1. Pumpkinfest in Downtown Franklin
Saturday, October 26, 10 a – 7 p
Downtown Franklin
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County will host its free annual event in downtown Franklin. Pumpkinfest is a family-friendly event with a costume contest, food, activities and more. Don’t miss the live entertainment throughout the day.
2. Bavarian Bierhaus Celebrates Octoberfest
Now – Friday, October 25
121 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville
Bavarian Bierhaus, the locally-owned German restaurant and beer hall, is kicking celebrations into high gear with Oktoberfest festivities through Oct. 25. The month-long celebration will offer food and drink specials, weekly German brewery features, daily festive music and Oktoberfest games and contests. Each Friday at 8 p, a new beer will be celebrated with a keg tapping and free beer served until the keg runs dry.
The month-long celebration continues with festival music and delicious food specials, including an authentic wiener schnitzel served during the Oktoberfest season. Each week features a different German brewery including Pfungstädter, Paulaner, Spaten, and Hofbräu.
3. Nashville City Cemetery Living History Tour
Saturday, October 12
1001 4th Avenue South, Nashville
The Nashville City Cemetery Association (NCCA) invites the community to hear first-hand stories from residents buried in the city’s oldest cemetery as part of its 20th annual Living History Tour on Saturday, Oct. 12, featuring important figures who fought through daunting challenges to help advance the young city in its earliest days.
This year’s tour, titled “If Tombstones Could Talk: Triumph and Tragedy from the Wild, Wild Western Frontier,” will feature volunteers dressed in full costume, portraying Nashville citizens who faced disease, violence and more as they built Nashville into a leading southern city on the fringe of settled America. Guests can expect to spend about an hour walking with guides through the cemetery to visit each storyteller, with the afternoon tour running from 2-4 p and the night tour––brought back by popular demand––running from 6-8 p.
Tickets for the Living History Tour are $5 for individuals, and children 10 and under are free. Attendees are encouraged to purchase them through Eventbrite for a fast entry, but day-of tickets may also be purchased with cash or credit at the front gate at the corner of 4th Ave S. and Oak St. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided by Fort Negley Park at 1100 Fort Negley Blvd. from 1:30-9 p.
4. Boo at the Zoo Illumination
October 11-13, 18-20, 24-27
3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville
Everyone comes out for the Nashville Zoo‘s holiday celebration, Boo at the Zoo. This year, they are offering 10 nights (Oct. 11-13, 18-20, & 24-27) of fun that includes trick-or-treat stations, carousel rides, hayrides, and so much more.
5. Cheekwood Harvest
Now – Saturday, October 27
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville
Celebrate the season during Nashville’s beloved Cheekwood Estate & Gardens‘ annual autumn celebration, Cheekwood Harvest happening September 21-October 27. Enjoy viewing more than 5,000 chrysanthemums in deep autumn as hues will take center stage in the gorgeous Robertson Ellis Color Garden. Stop by to see the Scarecrows invading their Turner Seasons Garden. Or pick the perfect pumpkin from their patch!
6. Fall Fest at The Hermitage
Saturday, October 5 – Sunday, October 6
4580 Rachel’s Ln. Nashville
One of the most beautiful times to explore the 1,100-acre grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President would be autumn, especially because they have amazing events families will love like Fall Fest at The Hermitage, October 5-6.
7. Boo in the Big House
Thursday, Oct 31 & Friday, November 1
Rippavilla Plantation, 5700 Main St, Spring Hill
Join Rippavilla Plantation and Southern Innovative Paranormal for a Halloween themed tour – Boo! in the Big House!
This 90-minute tour will be lead by local historian, Scott Smith, and team members from Southern Innovative Paranormal. Guests will experience the historic 1855 mansion under the glow of lanterns as they hear tales from the past and first hand encounters from paranormal investigators.
Rippavilla is offering four opportunities to join this exclusive tour: Oct 31 & November 1 at 7pm & 8:30pm both days
Reservations are required and may be made by calling Rippavilla Plantation at (931) 486-9037.
8. Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 11- Sunday, October 12
Nashville (Germantown), TN
Each year Nashville’s Germantown area transforms into a celebration of German tradition that is fun for the whole family. There will be live German music, German food, German beer, and even polka dancing. The event is FREE and open to the public.
9. Haunted Franklin Tour
October 1 – 31
Downtown Franklin
The family-friendly Haunted Franklin tour explores the ghosts and haunts that linger on the brick-lined streets and historic dwellings in charming Franklin, Tennessee. Departed socialites, a Civil War spy, failed businessmen, Confederate soldiers, and at least one dog roam downtown, and we spend an intriguing hour and a half with them. One is helpful, several appear lonely, and one seems to be afraid of the dark. We’ll visit 4-5 locations on our leisurely walk through Franklin. Bring your camera: you never know what you may catch. And we’ll show you the photos that other visitors have taken on our tours.
Buy tickets here.
10. The Glow: A Pumpkin Wonderland
Thursday, October 3 – Saturday, October 27
4580 Rachel’s Ln. Nashville
THE GLOW: A Pumpkin Wonderland is returning to Nashville on Oct. 3, offering its enchanting Halloween experience to families, couples and young adults alike. The month-long event, located at the iconic Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage just east of downtown, will feature a pumpkin wonderland with more than 5,000 decorative jack o’ lanterns, a pumpkin patch, live carving demonstrations and many more fun activities.
Tickets can be purchased online and start at $22.99 for adults and $16.99 for kids. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as some dates and time slots will sell out.
