Franklin, TN Events 2026: Things to Do, Festivals & Local Activities
Main Street Festival in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee
2026 events in Franklin, TN, include a mix of seasonal celebrations and community activities held throughout the city. From spring festivals and summer celebrations to fall traditions and holiday favorites, these events highlight how Franklin makes use of its parks, public spaces, and historic downtown throughout the year.
For residents, these events are familiar fixtures in the annual rhythm of life in Franklin and help reinforce why the city continues to be such a desirable place to live. For visitors, Franklin’s events calendar often plays a role in trip planning, with many choosing to visit around major festivals and long-standing traditions.
Together, these events highlight what consistently sets Franklin apart, including its strong sense of place, its investment in public spaces, and its commitment to hosting events that appeal to all ages while showcasing the character of the city.
Below is a look at some of the events and things to do in Franklin in 2026.
Nashville Elvis Festival 2026
Dates: March 19–22, 2026
Location: The Factory at Franklin
The Nashville Elvis Festival celebrates the life and music of Elvis Presley with multiple days of live performances, special guests, and the top Elvis tribute artists from around the world. In 2026, the festival marks its 10th anniversary, with an expanded lineup of shows and headliners.
The four-day event brings fans together for live music, tribute performances, and related activities that honor the legacy of the King of Rock and Roll.
2026 Kids Arts Festival of Tennessee
Date: March 21, 2026
Location: Bicentennial Park
The Kids Arts Festival of Tennessee is a family-focused event dedicated to celebrating youth creativity from across the state. After being held for many years at Pinkerton Park, the festival will move to Bicentennial Park in 2026. Presented by the City of Franklin Parks Department, the event includes a full schedule of stage performances by young dancers, singers, actors, musicians, and spoken-word artists.
Throughout the park, “Art Stops” hosted by local organizations and businesses provide hands-on opportunities for children to engage with different art forms. The festival also features a juried art exhibit, allowing Tennessee students in grades K–12 to display original artwork for the public.
City of Franklin Arbor Day Celebration 2026
Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Pinkerton Park
Franklin’s Arbor Day Celebration focuses on environmental awareness and outdoor education for all ages. Presented by the City of Franklin Parks Department’s Franklin Tree Commission, the event includes free tree sapling giveaways, educational demonstrations, and interactive activities that highlight the importance of trees and natural resources.
Families can expect a mix of structured programming and informal learning opportunities, including guided tree climbing and conservation-focused exhibits designed to encourage stewardship of local green spaces.
42nd Annual Main Street Festival 2026
Dates: April 25–26, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
Produced by Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Main Street Festival is one of Franklin’s largest and most established annual events, filling downtown streets with arts and crafts vendors, food tents, live entertainment, and activities for children. The festival draws artists and makers from across the region and regularly attracts large crowds over the two-day weekend.
Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society among its top events, Main Street Festival has become a signature spring tradition and a major draw for visitors exploring Franklin’s historic downtown.
Tennessee Renaissance Festival 2026
Dates: May 2–31, 2026 (Every Saturday and Sunday in May, plus Memorial Day)
Location: Covington Glen at Castle Gwynn, Arrington, TN
The Tennessee Renaissance Festival returns in May 2026, transforming Covington Glen into an open-air Renaissance village filled with artisans, performers, and themed entertainment. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods in the marketplace, enjoy live performances by jesters, minstrels, jugglers, and magicians, and listen to storytelling from pirates and costumed characters throughout the grounds.
Food and drink vendors offer a wide range of options, and guests can also take part in games of skill and interactive activities. Held just outside Franklin, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival is a long-running spring tradition and a popular seasonal outing.
Iroquois Steeplechase 2026
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: Percy Warner Park, Nashville, TN
While it may not take place in Franklin, the Iroquois Steeplechase is a nearby spring tradition that draws many Williamson County residents to Nashville each year. Known as Nashville’s “Rite of Spring,” the event returns for its 85th anniversary with a full day of world-class steeplechase racing at Percy Warner Park.
In addition to the racing, Iroquois Steeplechase fashion is also a draw, with attendees embracing spring style that often includes bold hats, dresses, and tailored looks. The day also includes tailgating areas, premium hospitality options, live music, and food and beverage offerings throughout the grounds. Proceeds benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other local nonprofits.
Franklin Rodeo 2026
Dates: May 14 – 16, 2026
Location: Williamson County Ag Expo Park
The Franklin Rodeo, one of the largest rodeos east of the Mississippi, is a long-running Franklin tradition and one of the area’s largest annual sporting events. Held each spring, the multi-day event includes bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and specialty acts, along with family-friendly entertainment.
In addition to arena competitions, the Franklin Rodeo features vendor areas, food concessions, and pre-rodeo activities that draw large crowds from across Williamson County and beyond. Organized by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, the event also serves as a major fundraiser supporting local charitable causes.
Touch-a-Truck 2026
Date: May 15, 2026
Location: Jim Warren Park
Touch-a-Truck, presented by the City of Franklin Parks Department, allows children and families to explore public works vehicles and other large trucks up close. Attendees can climb into driver seats, interact with equipment, and learn how different vehicles are used throughout the city.
This free event is designed to be both educational and hands-on, offering an opportunity for families to explore city operations while enjoying time outdoors.
2026 Movies in the Park
Dates: Summer 2026 – Dates TBD
Location: Various Franklin parks
Movies in the Park is a free outdoor movie series held throughout the summer at different park locations across Franklin. Sponsored by the City of Franklin Parks Department, the event allows attendees to bring blankets or lawn chairs and settle in for evening screenings.
Movies typically begin at sunset or around 8 pm, with specific titles, dates, and locations announced closer to summer.
Franklin on the Fourth 2026
Date: July 4, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin & The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Downtown Franklin’s Independence Day celebrations begin with a daytime street festival presented by The Franklin Lions Club with the City of Franklin. Main Street comes alive with a full day of activity, featuring arts and crafts vendors, food, and live entertainment. Past events have included a Patriotic Pet Parade, an awards ceremony, and a children’s parade.
In the evening, the celebration shifts to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, where Friends of Franklin Parks, in conjunction with the City of Franklin and the City of Franklin Parks Department, present a spectacular fireworks display at the Tractor Supply Co. Arena. With music, food trucks, and concessions on hand, it’s a full day of patriotic fun for the whole family.
Bluegrass Along the Harpeth 2026
Dates: July 24–25, 2026
Location: Town Square, Downtown Franklin
Bluegrass Along the Harpeth is always held on the fourth weekend in July and has been a Franklin tradition since 1991. Taking place on the Town Square in historic downtown Franklin, it’s a weekend dedicated to bluegrass music in honor of Franklin natives Sam and Kirk McGee, members of the Grand Ole Opry and influential figures in the genre’s history.
The festival is operated and presented by old-time musicians and dancers committed to preserving traditional Appalachian music. Friday night features performances by established bluegrass bands, while Saturday includes individual instrument and band competitions showcasing musicians from across the region. In addition to live music, the event includes food and craft vendors.
Williamson County Fair 2026
Dates: August 7–15, 2026
Location: Williamson County Agricultural EXPO Park
The Williamson County Fair returns in August 2026 with nine days of exhibits, competitions, entertainment, and fair traditions celebrating Williamson County. The fair’s mission centers on providing a family-friendly experience that promotes agriculture, brings communities together, and highlights the county’s long-standing agricultural roots.
Visitors can expect a mix of livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, competitions, rides, food vendors, and live entertainment, along with educational programming tied to farming and rural life. Celebrating 22 years of fun in 2026, the fair remains one of the county’s largest annual events and a late-summer tradition for families across the region.
Pumpkinfest 2026
Date: October 24, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
Pumpkinfest is presented by Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and is Middle Tennessee’s largest fall festival, taking over downtown Franklin with arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, and seasonal food offerings. Costume contests for families and pets are a long-standing highlight of the event.
The festival spans Main Street and surrounding streets, drawing large crowds and marking one of the busiest days of autumn in downtown Franklin.
Family Day 2026
Date: November 7, 2026
Location: The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Sponsored by the City of Franklin Parks, Family Day is a free community event focused on outdoor activities and farm-based experiences. The event usually features a wide range of outdoor activities, including hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts, games, fishing, live music, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, train rides, and face painting.
As Franklin Parks’ premier fall festival, Family Day offers families a chance to spend time outdoors, enjoy seasonal activities, and explore one of Franklin’s most well-known parks.
Wine Down Main Street 2026
Date: November 7, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee presents Wine Down Main Street, a ticketed wine-tasting event held along historic Main Street in downtown Franklin. The event features wines from around the world poured at more than 20 participating shops. Guests stroll between locations sampling wine, enjoying small bites from area restaurants, and taking in live music throughout the evening. The event is open to guests ages 21 and older and takes place rain or shine.
Proceeds from the event support programs and services offered by Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee.
Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square 2026
Date: December 4, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
The City of Franklin’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the beginning of the holiday season in downtown Franklin and is one of the city’s most well-attended winter events. The evening features performances by local school groups and musicians, appearances by holiday characters, and the arrival of Santa Claus, drawing large crowds to downtown.
Each year, families return to downtown Franklin for the tree lighting as a tradition they plan around and rarely miss
Franklin Christmas Parade 2026
Date: December 5, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
Organized by the Downtown Franklin Rotary Club, the Franklin Christmas Parade winds through the heart of historic Downtown Franklin and celebrates the traditions of the season along Main Street. Held annually on the first Saturday in December following the City of Franklin’s Christmas Tree Lighting, the parade features themed floats, marching groups, and community organizations, and culminates with the arrival of Santa Claus.
With more than 30 years of history, the parade remains one of Franklin’s longest-running holiday events and a much-anticipated day on the Christmas calendar.
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt 2026
Dates: December 10–11, 2026
Location: The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
The City of Franklin presents the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt, an evening holiday activity where families search the park grounds for candy canes using flashlights. Before the hunt begins, children decorate treat bags to collect their candy canes, and hot chocolate and cookies are served. The after-dark setting adds a playful twist to a simple scavenger hunt, making it a popular outing.
Designed as a short, family-friendly activity, the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt fits easily into the busy holiday season while offering a little outdoor time.
41st Annual Dickens of a Christmas 2026
Date: December 12–13, 2026
Location: Downtown Franklin
Dickens of a Christmas recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s Victorian-era architecture as the backdrop. Throughout the weekend, the streets fill with musicians, dancers, and costumed characters from Dickens’ stories, including figures from A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist. Visitors can expect to see characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchit family, along with Fagin and Victorian-era Father and Mother Christmas.
Presented by Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Dickens of a Christmas closes out Franklin’s major events calendar each year and remains one of the city’s most recognized and well-attended holiday traditions.
PumpkinFest
Looking Ahead to 2026 in Franklin, TN
The events listed here represent just some of what is happening in Franklin in 2026. For the most complete and up-to-date view of events across Franklin and Williamson County, the FranklinIs Events Calendar is the go-to place to find everything from major annual festivals to smaller community events as they’re announced throughout the year.
More to Know About 2026 in Franklin and Williamson County
Franklin’s events are just one part of what’s shaping the year ahead. For a deeper look at what else is coming in 2026, explore these related articles.
FirstBank Amphitheater 2026 Concert Lineup: Live Music in Franklin, TN breaks down the artists and shows scheduled at one of the region’s largest outdoor venues.
What’s Coming to Franklin & Williamson County in 2026: Restaurants, Shops & Places to Know looks beyond events to highlight new businesses and openings on the horizon.
For those interested in theater and live performance, Williamson County Performing Arts Center Announces 2026 Winter Tribute Series outlines upcoming shows and programming planned for the season.
