Fall time in Middle Tennessee means several things to me: changing leaves, cooler temps, football, pumpkin spice flavored everything and apple cider. It is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of nature, and participate in the many events and festivals that surround Nashville. Happy fall y’all!
Nashville Fall Fun Festivities and Events
Mitchell Creek Cabins
Mitchell Creek Marina
1260 Livingston Boatdock Rd.
Allons, TN 38541
931-823-6666
Mitchell Creek Marina on Dale Hollow Lake is a fantastic Fall getaway for families looking to slow down and enjoy time together in a peaceful, waterfront cabin, surrounded by nature. Mitchell Creek’s newly renovated lodging overlooking the lake offers breathtaking panoramic views of Fall foliage. So, grab a blanket and sip your morning coffee on the deck, cruise the lake while you watch for wildlife on the banks, and soak up some old-fashioned family time fishing, playing games, and roasting s’mores by the fire. Spend your evenings enjoying back porch cookouts in the crisp air, cuddles on the couch, and hot tub dips with a blanket of stars overhead. No schedules, no commitments – just time to breath.
The stunning cabins and houseboats at Mitchell Creek Marina were fully renovated this year and sleep anywhere from 2-14 people. They are all equipped with wifi, TV, full kitchens or kitchenettes, a grill, premium linens, hot tubs – and some areas feature fire pits. Contactless check-in makes arriving at any time a breeze and for a small fee, you can bring your pet!
USE CODE NASHVILLE20 TO RECEIVE 20% OFF CABIN AND BOAT RENTALS THROUGH JANUARY 1ST!
The Nashville Fair
Parking Address:
320 Wedgewood Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
Rideshare & Accessibility Address:
174 Rains Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
September 6-15th
Rooted in history and tradition, The Nashville Fair brings a nostalgic fair experience with a modern spin to Nashville’s urban core. Enjoy culturally diverse events, agriculture, arts, and entertainment at The Fairgrounds Nashville—home to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway & GEODIS Park. Take part in our 10-day fair featuring everything from thrilling midway rides to wrestling, axe throwing, balloon sculpting, nightly live music, and more. We “Got a Good Thing Growing” at The Nashville Fair
Wine on the River Nashville
Riverfront Park
100 1st Ave N
Nashville, TN 37201
September 14th, 3pm-7pm
Travel the world without leaving Nashville! Join us as we taste from different regions spanning the globe. All beverage samples of wine, beer, and spirits are included in admission. Food is available for purchase. Take a break from your travels and enjoy the soothing sounds of live music while taking in the beautiful views of the skyline, river and bridges from Riverfront Park. Wine On the River is a rain or shine event and no refunds will be given.
Goodlettsville Arts, Antiques and Music Festival
105 S. Main Street
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
September 14, 10A-4P
The Goodlettsville Arts, Antiques and Music Festival in Goodlettsville is a family fun event featuring original art, fabulous antiques, live music, food trucks, a handmade artisan market, antique appraisals, quilt show and contest, magician, kid zone and more. All proceeds from this event help support the Goodlettsville Help Center and other local charities.
Cheekwood Harvest
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37205
September 14- October 27
Tuesday-Sunday 9AM-5PM
Thursday Night Out 5-9PM
*Cheekwood opens early for members at 8AM on Wednesdays
Cheekwood Harvest is a wonderful place for the family to visit. In the fall, you can see the changing leaves in the gardens, as well as pumpkins, scarecrows, and mums. There will be a beer garden for the adults, and kids activities to keep the littles happy.
Music in the Vines
Arrington Vineyards
6211 Patton Rd.
Arrington, TN 37014
Weekends, 3-7P, now through the fall
Visit the beautiful Arrington Vineyards for Music in the Vines, on weekends, running now through December. This is a family friendly event, with live jazz and bluegrass music. Also, on Friday nights, they have good trucks and live music. You can check the calendar on their website for specific info. You can bring your own food, but only AV wines are permitted on the property.
Musician’s Corner and Fall Market
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
*corner of 27th Ave N & West End
Free Fest August 29-31
Fridays in September, 5-9PM
September Sundown is sponsored by Musician’s Corner, and is a family friendly event hosted at Centennial Park. You can expect musical performances, food trucks, local artisans and Kidsville. Kidsville is a great area for the kids to enjoy fun, fitness, crafts and music activities.
Full Moon Pickin’ Parties
Percy Warner Park
50 Vaughn Road
Nashville, TN 37221
September 13th, 6-10P
Per the website: This unique bluegrass music series is one of Nashville’s most popular outdoor events, attracting families, friends, and dog lovers from all over to hear local musicians play together under the full moon in one of Nashville’s more picturesque settings: Percy Warner Park. You can enjoy traditional bluegrass music, fare from local food trucks, craft beer, and more. B.Y.O. blanket or chair, a dog if you’d like (on a leash no longer than 6 ft), and snacks if you wish (no alcoholic beverages permitted).
La Vergne Fall Festival
Veterans Memorial Park
115 Floyd Memorial Drive
La Vergne, TN 37086
September 16th, 10A-3:30P
The La Vergne Fall Festival for 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, September 14. We will have the traditional parade on Saturday morning followed by a day of fun and entertainment.
- When: Saturday, September 14, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 115 Floyd Mayfield Drive
The La Vergne Fall Festival is an opportunity for people to gather together to celebrate the changing of the seasons, while also taking part in games and enjoying good food. There are also new crafts for sale from local and regional vendors.
The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. It begins at Bicentennial Park at City Hall and ends at Veterans Memorial Park, at which time opening remarks will be given from our Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Parks and Recreation staff.
Jazz on the Cumberland
Nashville Cumberland Park (located by the Titans Stadium)
592 S. 1st Street
Nashville, TN 37213
September And October, 5:30-8p (check the site for specific dates)
This is a free family friendly concert series featuring food trucks and jazz music! Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy food trucks and music with your family. Dogs are permitted. Parking is available for $10 in parking in lots R&T. There will also be a Kid’s Fun Play Zone. This event features some of the best local, regional, and national jazz artists performing live. They also feature local, regional, and national acts including a “Youth Segment” as part of our Continuing Music Education Series in area schools and colleges.
Depot Days in Smyrna
98 Front Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
September 27-28th
Kicking off the festivities, Smyrna Parks & Rec presents the Classic Car Show on Friday night, September 27th, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., a spectacle to behold. Meanwhile, the Front Street Pub invites you to indulge in the ambrosial delights of their Beer Garden & burgers + entertainment!!
As dawn breaks on Saturday, September 28th, Front Street undergoes a magical transformation into a bustling pedestrian paradise. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., vendors will be setup all along Front Street. Immerse yourself in the myriad offerings: over 100 vendors showcasing an eclectic array of goods, tantalizing culinary creations, exquisite crafts, and innovative business ventures. The air will be alive with the sounds of laughter and music as artists captivate your senses. For the little ones, the Kids Zone beckons with inflatable wonders, free of charge, promising boundless joy. And for just a dollar, the kiddos can embark on the train rides and partake in a plethora of kid-friendly activities that promise memories to last a lifetime. Throughout the weekend, the Main Stage at the Train Depot will be a focal point of entertainment, along with myriad other locations along the bustling Front Street.
Kidsville Family Festival
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
September 28th, 10A-3P
Join the Kidsville Family Festival. A fun fall day filled with activities including: live music, costumes, arts & crafts, mascot photo station, musical meet & greets, inflatables & lawn games, obstacle course, painting, etc. More details to be announced.
Nashville Greek Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
4905 Franklin Pike
Nashville, TN 37220
September 27-29th
The Nashville Greek Festival is a great experience for the entire family, to learn about and experience Greek hospitality and culture. You can expect savory cuisine, music, dancing, and educational tours. I suggest trying the baklava! It is one of my favorite desserts. There will also be plenty of vendors with beautiful Greek items.
Hispanic Heritage Festival at Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
3777 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
September 28th
Nashville Zoo is excited to partner with Conexion Americas to host Hispanic Heritage Festival, presented by Twice Daily, for a celebration of culture and community. The festival will include dance performances, a puppet show, and a variety of musicians. The Zoo will also offer animal shows and tours of the Grassmere Historic Home in Spanish at various times throughout the day as well as a special-themed concessions menu.
This event is included with general admission or membership. Advance timed-entry reservations are required for all guests, including members. Learn more about why reservations are required here. Get tickets or make a reservation here.
Main Street Festival
Historic Downtown Gallatin Square
Gallatin, TN 37066
October 5th, 10A-5P
Main Street Festival is an annual event in downtown Gallatin. Though it is the older of our two events, it has grown in size to over 200 vendors and in excess of 30,000 visitors! The Main Street Festival is a rain or shine event. We are the host for over 200 arts, crafts, non-profit and a few commercial vendors, have local entertainment performing throughout the day on our two stages, have a large children’s area and a food and eating area for the community to purchase something to eat and sit and enjoy the event.
Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival
Cumberland Park East Bank Landing
2 Victory Ave
Nashville, TN 37213
October 5, 10A-4P
This beloved-tradition event is a fundraiser for the Cumberland River Compact, who work to provide clean water. Teams from around the area will race for the Grand Champion title. You can watch them compete, and enjoy food, drinks, and goods from local vendors. Dragonland is also a fun area for the kids!
Nashville Oktoberfest
600 James Robertson Pkwy,
Nashville, TN 37243
October 3-6
Thursday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Nashville Oktoberfest has been a Nashville tradition since 1980. It is Nashville’s oldest festival and America’s 2nd largest Oktoberfest. This event is family friendly with music, vendors, food and other activities. Oktoberfest has something for EVERYONE! Delicious German foods from dozens of restaurants & vendors, world-class beer, tons of events, Arts & Crafts vendors, live German music, the Dachshund Derby, and the 2nd largest 5K Race & Run in Tennessee – plus so much more!
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
October 5th, 10A-6P
In a city where one in six residents is foreign–born, the Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival is not only one of Nashville’s favorite and most vibrant festivals, but also a celebration and reminder of what makes Nashville a great place to live. This FREE Festival provides an opportunity for intercultural dialogue through a Nashville festival experience and features a variety of dance and musical performances on different stages, food vendors offering authentic and exotic tastes from around the world, hands-on children’s activities, an area just for teens, a marketplace, and so much more!
Goats Music and More Fest
Rock Creek Park
Lewisburg, TN
October 11-12
Goat shows that celebrate the fainting goat, prevalent in Marshall County, take place at the Goats, Music & More Festival. A grand champion is announced each year. This agricultural-focused event includes family-friendly activities like kids’ games and rides, goat yoga, arts, crafts and a variety of fair food. Free concerts are performed nightly by big-name acts like Deana Carter at Rock Creek Park.
Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue
Lynchburg, Tennessee
October 11-12
It’s rare that whiskey-making takes a backseat to much of anything in Lynchburg, Tennessee. (Known as THE JACK).For one weekend every year, the smallest town in whiskey becomes the biggest scene in barbecue. You might not know it, but each year more than 40,000 folks travel to our small town in Tennessee to enjoy watching barbecue teams from around the world compete in The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
Although the barbecue competition itself is in Wiseman Park, the entire town is filled with booths and displays. So in between sampling some of the best barbecue around, you can check out buck dancing, try your hand at butt bowling, or cheer on the pets in the Country Dog Show. Admission is free and open to all ages. We hope to see you there!
Tennessee Craft Fall Fair
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
October 11-13, 10A-6P
Artists from across the nation will exhibit their handmade craft on the Great Lawn adjacent to the Parthenon, showcasing fine craft from clay, jewelry and leather to wood, glass, painting and more. The Kids’ Tent offers the experience for families to craft together or enjoy take-and-make activities.
This free event is accessible to the public – with free parking and free shuttle service on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttles will run in 15-minute loops from the HCA Parking Lots located on Park Plaza to the entrance of the Tennessee Craft Fair.
Boo at the Zoo
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
3777 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
October 11-31
Enjoy fall themed scenes and activities, trick or treating for the kids, special animal shows, and more at Nashville’s favorite Halloween event!
Festive Features
- Plenty of magical lit scenes and Instagram-worthy photo ops
- Enchanting giant hay creatures
- Spooktacular tunes on the Monster Mash Dance Floor
- Free rides on the Scary-Go-Round Carousel
- Special animal shows nightly at 5:45, 6:45 & 7:45 pm
- 10 trick-or-treat stations + a souvenir bag for kids ages 2-12
- Visit with costumed characters in Unseen New World Plaza
- Purchase & paint a pumpkin at our pumpkin patch
- Take a “Dying Superstitions and Traditions” tour at the Grassmere Historic Home
Tickets go on sale August 14th around 10 am.
Light the Nations
51st Avenue N.
Nashville, TN 37209
October 19th, 2-10P
Light the Nations, is an event in West Nashville that highlights the area by featuring local food, music, businesses and art. A percentage of the festival funds will go to support Thistle Farms. There will be plenty of kids activities available, including face painting. For more information, and a schedule of events, be sure and check out their website.
Dog Day Festival
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
October 19th, 10A-4P
Nashville Humane’s Dog Day Festival, presented by Mars Petcare, is an event where our four-legged friends rule the day! Bring your dogs and participate in costume contests, pet portraits, a parade and more. There will also be a children’s area, food trucks, music, and other entertainment. This is a ticketed event, and proceeds will support the Nashville Human Society. Tickets will be available soon for purchase, so be sure and follow their website for up-to-date information.
Webb School Arts & Craft Show
Downtown Bell Buckle- Maple Street
October 19-20, 9A-5P
This arts and craft show, located in historic Bell Buckle, is a favorite! There will be over 100 booths of vendors, displaying the best of the best handmade arts and crafts. Also, you can expect food trucks offering cuisines from all over the world!
Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest
The Avenue Murfreesboro
2615 Medical Center Pkwy
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(Behind Belk)
October 19th, 10A-2P
This FREE ADMISSION event is a wonderful place to take the kids and let them get out loads of energy. There will be inflatables, a climbing wall, and other activities and games. Local vendors and live entertainment can also be expected.
Southern Festival of Books
Downtown Nashville
October 26-27
The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word is a free, three-day literary Festival held annually the second full weekend of October in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event welcomes more than 200 authors, and over 60 publishers and booksellers. There will also be performance stages, and events for children.
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s 37th Annual PumpkinFest
Main Street, Downtown Franklin, TN
October 26th, 10A-6P
This event is the largest fall festival in Middle Tennessee. Join in on a fun day of fall-inspired food and drinks, children activities, live music, pet and children’s costume contests, and arts and crafts. There will be no shortage of family fun!
GOODfest in the Park
Moss-Wright Park
745 Caldwell Drive
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
October 26th, 11-3
The event with new name and new branding combines the GOODFest and Fall Market with Halloween in the Park. GOODFest In The Park is a free outdoor event held at Moss-Wright Park, 745 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville and is fun for all ages. The event will include a marketplace for vendor shopping, a food court, a couple of children’s areas with free activities, DJ with line dancing, inflatables, a candy trail and so much more! The Goodlettsville Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop is open during the duration of the event. Parking for the event is at Moss-Wright Park, 745 Caldwell Drive, with limited parking at the Visitor’s Center, 705 Caldwell Drive.
Zoolumination
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
3777 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
November 16th-February 9
See the zoo in a whole new light! Visit the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival featuring magical scenes of more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns! With all new designs and over a thousand colorful lanterns, this walkthrough experience is sure to delight all ages. Chinese artists have reimagined Chinese folklore in bright and colorful scenes throughout the Zoo. And during November 25- December 24, North Pole Village will be added. This festive area is a must-see, full of lights, trees and holiday fun! Santa will visit each night. Tickets go on sale September 18.
What is your favorite fall festival to attend?
