Some of the upcoming community events are below including an eclipse, Halloween fun, and more. See organizer websites and social media for the latest!
Cape Con | Sept. 29 - Oct 1
Drury Conference Center
https://www.cape-events.com/tickets
Guests:
Deadpool's Colossus: Stefan Kapičić
Avengers: Endgame & Infinity War's: Ross Marquand
Avatar's Uncle Iroh: Greg Baldwin
Avatar's King Bumi: André Sogliuzzo
Saturday, Sept. 30: 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration
This event is sponsored by One City, and will include cultural food, dancing activities, live entertainment, fun games for kids, and much more! Presented by One City.
Located: 610 Independence
1–4 p.m.
Free
Saturday, Sept. 30: Jackson Backyard BBQ 2023
Competitors will compete in a barbecue competition and samples will be available with general admission. Additionally, pulled pork sandwiches, chips, soft drinks, and water will be included with general admission. Beer will be available for purchase.
Located: Jackson City Park, Jackson, MO
2–10 p.m.
$20
More information here!
Saturday, Sept. 30: Revivify - Old Town Cape
Enjoy Old Town Cape's biggest event of the year! This remarkable evening will be filled with immersive experiences such as live performances, delicious food, alluring artists, a live auction, and a raffle.
5–10 p.m.
More information here!
Saturday, Sept. 30: Grand Opening Cape County Alpacas
Visit Cape County Alpacas during their free family event. See animals up close and feed them. Take selfies, see demos, vendors, and more! See why "Life is better with alpacas." Learn more at
Saturday, Sept. 30: 5th Riverfront Flea Market
Antique and
collectibles vendors with food trucks, craft vendors, crystal,
soap/candle and leather vendors and lots of handmade items. Downtown rain
or shine 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Visit the Organizers on Facebook)
All Month: 6th Annual Halloween Scavenger Hunt - Crisp Museum
Can you find all of the hidden items within the Crisp Museum History Gallery? Find all of the items and enter the contest for the cauldron of candy (cauldron not included) to be given away at 8 p.m. on October 31. Winner doesn't need to be present to win. This event begins on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. and will end Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. You can participate in this scavenger hunt on weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and weekends from 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Every Saturday All Month: Cape Riverfront Market - Old Town Cape
Old Town Cape hosts the City's downtown local Farmers Market! Fresh produce, art, music, and local food made to order!
Located: 35 St. Spanish Street Parking Lot
8 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 2: Zombie Barbies - Cape Girardeau Public Library
Come pick up a Barbie to zombie-fy! Take it home with you and work your undead magic to turn Barbie into a zombie. Turn in your Zombie Barbies to the Youth Services Desk by Friday Oct. 20 by 5:00 p.m. Zombie Barbies will be displayed the week of Oct. 23–Oct 27, so come vote for your favorite!
This is a passive program. Come pick up your Barbie at the library, but take it home to decorate. Ages 12-18 can participate.
Tuesday, Oct. 3: Books on Tap: A Social Book Club - Cape Public Library
Join us for our free-form, read-what-you-want book club! The theme for discussion will be "About a Life". The theme for reading during the month of October is either "Bone Chilling Reads" or "Global Awareness".
Located: Ebb & Flow Fermentations
7–9 p.m.
Every Wednesday: Gentle Yoga - Cape Public Library
Join us for an hour of gentle yoga. Please bring your own yoga mat or bath towel, as well as a yoga block for your practice. Space is limited and registration is required.
Located: Hirsch Community Rooms
11 a.m.
Register Here!
Thursday, Oct. 5: SEMO Women's Soccer Vs. Little Rock
It's game day! Come to Houck Field for World Teacher's Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day as our SEMO Women's Soccer team takes on Little Rock. Bring new or gently used books to be donated to local schools. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m.
Located: Houck Field
6 p.m.
Get Tickets Here!
Thursday, Oct. 5: Our Own Heart's Core - River Campus
In the first choral concert of the fall semester, the Chamber and University Choirs will present a varied program featuring works touching on issues important to our community and world.
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
7:30 p.m.
$25, $5 for students
Get Tickets Here!
Friday, Oct. 6: Deer Hunting - Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
During this program you will learn everything you need to know to get you ready to head out to the woods and chase the deer of your dreams. This is a family-oriented event, with activities for all ages. Try a shooting simulator and make your own deer call, and at 6 p.m. there will be a presentation about the first steps to getting your family ready for the hunt.
5–7 p.m.
Free, registration not required
Friday, Oct. 6: First Friday
Every first Friday of the month, Cape celebrates the arts by putting on special events and staying open past regular hours! There are multiple events happening and many forms of art on display!
Art
The Arts Council will be unveiling the Annual Juried Regional Exhibition on October 6th, and will run until the 28th.
Crisp Museum features the Biennial Faculty Exhibition, which is a broad sampling of media that encompasses a wide range of studio practices and features ceramic, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and digital technology.
Music
Jason Heeter & Ghost Signals will be performing at Ebb & Flow Fermentations from 7pm to 10pm.
Other
Yoga East Healing Arts Studio will be giving a free yoga lesson to celebrate the arts from 5–6 p.m. Register Here!
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Friday, Oct 6 to Saturday, Oct 7: Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is presented in the style of a German Festival. Featuring live music, authentic food and beer, and family-friendly activities to give one the sense of adventure that a trip to Munich would provide!
Event map and itinerary here!
Friday, Oct. 6 & 13: Partial Eclipse Earrings Activity - Crisp Museum
Decorate leather or metal pieces to represent the partial eclipse with a bright and a contrasting color. Supplies and examples provided. No experience necessary.
12–3 p.m.
Free, While supplies last
Saturday, Oct. 7: Pioneer Day at Iron Mountain Railway (Jackson)
Blacksmith, pioneer games, and more. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. train rides, all day activities at the Depot 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit the Railway on Facebook
Saturday, Oct. 7: 2023 Tour De Cape
The 23rd Annual Tour de Cape is a charity ride originating in historic downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The event's goal is to promote bicycling for health, recreation, and transportation. Everyone involved gets a t-shirt! The majority of the proceeds are used to help the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship program provide services to children with disabilities.
Located: Downtown Cape Girardeau
$35 Register Here!
Sunday, Oct. 8: Family Friendly Workshop - Board and Brush
Board and Brush provides all the materials and instructs your child step-by-step to create a beautiful piece of decor. Choose from a variety of paint colors and glitter in the workshop.
2–3:30 p.m.
$38
Register Here!
Tuesday, Oct. 10: WALK-tober - Cape Parks and Rec
Meet Christine, Fitness & Wellness Specialist, for a Walk & Talk session through the Osage Trails. From goal setting, education and planning—we have lots to talk about on our walk & talk so make sure to join us! We will go at a great beginner walking pace to be comfortable for all levels.
Located: Osage Park Trail Head
12–12:45 p.m.
Free
Tuesday, Oct. 10: Gala Season Opener - Southeast Symphony
This All-American concert will present exciting works such as William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony and Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question.
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
7:30 p.m.
$25, $5 for students
Get Tickets Here!
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Sky Viewing and Astronomical Observation - SEMO
Come join the department of Chemistry and Physics, the student Astronomy Club, and the Astronomical Society of Southeast Missouri in a series of sky viewing and astronomical observation events! The viewing sessions, contingent on favorable weather conditions, promise breathtaking sights including Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, the Orion nebula, Pleiades, the Flame nebula, and a detailed focus on our Moon.
Located: Seabaugh Polytechnic Building Parking Lot
8 p.m.
Free
Wednesday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 12: Make Stained Glass With Dick McClard - Crisp Museum
Participants will be guided through the stain glass process by teaching artist, Dick McClard. You will choose the glass to score and break for the shapes of your line design. The following steps are grinding, wrapping, soldering and finishing as desired.
1 p.m.–5 p.m. both dates
$80
Register by Oct. 4
Register Here!
Thursday, Oct. 12: Feeding Frenzy - Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Watch the Nature Center feed reptiles and amphibians while learning the importance of these animals in our ecosystem!
3–3:45 p.m.
Free, registration not required
Thursday, Oct. 12: Nature Center Game Night
Come join the board game club for nature lovers! This monthly program will begin with a short program highlighting a different nature-themed board game and how it relates to Missouri’s mission to have world class fish, forests, and wildlife. Then let the games begin!
6:30–9:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13: Homecoming Kickoff Block Party - SEMO
Campus and community are invited to a block party to kick-off Homecoming celebrations for SEMO's sesquicentennial. The block party will feature games and activities, a beer garden, booths from area businesses, and a big announcement at 5:30 p.m.! Park at the Show Me Center.
Located: Kent Library Quad
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Free
Friday, Oct. 13: Happy Little Landscapes - Cape Public Library
Join us as we paint a Bob Ross-style landscape painting using the wet-on-wet technique. Beginners and experts are welcome. Using high-quality oil paints, each participant will paint a beautiful landscape on an 18" x 24" canvas. Register in person at the library and present your $5 to reserve your spot. Seats are limited, so sign up today!
Located: Hirsch Community Room
$5
Click here for more information!
October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 & 31: Haunted Hall of Horror - Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation
The Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Department hosts the Haunted Hall of Horror at the A. C. Brase Arena every October. This haunted house will take you on a long, dark journey through the nooks and crannies of the A. C. Brase Arena. Those who enter should be prepared for endless mazes full of creepy clowns, 3D Freak Show, an asylum, dolls that come alive, and so much more! All ages are invited, but kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
7–10:30 p.m.
$10 per person, ages 5 and under are free, student night on Oct. 31 $8 with valid student ID
Click here for more information!
Saturday, Oct. 14: Homecoming - SEMO
SEMO has a day full of events planned for homecoming this year! At 8 a.m., there will be a free breakfast for alumni at 8 a.m. at the Wehking Alumni Center.
Register for the breakfast here!
The famous Homecoming Parade will be from 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m. This will all culminate with the Homecoming Football Game, the Redhawks vs. the Eastern Illinois Panthers!
Get your tickets for the game here!
After the game, go to the Crisp Museum for free activities and exhibits like a scavenger hunt, an escape room, and a paint night!
Preregister for the Crisp Museum Paint Night Here!
There are many more things planned for Homecoming, click here to see the full schedule!
Saturday, Oct. 14: Annular Solar Eclipse
On October 14th, parts of North and South America will experience an annular solar eclipse. This is different from a total solar eclipse, whereas the moon is farther away from earth during its elliptical orbit, leaving a "ring of fire". In Cape Girardeau, it will be a partial solar eclipse, where the sun will look like a crescent moon. Maximum coverage will be at 11:59 a.m. This eclipse is not safe to view without the use of eclipse glasses.
The Cape Girardeau Public Library will be hosting a viewing, beginning at 11 a.m. with making solar eclipse pinhole viewers to view solar eclipses safely, and the viewing beginning at 12 p.m. Each participant will receive a pair of solar eclipse glasses to keep.
Saturday, Oct. 14: Southeast Missouri Pets Comedy Show
Enjoy a night of comedy, food, and music to benefit SEMO Pets! Listen to some routines from local comedians, enjoy a prime rib dinner, and partake in a silent auction.
Located: Cape Girardeau VFW
Music begins 5:30 p.m., Prime Rib Dinner begins 6 p.m., show begins 7:00 p.m.
$50
Get tickets here or at SEMO Pets
Monday, Oct. 16: Healthy Cooking Classes: Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins! - SoutheastHEALTH
This time of year, these nutritional delights can be used in a variety of delicious ways including both sweet and savory flavors! Come see how to “carve out” new, tasty recipes.
Located: HealthPoint Plaza
6–7:15 p.m.
$5
Register Here!
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Fall Jazz Concert
Enjoy an evening of jazz music by the Southeast Jazz Ensembles! This will be the first concert directed by SEMO's new Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. Felipe Brito.
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
$15, $5 for SEMO Students
Get tickets here!
Friday, Oct. 20: 2023 Dingeldein Gala - Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
The Dingledein Gala is a ceremony honoring Otto F. Dingeldein, a local silversmith and philanthropist who founded the Arts Council in 1961. At the Gala, two awards are given: the Otto F. Dingeldein Award and the Friend of the Arts Award. The Dingeldein Award is given to honor living individuals whose artistic achievements have made considerable impact on the cultural enrichment of the local art community. Previously a members-only event, the Dingeldein Gala is open to the public for the first time! The Dingeldein Gala is a special night of drinks, food, live music, and a celebration of the Arts.
Located: 1222 W Cape Rock Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
6-8 p.m.
$15 for members, $25 for non-members
Buy tickets here!
Saturday, Oct. 21: Riverfront Fall Festival
This one-day festival will celebrate the autumn season in Southeast Missouri. Artisans from all over the Southeast Missouri region will sell a variety of their one-of-a-kind handicrafts, artwork, and much more!
The food court and Main Stage area will offer outdoor seating and additional food and local beverages to compliment the restaurants in Downtown Cape. There will be something for the whole family between kids activities spearheaded by Discovery Playhouse, live music from 5 fantastic local bands, and plenty of excellent vendors from crafts to food!
Located: Downtown River Wall
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
For a sneak peek of what to expect, watch this video!
Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22: Plastic Skull Painting - Crisp Museum
Halloween season is here! At the Crisp Museum, learn how to take a plastic decorative skull and paint it to look realistic and frightening!
1–4 p.m. both dates
Free, Registration Required
Register Here!
Saturday, Oct. 21: 10th Annual Craft Beer Festival
The Community Counseling Center Foundation Board of Directors will host the 10th Annual Craft Beer Festival at the First State Community Bank Pavilion in Arena Park in Cape Girardeau MO.
Admission includes the afternoon of tasting craft beer samples from breweries around Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Get ready for an afternoon of beer, music, food and fun!
12–5 p.m.
$30 general admission, $60 VIP
Get tickets here!
Saturday, Oct. 21: VintageNOW Imagination Ode to the Arts
VintageNOW is a fashion show that will be raising funds for the Safe House of Southeast Missouri. A stunning, empowering tribute to all forms of art through fashion, cinema, theatre, music & dance.
Located: Show Me Center
7:30–10:30 p.m.
$25+
Get tickets here!
Tuesday, Oct. 24: Wind Symphony Concert - SEMO
Enjoy an evening of diverse selections performed by the Southeast Wind Symphony.
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
7:30 p.m.
$15, $5 for SEMO Students
Get Tickets Here!
Friday, Oct. 27: Halloween Hoopla - Cape Parks & Rec
This spooktacular event includes a costume contest and other fun Halloween activities including pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, trick or treat bags, & more! Come dressed up ready for a fun night! Costume contest categories include Best Costume, Creepiest Costume & Funniest Costume! This event is intended for ages 12 and under.
$5, sold at the door
Friday, Oct. 27: Percussion Ensemble Trick or Treat Concert - SEMO
A family friendly concert of popular film, cartoon, and video game music. The audience is encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Treats will be distributed after the concert.
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
8 p.m.
Free
Saturday, Oct. 28: 5KRCU Monster Mash Dash
Don a spooky costume for KRCU! Participants can run competitively with professional timing provided by the Cape Road Runners, or they can walk for leisure in an effort to raise funds for Southeast Missouri’s public radio station.
Race begins at KRCU Studios, Serena Building
Registration begins at 7 a.m., race begins at 8 a.m.
$25 plus a t-shirt for early birds Oct. 13, $30 after. $15 for Southeast students and children under the age of 17
Get tickets here!
Saturday, Oct. 28: Pumpkin Dive - Jefferson Pool
Search for pumpkins in Jefferson Pool! Pumpkins will be numbered and correspond with candy & prizes. There will be two age groups: children ages 5 and under, and children ages 6-10 (maximum of 50 per age group). One parent can be in the water with their child. Don’t forget goggles & a mesh or plastic bag that can get wet to collect pumpkins in! Register online or in person at the A.C. Brase Arena or the Osage Centre.
Located: Jefferson Community Center
$5 per child
10 a.m. for 0-5 year olds, 11 a.m. for 6-10 year olds
Register for the 0-5 age bracket here!
Register for the 6-10 age bracket here!
Saturday, Oct. 28: Babes in the Woods: Bat's Night Out
Bats wake up when the sun sets and go to sleep when it rises. Flap on in to discover how fluttering bats stay busy all night and learn how to be a friend to bats.
Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0-2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.
9:30–10 a.m., 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Free, Registration required
Register Here!
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29: Halloween at the Crisp Museum
Come and join in on the family fun of making a rag monster, creating a wooden pumpkin or tombstone, or taking on the challenge of the 6th Annual Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Also, you can bring a pumpkin and use our tools to create your own jack-o-lantern. A free family event for all ages.
10/28: 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
10/29: 1–4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28: Conservation Kids: Map and Compass Treasure Hunt - Cape Nature Center
This is a fun event that helps your child learn how to use a map and compass! Take the compass course that leads to secret treasure!
3–4:30 p.m.
Free, Registration required
Register Here!
Sunday, Oct. 29: Michael & Jennifer McLain & the Banjocats - River Campus
A bluegrass concert with high energy banjo and fiddle music that reflects musical culture in Kentucky and Virginia, warm-hearted songs to lift people up and fun specialty instrumentals that show love for the artistry of music.
$15, $5 for SEMO Students
Get tickets here!
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Halloween Trick or Treat - Crisp Museum
Stop by Crisp Museum for a Trick or Treat! It is also your last chance to participate in the Halloween Scavenger Hunt, which ends at 8 p.m.
4–8 p.m.