Whether it’s outdoor festivals, Mizzou sports, or anything else, there’s always plenty of seasonal events in Columbia to keep you going all year. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a holiday parade or student tradition to pass the time, we’ve got you covered. We at Grindstone Canyon took it upon ourselves to put together the list of the best Seasonal Events in Columbia, MO nobody should miss. So, get your friends and family ready to experience the fun side of Columbia and check out the following events.
Spring Events
Yappy Hour
Twin Lakes Recreation Area, 2500 Chapel Hill Rd Columbia, MO 65203
Yappy Hour is the perfect way to spend a beautiful Columbia afternoon with your best friend. The event features plenty of entertainment for both owners and dogs to enjoy. There are always plenty of obstacles and toys for dogs as well as cold beer for dog owners to pass the time. Can you think of a better way for men, women, and dogs to have some fun?
Tons Of Trucks
Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Dr, Columbia, MO 65203
Are you into cars? Well, every May, the Tons of Trucks event showcases vehicles of many different shapes and sizes. It’s the perfect spot for you, your friends, and family to have some fun admiring, climbing, sitting, and/or honking, the unique vehicles. It’s a great chance to check out fire trucks, bulldozers, rescue trucks, and other awesome vehicles you might want to see.
Summer Events
Family Fun Fests
Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area, 1615 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65202
Cosmo Park also hosts the Family Fun Fests that last from May through September. These Fun Fests feature unique cultural activities including face painting, music, food trucks, live performances, art activities, hands-on learning, and cultural performances. Every month brings a different theme to help keep the festival series fun and exciting for all members of the community.
Fourth Of July – Fire in the Sky
Flat Branch Park, 300 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
The Fourth of July celebration is always a seasonal event everyone in Columbia looks forward to attending. This family-friendly event features live music performances, children activities, food trucks, and fireworks show that lasts roughly about 30 minutes. The best part about the event is that it’s completely free of charge for entrance. Just don’t forget to take your lawn chairs and blankets for the light show.
Kaleidospoke
Flat Branch Park, 300 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
The city of Columbia knows how to make things interesting. Kaleidospoke is a glow in the dark bike riding event that usually takes place in August. This exciting glow party takes place at from Flat Branch Park to Twin Lakes and features numerous amounts of illuminated figures throughout the event trail. You’ll find anything from illuminated bridges to kaleidoscope figures during the bike ride. The event also features live music, glow entertainment, bonfires, and other fun you’re crew will love.
Movies at the Park
Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area, 1615 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65202
Another great seasonal event held in Columbia is the Movies at the Park series at Cosmo Park. From early May to September, everyone from locals to visitors from across the county take get together to enjoy some big screen classics. All you need is a good blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the movie that plays on the big inflatable screen. There’s also concessions and food trucks that sell treats during these gatherings.
Stephens Lake Amphitheater Concert Series
100 Old 63 N, Columbia, MO 65201
Nothing can compete with the concert series at Stephens Lake Amphitheatre. Hundreds of people get together to enjoy live performances from magic artists, comedians, musicians, and other live entertainers during the first Thursday of each month from May to September. Just make sure to take your own blanket to lay down and enjoy the show with your friends.
Fall Events
Bear Creek Run Half Marathon
Bear Creek Trail, Columbia, MO 65202
One of the favorite races in Columbia, the Bear Creek Run invites hundreds of runners and walkers to participate in the marathon. This 13.1-mile course starts from Albert-Oakland Park and takes participants through Columbia’s Cosmo Park and back. Awards and prizes are given to the top male and female runners in each age category.
Heritage Festival & Craft Show
Nifong Park, 3700 Ponderosa St., Columbia, MO 65201
If you’re looking for something culturally different to enjoy, the Heritage Festival and Craft Show is the perfect event for you. All it takes is one time at this festival and you’ll be taken through history to learn about rich cultures. Live entertainment for this fall event includes dances, music, contemporary crafts, and lost arts from many cultures including – American Indian, German, and other cultures that make up the city of Columbia. Another popular activity at the festival is listening to some of the ghost stories on Saturday evening. Visitors can also tour the historic Maplewood Home, the Village at Grand Junction, and the Boone County History & Culture Center museums.
Mizzou Football
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia, MO 65203
Have you ever been out to a Mizzou football game? First, you have to try tailgating with all the other Tiger fans while they wait for the traditional Tiger Walk. The tradition invites all Tiger fans to cheer on the team as they make their way to the Faurot Field from the Mizzou Athletics Training Complex. Before kickoff, fans can enjoy from the marching band and other pregame festivities that bring the crowd together. Once, the game kicks off, every Tiger joins in on the classic M-I-Z Z-O-U call and response between both sides of the stadium. You can also enjoy from the halftime show, chant the Alma Mater “Old Missouri”, and join the crowd frenzy during the Missouri Waltz.
Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival
Stephens Lake Park, 2001 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
Stephens Lake Park hosts the Roots N Blues BBQ Festival every September. This Columbia event features live concerts, marathons, and an amazing Gospel celebration on Sunday. Let’s not forget about the mouthwatering barbecue from different regional vendors. The festival also showcases various genres including rock, blues, gospel, and bluegrass in case you’re hoping to jam out with your friends.
Winter Events
Annual Holiday Home Tour
The Annual Holiday Home Tour is a must-see event that features four fabulous homes. The four homes are completely lit up and well decorated to welcome the upcoming holiday season. We can’t forget about the traditional performance from The Missouri Symphony to finish the night off.
Clydesdale Ranch Light Show
Warm Spring Ranch, 3118, 25270 MO-98, Boonville, MO 65233
The Clydesdale Ranch Light Show is too good to miss out on. Every year, the Warms Spring Ranch is decked out in thousands of lights and holiday decorations that will leave you in awe. It’s an amazing sight to witness as thousands of visitors get together to enjoy the best of the winter season in Missouri.
Columbia Holiday Soiree
The Blue Note, 17 North 9th Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201
The Holiday Soiree at the Blue Note is a fun way to experience a blast from the ’60s. Every year, the thrill goes a step further as locals and visitors celebrate the past through jazz tunes, holiday music, and retro outfits. It’s an all-out holiday party that will have you going back every year.
Winter Wonderland at the Maplewood House
The holiday season also invites the ever popular Winter Wonderland into town. It’s a maple wood house that’s uniquely decorated by local designers and florists. This seasonal event in Columbia also allows attendees to enjoy from the running model, toy trains, live holiday music, and great food vendors.
Year Round Events
University of Missouri Concert Series
203 S 9th Street, Columbia, MO 65211
From the Nutcracker to amazing symphony orchestras, the University of Missouri always has some entertaining events for you to attend. Whether or not you’re into theatre and classical music, the experience is well worth a try. We’re sure you’ll find plenty of great actors and entertainers that will help you discover a hidden passion for the arts.
Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Check out these great Things to Do in Columbia, MO.