Lucky you. You just found NASHtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Nashville each month.
Fall festival season is in full swing, meaning October is stacked with reasons to mark your calendar. Bookmark this guide and check back often — it’s updated monthly with new festivals, markets, and can’t-miss events.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Festival fun
International Black Film Festival | Wednesday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 5 | Times vary | Locations vary | $13+ | This year’s festival will screen 30+ documentaries, shorts, and narrative features.
Nashville Oktoberfest | Thursday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 5 | Times vary | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park | Free+ | 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.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Centennial Park | Free+ | The annual festival held at Centennial Park offers entertainment stages, educational exhibits, food, shopping, and other activities honoring over 50 cultures.
Southern Festival of Books | Saturday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | Locations vary | Free+ | The annual literary festival welcomes 150 authors to Nashville for two days of panels, book signings, live performances, and shopping.
Dog Day Festival | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Centennial Park | $5+ | Support Nashville Humane Association at its annual fall event with costume contests, agility demonstrations, live music, and food trucks.
PumpkinFest | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Downtown Franklin | Free+ | The festival stretches along Main Street and side streets with 140+ arts and craft vendors.
Nashville Jazz Festival | Saturday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | 3rd & Lindsley | $36+ | Enjoy performances by 70+ local and national musicians — from a gospel brunch to a super jam — at the inaugural festival.
Food and drink events
Touch of Brews | Saturday, Oct. 4 | Gates open at 11 a.m. | Sevier Park | $36+ | Spend the day at this Grateful Dead-inspired festival in 12 South — kids 12 and under get in free.
Nashville Whiskey Festival | Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown | $106+ | The festival’s grand tasting includes access to 100+ whiskeys, food pairings, and signature cocktails.
Fish & Whistle Fish Fry | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Neuhoff | $34 | Celebrate John Prine’s legacy and savor dishes created by the chefs at Fishmonger, City House, Mas Tacos, and Babychan.
Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 12-5 p.m. | Two Rivers Mansion | $65+ | Tickets come with a commemorative glass and 3-ounce samples from local, regional, national, and import breweries.
Nashville Tequila Festival | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | The Yard at oneC1TY | $54+ | General admission gets you a tequila sampling passport with 12 tastings, plus access to live music, food trucks, and festive photo set-ups.
Pups & Pints | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 12-4 p.m. | The Yard at oneC1TY | Free+ | Bring your canine companions for a shopping spree at the Bark Market and pet-friendly arts and crafts.
For the family
Japanese Moon Viewing | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 4-9 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | The 11th annual event will feature tea ceremony demonstrations and performances celebrating Japanese art, gardens, and culture.
Opry Community Day | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Opry House | Free with Tennessee ID | Celebrate 100 years of the Opry with backstage tours and activities on the plaza.
North Nashville Culture Crawl | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | One Drop Ink Creative Suites | Free | Experience interactive art installations, live performances, and kid-friendly activities.
Boo at the Zoo | Friday, Oct. 17-Saturday, Nov. 1 | 5-9 p.m. | Nashville Zoo | $19+ | Get ready for trick-or-treating, “Scary-Go-Round” carousel rides, a “Monster Mash” dance area, and other fall-themed activities throughout the zoo.
Indian Education Tennessee Pow Wow | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19 | 9 a.m. | $4 | Long Hunter State Park | The 44th annual event will feature arts and crafts, dancing, storytelling, food, and more.
Light the Nations | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 2-10 p.m. | The Nations | Free+ | The 9th annual event celebrating this West Nashville neighborhood boasts vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment.
All Hallows East | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2-10 p.m. | Five Points | $10+ | Spend the day in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, where you’ll find carnival games, costume contests, and trick-or-treating.
Halloween Pooch Party | Saturday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 26 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cost of admission | Dress up Fido for a costume contest and enjoy special treats from dog-friendly vendors.
Markets and fairs
Fall Tennessee Craft Fair | Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Centennial Park | Free+ | Shop fine crafts — everything from jewelry, clay, and leather to wood, glass, and paintings — made by hundreds of Tennessee artists.
Spring Bulb Sale | Saturday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 19 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | Get a head start on your spring garden with tulip and daffodil bulbs that will bloom next year.
Gulch Fall Market | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown The Gulch | Free+ | Shop locally made goods and enjoy seasonal bites and drinks from Silo Restaurant available for purchase.
StateMint Fall Consignment Sale | Thursday, Oct. 30-Monday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville | Free+ | Shop 50-80% off retail prices for major brands like Anthropologie, Lululemon, and Madewell.
Fall movie nights
NightLight 615 | Select nights in October | 7 p.m. | Locations vary | $12+ | Grab tickets to see “Wicked” and “Sinners” at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and “It” at Cumberland Park.
“Beetlejuice” | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Outfield in Wedgewood-Houston | Free+ | Catch the 1988 Tim Burton film under the giant guitar at the first of three movie nights with popcorn, drinks, and food trucks.
Fall Movie Night: “Wicked” | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Tanger Outlets | Free | Bring your own blanket and enjoy a cozy evening on The Green.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” | Wednesday, Oct. 29-Saturday, Nov. 1 | Times vary | Belcourt Theatre | $27 | Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this cult classic with live shadow cast Little Morals.
Frist Films: “Scream” | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 6-8 p.m. | Frist Art Museum | Free | Catch the 1996 film with a companion 5:15 p.m. gallery tour exploring its ties to contemporary African art.
See it on stage
“The Shining” | Thursday, Oct. 9-Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $36+ | Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, this haunting opera follows the Torrance family’s eerie winter at the remote Overlook Hotel.
“The Outsiders” | Tuesday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $62+ | See the 2024 Tony Award winner for Best Musical.
iLuminate | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | TPAC’s Polk Theater | $40+ | Experience high-energy dance, comedy, and LED technology at this show performed entirely in the dark.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company | Saturday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | TPAC’s Johnson Theater | $61 | Prepare for an evening of spontaneous comedy as a fully improvised Shakespearean play comes to life on stage.
Root for the home team
Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 5 p.m. | GEODIS Park | $138+ | Cheer on the Boys in Gold as they face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in the regular season finale.
Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots | Sunday, Oct. 19 | 12 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $66+ | The Titans host the Patriots, now led by former head coach Mike Vrabel, for their only October home game.
Nashville Predators: Opening Night | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $41+ | Don’t miss the pre-game Gold Walk and Plaza Party before the Preds open the season vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Move to the music
Tyler Childers | Friday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | GEODIS Park | $100+ | Hear songs from his newest album, “Snipe Hunter,” along with other favorites.
Laufey with Suki Waterhouse | 7:30 p.m. | Monday, Oct. 13 | Bridgestone Arena | $62+ | Head to the arena for an evening of dreamy jazz-pop arrangements.
Jonas Brothers | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $88+ | Fans can expect “dedicated sets from every chapter of Jonas,” including their solo projects.
Mumford & Sons | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $40+ | The band known for “Little Lion Man” and “The Cave” takes the stage with opener Sierra Ferrell.
Keith Urban | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $51+ | Sing along to tunes such as “Somebody Like You,” “Days Go By,” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”