Hello, fall!
Crisp air, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, craft festivals and colorful trails are calling. This guide gathers family-friendly fall fun across Columbia, Boonville and nearby Mid-Missouri so you can plan a quick afternoon outing or fill an entire weekend.
September Happenings
Back to the Farm Reunion and Steam Engine Show
Sept. 9-12 | 24289 Hwy 179, Boonville
Step back into farm history with steam-powered threshing and rock crushing, blacksmithing, rope and soap making, field demonstrations, antique engines, a kids train, petting zoo and more. The community calendar spans Sept. 10-13 but notes activities begin Sept. 9 and teardown is Sept. 13, so check the daily schedule.
Tree-Mendous Ride on the Katy Trail
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-noon | Columbia to Cooper's Landing
Take a relaxed, family-friendly ride celebrating Missouri forests and scenery. The ride ends at Cooper's Landing with a conservation expo, food trucks, music, sawmill demonstrations and educational exhibitors.
Monarch Migration Tagging Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-noon | 320 First St., Boonville | FREE
Learn about monarch migration and tagging with a demonstration from a Missouri conservation educator. Kids can enjoy face painting and families can enter for door prizes.
Family Fun Fest: That's Groovy
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6-8 p.m. | Albert-Oakland Park, Columbia | FREE
Close out Columbia's Family Fun Fest season with music, live performances, art, hands-on learning, food trucks, face painting, balloon art and family activities.
Shryock's Corn Maze
Sept. 18-Nov. 1; Fridays and Saturdays noon-9 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. | Callaway County, near Columbia
Explore the life-size corn maze, choose pumpkins, see the Big Red Barn and make an evening of it with a reserved campfire. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and younger. Weather can affect hours.
48th Annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show
Sept. 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Nifong Park, Columbia | FREE
One of Columbia's essential fall weekends features traditional artisans, contemporary crafts, two entertainment stages, historic tours, farm animals, hayrides and a Fun for Young'uns area. Saturday ghost stories run 8-9:30 p.m. Free shuttles serve off-site parking at 4251 Philips Farm Road.
Columbia Second Chance Rescue Reunion
Sunday, Sept. 20, 1-5 p.m. | 504 Fay St., Columbia
Animal-loving families can meet adoptable pets, visit local vendors and celebrate rescue with adopters, fosters and volunteers. Friendly family pets can join the reunion according to event guidance.
Peach Tree Farm Pumpkin Season
Sept. 21-Nov. 1 | 24863 Hwy 98, Boonville
Head to this family-owned orchard for pumpkins, a straw maze and hayrides. Call 660-882-8009 or use the farm's reservation information before visiting, especially for groups.
CAFNR Showcase at South Farm
Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3600 E. New Haven Rd., Columbia | FREE
Mizzou opens its outdoor laboratory for tastings, demonstrations, hands-on activities, baby farm animals and agricultural learning. Children 12 and younger can complete the Showcase Passport for a free pumpkin.
Lloyd's Family Farm Fall Festival
Sept. 26-Oct. 25, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 7015 E. Route Y, Ashland
Spend the day on the jumping pillow, visiting farm animals, playing in corn pits, riding the hayride to the you-pick pumpkin patch and exploring slides and other farm attractions. Check ticket options online.
October Happenings
Como Comunidad Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Columbia | FREE
Celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture with live mariachi, Ballet Folklorico performances, children's activities, vendors and authentic Latin American food.
Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Hartsburg
This beloved Mid-Missouri tradition fills the tiny river town with pumpkins, arts and crafts, food, entertainment, games and family activities. It runs rain or shine, and Saturday opens with a parade. Plan for crowds and follow official parking guidance.
Missouri Chestnut Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 10 Research Center Rd., New Franklin | FREE
Taste roasted chestnuts, ride a hay wagon, listen to live music and explore kids' activities, conservation and agriculture exhibits, and local farm, craft and food vendors.
Broomsticks in BOOnville
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2-6 p.m., plus after-hours events | Downtown Main and Chestnut streets, Boonville
Dress in your witchy best for seasonal shopping, vendors, food, crafts and workshops at the Hain House. A Parade of Witches and Witches Dance take over Main Street at 5 p.m.
Centralia Pumpkin Fest
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Downtown Centralia
Make the short drive for a community pumpkin celebration in Centralia's downtown square. Follow the official event page for the detailed activity schedule as it is released.
Biscuits, Beats & Brews
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 16-18 | Cooper's Landing, Columbia | FREE FESTIVAL
Bring the family for a full weekend of live music on the Missouri River. Published hours are Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday noon-9 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Check the organizer's site for lineup, parking and shuttle updates.
Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. | Boonville/Cooper County area | FREE
A free, family-friendly Halloween event is listed on the Cooper County community calendar. The current listing does not name the venue, so check for an updated location before attending.
Go-anytime fall adventures
Walk, hike or bike the fall color
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park: Try the short Devil's Icebox area for a family outing, or choose a longer trail for older kids. Stay on marked trails and check cave-access notices.
Katy Trail State Park: Start from Boonville, Rocheport or McBaine for an easy, mostly level ride or walk with river bluffs and changing leaves.
Columbia city parks: Stephens Lake Park, Twin Lakes and Grindstone Nature Area are easy choices for a picnic, leaf hunt or low-key afternoon outdoors.
Boonville riverfront: Pair a Katy Trail outing with a walk across the historic Katy Bridge and a stop downtown.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park information
Katy Trail State Park information
Make your own fall bucket list
Choose a pumpkin and take the same family photo at the patch each year.
Pack cider and snacks for a Katy Trail leaf-peeping ride.
Collect colorful leaves, then make rubbings or a nature collage at home.
Visit a farmers market for apples, squash, mums and locally made treats.
Plan a downtown day in Boonville or Rocheport with a trail walk and warm lunch.
Pick one free festival and one farm day for a balanced fall weekend.
Keep the calendar handy
New trunk-or-treats, library programs, school events and neighborhood celebrations are often announced later in the season. Check our our calendar regularly for additions and last-minute changes:
Did we miss a favorite fall event?
Submit family-friendly events to the Macaroni KID calendar so local families can find them!!
