Summer 2023 is almost here, and there’s nothing quite like summer in the local 417! Don’t whip out your sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes just yet — there are so many fun and exciting summer activities in and around the local Springfield area.
From pizza baked under the stars to indoor yard games at a local bar, there is something here for you. Celebrate the local spirit this summer and bask in the glow of living in one of the coolest cities in the Midwest. We’ve rounded up ten summertime must-do’s at a variety of price-points, so keep reading to discover all the fun things to do this summer in Springfield!
1. Millsap Farms Pizza Club
We don’t know about you, but we’ve never met a pizza we didn’t like. The farm-fresh, wood-fired pizza at Millsap Farms is certainly no exception. The members of the Pizza Club at Millsap Farms fire up their Horno wood-fired earthen oven every Thursday night, weather permitting.
The pizzas are made, baked and topped, all in the open air and with ingredients sourced from Millsap Farms. For just $17 for adults and $6.50 for kids 4-12 years old, you can make a Pizza Club reservation to enjoy a slice (or two or three) of happiness, enjoy the beautiful Ozarks outdoors, and listen to local music under the stars. These pizza nights are extremely popular and fun, so don’t wait to book a reservation as spots fill up quickly!
2. Lavender Falls Farm & Restaurant
For summer-weary Springfieldians who want to escape the city for a bit and find serenity, we’ve got the place for you. Located just outside of Clever, MO between rolling hills and a natural spring, you’ll find Lavender Falls, and yes, it’s as magical as it sounds.
Lavender Falls is a beautiful lavender farm and highly sought after restaurant that is the perfect place for a romantic dinner or picturesque photoshoot. The owners of Lavender Falls use their harvest to create the best holistic relaxation products available in the Midwest, which are for sale on-site and online.
Due to their restaurant’s exceeding popularity, Lavender Falls is already booked out completely for the 2023 season. However, we strongly recommend you add this destination to your list for next year as reservations typically open in February (hopefully you make the cut!).
3. Urban Roots Farm
Did you know that downtown Springfield is home to a micro-farm? It is! Nestled in the middle of historic homes and a bustling urban community is Urban Roots Farm, a Certified Naturally Grown four-season vegetable farm. Urban Roots offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription program and an honor-system FarmStand on-site.
Every year, Urban Roots Farm celebrates real and excellent food at their Farm to Table Dinner. This year, however, the Farm to Table Dinner was held early before summer began on April 28th and 29th.
For this event, all of the food is prepared on-site by a local chef following days of preparation. Attendees are able to enjoy live music, delicious real food, and local beer and wine. While this event has already taken place this year (earlier than usual), you should follow Urban Roots Farms’ facebook page to stay up to date for next year’s dinner and ticket release.
4. Parties in the Park
Come on down to one of the coolest parties this side of the James River! One Thursday night a month during the summer months, Farmers Park hosts Parties in the Park. Farmers Park is a mixed-use development located in southeast Springfield that celebrates sustainability and community.
Parties in the Park is a family-friendly event with a plethora of local food trucks and beverage vendors and live music for the adults. For the kiddos, there is a splash pad and a variety of kid-friendly fun like face-painting and live entertainment. Dates for this event are:
- May 16, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- July 18, 2023
- August 29
A $5 donation will get you in the door, and for each party all proceeds go to a select nonprofit organization!
5. Best of Luck Beer Hall
When the humid dog days of summer get us down, we beat the heat at Best of Luck Beer Hall. This unique space offers 40 drinks on tap, including beer, wine and draft punch, and elevated, mouth-watering bar food. The best part? Indoor yard games.
Best of Luck has a super-cool indoor yard where for $10 per hour, you and your friends can play classic yard games like Bocce and Cornhole until your heart’s content. Best of Luck Beer Hall is located in the heart of downtown Springfield, on Jefferson right behind Zayka.
6. Movie Nights at Founders Park
Who doesn’t enjoy a free movie night? This year the Springfield Park Board has organized several no-cost, no-ticket movie nights in downtown Springfield that both adults and children can enjoy.
This year’s lineup of movies at Founders Park includes the following:
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (rated PG) – May 5th, 2023
- 50 First Dates (rated PG-13) – June 2nd, 2023
- Top Gun: Maverick (rated PG-13) – July 7th, 2023
Concessions will be available on-site, and those who attend can bring their own blanket and lawn chairs to sit on while they watch the movie. Movie screenings usually begin at dusk (around 9 pm), so be sure to find any downtown free parking lot and make your way to Founder’s Park!
7. Visit Local U-Pick Berry Farms
Nothing is quite like picking your own delicious berries straight from a local berry bush! Thankfully, the Springfield area offers many opportunities for families to feast on their choice of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and more. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the best U-pick berry farms we recommend for your enjoyment this summer:
- Tasty Acres Strawberries and More in Springfield
- Brown’s Berry Farm in Miller, MO
- High’s Berry Farm in Ozark, MO
- Missouri Berries in Republic, MO
- Black and Blue Berry Farm in Rogersville, MO
- Gardener’s Orchard and Bakery in Brighton, MO
8. Jazz Nights at Hold Fast Brewery
There’s big sounds to be heard and specialty drinks to be tasted in downtown Springfield every Tuesday night at Hold Fast Brewery’s Jazz Nights! Starting at 7pm and lasting for two hours, order a tasty craft beer and take a seat outside to listen to the featured jazz band of the night.
Adults and children are welcome at this weekly event, and each Tuesday a local food truck (El Sabor de Mexico Taqueria) sells delicious and quick-service Mexican food items for all.
For the local jazz lovers, musicians including The Jeff Gouge Quartet, The Brueggemann Gouge Jazz Band, Ladies of Jazz, and MOJO Lite are sure to get your feet tapping and mesmerize your senses! There is no admission to the jazz night, however tipping the musicians via PayPal, Venmo, or cash is encouraged.
9. The Fountains at Jordan Valley Park
If you’re looking for a quick cool-down for your kids while moving about downtown Springfield during the heat of the afternoon, you’re in luck! The Springfield Park Board has made water-fun for the family easy to enjoy with fountains that run continuously from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m!
The fountains alone are exciting, but Jordan Valley Park also has a easy-flow stream, shaded picnic area, walking trail, outdoor amphitheater, unique children’s play features, the K-Man interactive sculpture, and five pieces from the Springfield Sculpture Walk! So Bring your lawn chair, picnic blanket, and bathing suit to have some free fun at the Fountains at Jordan Valley Park!
10. Shakespeare Plays at the Springfield Art Museum Amphitheater
Known locally as “Shakespeare At The Columns”, this particular event has been on hold since the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 but is now relaunched and revitalized for Summer 2023!
The Actors Theatre of Missouri production staff is well into rehearsal for the upcoming June performance of Shakespear’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which will be taking place at the outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the Springfield Art Museum. The last time this performance took place was in 2015, so don’t miss this opportunity to see one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays!
While the official dates for this year’s performances have not yet been announced, the admission will be free and donations will be gladly accepted. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket for seating, and all ages are welcome to view the performance.
Are you new to town and searching for what to do in Springfield, MO, this summer? What are you waiting for? Go on out there and see what our community has to offer, you’ll understand why thousands of people happily call Springfield home.
Do you want to learn more about fun things to do in Springfield, MO? Download our relocation guide and discover the greatness of Springfield all year round.
