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
Cheekwood Harvest | Saturday, Sept. 14-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Cheekwood
Alongside a scarecrow trail and beer garden, a Pumpkin Village made with 75,000 pumpkins and 4,000 chrysanthemums sits at the heart of the festival.
Kidsville Family Festival | Saturday, Sept. 28 | Centennial Park
Plan ahead for a fun-filled day of activities, including live music, character meet and greets, inflatable games, face painting, an instrument petting zoo, and more.
International Black Film Festival | Wednesday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Locations vary
This year’s festival will screen 40+ documentaries, shorts, and narrative features.
Nashville Film Festival | Thursday, Sept. 19-Wednesday, Sept. 25 | Locations vary
In addition to 150 film screenings, make plans to attend industry panels, live music showcases, and after parties.
Fall Ball, Y’all | Saturday, Sept. 28 | Nashville Farmers Market
The autumn harvest party will have live bluegrass, a pumpkin patch, vendor specials, and more fall fun.
Touch of Brews | Friday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Sept. 28 | Sevier Park
Spend the day at this Grateful Dead-inspired festival with live music, craft beer, food trucks, a kid’s zone, and vendors. Pro tip: Kids 12 and under get in free.
Artville | Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Wedgewood-Houston and Chestnut Hill
Expect ~20 large-scale public art installations and murals, as well as gallery shows, after dark events, artisan vendors, and more at this 2nd annual visual arts festival.
Pilgrimage Music Festival | Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 29 | The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Noah Kahan, Dave Matthews Band, Hozier, and NEEDTOBREATHE headline the annual Franklin festival.
Nashville Oktoberfest | Thursday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Come for the food — brats, sausages, schnitzel, strudel, funnel cakes, and more — and stay for the 5k Bier Run, live music, and stein holding competitions. Bonus: Don’t miss the dog-friendly activities, including a pup parade and the Dachshund Derby.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival | Saturday, Oct. 5 | Centennial Park
The annual festival offers entertainment stages, educational exhibits, food, shopping, and other activities honoring over 50 cultures.
Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival | Saturday, Oct. 5 | Nashville East Riverfront Landing
Arrive early to find a spot for the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. before Dragon Boat races commence on the Cumberland River.
Fall Tennessee Craft Fair | Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13
Shop fine crafts from jewelry, clay, and leather to wood, glass, and paintings from hundreds of Tennessee artists.
Light the Nations | Saturday, Oct. 19 | The Nations
The 8th annual event celebrating this West Nashville neighborhood features vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and luminary bag decorating.
Southern Festival of Books | Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
The annual literary festival welcomes 150 authors to Nashville for two days of author talks, book signings, live performances, and shopping.
PumpkinFest | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Downtown Franklin
The festival stretches along Main Street and its side avenues with over 140 craft vendors and 30 food vendors. Beyond shopping, check out the children’s activities, live music, and costume contests.
El Dia de los Muertos | Saturday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Cheekwood
The 25th annual festival will have music and dancing, art activities, alter displays, and more — tickets go on sale Sept. 24.
Food and drink festivals
Nashville Brew Fest | Friday, Sept. 20 | First Horizon Park
First Horizon Park transforms into a beer oasis with 50+ breweries and activities set up on the field and throughout the concourse.
Nashville Greek Festival | Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Enjoy a weekend of dancing, shopping, and feasting on spanakopita, Greek-style fries, baklava, and other dishes.
Taste of West Nashville | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | Fat Bottom Brewing Co.
Arrive hungry at this annual tasting event with 20+ local vendors. This year’s gathering features everything from sandwiches and hot dogs to snow cones and cinnamon rolls.
Nashville Whiskey Festival | Thursday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 12 | Locations vary
Saturday’s grand tasting at Omni Nashville Hotel includes a tasting glass and access to masterclasses.
Pizza City Fest | Saturday, Oct. 19-Sunday, Oct. 20 | First Horizon Park
Enjoy slices from ~40 local and national pizzerias, as well as unlimited sides, salads, and sweets. When you’re not eating pizza, watch live demonstrations and sit in on panel discussions.
Bacon & Brews Street Festival | Saturday, Oct. 19 | New Heights Brewing Company
Bacon and beer take center stage at this street festival boasting live music, food trucks, bacon-eating contests, and kid’s activities.
Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Two Rivers Mansion
Admission includes a commemorative glass and 3-ounce samples from local, regional, national, and import breweries.
Nashville Tequila Festival | Friday, Nov. 1 | The Yard at oneC1TY
General admission includes 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 | Saturday, Sept. 7 | Capitol View
Join fellow pet lovers at this street festival featuring 15+ dog-friendly vendors.
Dog Day Festival | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Centennial Park
Join the Nashville Humane Association for a day of costume contests, agility demonstrations, live music, and food trucks.
Halloween Pooch Party | Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Cheekwood
Dress up Fido for a stroll through the gardens and enjoy special treats from dog-friendly vendors.
Pups & Pints | Saturday, Oct. 5 | The Yard at oneC1TY
Bring your canine companions for a shopping spree at the Bark Market, “pawdicures and furr-cials” by a local grooming company, and pet-friendly arts and crafts.
Halloween happenings
Fear Fest | Friday, Oct. 4-Thursday, Oct. 31 | The Franklin Theatre
Grab the popcorn for 20+ movie screenings, including horror classics and seasonal family favorites — “Hocus Pocus,” “The Shining,” and “Scream,” to name a few.
BOOze at the Zoo | Thursday, Oct. 10 | Nashville Zoo
Collect treats along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, hear jokes from Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin, and sip on unlimited samples at this 21+ event.
Boo at the Zoo | Friday, Oct. 11-Thursday, Oct. 31 | Nashville Zoo
Get ready for trick-or-treating, “Scary-Go-Round” carousel rides, a “Monster Mash” dance area, and other fall-themed activities throughout the zoo.
All Hallows East | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Five Points
Spend the day in this East Nashville neighborhood for carnival games, costume contests, arts and crafts, and trick-or-treating.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Multiple dates | The Parthenon
A string quartet plays Halloween-inspired tunes from “Beetlejuice,” “Stranger Things,” and more.
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” In Concert | Saturday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Watch Jack Skellington attempt to take over Christmas while the Nashville Symphony performs the score live.
Pumpkins aplenty.
Photo by @gentrysfarm
Orchards, pumpkin patches, and mazes
Nashville Fall Festival | Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 8687 Old Harding Pk.
General admission grants you access to the corn maze, and you can add on pumpkin picking and hay rides.
Shuckle’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch | Saturday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 7526 Swift Rd., Greenbrier
Visit this farm ~30 min. north of downtown to enjoy hayrides, an 8-acre corn maze, seasonal foods, and pumpkin bowling and basketball.
Honeysuckle Hill Farm | Saturday, Sept. 21-Thursday, Oct. 31 | 1765 Martins Chapel Church Rd., Springfield
Choose your adventure by adding a punch card with your purchase, and explore the 30+ attractions included with admission like the pumpkin train and zip line.
Gentry’s Farm | Saturday, Sept. 28-Monday, Oct. 28 | 1974 Hwy. 96 W., Franklin
Have some fall fun with wagon rides, a corn field maze, a general store, a tractor playground, and mini putt putt.
Lucky Ladd Farms | Saturday, Sept. 21-Friday, Nov. 1 | 4374 Rocky Glade Rd., Eagleville
Seasonal activities include a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and seasonal treats.
Walden Pumpkin Farm | TBA | 8653 Rocky Fork Rd., Smyrna
