Events




  1. Giboney Cave Tours


    Explore the myths, facts, and history of Giboney Cave at Doling Park. Shoes will get muddy on Walking Tours. Cavers will get very muddy and wet on the in-depth Tunnel Tours. Bring your own headlamp or flashlight, if you have one. Dates are subject to weather and bat activity. Register by Fri. prior to each tour date. Outdoor Initiatives

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Sept. 1, Oct. 6
    Time: Sat., 1, 2, and 3 p.m. (tunnel)
    Fee: Walking tour: $4/Person, $12/Family of 4
    Tunnel tour: $6/Person, $20/Family of 4




  2. Zoo Explorers Fall Series


    This season Zoo Explorers will focus on amazing predators. From hunting techniques to incredible physical adaptations, learn what it takes to make it to the top of the food chain. Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    Age: Grades 2-3
    Date: Big Cats - Sept. 16
    Wild Canids - Oct. 14
    Crocodiles & Alligators - Nov. 4
    Sharks & Rayz - Dec. 2
    Time: 2-4 p.m.
    Fee: $20/FOZ Member, $30/Non-member

    Age: Grades 4-6
    Date: Big Cats - Sept. 23
    Wild Canids - Oct. 21
    Crocodiles & Alligators - Nov. 18
    Sharks & Rayz - Dec. 2
    Time: 2-4 p.m.
    Fee: $20/FOZ Member, $30/Non-member



  3. 16th Annual Dog Fest


    A canine extravaganza! Everyone, including the family dog, is invited for free fun and activities. DogFest features dog agility demonstrations, expert seminars, local celebrities, police K-9s, therapy dogs, a dog fashion show, canine-related vendors and non-profits and a dog-themed bounce house for kids. All proceeds benefit Cruse Dog Park, Springfield’s first off-leash dog park. Chesterfield Park 864-1049

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Tues., Sept. 22 (rain date: Sept. 23)
    Time: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
    Fee: Free, $1/Bounce house, $100/Vendor before Aug. 31, $150/Vendor after Aug. 31, $25/Non-Profit booth, $10/t-shirt



  4. Kindergarten/1st Grade Fall Series


    Engage in a myriad of activities including: zoo tours (weather dependent), crafts, animal visits, stories, snacks, and more. Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    Age: K-1 (enrolled, no parents)
    Date: Talking With Turtles - Sat., Sept. 22
    Slithering With Snakes - Sat., Oct. 20
    Laughing With Lizards - Sat., Nov. 17
    Time: 1-4 p.m.
    Fee: $20/FOZ Member, $30/Non-member


  5. Zoo Tots Fall Series


    Designed to excite and inspire a love of learning in 2-5-year-olds. Includes a craft, an animal friend or two to meet and lots of fun facts to learn! Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    Age: 2-5 yrs. who have not started K, with an adult
    Date: Who Has Hooves? - Wed., Sept. 26; Thur., Sept. 27; Fri., Sept. 28; Sat., Sept. 29
    Who Has Horns? - Wed., Oct., 24; Thur., Oct. 25; Fri., Oct. 26; Tues., Oct. 30
    Who Has Tusks? - Sat., Nov. 24; Wed., Nov. 28; Thurs., Nov. 29; Fri., Nov. 30
    Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
    Fee: $10/FOZ Member, $15/Non-member



  6. 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

    Age: All ages
    Date: Sept. 28-Oct. 28
    Time: Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Sun., Noon-6 p.m.
    Fee: Free admission, most activities have a small fee




  7. Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch


    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

    Age: All ages
    Date: Sept. 29-Oct. 29
    Time: Fri., 6:30-10 p.m.
    Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
    Sun., Noon-6 p.m.
    Fee: Pumpkin prices based on weight
    Corn Maze $3/adults, $2/kids 5-11 yrs., kids 4 and under free



  8. Training for the Trot


    Get ready for the 24th 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 Sept. 30. Dan Kinney Family Center 891-1500

    Age: 16 yrs. and up
    Date: Oct. 2-Nov. 20
    Time: Tues., 6 p.m.
    Fee: $45, includes Turkey Trot registration



  9. 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. Open Fri. and Sat. nights.
    Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park 837-5949

    Age: All ages
    Date: Oct. 5-27
    Time: Fri. and Sat., 6:30-10 p.m.
    Fee: $5/person



  10. Ritter Springs Camping Weekend


    A fun overnight campout at beautiful Ritter Springs Park. Includes canoeing, catch & release fishing, hiking, archery and more. Dinner provided Saturday evening, and breakfast provided Sunday morning. Some equipment available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships may be available to youth 18 years and under. Register by Oct. 5. Outdoor Initiatives

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Oct. 6-7
    Time: Sat. Noon-Sun. Noon
    Fee: $10/Person



  11. Halloween Fest


    Celebrate the season with a 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. Parents, bring your camera! 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

    Age: All ages
    Date: Sat., Oct. 27
    Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Fee: Free, some activities have a small fee




  12. The Ultimate Springfield Cave Tour


    A full day of caving adventure in the Springfield area, including a hiking tour that highlights the caves of Ritter Springs Park, a walking tour through Giboney Cave in Doling Park, and a boat tour through Sequiota Cave in Sequiota Park. Bring your own snacks and water. Transportation provided. Life jackets available for all, minimum weight 30 lbs. Register by Nov. 15. Outdoor Initiatives

    Age: 5 yrs. and up
    Date: Nov. 17-18
    Time: Sat. Tour 1: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Sat. Tour 2: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
    Sun. Tour 1: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Sun. Tour 2: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
    Fee: $15/Person




  13. 24th Annual Turkey Trot


    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. Downtown Springfield 837-5817

    Age: All ages
    Date: Thurs., Nov. 22
    Time: 8 a.m.
    Fee: Earily bird registration by Fri., Nov. 16 (postmarked by Mon., Nov. 12): $20/Adult, $15/Child
    Registration Nov. 21-22, in person only at Springfield Expo Center: $30/Audlt, $25/Child



  14. PGA 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. Sale location to be announced, check ParkBoardGolf.org

    Age: All ages
    Date: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
    Time: Thurs. and Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
    Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Fee: Prices vary



  15. 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

    Age: All ages
    Date: Fri.-Sun. Nov. 30-Dec. 16
    Time: 5-8 p.m.
    Fee: $5/Vehicle



  16. 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. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and carols. Gray-Campbell Farmstead 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Sat., Dec. 1
    Time: 1-3 p.m.
    Fee: Free



  17. 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. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All ages
    Date: Dec. 1-31
    Time: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Fee: Free



  18. Kindergarten/1st Grade Winter Break Camp


    Take a two-day adventure exploring animals from all around the world. From the tiniest to the largest, come celebrate animals from all walks of life. Dress for weather and bring a sack lunch. Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    Age: K-1 (enrolled, no parents)
    Date: Thur.-Fri., Dec. 27-28
    Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Fee: $75/FOZ Member, $90/Non-member



  19. Pre-K Day Winter Break Class


    Celebrate animals from all walks of life, from itty-bitty to gigantic, and everything in between! Includes animal encounters, snack and craft. Dickerson Park Zoo 833-1570

    Age: 4-5 yrs. who have not started K (no parents)
    Date: Sat., Dec. 29
    Time: 9 a.m.-Noon
    Fee: $20/FOZ Member, $30/Non-member

Special Events Calendar

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  1. Sat Sep. 22

    Fairy Gardens Using succulent plants, nuts and pods collected from the garden, we will each create a small container garden with a miniature landscape scene to take home. Additional furnishings can be purchased through the Gift Shop.
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  2. Sat Sep. 29

    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!
    Read More

  3. Sat Sep. 29

    Corn Maze & 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.
    Read More