Photo by Katy St. ClairCelebrate the Mother Road at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival this weekend.
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Lifestyle
This Week in Springfield, Missouri
Find the best things to do this weekend in Springfield and around southwest Missouri.
by Katie Pollock Estes
Aug 07 2025 at 8 a.m.
Summer is in its final stretch now that August is here. And, honestly, I think that’s rude. I’m not ready for my kids to go back to school and the summertime vibes to slip away. In the past few days, my husband and I have made some quick plans to squeeze some final moments of Ozarks creek-wading into these last few two summer weekends. You can read our story about creek wading to find out about why my family loves this summertime tradition so much—and learn about a few places where you can go dip your toe into the water. If you love Ozarks waterways as much as we do, you might even consider joining the Fassnight Creek CleanUp happening this weekend near Phelps Grove Park and Springfield Art Museum. We gotta keep those streams pristine, right?
August 7–9, 14–16: Into the Woods
Martha’s Vineyard
Watch High Tide Theatrical perform the classic musical Into the Woods, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical weaves together familiar fairy tale characters.
August 8: Movies in the Park
Jordan Valley Park
Throughout the summer, you can visit downtown Springfield’s Jordan Valley Park to view family-friendly outdoor movies during select evenings. The events feature themed concessions and activities that are a bunch of fun for the whole family. The final film of the 2025 summer season is Moana 2 on August 8. No advance tickets are required. Bring lawn chairs or blankets so you can be cozy while you watch the movie.
August 8–9: Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Multiple Springfield Locations
Go celebrate the Mother Road and its historic links to Springfield at this annual festival. Over the course of two days, numerous festival events are taking place around town, including live music, a parade, a car show, Route 66 exhibits, a vendor village and lots more.
August 8–9: Mountain Grove Heritage Festival
Mountain Grove Town Square
This annual fest has a nostalgic summer-centric theme this year: Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Throughout the festival, you can enjoy live music, 175 vendors, food trucks, batting cages and baseball memorabilia, games and more.
August 9: Fassnight Creek CleanUp
Springfield Art Museum
Help keep our corner of nature clean and beautiful with the Springfield Art Museum and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Volunteers will help remove litter and debris from the restored creek area, which serves as a vital wildlife corridor between Phelps Grove Park and the museum grounds. After the cleanup, the museum will host a free, nature-based art activity on the Hatch Lawn for anyone who wants to stick around and get creative!
August 13: An August Evening with Wilco
Gillioz Theatre
Chicago-based Jeff Tweedy and the rest of the Wilco musicians have been entertaining audiences for 30 years—starting with their album A.M. that came out in 1995 and continuing through last year’s EP release Hot Sun Cool Shroud.
August 13: Riverside Symphony
Finley Farms Open-Air Chapel
What’s better than live music? Live music with fresh air! Add in the rushing water of the Finley River and a lovely scenic view, and that’s a recipe for a great night out. The Monarch String Quartet performs tunes from movie soundtracks for this concert at Finley Farms’ open-air chapel.
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I’m Katie Pollock Estes, and I’m 417’s Editorial Director. I’ve been here almost 19 years, spending my workdays hunting for the best things to do and people to know in the Ozarks—and working with writers to share it all with you. Got a tip? Email me your story ideas for Datebook and 417 Magazine!
