25+ March activities happening in Springfield, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade
As warmer temperatures continue to ebb and flow, more and more activities are moving outdoors.
Perhaps one of the most beloved spring events is the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Held by the Downtown Springfield Association, the 41st annual parade starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. The parade will begin on Commercial Street, move down Boonville Avenue, wrap around Park Central Square and finish at the intersection of South Avenue and Walnut Street.
For those interested in celebrating that evening, the annual St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl will feature 10 downtown bars, including Finnegan's Wake, The Vault, Big Whiskey's, Dublin's Pass, Best of Luck Beer Hall, Civil Kitchen, Hour House, Bigg Time Arcade, Shot Shack and Tropical Liqueurs. Wristbands are $10 and available at Stick It In Your Year and Discount Smokes and Beer.
In addition to the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Pub Crawl, the News-Leader compiled a list of 26 other activities worth exploring throughout the Ozarks in March.
This list of events is not comprehensive for the month of March, as there are countless activities going on around the Ozarks. If you would like your event to be considered for the month of April, email event information to trending topics reporter Greta Cross at gcross@gannett.com by March 15. Events can also be self-listed on the News-Leader's Things to Do webpage year-round at news-leader.com/things-to-do/events.
Missouri State University's "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play"
When: March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Coger Theatre in Craig Hall at Missouri State University at 1147 E. Grand St.
Missouri State University's Theatre & Dance Department is closing out February with a production of "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play." In a post-apocalyptic world, where the power grid has failed and society has crumbled, a group of survivors recount the Simpsons episode "Cape Feare." This dark comedy explores the role of storytelling and live theater in sharing our culture. Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
Relics Amazing Garage Sale
When: March 1-3
Where: Relics Event Center at Relics Antique Mall at 2015 W. Battlefield Road
Relics Antique Mall is hosting a community-wide garage sale, featuring electronics, books, music, home decorations, clothing, shoes and accessories, sporting goods, furniture, tools and much more. Entry is free and open to the public. The garage sale will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 3.
Seuss Science Day
When: Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Pat Jones YMCA at 1901 E. Republic Road
Ozarks Public Television and Ozarks Regional YMCA are hosting their 13th annual Seuss Science Day, featuring science presentations and story hours. The Cat in the Hat will also be around for photo opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.
Ozarks Festival of Faiths
When: Saturday, March 2 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: University Heights Baptist Church at 1010 S. National Ave.
Community Partnership of the Ozarks, the Have Faith Initiative and the Interfaith Alliance of the Ozarks are hosting their second annual Ozarks Festival of Faiths, which will feature more than 24 different faith groups from the area. Christian denominations, Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Unitarian and Native American groups will be represented, according to a news release. The festival is free and open to the public.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra's "Italy Travel"
When: Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 525 S John Q. Hammons Parkway
Springfield Symphony Orchestra's March concert is "Italy Travel" and will feature works including Verdi's "La Forza del Destino Overture" and Puccini's "Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo from Act. III." Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website, ranging between $48-64.
Concerts at The Shoe Tree Listening Room
Saturday, March 2 from 7-9 p.m.: Hogmolly ($20 admission)
Saturday, March 9 from 7-9 p.m.: Creek Stink with The Owlettes ($15 admission)
Sunday, March 10 from 2-4 p.m.: Paul Pharris ($10 admission)
Thursday, March 14 from 7-9:30 p.m.: Bluegrass Jam (free)
Sunday, March 17 from 7-9 p.m.: The Bold Deniers ($15 admission)
Saturday, March 30 from 7-9 p.m.: Alan Munde and Friends ($20 admission)
More information and tickets are available on the Arrow Creative Reuse website at arrowcreativereuse.org.
More: Shoe Tree Listening Room aims to be 'community place' with local music, pickin' jams
Workshops at The Plant Room
Saturday, March 2 at 4 p.m.: Moss Mirror (craft a hangable mirror with live moss)
Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m.: Terrarium Building
Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m.: Carnivorous Bog Mounting (mount a carnivorous plant)
Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m.: Soil and Substrates Repotting 101 (learn how to mix 12 substrates from The Plant Room's Soil Bar)
Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m.: Airplant Mounting
Sunday, March 24 at noon: Terrarium Building
Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m.: Microgreens 101 (learn how to grow microgreens at home)
More information about each workshop and tickets are available on The Plant Room website at shoptheplantroom.com/collections/workshops. Workshops range between $15-45.
Workshop at Finley Farms
Located at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark, Finley Farms is hosting a variety of workshops throughout March:
March 6 from 6-8 p.m.: French Crepe Mastery (crepe-making workshop)
March 17 from 6-8 p.m.: DIY Terrarium
March 20 from 6-8 p.m.: Gin Cocktails
March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon: Yoga at The Chapel (a gentle yoga flow session)
March 24 from 2-4 p.m.: Felted Mushroom Garland (needle felting workshop)
March 27 from 6-8 p.m.: Easter Egg Decorating
March 28 from 6-8 p.m.: Craft Night at The Farmstead (casual crafting night)
March 28 from 7-9 p.m.: Navigating the Night Sky
For more information and admission prices, visit the Finley Farms website at finleyfarmsmo.com/happenings.
Springfield Little Theatre's "The Play That Goes Wrong"
When: March 7-17
Where: The Landers Theatre at 311 E. Walnut St.
Springfield Little Theatre is hosting "The Play That Goes Wrong" again this year. The 1920s "whodunit" follows a cast of accident-prone thespians battling to make it through their final curtain call. Tickets are available on the Springfield Little Theatre website, starting at $28.
417 Whiskey Festival
When: Saturday, March 7 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
Hosted by the 4C Sertoma Club, the 417 Whiskey Festival will feature live blues and roots rock music, food pairings prepared by the chefs at Finley Farms, offerings from Big Whiskey's and of course, plenty of different whiskeys to try. Tickets are available online, starting at $150.
Kansas' "Another Fork in the Road Tour"
When: Friday, March 8 at 8 p.m.
Where: Gillioz Theatre at 325 Park Central East
Known for hits like "Carry on Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind" and "Point of Know Return," 1970s rock band Kansas is bringing its "Another Fork in the Road Tour" to the Gillioz Theatre. Tickets are available on the Gillioz Theatre website, ranging between $69-135.
Bulls, Bands and Barrels
When: Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Great Southern Bank Arena at 685 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Bulls, Bands and Barrels, a cross-country rodeo tour, is visiting Springfield for one night. The rodeo will feature 30 elite bull riders, freestyle bullfighting and an appearance from two-time Professional Bull Riders World Champion Chris Shivers. Live music will be provided by Flatland Cavalry and Sam Barber. Renowned rodeo clown Josh "Porkchop" Garrick will also make an appearance during the rodeo.
Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website, starting at $28.99.
Kids and Teen Workshops at Blue Room Comedy Club
When: March 9-10
Where: Blue Room Comedy Club at 420 W. College St.
Blue Room Comedy Club is hosting two days full of workshops, geared toward younger comedians. The Kids Comedy Workshops will take place between 10-11:30 a.m., followed by the Teen Comedy Workshops between noon and 2 p.m. Both workshops are interactive and allow children and teens to work alongside local comedy professionals. Tickets are available on the Blue Room Comedy Club website for $45 per child.
Free screening of "True Stories" at Moxie Cinema
When: Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
Where: Moxie Cinema at 305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite 101
A collaboration between Moxie Cinema and the Springfield-Greene County Library District, "True Stories" will be shown free through the FilmStubs series. Each month, the two organizations host a few movie screening, followed by a public discussion. Directed by David Byrne, "True Stories" follows Byrne as he plays the host of tabloid-inspired tales set in a fictional Texas town.
The GLO Center's Queer Artist Showcase
When: March 15-16
Where: The Glo Center at 518 E. Commercial St.
The GLO Center's Queer Artist Showcase kicks off on Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. The evening will be full of art and music created by local LGBTQ artists. On Saturday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the showcase will continue with a free open house. Tickets to the Friday night showcase are available on The GLO Center website for $60.
Springfield Contemporary Theatre's "Fences"
When: March 15-17, 21-24, 28-31
Where: Historic Fox Theatre at 157 Park Central Square
Springfield Contemporary Theatre's next production of the 2023-24 season is the Pulitzer Prize winning "Fences." Written by August Wilson, "Fences" follows former star baseball player Troy Maxson, who is excluded from the major baseball leagues because he is a Black man. By the time the majors begin accepting Black athletes, Maxson is "too old." Maxon's bitterness begins to take a toll on his relationships with both his son and wife.
Tickets for "Fences" are available on the Springfield Contemporary Theatre website. Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for seniors and students, $27 on opening night and $10 during student rush. On Thursday nights, tickets are sold on a pay-what-you-can basis. Post-show discussions will be held with members of the production's cast and crew after the shows on Sunday, March 17 and Thursday, March 21.
Fleet Feet Shamrock Shuffle
When: Saturday, March 16 at 8 a.m.
Where: Park Central Square
Fleet Feet Springfield and Heartland Racing Co. are hosting their second annual St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Shuffle, featuring a 5K, 15K and Beer Mile. During the Beer Mile, runners will drink one full beer before running one-fourth of a mile — four beers in total. Registration is available online. Registration is $45 for the 5K, $65 for the 15K and $35 for the Beer Mile. All participants will receive a race day shirt and two free beers.
The Sideburns and Ozark Bagpiper at Brew Co.
When: Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m.
Where: Springfield Brewing Company at 305 S. Market Ave.
The Ozark Bagpiper and The Sideburns are performing at Springfield Brewing Company for the restaurant's St. Patrick Day's celebrations. Holiday-inspired food and drinks will be available throughout the day, in addition to the brewery new release, McDaniel Stout.
DIVAS3, presented by Lebanon Concert Association
When: Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center at 500 E. Elm St. in Lebanon
The Lebanon Concert Association is hosting DIVAS3, a collection of 1960s covers from artists like ABBA, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Cher and Dolly Parton. Tickets are $25 per person. To purchase, call 573-746-2172.
Queen City Shout
When: March 18-24
Where: Various Springfield locations
Queen City Shout, a Springfield arts festival, is back for its 13th year, kicking off on Monday, March 18. New to the festival this year, which showcases local music and filmmaking, are poetry and dance.
This year's festival will take place across eight different venues: Mother's Brewing Company, Hold Fast Brewing, Tie & Timber Beer Co., White River Brewing Co., 4 By 4 Brewing Company, The Royal, Lindberg's Tavern and Wherehouse Bar.
Queen City Shout directly benefits nonprofits dedicated to alleviating poverty in the Ozarks. This year's beneficiaries include Community Partnership of the Ozarks, OACAC, KCV Missouri (formerly Great Circle), Isabel's House, The Kitchen, Inc. and Harmony House. Since its inception, Queen City Shout has raised more than $100,000 for area nonprofits, according to a news release.
Tickets for Queen City Shout can be purchased on the festival's website at queencityshout.com. Passes are $15 for one day and $30 for all seven days.
More: Queen City Shout kicks off March 18. Here's what to know about the 7-day arts festival
"Shrek: The Musical"
When: March 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Part of a cross-country tour, "Shrek: The Musical" is a part of the Great Southern Bank Broadway Season. The musical is a spin on the 2001 DreamWorks animated film, "Shrek." Tickets are available on the Missouri State TIX website, starting at $56.
More: Fall in love all ogre again with 'Shrek The Musical,' coming to Springfield in 2024
Easter at the Farm
When: Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park at 3825 W. Farm Road 146
Celebrate Easter early at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park with arts and crafts, games and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. More than 20,000 Easter eggs will also be hid throughout the park for children to find. Admission is free.
Police vs. Fire Charity Ice Hockey Game
When: Saturday, March 23 from 4:30-9 p.m.
Where: Jordan Valley Ice Park at 635 E. Trafficway St.
The Springfield Police Department and Springfield Firefighters are going head-to-head again during their annual Charity Ice Hockey Game. The game benefits the Greene County 100 Club, a nonprofit that provides financial support to the surviving spouse and children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty in Greene County. Tickets are available in advance from the Ice Park or day-of. Tickets are $10 per person.
Ozarks Lyric Opera presents "An OverKnight Success: The Crazy Life of an Opera Singer"
When: Sunday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gillioz Theatre at 325 Park Central East
The Gillioz Theatre is hosting the world premiere of the new documentary, "An OverKnight Success: The Craft Life of an Opera Singer," which is about Springfield native and world-renowned opera singer Michael Spyres. Directed by Edoardo Zucchetti, the documentary spans over several years and countries throughout Spyres' career. Tickets for the premiere are available on the Gillioz Theatre website for $25.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Things to do in Springfield this March: St. Patrick's Day Parade, more
