Events in Joplin today

This indoor youth rummage sale fundraiser features a wide selection for every kind of shopper. Browse home goods, kitchen and bath items, outdoor gear, furniture, holiday decor, crafts, baby items, clothing, pet supplies, and more. Payment options include cash and cards, with a processing fee for card transactions, and checks are not accepted. Donation drop off is available before the event, and donors are asked not to bring tires, old oil, broken screens or doors, or baby car seats. All proceeds support youth camp and mission trips.

Families of incoming kindergarten and first grade students from across the area are welcome at an annual bus camp at Junge Field. Children can learn bus safety, review bus stop rules, and take a short ride to build confidence before the school year begins. Local businesses and community organizations will have booths with resources to help students get ready for back to school. The event is free, and lunch and ice cream are provided at no cost.

Stop by the Webb City Farmers Market for a morning of local shopping. You can browse fresh produce, humanely grown meat, and tasty extras like locally roasted coffee, gluten-free and classic baked goods, and more. The market is free and open to the public.

Beloved children’s characters gather in Joplin for a Back To School Bash at Claire’s Playhouse, creating a playful setting for dancing, games, photos, and plenty of fun. General admission is $15. A $35 VIP Pass, limited to 25, provides a smaller crowd experience, complimentary face painting, and the opportunity to see every character within an hour. Tickets are limited.

Pepper Fest 2026 brings National Farmers Market Week to life at Joplin Empire Market with a full mix of flavor and fun. The Market Cantina will be pouring margaritas, with every sale supporting the Area Agency on Aging X. Oakwoods Farm will be roasting fresh peppers on site, and a hot sauce tasting competition invites true heat seekers to put their taste buds to the test. Creative stations offer crafts for both adults and kids. Visitors can also pick up stickers and temporary tattoos that champion local food and the farmers market. Summer harvests will be abundant, making it a prime moment to stock up before the back to school rush. For event-related posts, only messages from Downtown Joplin Alliance or Joplin Empire Market are official. They will not request personal or financial information on Facebook. Report any suspicious communication.

Connect2Culture and Joplin’s arts and cultural community present the 11th Annual Joplin Arts & Cultural Preview at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in the Beshore Performance Hall. Local arts and cultural organizations share their stories and outline plans for the 2026 to 2027 season, with each group given two minutes to present. The program is recorded and serves as a C2C Roundtable designed to inform the public about upcoming events, encourage collaboration among participating organizations, and provide the media with ideas for future coverage. The media, artists, arts advocates, the broader arts and cultural community, and community members are welcome to attend. Admission is free. Registration is required for presenters and each organization is limited to one presenter. For more information, contact Lauren Smith at lauren@connect2culture.org or 417-501-5550.

An evening Cars and Coffee meet in Joplin marks the close of summer with a relaxed blend of car culture and community. A wide spectrum of vehicles will be on display, including classics, custom builds, imports, trucks, daily drivers, and project cars. Local food vendors will serve food, coffee will be available, and photographers will be on site to capture standout rides. The atmosphere is family friendly, with laid back music and an easygoing vibe. The gathering welcomes enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Enjoy a night of live music at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub as Gravehuffer, Grand Inquisitor, Rat Kingdom, and Deep Sea Fishing For A Killer Whale share the bill. Admission is $10.00, and entry is limited to ages 21 and up.

An afternoon centered on creativity, connection, and community with a focus on Artist Trading Cards. Participants create small, original artworks to share and exchange. The galleries become a relaxed drop-in studio space with materials provided, ideal for experimenting, making, and meeting others. Later, participants gather to trade cards and celebrate community creativity. All skill levels are welcome. RSVPs help estimate attendance but are not required.

By popular request, the galleries at Spiva open on the second Sunday of each month, creating a regular Sunday option to explore the art. This recurring opening is designed to make the arts more accessible for a variety of schedules.

Protect your home from the roofline down with a free, introductory class focused on gutter care. Homeowners will learn why gutters are essential, how to clean them safely, how to spot problems before they lead to costly repairs, and how to keep water directed away from the house. The session offers practical advice, seasonal checklists, and simple tools that make year-round upkeep manageable. Participants can bring questions and leave with clear, actionable guidance in any weather. Thanks to support from local experts at Four State Gutter LLC. This class counts toward the Restoration Carthage Program requirement. Although there is no cost to attend, an RSVP is required in advance. Register online or call 417-674-3328.

NonProfit Connect offers a free gathering for area nonprofits to talk through upcoming events, explore opportunities to collaborate, exchange best practices, and learn about available grant opportunities along with tips for writing grants. Nonprofits from across the area are welcome.

Mama Miles is a free walking group for mothers that meets at 11:00 AM. Bring your stroller and children if you’d like, since the group is designed to be mom-friendly. The walk happens from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the exact location may vary each week, with updates posted weekly on social media.

Junior MKM Academy is an 8-week, hands-on course in entrepreneurship and money management for ages 7 to 11. Participants explore how money works by actively using it through The Change Challenge, Brave Leader Lessons, MKM Money Lab, and Cashflow Lab gameplay. Along the way, they practice counting back change, building customer confidence, making smart spending choices, leading and working as a team, and recognizing the difference between assets, liabilities, and doodads to develop real-world money skills. The experience emphasizes confidence, responsibility, and an entrepreneurial mindset in a fun, engaging environment. Small class size means spots are limited. The introductory price is $100 for the full 8-week course. This program takes place at Charles Burt Realtors.

TS Whites LLC hosts a live auction at their location in Diamond, Missouri. The event begins at 6:00 PM (CDT).

Auditions are being held for a production of American Psycho: The Musical, directed by Becki Arnall, with a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Set in the glossy, high-stakes world of late 1980s Manhattan, the story follows Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker hiding a violent double life as his carefully maintained image begins to crack. Driven by a pulsing pop-rock score and sharp, dark humor, the show probes consumer excess and the fragile sense of identity behind polished success. Content includes mature themes. Casting is open to adults 25 and older. Prospective performers are asked to prepare one song from any stage musical. The audition process will include singing, a dance component, and cold readings from the script. Open roles include Svetlana, VideoStore Clerk, Jean, Tim Price, Craig McDermott, David Van Patten, Luis Carruthers, Hardbody Waitress, Paul Owen, Sean Bateman, Mrs. Bateman, Vanden, Hardbody Bartender, Homeless Man, Hardbody Trainer, Christine, Sabina, Lloyd, Tom Cruise, Detective Donald Kimball, Victoria, and Mrs. Wolfe.

Connect over coffee while meeting people across the community in a relaxed networking setting. Discover the programs and services offered by The Independent Living Center and make new contacts with others who are working to improve local quality of life. A special focus highlights Hearts and Hammers, a community partner that collaborates with The Independent Living Center to build ramps and install handrails so people with disabilities can live more safely and independently at home. Attendees can visit the Hearts and Hammers table to learn about their mission and impact. All are welcome, including representatives of nonprofits, businesses, and community groups, as well as anyone interested in local resources.

High interest has prompted a third week of this Mini Makers camp, repeating the same projects from earlier sessions so more families can participate. Designed for children ages 2 to 5 and led by Mrs. Jade, it is a parent or guardian participation experience where young artists can play with materials, explore new ideas, and grow their confidence in a welcoming setting. Over three themed days, kids will experiment with color during Rainbow Day, try cyanotype printing and enjoy a bubble party on Sun Fun Day, and finish by crafting a bright paper lantern on Luminous Lantern Day. Activities emphasize the creative process rather than a perfect finished piece, strengthening fine motor skills, encouraging early problem-solving, and supporting self-expression in flexible, age-appropriate ways. Expect hands-on projects that are considerate of sensory needs, guidance that nurtures curiosity, and a classroom format where adults stay and collaborate with their child. All supplies are provided, and the cost is $50.

A women’s pickleball meetup paired with time to socialize. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a fun outing together.

Lunches of Love provides a summer food giveaway for Carthage families to help bridge the time between the end of summer school and the start of a new school year. Any Carthage household with children in the home is eligible, and no application is required. Each child receives one bag of food, with distribution available every Monday and Thursday during the program.