Warmer days and dozens of festivals are on their way as spring arrives in the Show-Me State. Communities across Missouri will usher in the new season with celebrations featuring flowers, food, art, music and more – including a total eclipse of the sun.
Beautiful Blooms
Experience Powell Gardens through an artistic lens during the Painted Garden April 27 – June 2. The event combines spring blooms, botanical displays and works of art for a colorful celebration The botanical garden is located in Kingsville, 35 miles south of Kansas City.
Stroll along the 6-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail during the Dogwood-Azalea Festival April 18-21 in Charleston. The festival will include historic home tours, a parade, carriage rides, a plant sale, and an arts and crafts bazaar. Dogwood-Azalea After Dark features a luminaria-lined path with banks of illuminated pink and white blooms and entertainers performing along the trail.
Food and Drink
If any place can turn sausage into a three-day celebration, Hermann can. The annual Hermann Wurstfest , March 22-24, honors the traditional art of German sausage making. Highlights include sausage sampling, sausage-making competitions, German music and dancing, and the ever-popular wiener dog derby.
The prized morel mushroom and craft beer take center stage at Morels & Microbrews May 4 in Fulton’s Brick District. Sample delectable fried morels while they last. Food trucks and live music add to the festivities.
Family Fun
Meet Mark Twain’s most memorable characters during the Twain on Main Festival in Hannibal. Experience life from a bygone era in the historic river town during the two-day celebration May 25-26. Find arts and crafts, food and music stretching along Main Street to the base of the famous Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn statue.
Build a kite (or bring your own) and take a turn at breaking open a piñata at the Cherry Blossom Kite & Piñata Festival April 6 in Springfield. The festival is a celebration of spring and honors Springfield’s sister cities – Isesaki, Japan, and Tlaquepaque, Mexico. Japanese and Mexican entertainment and activities are planned. Admission to Springfield’s Mizumoto Japanese Garden is free during the festival.
Being Green
Kansas City will be decked out in green for its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17. Leprechauns will stroll alongside marching bands and elaborate floats, and green beverages will be served by dozens of local watering holes as the Kansas City area celebrates its rich Irish Heritage. This year’s theme, 50 cheers to 50 Years, celebrates the parade’s golden anniversary and is sure to bring out the Irish in everyone.
The Ancient Order of the Hibernians St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a St. Louis tradition for nearly four decades in the historically Irish Dogtown neighborhood. The event honors the many contributions the Irish have made to America. In addition to the parade and Irish Festival will offer plenty of food, music and fun for all ages.
Solar Celebration
Travel to Southeast Missouri to experience the path of totality during a total eclipse of the sun, April 8. Several communities are hosting watch party celebrations. Sikeston’s Total Eclipse of the Park will feature three days of festivities including a crawfish boil, music festival and an eclipse watch party. In Cape Girardeau, the VisitCape Sportsplex Watch Party will include music, food and kids activities.
More Events to Explore
Northeast Missouri Spring Festivals
Hannibal
- Chocolate Extravaganza, March 8 – 10
- Threads of Time Quilt Show, April 5 – 6
- Last Dinner on the Titanic, April 14
- Great Girlfriend Getaway, April 26 – 28
- Twain on Main, May 26
Hermann
- St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl, March 16
- Hermann Wurstfest, March 22-24
- Farmer’s Table Wine Trail, April 6
- Hermann Antique Show, April 20
- Artisan Cheese Market at Stone Hill Winery, April 27
Pacific
- P-Town Pub Crawl, April 13
St. Charles
- Midwest Maifest, May 19
- Missouri River Irish Fest May 24-26
St. Louis
- Art in Bloom, March 1-3
- Schlafly Stout & Oyster Festival, March 8-9
- Animals Aglow Lantern Festival, March 13-May 5
- Ancient Order of the Hibernians St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17
- The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, April 6-7
- St. Louis Earth Day Festival, April 20-21
- Missouri River Irish Fest, St. Charles – May 28
- St. Louis African Arts Festival, May 27-28
Washington
- Fake Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, March 9
- WashMO BBQ & Bluesfest, April 26-28
- Art Fair & Winefest, May 17-19
- Sunset on the Riverfront, April 25, May 23
- Music at the Market, May 9
- Cajun Festival, June 21
Union
- Kite Fest, April 13
- Concert in the Park, May 3
Northwest Missouri Spring Festivals
Kansas City
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17
- Kansas City FilmFest International, April 12-14
- Celebration at the Station, May 26
Kearney
- Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street: Crossroads Exhibit, May 10-June 21
Kingsville
- Painted Garden, Powell Gardens, April 27-June 2
Liberty
- Spring Open House, March 9
- Liberty Hospital Half Marathon, March 23
- First Thursday Chocolate Walk, April 4
Central Missouri Spring Festivals
Benton County
- Benton County Boutique Crawl, April 12-13
- Benton County Wine Stroll, April 27
Columbia
- Unbound Book Festival, April 18-21
- Columbia Earth Day Festival, April 21
Fulton
- Morels & Microbrews, May 4
Lake of the Ozarks
- Spring Harbor Hop, May 4
Lebanon
- Show-Me State Ultimate Challenge Bull Riding – March 30
- Midway Speedway Opening Night – April 5
- Mad Dog Demolition Derby – April 6
Moberly
- MO State Motocross Championship, April 19-20
St. Robert
- Racing for Daylight, March 9-10
- Kickin’ It Route 66 KCBS BBQ Challenge, March 22
Waynesville
- Best Sapper Competition & Meet Your Army, April 19
- The Wall That Heals: Mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, May 16-19
Southeast Missouri Spring Festivals
Cape Girardeau
- Fault Line Film Festival, March 21-22
- VisitCape Sportplex Watch Party, April 8
Charleston
- Dogwood & Azaela Festival, April 18-21
Sikeston
- Sikeston St. Patrick’s Day Festival, March 16
- Total Eclipse of the Park, April 5-8
- American Legion BBQ Contest and Poker Run, April 26-27
West Plains
- Eclipse West Plains: Party in the Path, April 5-8
- Wayward Sons Productions Bull Ride & World Championship Miniature Bull Riding March 22-23
- Southern Crunch Promotions Demo Derby – March 30
Southwest Missouri Spring Festivals
Branson
- Shepherds SpringFest, March 22-31
- Bluegrass & BBQ Festival, Silver Dollar City, May 2-27
Springfield
- Ozark Spring Roundup Farm Show & Rodeo, March 22-24
- Cherry Blossom Kite & Piñiata Festival, April 6
- Art in Bloom, April 24-28
- Ozarks Beerfest, April 27
Mansfield
- Baker Creek Tulip Festival, April 7-8