As a former Florida girl getting to experience the change of seasons is one of the many things I love about Middle Tennessee. Watching the leaves change, getting to wear sweaters and boots, experiencing all things pumpkin…I could really go on and on. Now that we have a little one in the mix it adds a whole new element of excitement as well! The changing of the season also brings with it a new list of things to do and ways to explore the area!
Our Favorite Events & Notable Festivals
The fall season is packed full of fun fall events and festivals in the Nashville area. Below you’ll find a list of the events we’re most excited about this season:
Musician’s Corner September Sundown
FREE live concerts from various musicians playing every Thursday & Friday with one Saturday included for the month of September at Centennial Park. This is a family friendly event! We went this past week and had a blast! Check out their calendar for times and dates.
Jazz on the Cumberland
Get your last FREE jazz concerts of the season in: September 19th & October 17th at Cumberland Park. Take a look at their Facebook page for more information.
Americanafest: The Americana Music Festival & Conference
Americanafest is four days of music and insight from industry leaders from September 22nd – 25th in Nashville. Grab a Festival Pass or Festival + Conference Pass to experience Americanafest.
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
Don’t miss the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival on September 25th & 26th at The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin, Tennessee. They just released their daily lineup of musicians which you can check out on their website. This year they’ve got The Black Keys, Dave Matthews Band, Maren Morris and MORE. This festival is family friendly with a special Lil’ Pilgrams stage!
Tennessee Honey Festival
Celebrate local honey while the community gets together around art, music, education and inspiration at the Tennessee Honey Festival on October 3rd at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Rain or shine!
Whiskey, Wine and Cider Festival
The Whiskey, Wine and Cider Festival on October 7th at The Bedford Nashville Event Venue is for a great cause! Enjoy tastings of all three beverages and dinner while kicking off breast cancer awareness month. Proceeds will go to breast cancer patients to help with their mortgage/rent, utilities and insurance premiums.
The Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair
Check out the Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair. Happening from October 8th – 10th in Centennial Park, the park highlights unique local artists from around Nashville & all of Tennessee. This event is family and pup friendly!
Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival
Grab your family or friends and head to the Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival on October 16th at the grounds of Two Rivers Mansion. Enjoy sampling craft, seasonal and micro beers and a variety of wines while knowing you’re giving back to the community!
Centennial Craft Fest
A Fall celebration on October 23rd & 24th in Centennial Park. Celebrate the season for FREE with a variety of local vendors, children’s activities, music, drinks, food and handmade crafts. This event is family and pup friendly.
Pumpkinfest
Check out Pumpkinfest on October 30th all along Main Street. A day to enjoy the festive season of Fall with food and drinks, live music, activities for children, arts and crafts and costume contests for both pets and families. This is one of my favorite festivals of the year (remember? I love all pumpkin everything).
Fun Things To Do During The Fall
Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it here during one of the festivals (or if they’re already sold out). There’s still plenty of things to do: football, changing leaves, cool weather and pumpkins anyone (have I mentioned I loved pumpkin everything 🙂
Bring your friends, your family, your pups, favorite blanket and sweater and have some fun this fall!
Walking & Hiking:
Ready to go for a walk or hike? The mild fall Middle Tennessee weather is a great season to go for walks or hikes. Check out some of our favorite spots below!
- Radnor State Park
- Natchez Trace Trail
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
- Greenways: Gulch Greenway Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and Downtown Nashville
- Centennial Park (be sure to visit the Parthenon)
- Stroll through some of Nashville’s most popular neighborhoods and people watch: 12 South, Germantown and East Nashville are our top picks!
- Enjoy taking in history (with stops for food and shopping) in Downtown Franklin
- Meander through Leiper’s Fork Village
Visit the Pumpkin Patches:
Pumpkin patches are always fun for children and adults alike during the Fall season. We have a list of farms for you to visit or head over to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens for their pumpkin display.
Changing Leaves:
Fall has arrived and who doesn’t like to see the beauty mother nature has to offer? Check out the list for the best places to see the Fall foliage in Middle Tennessee:
- Natchez Trace Trail
- Warner Parks
- Long Hunter State Park
- Bicentennial State Park
- Harpeth River State Park
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Peeler Park
- Radnor Lake
Take-Out Options For A Thanksgiving Dinner
Leave the cooking to someone else and enjoy Thanksgiving out or call in for pre-ordered meals. These are our top places we recommend for Thanksgiving dinner and sweets (note: they have not officially released their Thanksgiving options yet so we cannot 100% confirm they’ll be offering again this year however they have in years past)
The 404 Kitchen
The 404 Kitchen is located in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville. A modern take on classic European cuisine created by Chef Matt Bolus. All ingredients are fresh and responsibly sourced. Check out their menu and grab yourself a delicious Thanksgiving meal!
Adele’s
Adele’s is also located in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville. Their food is locally sourced by farms and purveyors and the menu focuses on seasonal and accessible comfort food. We love comfort food especially on holidays!
Kayne
Kayne is an American steakhouse with a mix of classics and modern interpretations with a fresh farm-to-table menu. Also, located in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville. If you’re searching for steak for your Thanksgiving dinner, Kayne is the place!
The Little Bee Bakery
Satisfy your sweet tooth with some treats from The Little Bee Bakery, located in Franklin. You’ll find cupcakes, pastries, quiche, cakes, cookies and pies. Don’t forget to order a custom pie for Thanksgiving!