Pumpkins, apples, fall foliage, and fall festivals in Tennessee! Autumn is upon us, and it’s time to switch gears from the dog days of summer to the crisp air of fall. With the changing of leaves, there is a shift in get-togethers and events, which gives us Tennesseans a great excuse to once again meet our wonderful neighbors. From farm festivals to city-wide events, we know how to put on a good seasonal celebration, leaving many of us wondering which fall festivals are worthy of your time. Well, friends, wonder no more, because I’ve put together a list of the 10 best fall festivals in Tennessee:
1. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Gatlinburg
2. Cheekwood Harvest, Nashville
3. Fall Family Fun Festival, Eagleville
Nothing says “It’s fall, Y’all” like going to a farm here in Tennessee. If you are looking for fall events near Nashville or just looking to get out of the city, this is a great place to go — especially if you have little kids. Lucky Ladd Farms is designed to be just as much a working farm as it is a fun park for families. There is a petting zoo, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, and so much more. Make sure to head to the Lucky Ladd Farms website for a full schedule of events for this year’s super fun celebration. The dates for 2025 are September 18 to October 31.
4. Dollywood Harvest Festival, Pigeon Forge
5. Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest, Jonesborough
The charming and friendly town of Jonesborough gets transformed when fall rolls around. The town is decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins, and corn stalks and serves as a picture-perfect backdrop for an autumn celebration. The Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest hosts several local vendors that make specific fall festive dishes to sample. You can walk up and down downtown and try a wide assortment of baked goods, unique treats, and wild fall fusions that are truly one-of-a-kind. Mark your calendars for September 20, 2025!
6. Autumn in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge
7. ChattaBooga, Chattanooga
Things start to get a little spooky around this river city come fall. The whole city gets in on the fun for some creative and fun events all throughout town. You can take a fall hike on Lookout Mountain, take a ghost tour, or go on a kid-friendly Halloween train ride. There is so much to do and see throughout the whole month of October, you are bound to find a perfect fit for you.
8. Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin
9. Hatchie Fall Fest, Brownville
10. Pumpkinfest, Franklin
From west to east, these are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee. How many of them have you been to and which ones are your favorites? One thing is sure we will have plenty to do while we wait for the leaves to change colors. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to strap on my hiking shoes and take off into the mountains. We have so many great places to visit in the fall in Tennessee and they are simply mesmerizing in the fall!
For more “Fall-spiration” check out this OnlyInYourState video to see more breathtaking autumn places to travel to.
…