Halloween doesn’t have to be all haunted houses and horror flicks. Around Nashville, you’ll find plenty of events designed with families in mind—festive, creative, and just spooky enough to keep it fun without sending anyone sneaking into your bed in the middle of the night. Here are some not-so-scary Halloween events to enjoy with your crew.
Not-So-Scary Halloween Fun In & Around Nashville
Fright Nights – Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center
October 10 & 11, 2025 | 6 – 10 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person (food vendors extra)
All ages welcome
This one offers something for everyone—kid-friendly haunted house walk-throughs, science demonstrations, and a kids’ zone from 6–8 p.m. Families with older kids (and braver parents) can stick around for the “Scare Hours” from 8–10 p.m. Costumes encouraged!
Check their Facebook page for updates and more info!
Fall Fun Fest – The Mall at Green Hills
October 11, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free admission
Start the season with games, crafts, and snacks at one of Nashville’s favorite shopping destinations. Think of it as trick-or-treating made easy—fun activities, festive treats, and no long walks in the dark. Admission is free, with tickets only required for children participating in the event. Festivities will be held on the Lower Level outside of Dillard’s, and the Emerald Parking Deck is your best bet for convenient parking. Arrive early—supplies are limited!
Spooky Sprint – Two Rivers Park
October 18, 2025
Registration: $20.83–$65.46
Run for your lives! (Just kidding—it’s a family-friendly 5K, 10K, and half marathon.) There’s even a kids’ dash for ages 10 and under, so your mini monsters can join the fun. This annual race puts a healthy spin on Halloween weekend, and with costumes encouraged, the course feels more like a moving costume party than a race.
Fright Night Laser Show – Adventure Science Center
Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29 | 6:15 – 7 p.m.
Tickets: $11 (non-members), $7 (members)
Lasers, pumpkins, skeletons, spiders—all grooving to Halloween classics. It’s like a rock concert but with more jack-o-lanterns and fewer overpriced T-shirts.
Boo at the Nashville Zoo
October 17-November 1
The zoo’s annual Halloween tradition transforms the grounds into a glowing wonderland, complete with themed pathways, trick-or-treat stations, and plenty of animal encounters. Between the candy, costumes, and light displays, it’s a one-stop shop for festive family fun—just be prepared to head home wondering how you ended up with so much candy.
Spooky Splash – Patterson Indoor Water Park (Murfreesboro)
October 27, 2025 | 5 – 8 p.m.
$5 preregistration / $7 day of
Designed for ages 8–14, this event makes a splash with swimming, crafts, tie-dye, dinner, and yes—a mysterious “pudding surprise” (we’re intrigued too). It’s a fun twist on Halloween for kids who’d rather cannonball than carve pumpkins. Just don’t forget to bring a plain white T-shirt for tie-dye—definitely not their favorite jersey.
Pumpkinfest – Downtown Franklin
October 25, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Free admission
Nashville’s fall party of the year. 100,000 people, 140+ vendors, costume contests, live music, and enough pumpkins to make Cinderella jealous. Pack patience, snacks, and your best walking shoes.
Harvest Nights – Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Throughout September and October
Thousands of carved pumpkins glowing in the gardens, scarecrows, food trucks, and live music. It’s like stepping into a fall Pinterest board—minus the DIY cleanup.
Whether you’re laser-dancing with skeletons or dashing through a 5K in costume, these events promise more giggles than goosebumps. Gather your little goblins and make some magical (and mildly spooky) memories this October!
