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.
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.
Woofstock
Sunday, October 25th , 12-6 p.m. | Lakeside Ashland | $10, Children under 12 FREE
Get ready to get groovy at Woofstock 2026!
Join us at Lakeside Ashland on Sunday, October 25, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. for an afternoon of live music, unique local vendors, and family- and pet-friendly activities, all while supporting Columbia Second Chance!
Enjoy live performances by The House Band, Downside Up, and Optimus Prime.
Tickets are $10, and children ages 12 and under attend free!
Fall Family Birding Trip at Eagle Bluffs
October 3, 8:30–10:30 a.m. Meet at the McBaine Katy Trail trailhead. Binoculars and field guides are provided; children and teens must attend with an adult.
Missouri Department of Conservation
MU Agronomy Club Pumpkin Patch
October 9, 17, 24 and 30 at MU Jefferson Farm and Garden, 4800 E. New Haven Road. Features pumpkins, sunflowers and hayrides.
City Garden School Craft Fair & BBQ
October 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 606 Ridgeway Avenue. More than 30 vendors, handmade gifts, barbecue and live music.
Fall Festival at Victoria Park
October 24, 10 a.m.–noon, 2804 Forum Boulevard. Free admission, with trunk-or-treating from 10–11 a.m., vendors, food, music and activities.
Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau
Monster Bike Bash
October 24, beginning around 9 a.m. near Flat Branch Park. A free, approximately 18-mile costume bicycle ride along the MKT Trail, with themed stops and a costume contest. Best for older children and confident riders.
Christian Fellowship Fall Festival
October 31, 4:30–6:30 p.m., 5045 Chapel Hill Road. Free outdoor games, candy and trunk-or-treating; non-scary costumes are encouraged.
Strawberry Hill Farms Straw Maze
Open throughout the fall at 3770 E. Highway 163. Families can shop for pumpkins, gourds and mums while children explore the free straw maze.
Four Oaks Farm
A seasonal Columbia outing for pumpkins, sunflowers and corn at 11805 E. Judy School Road. Hours vary, so check the farm’s page before visiting.
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.
Farms, Pumpkin Patches, and More!
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.
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.
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.
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!!
