When you call Springfield, Missouri home, you’ll always find a plethora of possibilities for enjoying your downtime when the weekend rolls around.
Craving excitement? Join the fun at our annual events throughout the year. Feel the beat at our world-class music venues or let your imagination take flight at a local theater.
Need some fresh air? Explore the outdoors at a nearby cave or get some exercise at a beautiful park. Want to expand your horizons? Challenge your mind or learn something new at one of many indoor attractions.
Or if you just need to run some errands, you’ll fall in love with convenient shopping and dining options to fit every interest and budget.
Exciting Annual Events
From arts and crafts to memorable entertainment, Springfield’s community spirit comes alive at our beloved local events. Here are just a few examples of the fun that awaits you all year long!
- Sip delicious apple cider every September at Cider Days on Walnut Street. This popular event features regional artists and crafters, along with live music and tasty treats.
- Join the Queen City’s biggest party of the year at Celebrate Springfield in early October. This free event at Hammons Field is jam-packed with live music, food trucks, a refreshing beverage garden, swag bags and tons of memorable surprises.
- Get into the holiday mood at the Springfield Christmas Parade in the heart of downtown. Marching bands, colorful floats, and, of course, Santa Claus make this long-running tradition a must-see occasion for all ages.
- If it’s the first weekend in May, it’s Artsfest time. One of the biggest art festivals in the region, this springtime tradition showcases the work of over 100 artists from across the country. You’ll also enjoy live performances and fun food.
Live Entertainment & Sports
Catch national artists as well as local and regional acts at live music venues all over town.
The Great Southern Bank Arena, located on the Missouri State campus, hosts well-known entertainers, sporting events and spectacular entertainment throughout the year. See Broadway plays, Springfield Symphony concerts as well as nationally renowned performers at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, also at Missouri State.
Thanks to a robust performing arts scene, you can enjoy a variety of inspiring entertainment all year long.
- The Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents exciting performances from a diverse repertoire. The symphony also offers educational programming and subscription plans for special perks.
- The Springfield Ballet performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker every December, along with a different exciting production every spring. The ballet participates in community outreach events and offers dance instruction for all ages.
- Ozark Lyric Opera is right at home at the historic Gillioz Theatre. Every season brings a thrilling mix of classic and contemporary works, as well as unforgettable special events all year long.
- Springfield Little Theatre presents all-time favorites and modern productions, along with youth performance troupes, summer youth programs and other educational opportunities.
If a day at the ballpark is your idea of a perfect weekend, catch the Springfield Cardinals in action at Hammons Field. Compete for cool prizes between innings and chow down on stadium favorites while you cheer on the Queen City’s AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Experience the energy of college sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and more with the Missouri State Bears, Drury Panthers and Evangel Valor.
Unique Outdoor Activities
When the weather is nice, there’s no better place to be on a Springfield weekend than the great outdoors. Here’s just some of the fun that awaits when you step outside.
- Take a tram ride through the awe-inspiring Fantastic Caverns at an always comfortable 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Experience the colorful history of this natural wonder amidst the giant columns and soda straw formations. The caverns served as a speakeasy during the prohibition era and hosted live music in the 1950s and ‘60s.
- Meet over 500 fascinating creatures from around the world at Dickerson Park Zoo. You can even feed the animals at the Volt Credit Union petting zoo and take a train ride on the Titus Express. Kids will also enjoy the playground park nearby.
- Get some exercise surrounded by an 80-acre woodland oasis at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Located within city limits, the nature center also includes a picnic area, special exhibits and educational programs and events.
- Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is home to the Springfield Botanical Center and a collection of gardens featuring a variety of gorgeous plants. Take a walk along the shores of Lake Drummond, or visit the Roston Native Butterfly House. Other attractions include the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and the Gray Campbell Homestead.
- Home to the iconic Sequiota Cave, Sequiota Park also features a picnic pavilion, playground and trailhead for Galloway Creek Greenway Trail. The cave is home to the endangered gray bats and can only be navigated by guided boat tours offered by Outdoor Initiatives.
- Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park offers a paved walking trail, fishing pond, animal barns and a playground. This 207-acre park is located along the Wilson’s Creek Greenway Trail.
A Night at the Movies
If taking in a flick is your favorite weekend activity, Springfield’s movie theaters offer a dazzling array of options for couples, friends and families.
- The AMC Springfield 11 features an IMAX theater, signature recliners and mobile ordering for snacks and drinks. Military, senior and student pricing are available.
- Experience the latest films, familiar favorites and delightful sing-along presentations at Alamo Drafthouse. Enjoy delicious food and drinks delivered directly to your recliner in one of 14 auditoriums. Their menu includes pizza, burgers, beer, wine and signature cocktails.
- Catch a one-of-a-kind cinema experience at the Moxie downtown. Springfield’s very own nonprofit movie theater presents new and classic films you won’t see anywhere else. They also host educational programs, special filmmaker showcases and engaging guest speakers.
Popular Indoor Attractions
Looking for something unique? From fun and games to local history, Springfield offers one-of-a-kind attractions for almost every interest imaginable. Here’s just a small sampling of what you’ll find.
- Travel back in time with classic video games, pinball machines and retro decor at 1984 downtown.
- Take an exciting journey close to home at the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world. Wonders of Wildlife lets you experience outdoor adventures, a breathtaking aquarium and awe-inspiring nature photography.
- Science comes alive with dinosaurs, electricity, the wonders of the human body and more at Discovery Center.
- Take a walk through Springfield’s role in American history at the History Museum on the Square. Exhibits let you experience Native American history, a Wild Bill Hickock shootout, the birth of Route 66 and more.
- Celebrate the brave men and women who have fought and died for our country at the Air & Military Museum. Established in 1989, the museum has acquired over 5,000 fascinating artifacts representing military history.
Convenient Shopping & Dining
From popular grocery and big box stores to farmer’s markets and local favorites, you’ll find everything you need close to home wherever you live in Springfield.
Need a gift for a special someone – or for yourself? Discover vintage fashion, home decor, personal care items and curious odds and ends on Historic C Street. Or visit the quiet corner of Pickwick and Cherry near the Missouri State campus for fun apparel, eye-catching accessories and handmade arts and crafts in the Rountree neighborhood.
Springfield is home to the 500,000 square-foot flagship store and headquarters of Bass Pro Shops. Enjoy Wonders of Wildlife next door and stroll through aisle after aisle of breathtaking exhibits while shopping for the very best in hunting, fishing and camping gear and apparel for all ages.
Browse over 125 stores with popular brands like Dillard’s, Coach, Lululemon, Kendra Scott, LOFT and Sephora at Battlefield Mall. They’ve also got 20 casual and fast-casual restaurants for tasty and convenient dining.
Got a date night planned? Enjoy a romantic fine dining experience at Flame, Char or Ocean Zen. Need a casual dining option for the whole family? Choose from a variety of flavorful options at Springfield Brewing Company, FD’s Grillhouse, Mexican Villa, Bambino’s or Leong’s Asian Diner.
Get to Know Springfield with Your Free Relocation Guide!
From weekend fun to world-class education and career opportunities, there are many reasons why Springfield is a great place to live. To learn all about our fast-growing community, download your free relocation guide today!
