From pumpkin patches to fall festivals, Middle Tennessee has something for the whole family this fall.
There’s no place quite like Middle Tennessee in autumn. Between the pumpkin patches, hayrides, and fall festivals, fall around here is pretty magical. Plus, the leaves are out in their full glory, setting the scene for all your outdoor adventures.
Whether you’re after sprawling corn mazes, stunning crafts, your pick of the pumpkin patch, or a day spent up close and personal with some friendly animals, there’s something in Middle Tennessee for everyone to enjoy. Here are ten top fall events in Middle Tennessee you won’t want to miss:
Top 10 Fall Events in Middle Tennessee
1. Cheekwood Harvest
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is beautiful year-round, but in autumn it steps up its game with Cheekwood Harvest. Pumpkin Village, with its three pumpkin houses, makes an incredible photo opp, and over 75,000 additional pumpkins, including the Jack-o’-Lantern Topiary, are scattered throughout the gardens.
Once you’ve had your fill of pumpkins, you can see over 4,000 chrysanthemums, stroll the Scarecrow Trail, pop into the beer garden, or sit down for afternoon tea at Café 29.
On Thursday nights from September 18th through October 30th, Harvest NIGHTS run from 5 pm to 9 pm with the Spooky Scarecrow Trail, seasonal food and drinks from local food trucks, and live music from artists like The Royal Hounds, Paul Childers, and Nick Fallon. Special themed nights include Oktoberfest and the Bootanical Bash.
2. Honeysuckle Hill Farm Fall Festival
Springfield’s Honeysuckle Hill Farm Fall Festival runs from September 27th through November 1st and features plenty of fun for the whole family. This 200-acre farm turns into an autumn playground, with activities for kids, parents, and everyone else.
Guests can wander through this year’s country music corn maze, featuring Lainey Wilson, or hop on a relaxing hayride. For little ones, the petting farm, the carousel, and the swings never fail to delight. For adventure-seekers, there’s the rock wall, bungee trampoline, mechanical bull, and Hunter’s Challenge Course.
The weekends bring several special shows you can’t catch anywhere else. If you’ve ever wanted to see pigs race, hear chicks sing, or check out some dancing tractors, Honeysuckle Hill Farm is the place to be.
3. The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s Annual PumpkinFest
Franklin isn’t just known for its charming downtown and historic homes. It’s also home to the annual PumpkinFest. For the past 40 years, Franklin’s PumpkinFest has been a local favorite.
There is plenty of live entertainment, ranging from the pet and people costume contests to the musical acts. The KidZone will be packed with games, activities, arts, and crafts, and tasty food and drinks from the 30+ vendors will keep everyone fueled up and ready for a full day of fun.
Plus, with over 140 arts and crafts vendors, it’s impossible to walk the streets without finding a handmade product or seasonal treat worth taking home. Whether you’re after leather pieces, scented candles, or a beautiful birdhouse, you can find what you’re looking for. This year’s festival falls on October 25th.
4. Boo at the Zoo
Running nightly from October 17th through November 1st, Boo at the Zoo is a can’t-miss for families and animal lovers alike.
Kids can pick up their complimentary souvenir bag and enjoy trick-or-treating or try their luck at the Carn-Evil Carnival games. They can also get free rides on the Scary-Go-Round Carousel, settle in for a story with the Old Oakley Tree, hear jokes from Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin, or meet costumed characters at the Unseen New World Plaza.
As for the animals, visitors can catch tigers, bears, flamingos, and Unseen New World Exhibits until 8:30 pm. At 5:45 pm, 6:45 pm, and 7:45 pm, there will be a nightly themed animal show at the Ajax Turner Amphitheater. Plus, attendees can gather at the Festival Field at 6:30 pm for an animal encounter.
Additional attractions at Boo at the Zoo include the Monster Mash Dance Floor, the pumpkin patch, the Soaring Eagle Zip Line, the Chick-fil-A Adventure 4D Theater, Frightful Fun, and various photo ops.
5. Fall Festival at Lucky Ladd Farms
Lucky Ladd Farms has been voted the #1 destination for family fun in Nashville and Murfreesboro, and they’ve certainly earned it.
Not only do they have trails, games, puzzles, a climbing wall, a crazy ropes maze, and a tricycle race track, but they also offer wildlife exhibits, gem and fossil mining, cow milking, and rabbit feeding. Visitors can also explore the free-flight aviary, take a trip down the mega slide, and encounter capybaras, prairie dogs, and sloths up close and personal.
Plus, Luck Ladd Farms is home to Tennessee’s largest petting farm. Cows, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits all call Lucky Ladd Farms home. And for $6, kids can hop in the saddle and ride ponies around a fenced enclosure.
While Lucky Ladd Farms is always a great place to visit, they bring their A-game in the fall. Between September 20th and October 31st, Lucky Ladd Farms introduces a corn maze, face painting, and a jump pad. They also have a large pumpkin patch, featuring pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as homemade kettle corn, pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apples, and apple cider donuts.
6. GOODFest in the Park
This year’s GOODFest in the Park will take place in Moss-Wright Park on Saturday, October 25th, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. Last year brought in over 9,000 guests for family-friendly fun, and this year promises to be just as exciting.
Not only will there be a marketplace packed with high-quality vendors, but there will also be a food court with plenty of delicious choices. If dancing is your thing, the DJ’s got the soundtrack covered. For kids, there are several areas with fun inflatables, a trick-or-treating candy trail, and plenty of other fun fall activities. And the best part is that it doesn’t cost a penny to enter!
7. Nashville Fall Festival
Ready for family fun on the farm? Stop by the Nashville Fall Festival! Running from September 26th through October 27th, this growing tradition is now in its fourth year and has plenty of activities for all ages.
Visitors can wander through a large corn maze, hop on a riverfront tractor ride, or even take a relaxing walk through a bright sunflower field. If you want to see the fall foliage from a bird’s-eye view, the festival also offers hot air balloon and helicopter rides on select weekends.
Families can enjoy classic hayrides, pick out large pumpkins from the patch, play outdoor games, listen to live music performances, and wrap it all up with a tasty bite from one of the many local food trucks.
The festival is open Fridays from 3 pm until dark, Saturdays from 9 am until dark, and Sundays from 12 pm until dark.
8. Fall Tennessee Craft Fair
From October 10th through October 12th, around 190 artists from across the country will gather on the Great Lawn for the 47th annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair.
Ranked among the nation’s top 25 craft art fairs, this juried craft fair is a must-see! Here, you’ll find traditional and contemporary fine crafts, including jewelry, leather pieces, ceramics, blown glass, sculptures, paintings, and more.
One thing that makes this fair so special is that there are plenty of opportunities for the public to chat with the artists face-to-face. Some artisans will even host demonstrations and create new pieces in front of you.
If your kids feel inspired after watching the pros, they can head to the Kids’ Tent to create fun crafts. Food vendors will also be on-site.
9. Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest
From 10 am until 2 pm on Saturday, October 18th, families with children can gather behind the Belk in Murfreesboro for the Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to wear costumes, so get creative and show off your Halloween spirit!
With activities like pumpkin decorating, free giveaways, inflatable bounce houses, a climbing wall, and other fun children’s activities, there’s never a dull moment at the Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest! There are also several local vendor booths and live entertainment, including dance performances, live music, and science shows. Magician Magic Steve, Mr. Rich of Super Science TN, and Polly Moony will all be making appearances.
10. Dog Day Festival
Love dogs? Don’t miss Nashville Humane’s Dog Day on October 18th from 10 am until 4 pm in Centennial Park.
The festival is a full day of entertainment for families, kids, pups, and everyone else. Our competitive canine friends can tackle the Lucky Dogs Lure Course, compete in the Weiner Race, or enter the dog costume contest. If they’re a little shy or simply want their entire family to join in, there’s also a group costume contest where humans and pups can show off their spirit.
Kids can enjoy carnival games, inflatables, and vendors with kids’ crafts, while adults can relax in the beverage garden. The whole family can catch agility demonstrations by Dynamo Dogs, snack at the food trucks, listen to live music, or browse the vendor village.
Come for the fun and maybe leave with a loveable shelter dog!
Make the Most of Middle Tennessee’s Magical Fall
No matter what kinds of autumn experiences you’re looking for, Middle Tennessee is full of seasonal fun. With so many incredible events to choose from, you’re bound to make fun, unforgettable memories with family, friends, and even your furry companions.
Fall in Middle Tennessee is truly one of a kind, so plan your adventures and get out there.
About Summit Concrete:
At Summit Concrete, we’re proud to be part of this vibrant Middle Tennessee community. While we specialize in creating beautiful, durable concrete driveways, patios, and walkways for homes and businesses throughout the region, we believe in giving back to the neighborhoods we serve.
That’s why we love highlighting the local events and attractions that make fall in our area so special. Whether you need a new driveway to handle all that Halloween foot traffic or a stamped concrete patio perfect for enjoying those crisp autumn evenings, we’re here to help.
But more importantly, we’re your neighbors—and we hope to see you out at these fantastic fall events. For all your concrete needs in Middle Tennessee, contact us or call (615) 295-4547. Let’s build something great together.