🍁 Seasonal Events, Scenic Stops and Things to Do This Fall
Fall is a great time to explore Christian County, Missouri, where cooler temperatures, changing leaves and a calendar full of seasonal events make it easy to plan a day trip or fall weekend in the Ozarks.
Located just south of Springfield and along the way to Branson, Christian County offers plenty of reasons to make a fall stop, from craft fairs and pumpkin patches to haunted attractions, scenic trails and family-friendly outdoor adventures.
Whether you’re planning around a favorite fall festival or simply looking for somewhere new to explore, here are some of the events, attractions and outdoor experiences to add to your 2026 fall itinerary.
Billings Community Fair
📍 Billings Community Park | 201-299 W Howard Ave, Billings, MO 65610
📅 September 4–5, 2026
Kick off September with a longtime local tradition at the 60th Annual Billings Community Fair. The two-day celebration brings family activities, food, live music, local talent and classic fair traditions to Billings Community Park.
Fair activities include livestock shows, homemade pies, bounce houses and the annual Billings Community Fair Parade, featuring the 2026 theme Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights.
Car enthusiasts can check out the 5th Annual Billings Community Fair Car Show, which helps support the Paw Pack program providing meals to local students when school is not in session.
On Saturday evening, the 19th Annual Brenton Salyers Truck and Tractor Pull, presented by the Billings Volunteer Fire Department, begins at 6 PM. Admission to the pull is $10, with children 12 and younger admitted free. Cash only.
Select fair activities have no admission fee, making the Billings Community Fair an easy way to spend a September weekend experiencing one of Christian County’s longstanding community traditions.
Between Two Rivers Fine Art Fair
📍 Historic Downtown Nixa | Main Street between Highway 14 and Elm Street
📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ 8 AM–4 PM
Art takes over Main Street during the inaugural Between Two Rivers Fine Art Fair, hosted by Lucid TLC Arts Studio Gallery.
Browse original work from fine artists throughout Historic Downtown Nixa while watching colorful creations come to life during the Lost & Found Grief Center’s annual Sidewalk Chalk Competition.
With art, downtown businesses and another fall festival happening nearby the same day, it’s a great opportunity to spend the day exploring Nixa.
Rosebud’s Cottage Fall Festival
📍 Rosebud’s Cottage | 205 N. Main Street, Nixa, MO
📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ 9 AM–4 PM
🎟️ Free admission and free parking
Celebrate fall in downtown Nixa at the 4th Annual Rosebud’s Cottage Fall Festival, presented by Midwest Events & Promotions.
Shop from more than 80 local vendors offering handmade goods, boutique clothing, fall décor, jewelry, baked treats, specialty foods and more, then grab lunch or a snack from one of the event’s food trucks.
Families can also enjoy a free Kids Zone with bounce houses, giant slides, yard games, chalk art, a petting zoo, face painting and other activities throughout the day. Inside Rosebud’s Cottage, visitors can shop more than 20 permanent small businesses and seasonal arrivals.
With the Between Two Rivers Fine Art Fair taking place nearby, September 12 offers even more reasons to make a day of exploring Nixa.
Sertoma Oktoberfest
📍 Downtown Ozark Square | E Church St, Ozark, MO
📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ Time TBA
Raise a glass to fall at Sertoma Oktoberfest in Downtown Ozark. The September celebration features beer tastings, food, live music, craft booths and games in the heart of the historic square.
Fall on the Farm at Lavender Falls Farm
📍 Lavender Falls Farm | 3016 State Highway M, Clever, MO
📅 Select dates September 17–October 25, 2026
🎟️ Reservations required
For the first time, Lavender Falls Farm is opening for an autumn season with Fall on the Farm.
Enjoy an evening at the farm with fall-inspired menu items, returning favorites and live music from a rotating lineup of performers throughout September and October. It’s a chance to experience the farm in a whole new season while enjoying the sights, flavors and atmosphere of fall in the Ozarks.
Reservations are required and can be made online. Advance reservations are recommended, as availability may vary by date and performer.
📍 2142 N. Sports Complex Lane, Nixa, MO
📅 September 18–19 & 25–26 | October 2–4, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25 & 29–31 | November 1
⏰ 7 PM–midnight
Looking for something a little scarier this fall? Field of Screams returns to Nixa with two outdoor haunted attractions along the James River.
Take on The Haunted Forest, a half-mile trail through the dark woods filled with live actors, sets and special effects, or face your fear of clowns in Coulrophobia, a twisted haunted clown maze.
Concessions, visiting food trucks and other activities add to the experience before or after the scares.
Ozark Craft Fair
📍 Finley River Park | 891-961 N Riverside Rd, Ozark, MO
📅 October 2–4, 2026
⏰ Friday & Saturday: 9 AM–6 PM | Sunday: 9 AM–4 PM
A longtime fall tradition in Ozark, the Ozark Craft Fair brings more than 350 vendors to Finley River Park for three days of shopping.
Browse handmade crafts, seasonal décor, gifts and unique finds from vendors throughout the region. Food and snack vendors are also typically on-site, making it easy to grab something to eat while spending the day exploring the fair.
While you’re in Ozark, leave a little extra time to explore the Finley River area or make another nearby stop before heading home.
Ozark Craft Festival
📍 Ozark Community Center | 1530 W Jackson Street, Ozark, MO
📅 November 13–14, 2026
⏰ Friday: 11 AM–6 PM | Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
🎟️ Free admission
The Ozark Craft Festival brings vendors together for two days of indoor shopping at the Ozark Community Center.
Browse crafts, gifts, seasonal items and other finds from participating vendors while enjoying a late-fall shopping weekend in Ozark.
With free admission and everything held indoors, it’s an easy way to spend a November afternoon and get a head start on holiday shopping.
Campbell’s Maze Daze & Pumpkin Patch
📍 177 Carob Road, Clever, MO 65631
📅 2026 dates coming soon
⏰ Hours and activity details TBA
Campbell’s Maze Daze & Pumpkin Patch is returning for another fall season in Clever.
This family-owned seasonal farm is a longtime local stop for families looking to get outside and enjoy a little fall fun.
Dates, hours and activities for the 2026 season are still being finalized. Check back for updates as more details become available.
🍂 More Things to Do This Fall
Festivals and special events are only part of the fun. Cooler temperatures and changing leaves also make fall a great time to get outside, explore local attractions and experience a different side of Christian County.
160 Grand Prix
📍 521 Guin Road, Nixa, MO 65714
⏰ Check current hours before visiting
Cooler fall weather makes it a great time to head outside for a little friendly competition at 160 Grand Prix in Nixa.
Race around the go-kart track, challenge family and friends to a round of mini golf or take a few swings in the batting cages. Food is also available on-site, making it an easy stop for an afternoon or evening with family and friends.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
📍 5242 S State Hwy ZZ, Republic, MO 65738
📅 Open year-round
History and fall scenery come together at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, where wooded trails, rolling fields and the landscape surrounding Wilson’s Creek take on the colors of the season.
The park preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, fought August 10, 1861, one of the first major battles of the Civil War and the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River. The battlefield stretches across Greene and Christian counties, bringing a piece of this nationally significant historic landscape into Christian County.
Explore the battlefield along the scenic Tour Road, stop at historic sites or take to the trails for a closer look at the changing leaves. Fall is an especially beautiful time to experience the park, whether you’re visiting for the history, the scenery or simply an afternoon outdoors.
Go Leaf Peeping
You don’t need a festival or special event to enjoy fall in Christian County. When the leaves begin to change, wooded hills, creek valleys and winding backroads become part of the experience.
Head to Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area for miles of trails through the Ozarks, explore the forests and creekside scenery around Chadwick Recreation Area and Swan Creek, take a walk through Garrison Springs Community Forest in Ozark, or hit the trails at Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park, where riders and hikers can explore purpose-built trails across the rolling landscape.
Whether you’re planning a hike, hopping on a mountain bike, bringing along the camera or simply taking the scenic route, cooler temperatures and changing leaves make fall one of the best times to get outside and explore Christian County.
Plan a Fall Day Trip or Weekend
One of the best parts about exploring Christian County is how easily different experiences can be combined into one trip.
Spend the morning at a fall festival before stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. Pair a pumpkin patch or farm visit with a scenic drive through the countryside. Browse a craft fair in Ozark, then spend the afternoon exploring the outdoors. Or combine seasonal events, shopping and family attractions for a full day out.
If you’re visiting from outside the area, leave a little extra room in the itinerary to explore beyond the event that brought you here. Local restaurants, shops, outdoor recreation and unexpected stops can easily turn a quick visit into a full day of exploring.
Event dates, hours and activities may change throughout the season, so checking with individual attractions and event organizers before traveling is always recommended.
Find More Events in Christian County
There’s always something happening around Christian County. From community festivals and live music to markets, family activities and seasonal events, there’s even more to explore throughout the year.
Check out the Explore Christian County Events Calendar to see what’s coming up and start planning your next outing.
