Unique Festivals and Events in Benton County, MO

Are you looking for one of those special “close-to-home” hidden vacation spots in Missouri? Look no further than Benton County! We are a relatively short drive from most places in Missouri! Benton County is rich in both history and unique events and festivals with activities for residents and visitors alike. We hope you’ll take some time to come and visit us in Benton County this year!

Whether you are planning a visit to see one of the many area events, or looking for activities while you’re here, the following calendar of events will provide you with all the information you need to help you find your next adventure!  (Events are subject to change/cancellation).

2024 events

FEBRUARY
POSTPONED – LATER DATE TBA 10-A Night at the Speakeasy (Lincoln)
29-Lincoln Leap Event

APRIL
12-13-Spring Benton County Boutique Crawl – Local home décor and apparel boutiques join forces to bring you a fabulous 2 days of shopping and great prizes!
13-Benton County Boutique Crawl Fashion Show & Champagne Brunch (RiOak)
21 – Cole Camp Community Betterment’s Italian Dinner Fundraiser (to support the Rock Island Trailhead in Cole Camp)
25-28-Warsaw City Wide Garage Sales
27-Benton County Wine Stroll – The Benton County Wine Stroll will include winery/brewery/distillery vendors offering samples and the opportunity to purchase their products. Food trucks/stands will provide a variety of choices for purchase. Live music will be provided.

MAY
3-4-Lincoln City Wide Garage Sale
18-Outdoor Fun and Adventure Show (Warsaw) –Join us for all things Outdoor! Boating, RV, Hunting, and Fishing Vendors. Classes and demonstrations. Outdoor Fun vendors and activities, corn hole tournament, pickle ball.  Friday night concert by Phat Mike and the Bartenders. Saturday Singing Competition. Beer and Wine Garden and more!
19-Cole Camp Picnic & Pickin in the Park – Check out this unique event encompassing the small-town friendly feel of Cole Camp at their Picnic and live bluegrass music, food and jam session in Ezekial Williams Park.

JUNE
May 31-June1-Cole Camp City Wide Garage Sale
1- Cole Camp Car Cruise, BBQ Contest & Beer Garden – Antique and classic cars will be displayed downtown, Jaycee’s BBQ Contest and Beer Garden – lots to do for the entire family!
1-Benton County Artsfest (Warsaw) – Experience the Arts in Benton County with local artists, makers and performers!  Art competition (cash prizes), artisan demos, hands-on projects, handmade items, live performances and more!
6-8-Warsaw Jubilee Days – This family-friendly festival makes Warsaw come to life and will include a carnival, live music, contests, turtle races, car show, craft tents, parade, 5K run, and more!
29-Cole Camp Tastings N Tunes – Food vendors, wineries, breweries, door prizes and live music with the headliner DIRT ROAD ADDICTION makes this event a must-attend in 2024!

JULY
6-Drake Harbor Fireworks – Mark your calendars for this one-of-a-kind spectacular fireworks show overlooking the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks at Drake Harbor!
4-Lincoln Fireworks – Mark your calendars for this one-of-a-kind spectacular fireworks show in Lincoln!
6-Lincoln Fourth of July Events
6-Cole Camp Jaycees MSTPA Sanctioned Truck & Tractor Pull
20-Cole Camp Zucchini Races – You heard it right!  Come down and race your zucchini or enter it for best decorated for prizes or be a spectator.  Where else can you see zucchini’s on wheels?

AUGUST
6-Smokin’ Hot Harborfest – Don’t miss this unique event in beautiful Drake Harbor!  Live music, beer garden, food trucks, cornhole tournament and more!
30-31 Benton County Rodeo – MRA and URA Sanctioned Rodeo with saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, cowgirl’s barrel race, bareback bronc, calf roping, bull riding, mutton busting, contest ages 4-7, break away roping, team roping, sheep scramble for kids 10 years and younger and more!

SEPTEMBER

5-7-Cole Camp Fair – This fair has the most unbelievable floats in MO – must-see!  Carnival rides, food vendors, contests, competitions, car show, 5K, and much more!
7-Lincoln Fly-In – “Fly-in” to the last of the remaining grass roots airstrips in MO and have a bite to eat, chat with the pilots and enjoy all of the unique planes that come in.
14-Lincoln Fall Market/Balloon Glow/Strongman Competition – Activities include a Farmer Strongman Competition, Pie Auction, Pumpkin Growing Contest, Live Music & Beer Garden all day, Hot Air Balloon Glow, Dinner and Rides, Beer Garden with The Groove Pilots following the Balloon Glow!
19-22-Mozarkite Rock and Gem Show (Lincoln)
28-Cole Camp Oktoberfest – Live German music, food and traditional festivities held in Downtown Cole Camp!
28-Antique Farm Show (Cole Camp) – They have apple cider press, apple butter, churned butter, beekeeper, blacksmith, wheat threshing & straw baling, sugar cane & molasses press, corn meal, sawmill, Grandma Kitchen Museum.

OCTOBER
19-20-Warsaw Heritage Day – Over 200 handmade craft booths, food vendors, live music and more!
19-20-Kaysinger Heritage Days – Live demonstrations at this working 1800’s pioneer village with log cabins, a General Store, tradesman, craftsman,
25-26-Cole Camp Haunted House at RiOak
26-Cole Camp Pumpkin Fest – This unique Halloween event includes a Spirit Stroll, pumpkin carving contest, spooky scavenger hunt, haunted house, food vendors, 5K Zombie Run & Walk, food trucks and more!
31-Warsaw Halloween Hoopla A big safe Halloween experience downtown Warsaw. Businesses set up cover about 6 blocks. Main and Van Buren. Booths open at 6 pm. Costume Contest by Creative Palette.
31-Lincoln Frightfully Fun Family Night – Join us at the big city park in Lincoln for Halloween activities and a trunk or treat for the whole family!

NOVEMBER
15-16-Benton County Boutique Crawl – Shop small-town boutiques, home décor and specialty shops with specials and fun things to do and get entered into drawings for cash prizes!
22-Lighting of Warsaw – Be included in watching the lights come on at Drake Harbor for the annual Lighting of Warsaw!
23-Cole Camp Christbaumfest – Over 50 quality crafters, music, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.

DECEMBER
6-Cole Camp Christkindlmarket – This is a family-friendly event featuring shopping in stores, hot apple cider, food trucks, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, wagon and carriage rides, carolers, living windows and more!
1-Cole Camp German Christmas Concert – Community Concert choir of mixed voices performing songs in German.
6-7-Kaysinger Christmas – Visit the pioneer village decorated for Christmas! Stroll the candle lit trails between the historical buildings and duck inside to warm your mittens by an open fire.  Immerse yourself in an 1800’s style Christmas with warm food, cider, and hot chocolate for the kid in all of us.
14-Lincoln Christmas Parade, Craft Fair & 4H Soup & Chili Supper -Enjoy the spirit of the season with the Christmas Parade on Main Street , Craft Fair at the Lincoln School and the Benton County 4-H/FFA Youth Fair will be hosting a Free Will Donation Chili/Soup Dinner in the school Cafeteria.
14- Hallmark Christmas in Warsaw – Breakfast with Santa, Children’s craft projects, food trucks and holiday market, live nativity scene, horse drawn carriage rides.

**All dates are subject to change/cancellation