Dishes
Food Festivals and Events in Springfield MO
Find out more about the food festivals and foodie events on offer in Springfield, Missouri.
by Jamie Thomas
Mar 29 2024 at 8 a.m.
Photo courtesy Downtown Springfield Association
The food scene in southwest Missouri is always growing. From food trucks to festivals, there are always new things to try and new places to go. A great way to explore new tastes is to drop by one of the many food-forward events happening year-round. Here’s a quick roundup of regular events, but be sure to take a look at our calendar to keep track of what’s happening and when.
Ozarks Beerfest
April 27
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave. Springfield, 1–4 p.m.
With over 200 craft beers, ciders, seltzers and non-alcoholic brews—plus food, live music, games and more—Ozarks Beerfest is southwest Missouri’s biggest beer festival. This year’s event is benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Keep in mind that this is a 21-and-older event. Check out the website for tickets.
International Food Carnaval
April 28
Historic C-Street, noon
Head to C-Street on April 28 at noon for the Hispanic Networking Group in The Ozarks’ International Food Carnaval. Vendors and local eateries will offer authentic food, with proceeds benefiting the Hispanic community.
Corndog Kickoff
May 4
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave. Springfield, 6 p.m. (parking opens 5 p.m.)
The Corndog Kickoff returns to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds for its 9th year. Enjoy all kinds of fairground food along with drinks, live music and more. Tickets are range from $20–$55. Make sure to grab yours now since prices increase on the day of the event.
417 Salsa Fest
May 5
Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, noon–5 p.m.
The perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Relics Event Center hosts the first ever 417 Salsa Fest, with a salsa tasting competition, hot pepper tasting challenge, vendors, music and more.
Ozarks Food Truck Rally
June 8
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave. Springfield, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Can't wait for the annual Food Truck Fest in September? Get your food truck fix at the 2024 Ozarks Food Truck Rally, presented by BJP Trailers and benefiting the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation.
Cider Days
Cider Days is a fall favorite and a great way to kick off the colder seasons. Plenty of local food trucks participate in the event, so you have a lot of opportunities to grab a snack as you sample sips of both hot and cold cider. In addition to food, Cider Days is often host to live performances from local musicians and artists—you can get tickets in advance or at the door. For more info about the next Cider Days, follow the event on social media.
Missouri Food Truck Fest
The annual Missouri Food Truck Festival has been celebrated for over a decade, and the 2024 festival is already booked for September 14 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. If you’re familiar with the southwest Missouri food truck scene, you already know the kind of variety on offer here. If you’re not, this is the perfect event where you can sample some eats that are bound to have you coming back. Along with food trucks the event has live music, drinks and family-friendly fun.
Sertoma Chili Cook Off
As February brings a chill to 417-land, warm up with the Sertoma Chili Cook Off. The Sertoma Chili Cook Off is a great way to try the vastly different ways people approach a seemingly simple dish, whether you want to sample white chili made with chicken, something less spicy but with plenty of flavor, or you’re looking for something that packs a punch, you’ll find it here. You’ll also find a variety of other foods, drinks and live music. The next cook-off is planned for February 17, 2024 and the Springfield Expo Center.
Taste of SoMo
Taste of SoMo is an annual event held in downtown Springfield on Park Central Square offering the opportunity for local restaurants to showcase some of their best dishes. Not only are there a good number of options but a great variety of cuisines, so even the pickiest of eaters are bound to find something worth trying. For the next opportunity to indulge with tacos, churros, desserts, treats and the ever-growing selection of local beers to pair with all of them, keep an eye on social media.
Foodie Date Nights
While there are a lot of food-focused festivals happening frequently in 417-land, we should probably mention that there are also many food-focused date night options. There are perfect picks for romantic dates, evenings with a bestie or even groups. From British or Parisian-themed cooking classes at Pickwick and Cherry to picturesque, rustic experiences at Finley Farms, there are plenty of options for couple or group experiences. Explore these and more events on our calendar. If you have a food-focused event of your own, be sure to add it!
