Ozarks Events Guide
Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect destination for a getaway packed with exciting events and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re enjoying the high-speed thrills of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, exploring local crafts at the Osage Beach Fall Festival, or indulging in apple treats at the Versailles Old Tyme Apple Festival, there’s something for everyone. These well-loved events showcase the best of the lake’s vibrant community, beautiful surroundings, and seasonal fun.
Book your vacation rental through Lake.com and experience everything this stunning lakeside destination has to offer, with easy access to the festivals and the natural beauty of Lake of the Ozarks!
Annual Celebrations
Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days
January 4, 2025
Multiple venues (School of the Osage, Willmore Lodge & Osage National Golf Resort)
Attendance: 1,500–2,000 nature-lovers daily
Why Attend: Kick off the new year by watching America’s national bird in its winter habitat. Live raptor shows, naturalist talks, kids’ crafts, and spotting scopes along the riverbank make this one-day festival the region’s premier wildlife education event. Local experts help visitors locate dozens of migrating bald eagles and other raptors.
Who Should Go: Birders, photographers, homeschool families, and anyone who wants a memorable (and free) cold-weather outing on the lake.
Fourth of July Fireworks Cruises
July 4, 2025
Where: Multiple marinas around Lake of the Ozarks
Attendance: Over 10,000 visitors
Why Attend: Celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks cruise, offering front-row seats to the lake’s spectacular fireworks displays. Options range from luxury yacht cruises with dinner to more casual pontoon outings.
Who Should Go: Families, couples, and anyone looking for a unique way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Boat and Car Shows
Aquapalooza
July 19, 2025
Where: Dog Days Bar & Grill, Osage Beach, MO
Attendance: Over 12,000 attendees and 1,000 boats
Why Attend: Known as the largest family-friendly boating event at Lake of the Ozarks, Aquapalooza is a summer celebration with live music, vendors, and water activities. You can enjoy the festival right from the water or dockside. It’s perfect for families who want a day of fun in the sun while soaking in the lively atmosphere of boating culture.
Who Should Go: Boating enthusiasts, families, and music lovers looking for a unique lakeside event.
Hot Summer Nights
Every second Friday from May to September
Where: The Strip
Attendance: Approximately 3,000 visitors per event
Why Attend: This car show and street festival features classic cars, live entertainment, and food vendors lining the historic Bagnell Dam Strip. Each evening has a unique theme, making it a fun and ever-changing event to attend throughout the summer.
Who Should Go: Car enthusiasts, families, and those who love nostalgic summer vibes.
Races and Competitions
Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
August 23-24, 2025
Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill, Sunrise Beach, MO
Attendance: Over 100,000 spectators
Why Attend: The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is one of the biggest powerboat races in the U.S., featuring boats reaching speeds of over 200 mph. The event raises money for local charities and includes family-friendly activities such as poker runs, meet-and-greets with racers, and vendor villages.
Who Should Go: Thrill-seekers, families, and fans of high-speed racing and water sports.
Spring Big Bass Bash
April 12-13, 2025
Weigh-in stations around the lake (Pa He Tsi, Alhonna, RedHeads & more)
Attendance: Thousands of amateur anglers
Why Attend: With $100,000 top prize for a single fish and over $330,000 guaranteed overall, this catch-and-release tournament is one of North America’s richest amateur bass events. Multiple hourly weigh-ins, youth discounts, and weekend-long lake access create a carnival-like vibe on and off the water.
Who Should Go: Weekend anglers, father-and-teen teams, and anyone who dreams of turning one lunker into a life-changing payday.
Big Bass Bash
October 4-5, 2025
Where: Weigh-in stations around the Lake
Attendance: Thousands of anglers
Why Attend: This fishing competition draws amateur anglers from across the country, offering cash prizes for the biggest bass caught. It’s a great opportunity for families and fishing enthusiasts to enjoy a weekend on the water while competing for impressive prizes, including a chance to win a brand-new bass boat.
Who Should Go: Fishing enthusiasts, competitive anglers, and families looking for a fun weekend on the lake.
Bridge & Dam Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
April 12, 2025
Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO
Attendance: 500 runners plus cheering fans
Why Attend: Now in its 11th year, Bridge & Dam sends runners across historic Bagnell Dam and the Community Bridge, with panoramic lake views most races can only dream of. Chip timing, aid stations, finisher medals, and post-race celebrations on the Strip create a festive atmosphere while raising money for multiple local charities.
Who Should Go: Road-racing enthusiasts, casual 5K joggers, and supporters who like small-town courses with big-time scenery.
Spring Harbor Hop
May 3, 2025
40+ waterfront bars & marinas, Lake of the Ozarks
Attendance: 2,000 poker “hoppers”
Why Attend: Grab a scorecard, boat to seven checkpoints, draw a card at each stop, and hope your seven-card hand beats the fleet. Live music, dockside food specials, and themed drink deals make this floating poker run the unofficial kickoff to boating season. Proceeds support the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association.
Who Should Go: Boaters, lake-house groups, and social butterflies who like their card games paired with shoreline bar-hopping.
Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals
May 2-3, 2025
Historic Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO
Attendance: 800 show vehicles & 10,000+ spectators
Why Attend: For two days, the Strip closes to regular traffic, transforming into Central Missouri’s largest open-air showroom of classics, muscle cars, trucks, and bikes dating from the 1900s to today. Judging, parades, vendor row, and live DJs keep chrome-spotters busy from breakfast to sundown.
Who Should Go: Gearheads, families who love retro Americana, and photographers hunting polished fenders under neon lights.
Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop
August 3, 2025
Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO
Attendance: Approximately 4,000 visitors
Why Attend: This quirky fundraiser drops thousands of rubber ducks into the lake for a race to the finish line. The event also features a family fun zone with games, food, and live entertainment. All proceeds go to local charities.
Who Should Go: Families, charity supporters, and anyone who loves fun community events.
Canine Cannonball
June 14–16, 2025
Dog Days Bar & Grill, Osage Beach, MO
Attendance: Approximately 1500 visitors
Why Attend: Watch dogs of all breeds and sizes compete in dock-diving events, showcasing their skills in distance and height jumps. The event includes live music, food, and drinks, making it a fun outing for the whole family.
Who Should Go: Dog lovers, families, and those looking for unique summer entertainment.
Fall Festivals
Bikefest Lake of the Ozarks
September 10-14, 2025
Lake-wide, HQ at Bagnell Dam Strip and Lake Ozarks Harley-Davidson
Attendance: Over 100,000 riders
Why Attend: Nineteenth-annual rally featuring 300+ biker-friendly bars and vendors, passport ride with $10,000 Harley giveaway, mapped Ozark hill routes, stunt shows, and nightly concerts. Hotel rooms sell out a year ahead—proof of the rally’s economic roar.
Who Should Go: Motorcyclists, live-music fans, food-truck grazers, and spectators who enjoy chrome, leather, and rolling thunder.
Lake of the Ozarks Fall Harbor Hop
October 11, 2025
Various waterfront locations
Attendance: Thousands of card players
Why Attend: The Fall Harbor Hop is a poker run on the water, where boaters stop at multiple locations around Lake of the Ozarks to draw cards and compete for the best hand. It’s a laid-back, family-friendly event with live entertainment and food vendors at various stops along the lake.
Who Should Go: Boaters, families, and anyone looking to explore Lake of the Ozarks in a fun and unique way.Get tickets
Stover Rock Island Fall Festival
October 11, 2025
Stover, MO
Attendance: Approximately 4,000 visitors
Why Attend: This event combines live local music, food trucks, and arts and crafts vendors for a day filled with community spirit and celebration. Perfect for a fall day out, visitors can enjoy live performances, tasty treats, and browse unique handmade goods while soaking in the autumn atmosphere.
Who Should Go: Music lovers, families, and anyone looking to enjoy the local community and fall vibes.
Food and Beverage Festivals
Midwest Wine & Brew Festival
August 17, 2025
The Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO
Attendance: Approximately 2,500 visitors
Why Attend: This festival showcases local wineries, craft breweries, and food vendors offering tastings. With live music and a relaxing lakeside setting, it’s a great way to sample the region’s flavors while enjoying the summer atmosphere.
Who Should Go: Wine and beer enthusiasts, foodies, and anyone looking for a laid-back summer event.
Versailles Old Tyme Apple Festival
July 1 – August 5, 2025
Versailles, MO
Attendance: Over 30,000 visitors
Why Attend: A beloved fall tradition, the Versailles Old Tyme Apple Festival offers a parade, car show, apple pie contests, and live music. Families can enjoy arts and crafts vendors and plenty of food booths, all set amidst the scenic beauty of autumn. The festival also features a fiddle contest and activities perfect for all ages.
Who Should Go: Families, apple lovers, and fans of traditional fall festivals.
Winter Festivals
Enchanted Village of Lights
November 21, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (nightly 5–9 p.m., 5–10 p.m. weekends)
Laurie Fairgrounds, Laurie, MO
Attendance: Tens of thousands of drive-through cars each season
Why Attend: Central Missouri’s largest drive-through light park celebrates its 30th year with new walk-through zones, carriage rides, food trucks, and hundreds of animated displays synchronized to holiday tunes—admission by donation.
Who Should Go: Holiday-lighting aficionados, multigenerational families, and anyone seeking a cozy, car-heated Christmas tradition.
Unity Circle of Lights
November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (dusk–10 p.m.)
Versailles City Park, Versailles, MO
Attendance: 40 illuminated displays viewed by thousands of vehicles
Why Attend: A free, donation-supported drive-through park where civic groups craft whimsical scenes—Santa fishing, elves waterskiing—that nod to Ozarks culture. Pair it with a cocoa stop on Versailles’ charming Main Street for a low-stress evening outing.
Who Should Go: Budget-minded travelers, small-town Christmas lovers, and kids who can’t decide which display tops the last.
