Local Guides

A free day of wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, corn maze and Touch-a-Tractor at Harlinsdale Farm.

Free October screening of Hocus Pocus on the lawn at historic Rippa Villa. Bring blankets, chairs and snacks.

Free November parade through Nolensville's Historic District honoring those who served in the U.S. military.

Free Halloween evening at Fischer Park with decorated trunks, trick-or-treating, games and costumes.

Nashville's April race weekend pairs a marathon, half, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile and KiDS ROCK with live music along the course, benefiting St. Jude.

A free April celebration of Japanese culture at Public Square Park, with performances, martial arts demonstrations, artist booths and children's activities.

Cheekwood's spring celebration of 100,000+ blooming daffodils, tulips, azaleas and dogwoods, with live music on select weekends from March into April.

Free, all-ages live music in Centennial Park on select Fridays and Saturdays in May and June, with food trucks, artisan vendors and family activities.

A March celebration of Irish music, dance, film and heritage at pubs, theaters and event spaces across Nashville.

Hundreds of songwriters play intimate rounds at venues across Nashville each spring, telling the stories behind the songs they wrote.

A month-long February celebration of Nashville's restaurant scene, with prix fixe menus, special offers and chef collaboration dinners across the city.

Nashville's free annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a community march along Jefferson Street and a convocation at TSU's Gentry Center.

A three-day January celebration of antiques, garden design and horticulture at Music City Center, with 150+ vendors and designer garden displays.

A full day of steeplechase racing, tailgating and Southern spring fashion at Percy Warner Park each May, benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital.

Step inside Brentwood's 1830 one-room schoolhouse on the first Sunday of each month from June through October, free and open to the public.

Brentwood's free Arbor Day celebration at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library each March, with free tree seedlings, student contests, vendors, food and ice cream.

A free April egg hunt at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library, with Easter Bunny photos, a jelly bean guessing game and age-grouped hunts through age 12.

Brentwood Fire and Rescue's free public safety showcase at Brentwood Place Shopping Center each October, with live fire demonstrations, emergency vehicles and fire station tours.

Free October celebration of Nolensville's history and milestones at Town Hall and around town.

A community celebration in Tollgate Village with local businesses, organizations, giveaways and activities on the green, typically held in September.

An annual race and remembrance at The Grove with a 5K, Memorial Mile and GORUCK division, benefiting Memories of Honor, typically held in May.

Nashville's free New Year's Eve concert and midnight Music Note Drop downtown, broadcast nationally.

Nashville's annual college football bowl game at Nissan Stadium, with fan events downtown in late December.

Porter Flea's juried holiday market at The Fairgrounds Nashville, with handmade goods from hundreds of independent makers.

An outdoor holiday market at Walk of Fame Park over two December weekends, with local makers, food and seasonal drinks.

Nashville Zoo's Chinese lantern festival, with enormous illuminated displays lighting the grounds from mid-November into February.

A week of talks, tours, workshops and studio visits across Nashville's design community.

A long-running holiday shopping market at The Fairgrounds Nashville, with hundreds of merchants and proceeds to charity.

Gaylord Opryland's holiday season: millions of lights, ICE!, shows, ice skating and seasonal dining under the atriums.

A million lights across Cheekwood's gardens on select nights from late November into January, with seasonal food and drink.

Country music's biggest night at Bridgestone Arena, with live performances and awards broadcast nationally from downtown Nashville.

Nashville Ballet's holiday production at TPAC, set in a Nashville-specific retelling of the classic, with live orchestra.

Juried work from Tennessee makers at Centennial Park, with demonstrations, live music and food. Free to attend.

Tennessee beer, wine and moonshine tastings on the grounds of historic Two Rivers Mansion, with live music and food.

A free literary festival with author readings, panels and signings at Bicentennial Capitol Mall and nearby downtown venues.

Tastings and seminars with distillers from Tennessee and beyond, celebrating whiskey in Music City.

A free Centennial Park festival of music, dance, food and craft from the many cultures that make up Nashville.

German beer, food, music and dancing at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park over a long October weekend.

Films by and about people of African descent, with screenings, panels and filmmaker conversations across Nashville.

A week of Christian and gospel music events across Nashville leading up to the GMA Dove Awards.

A Centennial Park festival for dogs and their people, with contests, demonstrations, rescue groups and pet vendors.

Nashville Zoo's family Halloween event on select October nights, with trick-or-treating, costumes and seasonal activities.

East Nashville's Halloween celebration, with costumes, a parade, live music, local vendors and family activities.

Wine tastings from dozens of producers on the riverfront downtown, with live music, food and skyline views.

Free live music at Centennial Park on fall weekends, with food trucks, local makers and a family-friendly park setting.

One of the country's longest-running film festivals, with features, shorts, documentaries and filmmaker Q&As across Nashville venues.

A weekend of tastings, seminars and bartender-led events celebrating Nashville's cocktail scene.

Craft beer tastings at First Horizon Park with live music, food and a ballpark setting in the heart of Germantown.

A month of citywide events celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture in Nashville, from September 15 through October 15.

Cheekwood's fall season: thousands of mums, a scarecrow trail, pumpkin displays and family activities from September into November.

A free downtown celebration of Nashville's visual arts, with public art, hands-on activities and work by local artists.

Five days of Americana showcases, panels and parties across Nashville, capped by the Americana Honors & Awards.

A free three-day celebration of African and African American culture with music, dance, food and vendors at Hadley Lillard Park.

Cheekwood's Harvest Moon celebration of Japanese culture, with music, dance, tea, crafts and lantern-lit gardens.

Nashville Zoo's after-hours fundraiser with food, drinks, live music and animal encounters across the zoo grounds.

A free Centennial Park festival built for young children, with hands-on activities, entertainment and family resources.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International honors the writers behind the year's biggest songs, on stage at the Ryman.

Rides, fair food, livestock shows, competitions and nightly entertainment at The Fairgrounds Nashville each September.

A day of Black art, music, dance and culture on the grounds at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

A multi-week film series presenting Jewish and Israeli cinema at venues across Nashville, often with guest discussion.

East Nashville's beloved two-day Five Points festival of tomato-themed art, costumes, contests, live music and local vendors.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival's free outdoor productions at Centennial Park, with pre-show music, talks and food trucks.

Craft beer, spirits, ciders and seltzers at Walk of Fame Park, with live music, food trucks and yard games. Benefits Nashville Humane Association.

A two-day independent film festival at East Side Bowl built around bold, unconventional cinema and festival parties. Typically 18+.

The Academy of Country Music's annual Nashville evening of performances and special award presentations for artists and industry honorees.

Nashville Wine Auction's summer fundraiser: tastings, vintner dinners and a live charity auction benefiting cancer-related nonprofits.

A multi-day showcase of Nashville's independent and experimental arts, with theater, dance and new work at venues across the city.

INDYCAR racing at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, a full weekend of high-speed competition and fan experiences each July.

Bluegrass on select Tuesday nights at the Ryman, with a free Pickin' on PNC Plaza show outside before each concert.

East Park's free July 4 tradition celebrating Nashville hot chicken, with a fire truck parade, live music and an amateur cooking competition.

A Fourth of July morning race at Centennial Park with a 5K, a 1-mile race and a kids run before the city's big celebrations begin.

Nashville's free Independence Day celebration downtown, with live music, the Nashville Symphony and a huge fireworks show over the Cumberland.

The town’s Christmas tree lighting with free photos with Santa, games, crafts, hot chocolate and live music, typically held in December.

More than 80 artisans and crafters on the lawn at Homestead Manor, with food trucks, live music and a visit with Santa, typically in December.

A free patriotic evening at Nolensville High School with food trucks, a Kid Zone, live music and a fireworks finale, typically in late June.

More than 140 artisans and food vendors, live music and the Little Miss Buttercup Pageant, typically the first Saturday in May.

Whole hog barbecue, a craft fair, tractor show and kids’ zone at Oaklawn Mansion each October, supporting The Well Outreach.

Spring Hill’s holiday parade along Main Street, typically beginning at 5 pm in December. Free to attend.

Free summer afternoon at Fischer Park with food trucks, inflatables, games and a daytime fireworks show, typically in June.

About 15 food trucks, live music and family activities at the Historic Nolensville School, typically held in May.

Saturday market at the Historic Nolensville School with produce, eggs, meats, baked goods and crafts, May through October.

Decorated floats, community groups and seasonal characters through Fairview, typically in early December. Free to attend.

A hometown Christmas parade with floats, music and candy along Horton Highway, typically the first Sunday in December. Free to attend.

The “Almost World-Famous” holiday parade through the village, typically the second Saturday of December. Free to attend.

Live pottery demonstrations and local makers at The Copper Fox Gallery, typically held in September.

A three-day antique, vintage, and artisan market at Props Antiques, typically held over a weekend in November.

The lighting of Fairview’s city tree at City Hall, with holiday music and family activities, typically in early December.

A free day of fall activities, Touch-a-Truck and nature programs at Bowie Nature Park, typically a Saturday in October.

A free fall festival at Bowie Nature Park with nature activities, craft vendors and live entertainment, typically in September.

Food, live entertainment, family activities and fireworks at Fairview City Hall, traditionally held on July 3.

A free morning of fishing for kids at Veterans Memorial Park, held each June on Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day.

Local makers, handmade goods and food vendors outdoors at Bowie Nature Park, typically held in the spring.

A free community egg hunt at Fairview City Hall, typically held in March or April before Easter.

Free weekend Jazz and Bluegrass at Arrington Vineyards, plus seasonal Food Truck Fridays, typically May through October.

A Thanksgiving-morning 10K, 5K walk/run and Kids' Turkey Chase in Cool Springs, benefiting GraceWorks Ministries.

A 21-and-up evening of wine tastings inside downtown shops, restaurant bites and live music, benefiting local youth programs.

Veterans, JROTC units and marching bands travel through historic downtown Franklin each November 11.

One of the area's largest fall festivals: 140+ craft vendors, costume contests, the KidZone and live music across downtown.

Costumed teams stomp grapes at Bicentennial Park while guests sample wine, bourbon, beer and food from area restaurants.

Front porches and parks across Westhaven turn into stages for a free afternoon of live music, capped by a ticketed evening concert.

A two-day, family-friendly outdoor music festival at Harlinsdale Farm, with multiple stages, a Maker Village and food vendors.

Nine days of midway rides, livestock shows, creative arts exhibits and live entertainment at the Ag EXPO Park.

Two days of fiddle, banjo, band and dance contests on the Public Square, honoring Franklin's Sam and Kirk McGee.

Franklin's evening Independence Day gathering at Harlinsdale Farm, with live music, food trucks and fireworks after dark.

A small-town Independence Day on the Public Square, with the Patriotic Pet Parade, a vintage car display and craft booths.

A free public reading of the Declaration with living history, fife and drum music and Revolutionary-era activities.

Franklin's June 19 commemoration at Bicentennial Park, with live music, food, cultural programs and family activities.

More than 40 trucks and public service vehicles for kids to climb aboard at Jim Warren Park, plus a quiet No Horn Hour.

Jousting, armored combat, music and an artisan marketplace across May weekends at Castle Park in Arrington.

Three evenings of PRCA-sanctioned rodeo at the Ag EXPO Park, with a Fan Zone, vendors and proceeds to local charities.

Horses, floats and marching bands move through historic downtown Franklin to kick off Rodeo Week each May.

One of Franklin's largest annual events: 150+ artisans, 30+ food vendors and multiple stages across historic downtown.

A free morning at Pinkerton Park with tree care, conservation and nature activities for all ages.

Brentwood neighborhoods glow with luminaries from dusk to 9 pm on the second Saturday in December.

Santa photos, letters, crafts, treats and a magic show at the Brentwood Library on the first Saturday in December.

Holiday stories, music, hot chocolate and the tree-lighting countdown at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library each December.

The historic City-owned mansion lit with holiday lights each December — a picturesque spot for seasonal photos.

Brentwood's free Fourth of July celebration at Crockett Park, with live music, food and a fireworks show.

A patriotic July 4th morning race through Brentwood hosted by the Brentwood Family YMCA, with a kids' 1K fun run.

A free June celebration of live music, food trucks and inflatables at Crockett Park, part of the Brentwood Summer Concert Series.

Free outdoor concerts and food trucks at Crockett Park's Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, typically May through July.

Free overnight fall campout at Fischer Park with outdoor programs, a family movie and time around the campfire.

Free summer evening of skating, music and friendly competition for all ages at Walnut Street Skate Park.

Fourth of July 5K, Color Fun Run and bike and stroller parade at Summit High School benefiting The Well Outreach.

Four days of country music in downtown Nashville each June, with free daytime stages across the city and nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium.

A grassroots Franklin music festival held the fourth Saturday in June at Bicentennial Park, with more than two decades of history benefiting the Hard Bargain Association.

Free community showcase of local businesses with a job fair, food vendors, test drives and Touch-A-Truck.

Free outdoor movie nights from City of Franklin Parks and Recreation, moving between Franklin parks on select summer and fall dates, with food trucks at some screenings.

The Franklin Rodeo's free May kick-off party at the AgExpo Park, with the High Hopes Rodeo for children of all ability levels, farm animals, pony rides and games.

Free late-May ceremony honoring fallen service members, with remarks from local veterans and community leaders.

Free May morning for dogs and their owners with paw print painting, peanut butter contests and pup musical chairs.

Free spring morning of kite flying and kite decorating on the athletic fields at Fischer Park in Spring Hill.

Free April celebration at Harvey Park where families plant a take-home plant and enjoy time outdoors.

Stunt kite demonstrations, giant kites and a family flying zone at the Franklin Recreation Complex each March.

A spring celebration of young artists at Bicentennial Park, with performances, a juried student art exhibit, and hands-on activities.

Santa's special mailbox arrives at the Spring Hill Public Library each December for children's letters.

Kids decorate treat bags then hunt candy canes by flashlight in the barn at Harlinsdale Farm. Registration required.

Historic downtown Franklin becomes a Victorian village of costumed characters, carolers and an artisan marketplace.

Free early-December celebration with Santa storytime, a tree lighting, choir performances and the holiday parade.

Floats, marching bands and Santa make their way down Main Street in a downtown tradition more than 30 years old.

Choirs, Santa visits and a community countdown on the Public Square as Franklin lights its Christmas tree.

A mile-and-a-half drive-through route of synchronized Christmas lights at the Ag EXPO Park, with s'mores and food trucks.