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. Check out the sampling of upcoming festivals and events in each region of the state.
Americana Classics
Meet Mark Twain’s most famous characters during National Tom Sawyer Days, June 27-July 5, 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.
Head to Liberty for LibertyFest, an epic Fourth of July celebration held on July 3. The event charges per car, and once you’re in, all the family activities are free – face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon artists, inflatables and more. The celebration ends with live music and a fireworks show. Bring your chairs, yard games, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks as the community commemorates the birth of American independence.
Celebrating Culture
Learn about Missouri’s first European settlers at Ste. Genevieve’s French Heritage Festival. Set among 18th-century architecture in the town’s historic district on June 13 – storytelling, living history demonstrations, games and French dance give guests a glimpse of frontier life in the 1700s.
The Crane Broiler Festival in Crane will take place August 19-22. The annual celebration honors the town’s poultry farming heritage. The small community initially produced 50,000 broilers in 1948, and that number grew to 4,500,000 by 1955! Today, attendees can savor the festival’s signature BBQ chicken dinners, enjoy a variety of craft and vendor booths, find amusement on carnival rides and cheer on performers as they take the stage. Additionally, there’s a parade, car show and the Miss Slick Chick Beauty Pageant.
Northeast Events
Hannibal
- Drone Show for Tom Sawyer 150 and America 250, June 6
- Music Under the Stars – Feudin’ Hillbillys, June 11
- National Tom Sawyer Days, June 27-July 5
- Hannibal BBQ Fest, July 17-18
- Wild and Wacky Art Adventure, Aug. 1
Hermann
- Hermann Mo Plein Air, June 7-13
- Missouri Bourbon Festival, Aug. 1
Kirksville
- Kirksville Art Walk, June 5
- Red, White and Blue Festival, July 3 and 4
- NEMO Fair, July 13-19
Moberly
- Moberly Railroad Days, June 3-6
O’Fallon
- O’Fallon Heritage & Freedom Fest, July 1-4
Pacific
- Sunset on the Rails, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11
St. Charles
- Jazz at the Riverside, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 6
- St. Charles Block Party, June 13
- St. Charles Riverfest, July 3-4
- Festival of the Little Hills, Aug. 21-23
St. Louis
- Whitaker Music Festival, select dates May 27- July 29
- Broadway Musicals at The Muny, select dates June 15-Aug. 23
- Hispanic Festival, Inc. Fiesta in Florissant, June 27
- PrideFest 2026, June 27-28
- Celebrate Saint Louis, July 3 and 4
- Let Them Eat Art, July 10
- Blues at the Arch, Aug. 14-16
- Gateway Dragon Boat Festival, Aug. 15
- Gateway Cup, Sept. 4-7
- Japanese Festival, Sept. 5-6
- Saint Louis Art Fair, Sept. 18-20
- Music at the Intersection, Sept. 17-19
- The Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race, Sept. 18-21
- Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival, Sept. 19
Union
- Concert in the Park, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4
- Lawn Chair Movie Night, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18
Washington
- Town and Country Fair, Aug. 5-9
Southeast Events
Cape Girardeau
- All-Nashville Roadshow, June 5
- Juneteenth, June 20
- Riverfest, July 4
- Elvis Returns to Highway 61, July 20
East Prairie
- Sweet Corn Festival and Tour de Corn, June 27
Rolla and the Surrounding Area
- Route 66 Summerfest – Rolla, June 4-6
- Hot Rod Power Tour, Rolla, June 11
- Newburg Railroad Days, June 12-13
- Lion’s Club Carnival – Rolla, July 1-4
- Freedom Parade/America’s 250 Birthday Celebration – Rolla, July 4
Sikeston
- Music in the Park Summer Concert Series – Fridays in June and July 10, 17, 24, 31.
- America’s 250th Birthday Celebration in Sikeston – June 29
- Scott County Balloon & Summer Festival – Benton – July 9-12
- Sikeston Rodeo Parade & Mutton Busting Contest – Aug 1
- Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, Aug. 5-8
Perryville
- Comic Con, July 18-19
- River Hills Tractor Adventure Ride, July 25
- Seminary Picnic, July 31-Aug. 2
- Laid Back on I-55 Big Truck Show, Aug. 14-15
- Twisted Cat Outdoor Fishing Tournament, Aug. 19
Ste. Genevieve
- French Heritage Festival, June 13
- Ste. Genevieve County Fair, July 10-12
- Moonlight Madness, July 15
- 25th Anniversary Promenade des Arts, July 18-Aug. 9
West Plains and the Surrounding Area
- Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass (HOBA) Spring Bluegrass Festival – West Plains, June 5-7
- Heart of the Ozarks Fair, June 1-6
- Demolition Derby, June 6
- America 250 Celebration, July 4
- Gun and Knife Show, July 25-26
- Toughest Monster Truck Tour, Aug. 7-8
Central Events
Benton County
- Warsaw Jubilee Days, June 4-6
- Cole Camp Car Cruise, June 6
- Benton County Artsfest, June 20
- Warsaw Chamber Summer Nights Series, June 20, July 18 and Aug. 8
- Lincoln Fireworks and Events, July 4
- Cole Camp Jaycees MSTPA Sanctioned Truck and Tractor Pull, July 4
- Boutiques and ‘Tiques, July 16-18
- Cole Camp Zucchini Races, July 25
Callaway County
- Fulton Street Fair – Fulton, June 12-13
Clinton
- Big BAM, June 7-13
- Truck and Tractor Pull, June 27
- Disc Golf Tournament, June 27
- Olde Glory Days, July 1-5
- Henry County Fair, July 11-19
- Demolition Derby, July 25
- Golden Velley Train Show, Aug. 8
Columbia
- Water Festival at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, June 27
- Fourth of July – Fire in the Sky, July 4
Jefferson City
- Salute to America, July 3-4
- Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair, July 27- July 31
Lake of the Ozarks
- Aquapalooza, July 19
- Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, Aug. 29-30
Moberly
- Friday Night Cruise & Concert Summer Series, June 19, July 17, Aug. 14
- July 4th Extravaganza, July 4
- R-100 Archery Tournament, Aug. 9
Pulaski County
- Pulaski County Regional Fair Carnival, June 17-20
- Independence Day Celebration and Patriotic Color Run – Fort Leonard Wood, July 4
- AUSA Jeep Fest 2026 – St. Robert, Aug. 16
Sedalia
- Red Power Roundup, June 25-27
- Missouri State Fair, Aug. 13-23
Warrensburg and the Surrounding Area
- Fortopia at Powell Gardens Dragons and Fantastic Beasts – Kingsville, May 23- Sept. 24
- Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens, July 16-Aug. 2
- Show-Me Shootout – Warrensburg, July 18
Southwest Events
Branson and the Surrounding Area
- Kimberling City SummerFest – Kimberling City, June 6
- Rock House Music Festival and Cookout – Reeds Spring, June 6
- Silver Dollar City Summer Celebration – Branson, June 6-Aug. 2
- Stone County Garden Tour – Branson, June 20
- 5th Annual Ranch Rodeo and Bull Ride Weekend – Galena, July 3-5
- Crane Broiler Festival – Crane, Aug. 21-22
- Silver Dollar City Southern Gospel Picnic – Branson, Aug. 27-Sept. 7
Carthage
- 49th Annual Carthage Stampede & Rodeo, June 5-6
- Red, White and Boom, July 4
Lebanon
- Route 66 Festival, June 5-6
Springfield and the Surrounding Area
- Pickwick Street Fair, June 6
- Juneteenth Citywide Celebration, June 18-20
- Ozarks Pridefest, June 13
- Ozark Empire Fair, July 30-Aug. 8
- Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, Aug. 7-8
Northwest Events
Arrow Rock
- Parade, Village Cookout & Potluck, July 4
- Boardwalk Concert/Main St. Dance, Aug. 7
- Musicals at Lyceum Theatre, select dates June-September
Blackwater
- Blackwater Redemption, July 11-12
Chillicothe
- Sliced Bread Day, June 12-13
- Downtown Wine Walk, June 12
- Second Saturday Celebration, July 11
- Cruise Night and Car Show, July 17-18
Excelsior Springs
- Movies on the Lawn, June 6 and 20, July 18, and Aug. 1 and 8
- Lyrics on the Lawn, June 12 and July 10
- 20th Annual Wine Festival, June 13
- Waterfest, June 26-27
- BBQ and Fly-In on the River, Aug. 14-15
- On the Rocks Whiskey Stroll, Aug. 14
- Home Brew Contest, Aug. 15
Kansas City
- FIFA World Cup, June 11-July 19
- Jazzoo, June 5
- KC Pride, June 5-7
- AfroKC Festival, June 6
- Future Stages Festival, June 14
- Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, June 16-July 5
- Stars and Stripes Picnic, July 4
- KC Fringe Festival, July 16-26
- Kansas City’s Lawn Party, July 19
- Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Aug. 21-23
Kingsville
- Festival of Butterflies, Powell Gardens, July 16– Aug. 2
Liberty
- Let’s Fla-Mingle, June 4
- Art on The Side, June 6
- Quilt Walk, June 6
- Juneteenth Celebration, June 12-13
- Make Music Day, June 21
- Christmas in July Beer Crawl, July 18
Parkville
- Parkville 4th of July Celebration, July 4
- Parkville Days Downtown Festival, Aug. 21-23
Platte County
- World Cup Watch Parties, June-July
- Kite Festival – Platte City, June 13
- Kearney Wine Fest – Kearney, June 13
- Smithville Lake Fest – Smithville, June 18-20
- Excelsior Springs Waterfest – Excelsior Springs, June 26-27
- Clay County Under the Stars and Stripes America 250 Party, July 4
- Platte County Fair, July 22
- On The Rocks Whiskey Stroll and BBQ Fly-in on the River – Excelsior Springs, Aug. 14
- Big Shoal Farm Sunflower Field Festival, Aug. 15
St. Joseph
- Juneteenth Festivities, select dates June 13-20
- Whiskey Tasting & Hog Roast, June 27
- Show Me St. Jo! Experience, July 20
- AugustFest, Aug. 7-9
- St. Joe Pridefest, June 26-27
- Parties on the Parkway, select dates June- September
- Summer Concert Series, select dates June- October
- Kids Summer Art Camp, select dates June- August
Get Your Free Travel Guide
The 2026 Missouri Travel Guide is here. We’ll show you all the Show-Me State has to offer, from family-friendly destinations to romantic getaways and everything in between.
Request Guide