Entertainment
Local Entertainment
Looking for Something to Do?
Aside from our local parks, state parks, numerous wineries, antique stores, and boutiques, finding something entertaining to do is never a challenge with so many local organizations hosting so many annual events. Below you'll find a long list of fun things to do whether you're here for the day, the week, or the duration!
Be sure to check our Event Calendar for other non-annual events, and don't forget to check the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber's event calendar for even more exciting entertainment adventures!
Local Signature Entertainment
Park Hills is known for some of its signature events. For years the residents and businesses have bound together to create opportunities for fun, exercise, and adventure. Below you'll find a list of those entertainment opportunities that keep folks coming back year after year!
Every year, the Park Hills Parks & Recreation Department hosts a series of concerts in Columbia Park. The concerts are free to the public and feature a mixture of local and state-wide musicians playing a variety of music genres. You can find more information about this year's Summer Concert Series by clicking here.
Each year the City of Park Hills participates in the Summer Movies at the Park Series. All movies are FREE to the public and are held at our local parks & swimming pools, including one movie to be held at Park Hills Columbia Park. The movies begin at sunset.
You can find more information about this year's Summer Movies at the Park Series by clicking here.
The City of Park Hills is known for its fireworks display! It's one of the biggest, lengthiest, and best in the county! Always on the 4th of July, fireworks are launched from the ballfields at Park Hills Sports Complex beginning at dusk. Prior to the event, spectators can be found enjoying music, snacks, and more at the Sports Complex beginning as early as 6:00 p.m. Parking areas fill up quickly at the complex, but don't worry, our display can be seen from almost anywhere in town!
This brand-new event was added in 2022. The Downtown Park Hills Association partnered with the Park Hills – Leadington Chamber of Commerce to host this new two-day festival in Downtown Park Hills. Held the last weekend in June, annually, the event will have a focused theme each year with events related to the theme. It also includes multiple musical performances, vendors, a car show, kid’s games, a craft beer garden, a cornhole tournament, food trucks, contests, and much more. Learn more about this event by visiting the Sauces & Shows Facebook Page.
Finding a bargain is always a fun time. Luckily, we provide the perfect bargain-finding opportunity! Each year, on the second Friday & Saturday in August, the Park Hills Farmers Market hosts the Annual City Wide Yard Sale. More than 100 local residents and businesses offer their goodies for sale in hopes of making a couple of extra bucks, while hundreds more come looking for the perfect deal. As the largest yard sale in the county, we're excited to offer this excellent opportunity to bring visitors into the community. For more information on the City Wide Yard Sale, visit the Park Hills Farmers Market Facebook Page by clicking here.
Created by the Park Hills Industrial Authority, this event is held annually at the new entrance to St. Joe State Park; The Donnelly-LaMear Trailhead. Participants start at the trailhead and then visit numerous businesses throughout Park Hills to collect poker hand cards. The first annual event was held in October of 2022. Hosted by the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce, visit the Donnelly - LaMear Poker Run Facebook Page for more information on current year dates and times.
If you grew up in or around our town formerly known as Flat River, then you are likely to remember many weekends full of crusin'. Hundreds of cars would circle a two-block radius in downtown with radios blaring and laughter flowing. In 2018, the Park Hills Senior Center opted to take a chance at recreating that era with an event to help fund the Meals on Wheels Program. They succeeded - largely - and it is now an annual event. Held the 1st Saturday in October, the day is filled with food, vendors, activities, and fun, and the evening brings the cruise. This family-fun event is loved by everyone, young and old. To find out more about Cruisn' for a Cause or the Meals on Wheels Program, contact the Park Hills Senior Center at (573) 431-4974.
Hosted by the Downtown Park Hills Association, businesses, organizations, and even residents from Park Hills signup to create a scarecrow in the most creatively scary (and fun) ways. Scarecrows are constructed and displayed along West Main Street and throughout town. Awards are given in several categories including the “People’s Choice”, “Most Original”, “Most Creative”, and “Best Representation of a Business”. The winner of the People’s Choice award receives a traveling plaque to display in their business for the entire year. Members of the community vote for their favorite scarecrow on the DPHA’s Facebook Page.
The Downtown Park Hills Association is sited for creating this family-fun trick-or-treating event with a focus on safety. On the evening of Halloween, area businesses and organizations gather downtown to provide area kids with goodies galore. Typically situated along the 300 block of West Main Street in downtown, children dressed in costume line the street waiting to collect candy from trusted candy-givers who have decorated tables and vehicle trunks in the spirit of Halloween. To find out more about the Annual Downtown Park Hills Trunk N' Treat, visit their Facebook Page by clicking here.
In 2018 the City of Park Hills began a new holiday tradition, Christmas in Columbia Park. The Park Hills Parks & Recreation Department, along with assistance from the Park Hills Public Works, Utilities Department, and residents, lit up the park with a beautiful display of Christmas lights and decorations. The drive-thru display includes the ability to hear holiday music through your vehicle's FM radio. There is no charge to drive through, and anyone is welcome to enjoy. The City plans to expand the display a little each year with hopes of making it one of the largest free displays in St. Francois County. The display is open the first Thursday in December through the day after Christmas from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each evening. Please note that Columbia Park is closed to vehicle traffic during the day for this time period.
On the first Thursday of December, the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual community Christmas celebration which commences with a Parade. With help from both the Cities of Park Hills and Leadington, the parade begins on St. Francios Street, then follows West Main to Rinke. The event concludes at Municipal Lot A where the Annual Downtown Park Hills "Christmas in Our Hometown" kicks off. The parade concludes with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Municipal Lot where he visits with children, gathers their wish lists, and poses for moms and dads to snap photos with their children. For more information on the Annual Community Christmas Celebration & Parade, visit the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce website by clicking here.
Other Local Popular Entertainment
Below you will find a list of various other annual events hosted by a number of local organizations. For more detailed information on these or other events, please check with these organizations directly.
Below is a list of popular events hosted by the Park Hills Leadington Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at (573) 431-1051 or visit their website at www.phlcoc.net.
- Annual Sweetheart Trivia Night in February
- Annual Firecracker Run in June
Below is a list of popular events hosted by the Central Schools. For more information, please contact Central Schools at (573) 431-2616 or visit their website at www.centralr3.org.
- Spring Choral Festival
- Annual Rebel Homecoming Parade & Football Game
- Rebel Invitational Marching Band Competition
- Christmas Basketball Tournament
- Annual Rebel Homecoming Parade and Football Game
Below is a list of popular events hosted by the Mineral Area College. For more information, please contact Mineral Area College at (573) 431-4593 or visit their website at www.mineralarea.edu.
- Mineral Area College Homecoming
- Annual MAC Foundation Trivia Night
- Annual MAC Foundation Golf Tournament
- Annual Mineral Area College Jazz Festival
Below is a list of popular events hosted by the St. Joe State Park. For more information, please contact St. Joe State Park at (573) 431-1065 or visit their website at mostateparks.com/park/st-joe-state-park.
- First Day Hike on New Year's Day
- Rally at the Mines ORV Ride
- Trail Run and Mountain Bike Event
- St. Joe Rendezvous
- Leadbelt Enduro Race
- St. Francois County Heart Walk
- Missouri Mudders ATV Hare Scramble

Below is a list of popular events hosted by the Missouri Mines State Historic Site. For more information, please contact Missouri Mines State Historic Site at (573) 431-6226 or visit their website at mostateparks.com/park/missouri-mines-state-historic-site.
- Missouri Mines Rock Swap
- Old Miners Open House
- Fall Rocks
Below is a list of popular events hosted at the St. Francois County Fairgrounds & Raceway. For more information, please contact St. Francois County Fair Board at (573) 756-7096 or visit their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/St.FrancoisCountyFair.
- St. Francois County Races
- St. Francois County Fair
- St. Francois County Rodeo
- Good Ol’ Boys Truck Pull
- Missouri Western Horse Show