4 Brewing Company at 9003 Sawgrass Ave. in Nixa
4 By 4 Brewing Company and Perfect Picture Pony are hosting their second iteration of Brews with Moos. Perfect Picture Pony will bring Stella, a micro mini Highland Remi for folks to pet and take photos with. Photos are $5 per permission.
Greta Cross is the trending topicsreporter for the SpringfieldNews-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her onX and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her atgcross@news-leader.com.
