Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri Sept. 21 – Oct. 4, 2026

Fall is finally here and some seasonal festivals are rolling out over the next two weeks. Take advantage of the milder temps and stroll through local communities at the art festivals happening in downtown Washington, Salem, and Rolla. Or, if you’re ready to jump into Halloween time fun, then grab your pointy hat and your witchy besties and hit up the Witches on Main celebration in downtown Washington or the Witches on Route 66 in Cuba.

Celebrate this unique season with harvest and fall festivals – head to Hermann to shop with local vendors, hear live music, and yummy food, or visit the annual Rosebud Treasure Day in Rosebud. And area churches are hosting their fall festivals, which include food, kid-friendly activities, and more.

As a reminder, always double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled, rescheduled, or experiences weather delays.

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Franklin & Gasconade Counties (plus neighboring communities)

Thursday, Sept. 24
Sunset on the Riverfront is happening at Rennick Riverfront Park in Washington from 5-8 p.m.
Find the food and entertainment details.

Thursday, Sept. 24
The Book Booth in WashMo is hosting a Book vs. the Movie event from 6-7 p.m. Attendees will discuss the details of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27
The 26th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts & Crafts is happening in downtown Washington. Find soaps, jewelry, original artwork, clothing, handmade wood furniture, home décor, leather, seasonal items, and more! There will be live music and a food court full of delicious treats all weekend long.
Free admission.

Friday, Sept. 25 & Saturday, Sept. 26
The K of C Hall in St. Clair is holding an indoor fall rummage sale. The sale is from 4-7 p.m. on Friday and from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27
The Emmaus Village Harvest Moon Festival in Marthasville will feature a farm-to-table kitchen, vendors, workshops, and live music. Experience two nights of camping, big fires, get-downs, and community.
Purchase tickets.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Community Church in Union is having a Fall Festival. This free event will include kid-friendly activities like face-painting, a bounce house, and snow cones available from Dana’s Shave Ice’s truck.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Spooky season gets an early start in Marthasville with the Emmaus Asylum overnight ghost hunt.
Get tickets and find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Hermann Harvest Festival is happening from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You’ll find over 80 booths, plus a kid zone, along with food and drink vendors.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Venue at Hermann event space is hosting an Open House from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Follow on Facebook for more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Project Linus of East Central MO has a monthly blanket making day, held on the fourth Saturday of every month at the Scenic Regional Library Union Branch from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration requested to attend.

Sunday, Sept. 27
Hellings Farm Auction is happening in Leslie. There will be farm machinery, tools, lawn and garden items, and more.
Get all the info.

Sunday, Sept. 27
The Immaculate Conception Fall Festival is happening in Union, beginning at 11 a.m. Enjoy live music, a delicious fried chicken dinner, kid-friendly activities, basketball, auctions, raffle drawings, a country store, bake sale, kettle corn, funnel cakes, and more!
Learn more.

Wednesday, Sept. 30
Washington Parks & Recreation Charitable Foundation is presenting a Friends of Aaron free concert. The event is at the Main Stage lawn at the Washington Fairgrounds and happens from 6-8 p.m.
Get more info.

Thursday, Oct. 1
Music on Main returns to Hansen Park in downtown Union.
More details.

Thursday, Oct. 1
Witches on Main Street is an unforgettable night in WashMo from 5:30-9 p.m. Shop from unique vendors, hear live music, find drinks and food to purchase, and dress in your witchy attire to enter a chance to win a prize in the costume contest.
Find tickets and more info.

Friday, Oct. 2 & Saturday. Oct. 3
Rewild & Restore Retreat is an immersive weekend in nature at Lost Hill Lake in St. Clair. This in-person event will focus on the power of breathwork, cold and heat exposure therapy, nervous system regulation, CO2 tolerance training, and the importance of exposure to nature.
Get tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The annual Fall Treasure Day in Rosebud happens on the first Saturday in October. Find antiques, unique vendors, fall decor, clothing, and more at this event.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The Shivering Shack in Sullivan is hosting a Girls Night Out event called Pumpkins, Petals, and Popcorn from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $35 to attend and includes your own mini pumpkin charcuterie snack, a specialty drink, a pumpkin centerpiece to take home, a BYO popcorn bar, and a craft with all supplies included.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Owensville Parks and Rec Dept. is hosting a Market in the Park event from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The Franklin County Humane Society is hosting Paw Fest from 2-6 p.m. The event will feature shelter tours and the adorable pets up for adoption, as well as the Purina Incredible Dog Team, vendors, food trucks, and more.
Find out more on Facebook.

Crawford & Dent Counties

Thursday, Sept. 24
The Salem Chamber of Commerce is hosting its final Music on 4th St. event of the season. Expect vendors, food, live music, and more.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 25
The 2026 Battle of the Bulls event is happening in Belle at 8 p.m. This event brings bull riders to the arena to “buck for a purpose” and help raise money for people undergoing cancer or other medical treatments. Cost to attend is $10 for those 12 and up, kids ages 5-11 are $5, and kids underage 5 are free.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Salem Area Arts Council and the Salem Area Betterment Association is hosting an Art Walk in downtown Salem from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. View art demonstrations, try your hand at making free crafts, shop with area businesses, and find food available for purchase.
Find out more.

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Friday, Oct. 2
Lucky Clover Campground in Steelville is hosting its Halloween Bash early. Join in for site decorating, trick-or-treating, and spooky surprises.
Reserve your spot.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Onondaga Cave State Park is hosting another Starry Sky Night event. Attendees of this free event can view stars in the visitor center’s parking lot.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Witches Night on Route 66 in Cuba is happening from 3-10 p.m. There will be vendors, crafts, food trucks, wine and beer for purchase with ID, free music and so much more. Dress up in your best good or bad witch costume, since there will be costume prizes.
Get more details.

Phelps County

Saturday, Sept. 26
Maramec Spring Park is hosting its monthly Volunteer Work Days from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome to this free event that helps keep the park beautiful and thriving for visitors.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Celebration of Nations Festival and Parade is kicking off in downtown Rolla at 11 a.m. This community-wide event features international cuisine, live entertainment, cultural exhibits, unique vendors and family-friendly activities that showcase the diversity and global connections that enrich the region.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 2
Movie Night in The Gardens at St. James Winery concludes this season with a showing of the 80s film “The Goonies.” Enjoy themed food and drinks available for purchase and watch the movie outside under the stars.
Film time and other info.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The 47th Annual Rolla Arts & Crafts Festival is happening in downtown Rolla. This year’s event will be the largest yet, with over 80 vendors expected. Shop handcrafted items, baked goods, pet accessories, and more, plus find food and drinks available for purchase.
Learn more.

Sunday, Oct. 4
The monthly Rolla Writers Club is meeting at the Rolla Public Library from 2-4 p.m. This meeting serves as a chance to share your writing wins, and discuss aspects of the publishing journey.
Find out more.

Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri July 27 – Aug. 9, 2026

While the hot weather is likely to stick around a while, summer activities are starting to wind down over the next two weeks, with the final community fairs happening this week and next. If you can’t get enough of the midway rides, tractor pulls, entertainment, and fair food, then head to Owensville this week for the Gasconade County Fair and WashMo next week for the Washington Town and Country Fair.

Other events happening include several free family-friendly and Back to School events like the Sullivan Fire Station Open House that will include bounce houses and a chance to get a close up view of fire trucks, as well as the Kids Day event at St. Clair VFW, and the Back to School and Free BBQ event held by Blessings Are Miracles at the Sullivan VFW.

And, in communities near Franklin County, you’ll find more fun things to do, like an American themed pub crawl and Balloon Glowdeo, both happening in Eureka. Bourbon enthusiasts will want to head to Hermann for the 4th Annual Missouri Bourbon Festival featuring over two dozen distilleries, as well as food trucks, and more. Also in Hermann, the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation is hosting a single-day fundraiser that will include local businesses and vendors, with funds raised going toward creating a First Responder tribute mural in Hermann.

As a reminder, always double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled, rescheduled, or experiences weather delays.

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Various dates and times
Cinema 1 Plus in Washington is having a few special movie events throughout the summer. There are kid films series that are $2 a viewing, as well as a flashback cinema series, which offer a second chance to catch a classic flick on the big screen.
Find out more on Facebook.

Various dates and times
Great 8 Cinema in Union and Sullivan 6 Cinema are also featuring a special kids summer film series that kicks off mid-May and runs through late August. Additionally, the admission is $2, and there are $5 value combos available.
Get details on Facebook.

Multiple days
The USDA Summer Food Service is partnering with the Washington Public Library to help area families to provide food service beginning Monday, June 29 and continuing on every Mondays until public school starts. The food service includes 7 days of breakfast and lunch, with fresh fruit, vegetable, and dairy. This service is for families with children ages 1-18. Pickup is at the Washington Public Library on Mondays between 4-6 p.m.
Get more info.

Multiple days
Scenic Regional Library and Foundations for Strengthening Families are partnering to help area families with summer food service beginning Monday, June 29 through Monday, August 17. The service will provide one week’s worth of breakfast and lunch items for kids, available while supplies last. Food pickup will be in each library branch’s parking lot and pickup times and days vary by each branch.
Find pickup days and times.

Tuesday, July 28
The St. Clair Branch of Scenic Regional Library is hosting a Children’s Theatre Dino Academy event at 1 p.m. Featuring life-like, colorful dinosaur puppets that stomp, roar and charm their way into every heart, this show blends science, storytelling and imagination in the style of your favorite nature programs.
Reserve your spot.

Tuesday, July 28
To celebrate 50 years of service, the Sullivan Fire Station 1 is having an open house from 4-6 p.m. This event will include lots of family fun like chances to get an up close view of the trucks, meet firefighters, and there will be food available for purchase by MK BBQ and Scoopzys ice cream.
Get more details.

Thursday, July 30
Award-winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw aka “The Owl Man” will give a talk at the Washington Public Library on how to find an owl in your neighborhood. Mark has studied Great Horned Owls in Forest Park since 2005, and at this presentation Mark will tell you which owls you are most likely to see or hear in your neighborhood, where and how to look for them, and what to listen for.
Find out more.

Thursday, July 30
Head to Liberty Hall in downtown Washington to meet co-founder of Humans of St Louis Lindy Drew and explore the art of storytelling one photo and one story at a time through the lens of the HOSTL photo documentary team.
Learn more and purchase tickets.

Friday, July 31
Rooster Jones will play at New Haven American Legion from 5-8 p.m. as part of the organization’s ongoing America 250 concert series.
Get more info on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 1
Ladies, Littles, and Lattes is hosting its Third Annual Community Market Day from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Franklin County Resource Center. Shop from area vendors and find food and drinks from food trucks.
Learn more.

Saturday, Aug. 1
The St. Clair VFW will be the site of Kids Day, put on by Action Riders. Bring the whole family out for a day of fun that includes bounce houses, bubbles, a dunking booth, and more. The event is from 12-5 p.m.
Get more info on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 1
Blessings Are Miracles is hosting its 3rd Annual Back to School and Free BBQ event. The fun kicks off at 11 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. Everything is first come first serve, but expect to find free BBQ and school supplies at the covered pavilion at the Sullivan VFW.
Learn more.

Sunday, Aug. 2
Lost Hill Lake in St. Clair is hosting an open lake day. The event gives the public a chance to swim or fish in the lake, hike in the trails on the property, or just hang out. The event is from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and cost is $10 per person.
Get more info.

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Wednesday, Aug. 5 – Sunday, Aug. 9
Perhaps it’s fitting that Franklin County’s largest fair closes out the season. The fair happens at the Washington Fairgrounds and features several days of fair fun including rides, a classic car show, livestock and 4-H exhibits, vendors, food and drinks, and musical performances from national acts.
Get more info.

Wednesday, Aug. 5 – Saturday, Aug. 8
Grace United Methodist Church in Sullivan is having a multi-day book fair. Find books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and more.
Get time and location details.

Thursday, Aug. 6
Head to Scenic Regional Library St. Clair Branch for an evening of Mixtape Music Bingo. Test your knowledge of classic party tunes at this fun, free event that begins at 6 p.m.
Spots are limited, register now.

Thursday, Aug. 6
Scenic Regional Library Sullivan Branch is having a free sewing class for beginners from 5:30-7 p.m. Attendees will learn the basics of using a sewing machine while creating a simple project. Class is limited to seven attendees, call the branch to reserve your spot.
Reserve your spot.

Friday, Aug. 7
Steve Leslie will perform at New Haven American Legion from 5-8 p.m. as part of the organization’s ongoing America 250 concert series.
Get more info on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 8
The lower parking lot at ECC is the gathering place for a free monthly stargazing event. Bring your own lawn chairs and stargazing equipment such as telescopes or high powered binoculars.
Learn more.

Saturday, Aug. 8
The MG Car Club Cruise is rolling into the Red Cedar Inn Museum & Visitor Center in Pacific from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Spend a few hours admiring beautiful classic British sports cars and be sure to stop inside the museum and explore the exhibits while you’re there.
Get more info.

Saturday, Aug. 8
Join the 6 shops in downtown Sullivan from 10 a.m. –5 p.m. for a Block Party. Enjoy special sales, snacks, and drinks at each shop, and prize drawings throughout the day.
Learn more.

Road Trippin’

Take a little road trip to some of these events happening within a short drive of Franklin County.

Multiple dates from June – August
Brookdale Farms in Eureka is having Camp Brookdale, a summer camp event for kids. This screen-free day camp event will give kids an outdoor, adventure themed experience all summer long.
Learn more.

Tuesday, July 28
Head to Owensville the day before the Gasconade County Fair kicks off for a free antique tractor pull.
Get more info on Facebook.

Wednesday, July 29 – Saturday, Aug. 1
The 79th Annual Gasconade County Fair in Owensville will feature demolition derbies, livestock shows, concerts, car shows, and of course fair concessions, carnival rides, and more.
Find out all the details.

Friday, July 31
The American Pub Crawl in Eureka is a veterans charity event with over half a dozen establishments participating in the crawl, happening from 4-10 p.m., you won’t want to miss this fun night.
Learn more.

Friday, July 31 & Saturday, Aug. 1
Brookdale Farms is hosting its annual Balloon Glowdeo event. It’s part rodeo, part balloon glow, and 100% fun. Find live music, inflatables for kids, food trucks, a petting zoo, balloon glow, and a professional rodeo competition.
Find out more.

Friday, July 31
St. James Winery continues its outdoor film series called Movie Night in the Gardens with a showing of the 80s classic flick “The Goonies.” The movie begins at dusk and themed food and drink will be available for purchase.
Get more details.

Friday, July 31
Test your knowledge of the wonderful world of wizarding with the Harry Potter trivia night at Prairie Barn Winery & Christmas Tree Farm in St. James.
Learn more.

Saturday, Aug. 1
Flow at the Spring with Rachel, a free outdoor yoga class at Maramec Spring Park in St. James at 8 a.m.
Park entry fee applies to attend class
.

Saturday, Aug. 1
The 4th Annual Missouri Bourbon Fest is happening at Copper Mule Distillery in Hermann. This year’s event will be better than ever with 26 distilleries, several bourbon industry vendors and 5 food trucks. The VIP ticket package has been upgraded and we’ve added a new venue for the General Admission attendees to get out of the sun and enjoy beer, wine, and spirits.
Get your tickets.

Sunday, Aug. 2
The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation is hosting a community event to continue to raise funds for the First Responder Community Mural from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Get more details on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 8
Celebrate the fourth anniversary of Prairie Barn Winery & Christmas Tree Farm in St. James with a day filled with live music, hayrides, wine, yard games, BBQ, and more.
Learn more.

Saturday, Aug. 8
Noboleis Vineyards in Augusta continues its outdoor movie series called “Films in the Vines.” Jane Austen fans will want to watch the beloved film adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.”
Get more info.

Sunday, Aug. 9
Head to Brookdale Farms in Eureka for the Wedding Bridal Show Open House from 1-3 p.m.
Find out more.

Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!