Doling History Museum Events

All events are outdoors in the Doling History Museum courtyard. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions available. Events are weather dependent, rain may cancel. Doling History Museum 417-837-5808

17th Annual DogFest

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

28th Annual 1860’s Lifestyle Expo

Rediscover pioneer life at the Gray/Campbell Farmstead. Includes apple-butter making, horseshoes, hearth cooking, fiber arts, crafts, wood carving, seed-spitting contests and more. Barn, kitchen, Liberty Schoolhouse and the oldest house in Springfield are open for tours. Brush arbor service Sunday, 11 a.m. Apple pie contest (no crumb-top pies) Sunday, 3 p.m., register by 2:15. Concessions available. Gray/Campbell Farmstead 891-1515

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

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

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

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

Romance in the Garden

Enjoy the serene landscape of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at dusk. Mood lighting and lanterns light the pathway. Wishing lanterns for floating on the ponds available for purchase. Presented by Friends of the Garden.  Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden 891-1515

CSPD Athlete of the Year

A program and reception honoring the top athletes in the Greater Springfield Community Sports Development Program programs for Archery, Ice Hockey, Tennis and Volleyball. One is named Athlete of the Year.  The Davis House 874-2915

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

Mommy-Daughter Princess Tea Party

Little princesses and their mom, step-mom, aunt or grandmother create crafts, enjoy story time and share tea, lemonade and pastries with their favorite princess characters. Little princesses have their nails painted by princesses. Register by Oct. 4.  Chesterfield Family Center 891-1616

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! Doling Family Center 837-5900

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

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

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

Veteran's Appreciation Day

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

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.  Downtown Springfield 837-5817

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

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

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

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

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

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