Fairs and Festivals

Annual Ride the Train to Sedalia with Santa

Here’s a fun opportunity for your child to talk to Santa while riding Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner! Talk about making special holiday memories!

Travel on your own to Warrensburg’s train station – Santa will already be on the train! Amtrak provides a special rate for 1 child which is 50% off when riding with an adult (Amtrak Discounts for Children). To purchase your tickets, visit www.Amtrak.com or call 800-872-7245. Make sure you find/ask for the “Age 12 & Under” discount.

Not able to ride? No worries, Santa is planning on visiting with children inside the Lamy’s building after the train arrives in Sedalia.

Annual Sedalia Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade

For over 50 years, Sedalia’s beloved Christmas Parade has brought holiday cheer to downtown, drawing hundreds of people to celebrate and kick off the holiday shopping season. This festive tradition is held annually on the first Saturday in December.

The 2025 parade is set for Saturday, December 6, at 6:00 pm. Join us for an evening filled with classic holiday floats, lights, and community spirit as we come together to celebrate the magic of the season!

Annual Sedalia Chamber of Commerce Piccadilly Gala

You’ll be sure to have a very memorable evening! The Piccadilly Gala and Auction is held each year in the fall and includes a delicious meal, a wonderful atmosphere, games, and the live Piccadilly Auction, which is played by bidding with quarters on items donated by local and regional businesses. Money raised at the Piccadilly Gala is used to fund the events and programs the Chamber sponsors throughout the year.

Annual Sedalia Lions Club St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

The Sedalia Lions Club hosts an annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl in Downtown Sedalia, where city streets will be barricaded, and the open container law will be lifted within the designated area during pub crawl hours—just be sure to use the official Pub Crawl cup!

Please Note: Registered participants must be 21 or older, and IDs will be checked on the day of the event.

Make plans to show your Irish spirit and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with us in Sedalia!

Annual Thanksgiving Lighting & Fireworks Extravaganza

Kick Off the Holidays with Sedalia’s Annual Thanksgiving Fireworks & Tree Lighting at Hotel Bothwell

Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with an unforgettable night in the heart of Sedalia! The annual Thanksgiving Fireworks and Tree Lighting event at Hotel Bothwell brings families, friends, and visitors together to kick off the festive season in grand style.

Event Highlights

This magical evening begins as the historic Hotel Bothwell transforms into a winter wonderland. The iconic building, beautifully adorned with holiday lights and decorations, serves as the perfect backdrop for this beloved community tradition. Here’s what you can expect:

• Tree Lighting Ceremony: Watch the stunning Hotel Bothwell tree come to life with thousands of twinkling lights. This enchanting moment is the perfect start to the holiday season, and a great photo opportunity, too!
• Spectacular Fireworks Display: Look to the sky for an impressive fireworks show that lights up the evening, casting a colorful glow over downtown Sedalia. The vibrant display is set to holiday music, creating a memorable experience for all ages.

Join Us in Sedalia’s Historic Downtown 

Located in the heart of Sedalia, the Hotel Bothwell has been a historic landmark and community gathering place since 1927. The annual Thanksgiving Fireworks and Tree Lighting event draws residents and visitors alike, making it an evening filled with joy and holiday spirit. It’s a chance to connect, celebrate, and make memories in a warm and welcoming setting.

Mark your calendars and join us at Sedalia’s Courthouse Square for this holiday tradition.  With the festive ambiance, dazzling lights, and a spectacular fireworks display, this is the perfect way to start the holiday season!

Missouri State Fair Expansion

Land purchased to the west of the current grounds – growing the fairgrounds by an additional 201 acres

The expansion is a year-round investment, with opportunities for hosting events all year long.

Includes the building of a new State Fair Arena

• 150’x250’ covered arena
• Seating for 5,000 spectators
• Office space, public and private restrooms, enclosed limited VIP suites
• Offers opportunities to bring national/international equestrian events, cattle and livestock shows, national rodeo and bull riding events, RV rallies, conference space, trade shows and more.

600+ new campsites

Potential for additional livestock barns, warm up areas, expanded parking

Missouri State Fairgrounds

The Missouri State Fairgrounds offer the perfect year-round venue for a variety of events, along with a spacious campground to keep you close to the action. Just as the 11 days of the Missouri State Fair (August 7-17, 2025) are packed with excitement, so is the year-round lineup of entertainment and activities on the Fairgrounds.

Sedalia’s reputation as an accessible regional hub draws visitors from across Missouri and the Midwest to shows, sales, and other events held here. Check out just a sample of the exciting events coming up at the Missouri State Fairgrounds below!

Click here for a complete listing of events happening at the Missouri State Fairgrounds

Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival

May 28 – 31, 2025 join us in Sedalia, Missouri as we celebrate the musical genius who gave us the Maple Leaf Rag. Visit with talented performers, and others who appreciate their talent, in the place where America’s music began. The multi-day festival is packed with rattling good fun, free concerts in open-air venues downtown, ticketed symposia sessions, formal concerts at Hayden Liberty Center, and special events throughout. The festival includes a wide range of performers, from up-and-coming to long-time festival favorites! Find more festival info https://www.scottjoplin.org/