The scent of barbecue, the sounds of bluegrass, jazz and blues, and the sight of fireworks over the Mississippi and Missouri rivers – these are just a few of the experiences you’ll find this summer in the Show-Me State. Here’s a sampling of some of the upcoming festivals and events in each region of the state:
Northeast
Meet Mark Twain’s most famous characters during National Tom Sawyer Days June 30-July 4 in Hannibal. Highlights include the National Fence Painting Competition, Tom and Becky contest, frog jump competition, live music and Fourth of July fireworks over the Mississippi River.
Jazz musicians will gather in Missouri’s historic wine country for the Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival Aug. 19. Take in a free concert at the outdoor amphitheater and travel the Hermann Wine Trail to taste award-winning wines.
Southeast
Immerse yourself in Missouri’s French Colonial culture dating back to the 1700s at the French Heritage Festival, June 10-11, in Ste. Genevieve. Experience traditional music and dance, storytelling, reenactments, promenades, tea with “Marie Antoinette,” and walking tours of the largest concentration of French Colonial architecture in North America.
Go for a ride in a beautiful balloon at the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival June 16-18. The event features a balloon glow, tethered balloon rides, a balloon flight, arts and crafts, children’s activities, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, and live music.
Central
Spend the Fourth of July in Missouri’s capital city at the Salute to America in downtown Jefferson City. The holiday filled with activities – including a parade, kids’ zone and live music – will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display over the Missouri River.
The Missouri State Fair, Aug. 10-23 in Sedalia, has been showcasing the Show-Me State since 1901. The fair includes agriculture exhibits and competitions, grandstand concerts, carnival rides, children’s entertainment and more.
Northwest
Head to Kansas City June 16-17 for Boulevardia, the city’s biggest urban street festival. The event fills Grand Boulevard with live music, costumed performers, food sampling and craft beer.
Celebrate Excelsior Springs’ famous mineral waters at Waterfest, June 23-24. Learn about the town’s intriguing past on a trolley tour. Other activities include a parade, arts and crafts, musical entertainment, a beer garden, and fireworks.
Southwest
Carver Day Celebration, July 8 in Diamond, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond. The park highlights the life of a scientist and educator who helped revolutionize the field of agriculture. The event will include guest speakers, exhibits and musical performances.
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, Aug. 10-12 in Springfield, honors the place where the famous highway got its name. In the spirit of the Mother Road, a parade will feature a lineup of cars, trucks and motorcycle as well as floats, bicycles and performers. Live music, a 6.6K Run and Route 66 exhibits will round out the event.
Hannibal:
Rotary Riverfest, June 9-10
National Tom Sawyer Days, June 30-July 4
Missouri Bourbon Festival, Aug. 5
Hermann:
Hermann Mo Plein Air, June 11-17
FreedomFest, July 2-4
Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival, Aug. 19
Higbee:
Higbee Fair Rodeo, June 16
Higbee Fair, Aug. 17-19
Moberly:
Moberly Railroad Days, June 14-17
AHRMA Vintage Nationals, June 17-18
Dirt Car Summer Nationals, June 20
4th of July Extravaganza, July 4
St. Charles:
Festival of the Little Hills, Aug. 18-20
St. Louis:
Chihuly in the Garden, May 2-Oct. 15
Opera Theatre of St. Louis, May 20-June 25
Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night, May 31-June 25
PrideFest, June 24-25
Fair St. Louis, July 2-4
Let Them Eat Art, Maplewood, July 7
Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, July 21-30
Pig & Whiskey, July 28-30
Blues at the Arch Festival, Aug. 11-13
Moonlight Ramble, Aug. 26
Evolution Festival, Aug. 26-27
Festival of Nations, Aug. 26-27
Discover Laumeier, Aug. 27
Washington:
Sunset on the Riverfront, June 22, July 27, Aug. 22
Music at the Market, June 8, July 13
Cajun Festival, June 23
Cape Girardeau:
Juneteenth, June 17
Missouri Eclipse Expo, July 22
East Prairie:
Sweet Corn Festival and Tour de Corn, June 23-24
Perryville:
Seminary Picnic, Aug. 4-6
Sikeston:
Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival, June 16-18
Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, Aug. 9-12
Bootheel Quilt Show, Aug. 12-13
West Plains:
Old Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival, June 2-3
Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Spring Bluegrass Festival, June 1-3
Heart of the Ozarks Fair, June 6-10
Bands, Brews, and BBQs, June 17
Parkin’ & Junkin’, July 15
Cole Camp:
Cole Camp Booze & Bluegrass in the Garden, June 24
Cole Camp Zucchini Races, July 15
Columbia:
Art in the Park, June 3-4
Fourth of July – Fire in the Sky, July 4
Fort Leonard Wood:
Fort Leonard Wood Independence Celebration, July 4
Jefferson City:
Kidsfest, June 3
Salute to America, July 4
Cole County Fair, July 31-Aug. 5
Lake of the Ozarks:
Lake Race 2023, June 1-3
Summer Solstice, June 24
Aquapalooza, July 16
Lebanon:
Route 66 Festival, June 3
Sedalia:
Scott Joplin Festival, May 31-June 3
Missouri State Fair, Aug. 10-20
St. Robert:
Pulaski County Regional Fair, June 14-17
Warsaw:
Benton County Artsfest, June 3
Warsaw Jubilee Days, June 9-10
Smokin’ Hot Harborfest, Aug. 5
Waynesville:
Old Settlers Day, July 29-30
Chillicothe:
Sliced Bread Day, July 8
Excelsior Springs:
Waterfest, June 22-23
Kansas City:
KC Pride, June 9-11
Boulevardia, June 16-17
Q BBQ Fest Kansas City, June 23-24
KC Fringe Festival, July 15-30
Kingsville:
Festival of Butterflies, Powell Gardens, July 19-Aug. 6
Liberty:
Quilt Walk, June 3
Art on the Side Liberty Art Fest, June 3
Juneteenth Celebration, June 9-10
Make Music Liberty, June 21
Liberty Fest, July 3
Dog Days of Summer Craft Beer Crawl, July 15
Parkville:
Parkville 4th of July Celebration, July 4
Parkville Days Festival, Aug. 18-20
Weston:
Weston Roots Music Festival, June 3
Cheers to Cheese Festival, June 24
Branson:
Ozark Mountain Summer Celebration & Summer Nights, Silver Dollar City, June 3-July 30
Carthage:
Marian Days, Aug. 3
Springfield:
Moon City Con, June 9-11
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, Aug. 10-12
Ozark Empire Fair, July 27-Aug. 5