Written by Zoe Brown, photos by Zoe Brown

You’re walking downtown as a crisp breeze blows through your hair, making you grasp tightly to your pumpkin spice latte — locally sourced from your favorite coffee shop. Your phone vibrates with a text from a friend reading, “What are we doing this weekend? I need fall vibes now!!!” Luckily, walking downtown offered you plenty of inspiration for the perfect fall weekend.

Springfield is hosting several events through the autumn months to look forward to! Though some events have been postponed due to COVID-19, many have adapted to be able to take place safely. Here are four upcoming events guaranteed to give you and your friends ALL the fall feels. 

Gillioz Theater

What’s more fall than Halloween? The historic Gillioz Theater downtown is showing spooky movies every Friday in October. But you know what’s even spookier? The theater itself is rumored to be haunted. (But you didn’t learn that from us.)

Friday Films: “The Exorcist”

Date: October 23, 2020

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $10

“Rocky Horror Picture Show”

Date: October 30, 2020

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $10

COVID Precautions: Assigned and limited seating, masks required

Springfield Little Theatre

Running October 23-November 8, the Little Theatre is performing “Clue the Musical,” an interactive murder mystery with over 216 possible endings, sure to keep audience members on the edge of their seats! 

Date: October 23 - November 8 2020

Time: 7:30 in person and streaming

Cost: $28 for students

COVID Precautions: Assigned and limited seating, masks required, temperature checks outside, dismissal by row after the show ends to prevent lobby congestion, thorough cleaning before, during and after each show. https://springfieldlittletheatre.secure.force.com/ticket/PatronTicket__PublicTicketApp#/events/a0S1Q00000CHnqfUAD

Hotel of Terror and Dungeons of Doom

Need a good, old fashioned fright? Hotel of Terror and Dungeons of Doom have got you covered. The haunted hotel is located downtown and is only a few minutes from the Missouri State campus. 

Date: Now - October 31

Time: Opens at 7 p.m.

Cost: $17 for each, $30 for both

COVID Precautions: Masks required for customers and actors. Building is cleaned each night and all actors are temperature checked.

First Friday Art Walk

First Friday Art Walk is a monthly event where galleries and businesses downtown open up to the public for a night celebrating local culture. Invite some friends and sit outside at your favorite restaurant to enjoy this Springfield night.

Date: November 6, 2020 

Time: 5-9 p.m.

Cost: Free

COVID Precautions: Masks required inside all galleries.