Saturday shortlist: DogFest, Pride on C-Street, free WOW weekend, Kennedy, and Les Mis
DogFest and Pride on C-Street today, free Hunting & Fishing Day still open at Wonders of Wildlife, Kennedy at the Comedy Club this afternoon and tonight, and Les Mis at the Landers through Sunday.
Saturday, September 26
Saturday opens with DogFest at Chesterfield, stacks Pride on C-Street through the afternoon, keeps free Hunting & Fishing Day hours at Wonders of Wildlife, and still has Kennedy at the Comedy Club plus Les Mis at the Landers if you want a ticketed night.
DogFest at Chesterfield Park
Saturday, September 26 · 9am-1:30pm · free · all ages
Chesterfield Family Center / Chesterfield Park · 2511 W Republic Rd
The Park Board's 23rd Annual DogFest is the Saturday morning plan if your weekend includes a leash - vendors, giveaways, meet-and-greets, plus peanut butter lick-off and dog fashion show signups on site. Presented by Cruse Dog Park.
Best for: a free Saturday morning with the dog (or just dog people) without buying a ticket first.
DogFest on the Park Board calendar
Pride on C-Street
Saturday, September 26 · 11am-5pm · Historic C-Street
Historic C-Street
The GLO Center's second annual Pride on C-Street is a street-fair / block-party afternoon - vendors, local food and drinks, and live performances on the stretch that already feels like home for a lot of this community. Come as a spectator; no attendee ticket is listed on the event site.
Best for: a Saturday stroll with food, vendors, and a stage without planning a ticketed night.
Hunting & Fishing Day at Wonders of Wildlife
Saturday 10am-6pm · Sunday 11am-4pm · free celebration
Wonders of Wildlife · 500 W Sunshine St
National Hunting & Fishing Day pairs with a Native American Heritage Celebration through Sunday - activities, food, drinks, and live entertainment on the WOW campus. The celebration itself is free and open to the public; use the WOW hours above when you plan the stop.
Best for: a free Sat-Sun outdoor-recreation stop when you want something beyond downtown.
Skip if: you only want a quick indoor museum visit with timed tickets.
Kennedy at Springfield Comedy Club
Saturday, September 26 · 4pm (doors 3pm) and 7pm (doors 6pm) · 18+ · tickets online
Springfield Comedy Club · 420 W College St
Lisa Kennedy Montgomery (Kennedy) headlines both Saturday shows - doors are one hour before each set, seats are only guaranteed until showtime, and there is a 2-item minimum. Buy online; door prices climb if anything is left.
Best for: a planned comedy afternoon or night when you want a known headliner without waiting on a late open-mic slot.
Skip if: you need an all-ages room or a short set before 4pm.
Les Misérables at the Landers
Through Sunday, September 27 · Sat 7:30pm · Sun 2pm · adults $35-$60 + fees
The Landers Theatre · 311 E Walnut St · PG-13 · about 2 hours 50 minutes with intermission
Springfield Little Theatre's big mainstage still has Saturday night and Sunday's matinee left. Buy on the SLT site only - they are the only authorized seller - and skip third-party ticket pages. Mature themes land about where the PG-13 rating suggests.
Best for: a sit-down theater night when you want score and spectacle over a short daytime plan.
Skip if: you need a sub-two-hour show or a cheaper last-minute plan.