Fall is prime festival season in Murfreesboro Tennessee, and on almost any upcoming weekend, you could enjoy a free festival celebrating everything from Shakespeare and Oktoberfest, to books and history, to country ham and the diverse Nashville culture.
Nashville Oktoberfest
The Nashville Oktoberfest, Oct. 5-8, will span 10 city blocks on the edge of historic Germantown next to the Bicentennial Mall. In addition to parades, crafts, German food and multiple stages of music (including but not limited to German music), the festival boasts “the world’s longest beer slide,” plus beer tasting stations and beer gardens. Don’t miss annual traditions like the Oktoberfest parade on Saturday, which includes a Pup Parade; the wiener dog races on Sunday; and a bratwurst eating contest. Organizers expect 300,000 attendees.
Celebration of Cultures
The 21st annual Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival, bringing together music, dance and food from more than 50 cultures that are now part of Middle Tennessee. The event, which attracts as many as 60,000 people, celebrates the city’s diversity and includes 60 music and dance performances, a marketplace with handcrafted and imported items, more than 50 international food vendors, an interactive children’s area and an area just for teens. This year, there will be a beer garden hosted by Musician’s Corner with proceeds benefiting the festival and Musician’s Corner. New entertainment features flamenco dancing, new food includes tastings from El Salvador, and more to be announced.
Granville Fall Celebration
The 18th Annual Granville Fall Celebration is Oct. 7, with music (jazz, big band, bluegrass, gospel and patriotic), quilt festival, arts festival, motorcycle show, storytelling, blacksmith demonstrations and a chance to check out Granville’s T.B. Sutton General Store, which was named one of the top 13 “most charming general stores” in America. You can also see Sutton Homestead with its 1880s home, blacksmith shop, grist mill shop, log cabin and weaving shop.
African Street Festival
The 35th African Street Festival is Sept. 22-24 and features music (gospel, reggae, jazz, blues, African drumming and R&B), African dance, health walks, 30 ethnic cuisines, more than 110 vendors and children’s activities. The African-American Cultural Alliance runs this festival at the Hadley Park band shell.
Muletown Musicfest
The 3rd annual Muletown Musicfest is Sept. 30, with music and family-oriented activities on Columbia’s historic downtown square. There will be live music, including Riders in the Sky and Farmer Jason, as well as jugglers and an activity from the creators of the Disney characters Phineas and Ferb. Daytime activities are free and there are ticketed events at night.
Southern Festival of Books
The 29th annual Southern Festival of Books is Oct. 13-15 in Legislative Plaza, downtown Nashville, featuring author talks, readings, panels, signings, children’s story times and a book sale. The roster includes Jami Attenberg, Ann Beattie, Chris Bohjalian, Wiley Cash, Clyde Edgerton, Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Eig, Radney Foster, Andy Hardin, Rodney Jones, Nicole Krauss, Peter Cooper, Ron Rash, Corabel Shofner and Ben Winters.
Ghost Story Festival
Tennessee State Museum is free all the time, but a great time to go would be for the annual ghost story festival, “Haunted Museum,” which will take place Oct. 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be a ghost trail, chilling ghost stories, and Tennessee characters such as the Bell Witch, Cherokee spirit Spearfinger and John Murrell’s thumb. Children are invited to wear costumes, and there will be prizes, crafts and refreshments. The trail ends at the Haunted Storytellers stage where professional storytellers will tell chilling stories about Tennessee.
Pumpkinfest
This free family-friendly event in quaint historic downtown Franklin features something for everyone, including a chili cook-off, arts and crafts, and live music. Of course there will also be a Halloween costume contest for kids of all ages. Pumpkinfest is now in its 29th year and is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and the Downtown Franklin Association.
Fall Fest @ the Hermitage
Nashville comes together at Fall Fest @ The Hermitage, a community event that showcases the art of local & regional artists. A sea of tents will be placed throughout the grounds that will host a variety of specialty foods, spirits, and the products of photography, basketry, ceramics, painting, jewelry, leather, and woodwork. We can’t forget about the live music. From beginning to end, live music will fill the festival so you can dance around and explore. This event is perfect for children and adults alike to have a memorable historical, cultural, and unique experience.
Tennessee Dance Festival
The festival provides a weekend of technique classes in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, African, world dance forms and hip-hop and opportunities to communicate, share, and network with peers across the state. This year the Tennessee Association of Dance will host the 49th annual Tennessee Dance Festival. This fall weekend festival features internationally recognized master teachers that will contribute significantly to meeting Tennessee’s evolving demands for developmental experiences for dance professionals.
Spooktacular Fall Festival
Family Chiropractic and wellness center is proud to be hosting Spooktacular Fall Festival, On Saturday, October 27th.Children ages 4-12 can decorate pumpkins, play ring toss, corn hole and pin the hand on the skeleton games, win prizes and get their picture taken at our photo booth. The festive hours are 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and are free and open to the public.
Muletown Musicfest
The 3rd annual Muletown Musicfest is Sept. 30, with music and family-oriented activities on Columbia’s historic downtown square. There will be live music, including Riders in the Sky and Farmer Jason, as well as jugglers and an activity from the creators of the Disney characters Phineas and Ferb. Daytime activities are free and there are ticketed events at night.
Cannonsburgh Harvest Days
The 41st annual Harvest Days Celebration and Blacksmith Demonstration/Trade Day (10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 28, Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro) celebrates fall in pioneer fashion with old-time music and clogging, hay rides, pottery demonstrations, blacksmithing, broom making, butter churning and car show auto exhibits, plus more than 40 local crafters and food vendors.
