With autumn officially here, it seems as though Nashville is in the mood to get outdoors and celebrate. In addition to a variety of festive fall events, October also brings us a handful of festivals that celebrate craft beer, cocktails and fine wine, as well as dog activities, and of course, music and entertainment. Pull out your calendars, folks! October is a busy month.
Opryland Goblins & Giggles | September 11-October 31
Visit the magnificent Gaylord Opryland for this year’s Goblins & Giggles. The month-long event features a trick or treat expedition, family fun zone, SpookEasy, and the indoor SoundWaves water attraction.
Cheekwood Harvest | September 18-October 31
Celebrate autumn with Cheekwood Harvest. Cheekwood has a lineup of fall festivities throughout the month of October, including Pooch Parade and Dia de Los Muertos. All season long, visit the Pumpkin House and Village, Thursday Night Out, scarecrows, and wellness workshops.
Nashville Brew Fest | October 1
Featuring more than 50 breweries, 150 beers, food trucks, music, and lawn games, Nashville Brew Fest is the place to be if you love your local craft beer. From 7-11pm head to First Horizon Park for unlimited beer and a good time.
Pups & Pints | October 2
Pups & Pints is back again at OneC1TY Park from 2-6pm. This free event is for you and your pup, featuring dog-centric activities, local pet vendors, food trucks, craft cocktails and more. Tasty treats for both humans and dogs will be available, as well as an off-leash area so the pups can cut loose.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival | October 2
Nashville Metro Parks presents Celebrate Nashville Culture Festival from 10am-6pm. Both virtual and in-person, the event will feature a variety of dance and music, as well as authentic and exotic food, hands-on children’s activities, an area just for teens, and a marketplace. This festival celebrates that 1 in every 6 residents in Nashville is foreign-born, reminding us of what a great place Nashville is to live.
TN Honey Festival | October 3
Enjoy live music, honey vendors, food trucks, honey-inspired beverages, bee education, and kids activities at the TN Honey Festival. This fun festival takes place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park from 10am-5pm.
Taste Of West Nashville | October 5
Join the annual Taste of West Nashville at Fat Bottom Brewing Co. and enjoy all of the unique restaurants that make West Nashville such an amazing part of the city. Taste samples of various restaurants, enjoy performances by local artists, take part in a silent auction, and benefit the West Nashville Dream Center. The event runs from 5:30-8:30pm.
Nashville Film Festival | September 30-October 6
The 52nd Nashville Film Festival offers in-person screening at a variety of venues, from Rocketown to Belmont University, Marathon Music Works, and the Belcourt Theater. Running from September 30-October 6, you can find the full lineup here. The event celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film.
Whiskey, Wine & Cider | October 7
Join the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition for an amazing night of whiskey tasting, cider tasting, and wine tasting. From 5:30-9pm, enjoy more than 20 different whiskey, wines, and ciders. Appetizers are provided, and each guest will receive a complimentary Whiskey, Wine & Cider tasting glass.
Nashville Ballet Presents Peter Pan | October 8-10
Head to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for the Nashville Ballet’s presentation of Peter Pan. This will be a sensational spectacle of fairies, pirates and mermaids with live chamber music scored by Phillip Feeney. Performances are at either 2pm or 7pm depending on the date of attendance.
Nuttin’ But a Word | October 14-16
Rennie Harris Puremovement presents “Nuttin’ But a Word” at Oz Arts Nashville. With a life-giving mix of contemporary dance, Hip-hop, and street dance forms, Philadelphia native Rennie Harris creates breathtaking and profound choreography with his internationally acclaimed company, Puremovement. Events will take place at varying times depending on the date of attendance.
Boo at the Zoo | October 15-30
The Nashville Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo on October 15-17, 19-24, 26-30 from 5-9pm nightly. Festivities include magical lit scenes, pumpkin patches, hay creatures, and Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin. The Monster Mash dance area and Scary-Go-Round carousel will be set up, along with special animal shows, trick-or-treat stations, and a glow-in-the-dark souvenir cup for kids.
Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine | October 16
The 11th Annual Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival takes place from 12-5pm at the Two Rivers Mansion. Enjoy samples from the best local, regional, national and import breweries, 2oz high gravity beer samples, 1oz wine samples, and 1oz shine samples. The event also features live music, artisan booths, and 34 different breweries.
Light the Nations | October 16
From 2-10pm join the 5th annual Light the Nations in West Nashville. Highlighting up-and-coming local businesses in the neighborhood, as well as art, vendors, food trucks, and fantastic live entertainment, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Kids activities include luminary bag decorating and s’mores! The event benefits Thistle Farms.
Dog Day Festival | October 16
The Nashville Humane Association’s annual Dog Day Festival at Centennial Park will feature a costume contest, pup parade, demonstrations, contests, and pet portraits. There will be food trucks, door prizes, fun zones, live music, and a wonderful opportunity to adopt shelter dogs who are ready to find their forever homes. The event runs from 10am-4pm.
Halloween Dash | October 21-24
The Halloween Dash supports emergency care for children, benefitting CECATN, who is dedicated to improving pediatric emergency care in Tennessee. The Halloween dash includes a 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Don’t forget to dress up in costume!
Bacon, Eggs & Kegs | October 23
From 11am-3pm at First Horizon Park, Bacon, Eggs & Kegs will feature your favorite Nashville brunch eats all in one place. Visit one of the 30-foot Bloody Mary Bars and enjoy local breweries and cideries. Receive a 5oz tasting mug or head to the Full Pour station for a 12oz option. To top it all off, there will also be a mimosa bar, lawn games, and live music—including a dueling piano show on stage!
Centennial Craft Fest | October 23-24
Head to Centennial Park for a fall celebration featuring local vendors, food and drink, live music and kids activities. Centennial Craft Fest is a free festival showcasing local, handmade goods, along with an Oktoberfest Pub, and live music presented by Musician’s Corner. Bring the whole family and enjoy family fun in Kidsville!
Nashville Harvest Festival | October 30
City Winery presents the 4th annual Nashville Harvest Festival where you can sample 20+ wines, enjoy music, explore with a winery tour, and indulge in some exquisite VIP experiences.
