Maple Leaf Festival

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Nature & SeasonCarthage
Dates9–17 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration9 daysListed event span
CrowdLargeAbout 100,000 people
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsWhat sets the Maple Leaf Festival apart is
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage

The Maple Leaf Festival is Carthage, Missouri's signature fall event, a nine-day celebration leading up to the third Saturday of October, organized by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. Carthage is officially nicknamed America's Maple Leaf City, and the festival draws more than 100,000 visitors annually for a parade, rodeo, chili cook-off, and dozens of other community events.

Carthage, Missouri earned its nickname, America's Maple Leaf City, from the maple trees that turn the town brilliant shades of red and gold each October, and the festival built around that seasonal display has grown into one of the largest community celebrations in the region.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets the Maple Leaf Festival apart is its scale relative to Carthage itself, a city of roughly 15,000 people that hosts one of the region's largest festivals and pulls in over 100,000 visitors during festival week

02

The mystery stays covered

The event began decades ago as a marching band competition and grew into a nine-day slate covering a rodeo, chili cook-off, tractor and car shows, a quilt crawl through participating downtown businesses, a dachshund race, and a Renaissance Fair, culminating in a nearly two-mile parade that runs from the Historic Carthage Square down tree-lined Grand Avenue, past some of the city's grandest historic homes, to Carthage Junior High School

03

The city starts moving

The city's nickname, America's Maple Leaf City, is built directly into the festival's identity and timed to the peak of the region's fall foliage

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The nearly two-mile parade down Grand Avenue on the third Saturday of October

Water and renewal

Living ritual

passing Carthage's historic homes before ending at the junior high school

The sacred route

Living ritual

is the festival's central tradition

The local code

Living ritual

alongside the annual Quilt Crawl through participating downtown businesses and a Grand Marshal honor presented each year

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

9–17 October 2026

Getting around

Use the event area in Carthage to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.

What to wear

Layered casual clothing suited to cool fall weather in southwest Missouri, comfortable shoes for the nearly two-mile parade route and walking Grand Avenue, and a light jacket for cooler...

Safety

At Maple Leaf Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Carthage.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.15 N, 81.36 WOpen in Google Maps

Carthage, MO

Nearest airportCLE — Cleveland Hopkins
TransportUse the event area in Carthage to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Carthage.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Carthage via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Carthage, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearLayered casual clothing suited to cool fall weather in southwest Missouri, comfortable shoes for the nearly two-mile parade route and walking Grand Avenue, and a light jacket for cooler October evenings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Maple Leaf Festival?

Maple Leaf Festival is listed for 9–17 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Maple Leaf Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Carthage, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Carthage, MO

How big is it?

Large: 100000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcarthagechamber.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates9–17 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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