Ready for sweater weather, Nashville? From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to fall festivals and Halloween fun, consider this the ultimate fall guide featuring 30+ events happening through early November.
Festivals and fairs
The Nashville Fair, Sept. 5-14
Now in its fourth year, the Davidson County fair boasts carnival rides, livestock events, contests, and fair food. This year’s theme is “Now with More Cowbell.”
AMERICANAFEST, Sept. 9-13
The 25th annual festival unites fans and industry professions for nightly showcases and panels.
Cheekwood Harvest, Sept. 13-Oct. 30
Explore the Pumpkin Village, chrysanthemum displays, and scarecrow trail, plus check out the new Harvest NIGHTS on Thursdays featuring jack-o’-lanterns, live music, and seasonal drinks.
Nashville Film Festival, Sept. 18-24
In addition to 140+ film screenings, make plans to attend industry panels, live music showcases, and after parties.
International Black Film Festival, Oct. 1-5
This year’s festival will screen 30+ documentaries, shorts, and narrative features.
Artville, Sept. 26-28
The festival’s hub at Walk of Fame Park will have immersive, large-scale public art installations alongside the American Artisan Festival featuring 65 vendors.
Pilgrimage Music Festival, Sept. 27-28
John Mayer, Kings of Leon, Turnpike Troubadours, and Young the Giant headline the annual Franklin festival.
Nashville Oktoberfest, Oct. 2-5
Come for the food — brats, sausages, schnitzel, strudel, funnel cakes, and more — and stay for the 5K Bier Run, Dachshund Derby, and stein holding competitions.
Touch of Brews, Oct. 4
Spend the day at this Grateful Dead-inspired festival held at Sevier Park. Pro tip: Kids 12 and under get in free.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival, Oct. 4
The annual festival held at Centennial Park offers entertainment stages, educational exhibits, food, shopping, and other activities honoring over 50 cultures.
Fall Tennessee Craft Fair, Oct. 10-12
Shop fine crafts from jewelry, clay, and leather to wood, glass, and paintings from hundreds of Tennessee artists.
Fall Ball, Y’all, Sept. 27
The Nashville Farmers Market’s autumn harvest party will have live bluegrass, a pumpkin patch, vendor specials, and more fall fun.
Kidsville Family Festival, Sept. 27
Plan ahead for a fun-filled day with live music, dancing, character meet-and-greets, inflatable games, and face painting.
Light the Nations, Oct. 18
The 9th annual event celebrating this West Nashville neighborhood features vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and luminary bag decorating.
Southern Festival of Books, Oct. 18-19
The annual literary festival welcomes 150 authors to Nashville for two days of panels, book signings, live performances, and shopping.
PumpkinFest, Oct. 25
The festival stretches along Main Street and side streets with 140+ arts and craft vendors. Plus, don’t miss fall-inspired treats, live entertainment, and costume contests.
El Dia de los Muertos, Nov. 1-2
The 26th annual festival will have musical performances, local eats, memorial alters, and Day of the Dead murals created by local middle and high school students.
Food and drink festivals
Nashville Greek Festival, Sept. 26-28
This fest is known for dancing, shopping, and feasting on spanakopita, Greek-style fries, and baklava.
Nashville Brew Fest, Sept. 27
First Horizon Park transforms into a beer oasis with 50+ breweries and activities set up on the field and throughout the concourse.
Taste of West Nashville, Oct. 7
Yelp Nashville is taking the reins of this year’s event, and tickets are “pay what you can” with a suggested $25 donation.
Nashville Whiskey Festival, Oct. 10-12
Saturday’s grand tasting at the Cambria Hotel includes access to 100+ whiskeys, food pairings, and signature cocktails.
Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival, Oct. 18
Tickets come with a commemorative glass and 3-ounce samples from local, regional, national, and import breweries.
Nashville Tequila Festival, Oct. 24
General admission gets you a tequila sampling passport with 12 tastings, plus access to live music, food trucks, and festive photo set-ups.
Dog-friendly to-dos
Hot Diggity Dog Fest, Sept. 6
Join fellow pet lovers at this Capitol View street festival featuring dog pools, contests, and 10+ dog-friendly vendors.
Dog Day Festival, Oct. 18
Support Nashville Humane Association at its annual fall event with costume contests, agility demonstrations, live music, and food trucks at Centennial Park.
Pups & Pints, Oct. 25
Bring your canine companions to The Yard at oneC1TY for a shopping spree at the Bark Market and pet-friendly arts and crafts.
Halloween Pooch Party, Oct. 25-26
Dress up Fido for a stroll through the gardens and enjoy special treats from dog-friendly vendors.
Halloween happenings
BOOze at the Zoo, Oct. 16
Collect treats along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, hear jokes from Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin, and sip on unlimited samples at this 21+ Nashville Zoo event.
Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 17-Nov. 1
Get ready for trick-or-treating, “Scary-Go-Round” carousel rides, a “Monster Mash” dance area, and other fall-themed activities throughout the zoo.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th Anniversary, Oct. 21
Join the original Brad Majors (Berry Bostwick) for a screening of the original unedited movie with a live shadow cast.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, Oct. 24
A string quartet plays Halloween-inspired tunes from “Beetlejuice,” “The Addams Family,” and other classics.
All Hallows East, Oct. 25
Spend the day in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, where you’ll find carnival games, costume contests, arts and crafts, and trick-or-treating.
Pumpkins aplenty.
Photo by @gentrysfarm
Orchards, pumpkin patches, and mazes
Lucky Ladd Farms, Sept. 20-Oct. 31 | Eagleville
Seasonal activities include a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and treats. Tickets range from $12 to $32.
Walden Pumpkin Farm, Sept. 20-Oct. 31 | Smyrna
Instead of purchasing Walden Bucks like in previous years, a $12 activity wristband now grants access to hayrides and corn mazes. General admission is free.
Shuckle’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 27-Nov. 1 | Greenbrier
Visit this farm ~30 minutes north of downtown to enjoy hayrides, an 8-acre corn maze, seasonal foods, and pumpkin bowling for $18+ per person.
Honeysuckle Hill Farm, Sept. 27-Nov. 1 | Springfield
Explore 30+ attractions included with $20+ admission, including a Lainey Wilson-themed corn maze, carousel rides, pig races, and an obstacle course.
Gentry’s Farm, Sept. 27-Oct. 27 | Franklin
Have some fall fun with wagon rides, a corn field maze, mini putt putt, and a tractor playground. Admission is $13 per person.
Editor’s note: More pumpkin patches will be added as dates are confirmed.
