Fall festivals, music and more happening in Columbia this October

October is beginning, and lots of happenings are planned in the Columbia area.

Several events are taking on autumn-centric themes, though there are plenty without this focus.

Event listings include celebrations, music concerts, sports and outdoor activities, art shows and live theater. This list is not exhaustive. All are in Columbia unless otherwise noted.

Autumn-focused events

Beer, biscuits and more than a dozen bands will celebrate together at the annual Biscuits, Beats and Brews, organized by Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co. and a slate of other sponsors. The family-friendly, free music festival happens 5-9 p.m. Oct. 3, noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at Cooper’s Landing, 11505 Smith Hatchery Road, south of Columbia on the Missouri River. Paid parking and shuttles are available off of Smith Hatchery Road or attendees can ride their bikes down the Katy Trail from McBaine to receive a free biscuit. There is handicapped parking available at the venue. Dogs are not allowed at the event.

Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture will host the Veterans Urban Farm Fall Festival 4-7 p.m. Oct. 7 at 1207 Smith St. The event will feature a trick-or-treat trail, campfire for s’mores, live music, a costume contest, yard games and children’s activities, raffle prizes and more. Inclement weather date is 4-7 p.m. Oct. 9.

Grab some friends and head down to Hartsburg for that community’s annual Pumpkin Festival. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12, rain or shine. Hartsburg is known as Missouri’s Pumpkin Patch and this is the festival’s 34th year.

If you need even more pumpkins, head to Centralia for its Pumpkin Fest 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Centralia city square. More than 100 vendors are expected.

Maybe after spending the morning in Centralia, come to Columbia to enjoy The Arcade District Oktoberfest 3-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in the area of 602 Fay St. Brats, beer, live music, costume contests and more is planned.

The Museum of Art and Archaeology inside Ellis Library will transform into a Haunted Museum 4-6 p.m. Oct. 24, 520 S. Ninth St. on the University of Missouri campus. The event is open to the public of all ages. Enjoy some tricks, treats and spooky tours. Costumes encouraged, but not required.

Youth can get a jump on trick-or-treating with Halloweenie 4-6 p.m. Oct. 24 in downtown Columbia. This is the annual family-friendly event from The District, where downtown businesses will hand out candy so long as supplies last.

Arrow Rock State Historic Site has brought back Spooktacular after popular demand. The event is 4-6 p.m. Oct. 25, 38521 Visitor Center Drive in Arrow Rock. Games, stories, costume contests and more will happen at this free, public event. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight.

Various events, celebrations

As a precursor to Mid-MO PrideFest, Arch and Column Pub will host the Royalty Review Show starting 9 p.m. Oct. 2, 1301 E. Business Loop 70. There is a cover to enter and is limited to those 21 and older. Former Mid-MO PrideFest royalty will perform.

Bertha Beans Cat Cafe plans to celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s new album “The Life of a Showgirl” with an Album Listening Party 10:15 p.m. Oct. 2, 14 S. Second St. Tickets are required for entry.

Local food popup La Bruja as part of First Friday celebrations in the North Village Arts District will host its One Year Anniversary Bash 6-9 p.m. Oct. 3, 1103 E. Walnut St. Suite A, outside of Lore Tattoo Studio at the rear lower level portion of the building. Food, drinks and live music are part of the celebration.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy a fun time all while in support of Love Columbia’s transportation coaching program at the 2nd Annual Howdy’s Car Show 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at The Crossing Church parking lot, 3615 Southland Drive. Love Columbia’s transportation coaching program helped fix nearly 200 vehicles for residents in need in 2024. Prizes will be given for best in show, best car, best truck, and Howdy’s Choice.

Mid-MO PrideFest is celebrating a milestone year. It got its start 25 years ago and has been at its current home outside Rose Music Hall, 1013 Park Ave., for many of those years. More than a 100 vendors and an annual downtown parade are features. Event dates are noon to 10 p.m. Oct 4-5.

It’s a packed first weekend in October. Logboat Brewing Co. will host the Vintage and Vinyl Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5, 504 Fay St. Live music, vinyl records, vintage vendors and more will feature.

The Columbia Mall is 40 years old and will hold its Anniversary Celebration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 from the H&M Court in the mall, 2300 Bernadette Drive. Festivities include retailer discounts and giveaways, music, face painting and more.

Concerts

Many venues around Columbia will be hosting concerts and bands in October.

The University Concert Series will welcome The Ozark Mountain Daredevils on Oct. 4, Blippi’s Join the Band Tour Oct. 9, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on Oct. 15 and the Soweto Gospel Choir Oct. 26. Ticket pricing information is online and available for purchase either online, through the Missouri Theater box office in person at 203 S. Ninth St. or by calling 573-882-3781.

The University of Missouri also hosts concert events on campus or at the Missouri Theater downtown as noted on its events calendar. Be sure to verify an event is open to the public before going or seeking to purchase tickets.

The Blue Note, 17 N. Ninth St., has a full slate for October. Highlights inlcude Finger Heart: the K-Pop Night on Oct. 11, Lily Rose on Oct. 16, Destin Conrad on Oct. 24, Comedian Kam Patterson on Oct. 25, Insane Clown Posse on Oct. 29 and a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Oct. 30, among many others.

Sister venue Rose Music Hall, 1013 Park Ave., also has a packed schedule. Anella kicks off the slate Oct. 1, High Fade is on Oct. 3, Jammy Buffet on Oct. 11, TECH N9NE on Oct. 16 and Stephen Day on Oct. 21, among others.

Dive Bar has a nearly daily slate of live music including a Halloween Bash Oct. 31 with two artists, Luna Hawk and Aimee Marie at 5 p.m and GrajMahal at 8 p.m. Unique food features at Dive Bar are the Certified Angus Beef prime rib dinner nights Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Certified Angus Beef steak nights Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29.

The Missouri Symphony partners for events both at the Missouri Theater and other locations, such as the Preludes at the Pubs event 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Gunter Hans, 7 Hitt St.

The Firebird Suite kicks off the Odyssey Chamber Music Series at 7 p.m. Oct. 3. Concerts are held at First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1112 E. Broadway.

Visual and performing arts

The Columbia Art League will close two exhibitions in early and mid-October. Pieces by Brooke Cameron are available through Oct. 2 in the hallway gallery of Central Bank of Boone County, 720 E. Broadway. Interpretations VII is available through Oct. 16 at the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery at the art league’s 207 S. Ninth St. location. A related book reading and Q&A is 6 p.m. Oct. 15.

The Boone County Art Show is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia. All local artwork at the show is available for purchase.

The One Things Leads to Another art of Nancy Katzman and Jennifer Wiggs is available for viewing Oct. 1-31 at Orr Street Studios, 106 Orr St. A First Friday reception is planned 6-9 p.m. Oct. 3.

Sager Reeves Gallery, 1025 E. Walnut St., welcomes the work of Nora Othic in October. Member previews are Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. A First Friday reception is planned 5-6 p.m. for members and 6-8 p.m. for the public Oct. 3. Slow Art Saturday is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4.

The Sidney Larsen Gallery on the Columbia College campus will have the works of alumnus Caleb Crites from Sept. 29 through Oct. 22. The month will close with the Faculty Art Exhibition starting Oct. 27 through Nov. 14.

Stephens College will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical” 11 a.m. Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4 and 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5, at the Macklanburg Playhouse, 100 Willis Ave. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Cast members of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” will present “Whose Live Anyway?” at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Missouri Theater in downtown Columbia. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Columbia Entertainment Co., 1800 Nelwood Drive, presents “The Rocky Horror Show” Oct. 30 through Nov. 9. Tickets are available through the CEC website.

Sports and Outdoors

The Scott Twenter Memorial and Club Championship starts 9:30 a.m., Oct. 4, at Albert Oakland Disc Golf Course, 1815 Blue Ridge Road. This is a two-day, three-round tournament.