Looking for summer events in Franklin, Tennessee? The Factory at Franklin has a full calendar of things to do in July and August 2026, including live music, family activities, markets, workshops, tours, shopping events, and community fundraisers.
Upcoming events at The Factory at Franklin range from the weekly Farmers Market, bingo, trivia, and songwriter performances to special events such as Franklin Summer Bash, the Tennessee Book and Ephemera Fair, and Babypalooza Baby Expo. Visitors can also take a historic walking tour, explore Experimart, attend a creative camp, or spend an evening at The Skylight Bar.
Located at 230 Franklin Road, The Factory at Franklin is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination with events for children, families and adults throughout the summer. Use this guide to find what is happening at The Factory this summer.
Red Wheel at the Factory at Franklin
Recurring Events at The Factory at Franklin
The Factory at Franklin offers several events and activities that return throughout the summer, making it easy to plan a visit around live music, games, markets, tours, and creative experiences. The schedule includes weekday trivia and Mahjong, family-friendly bingo, weekend shopping and entertainment, and opportunities to learn more about The Factory’s history.
Sips & Stories Happy Hour Tour
- Most Tuesdays through October, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
The Sips & Stories Happy Hour Tour combines local history with a guided walk through The Factory’s past, present, and future. The one-hour tour includes indoor and outdoor stops and a beverage from The Skylight to enjoy along the way.
Trivia Tuesday
- Tuesdays, 7 pm to 9 pm
Challenge Entertainment hosts Trivia Tuesday at The Skylight each week. Gather a team, test your knowledge across a mix of categories, and enjoy a casual evening of friendly competition at The Factory.
The Red Wheel Songwriter Series
- Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7:30 pm
The Red Wheel Songwriter Series brings three songwriters to the stage for an evening of live music and stories behind the songs. Performances take place in Turner Theater.
Factory Farmers Market
- Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm
The Factory Farmers Market brings farmers, bakers, makers, and other local vendors to The Factory each Saturday. Admission is free, and vendor selections may vary from week to week.
Mahjong at Fork of the South
Mahjong at Fork of the South
- Mondays and Tuesdays, 5 to 7 pm
Fork of the South is home to Mahj House Society, a membership-based Mahjong club offering open play, beginner classes, and private instruction. Members and nonmembers can reserve a seat for Mahjong Monday Open Play, while Mahjong Guided Play Tuesday is also open to all but is especially geared toward newer players who may want a little help. On select Thursdays, players can join special sessions such as Mahj House Boot Camp and themed nights like Amalfi Coast Mahjong.
Franklin’s Factory: A Historic Walking Tour
- Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 am to 12 pm
Learn about The Factory’s history during a one-hour guided walking tour. The experience includes indoor and outdoor stops and explores the property’s transformation from a stove manufacturing complex into a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.
Kids Mobile Creative Studio @ The Factory
- Tuesdays through August 4, 10 am to 1:50 pm
Guests of all ages can use the tools and materials aboard The Department of Curious Things bus to create their own projects during 20-minute open studio sessions, with the option to reserve back-to-back sessions for additional time.
Bingo at The Factory
- Wednesdays, 6 pm to 8 pm
Challenge Entertainment hosts free, family-friendly bingo in The Factory’s Grand Hall every Wednesday. Food and drinks are available from The Factory’s on-site restaurants and The Skylight.
Experimart at The Factory at Franklin
Ongoing Attractions at The Factory at Franklin
Experimart
- Fridays and Saturdays, 12 pm to 5 pm
Tennessee’s only experimental retail store and museum is located in Building 10 at The Factory. Visitors of all ages can design and hand-stamp one-of-a-kind T-shirts, hats, pencils, and other items while exploring historical and educational displays, hands-on activities, and other curious finds. Appointments are also available.
The Factory Museum
- Daily during The Factory’s regular hours
Located in Building 8 next to Fork of the South General Store, The Factory Museum explores the property’s industrial history from 1929 through the early 1990s. Visitors can see historic stoves and furnaces made on-site, vintage advertisements, photographs, and other artifacts during a free, self-guided visit that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Carousel of Dreams
- Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm
- Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm
Created by artist Ken Means, the hand-carved Carousel of Dreams features 32 original animals, including horses, dragons and unicorns, along with stained-glass panels and music from a vintage-style Wurlitzer band organ. Operated by the nonprofit Circle of Giving, the carousel also helps support Williamson County charities.
Tennessee Book and Ephemera Fair
July Events at The Factory at Franklin
The Factory at Franklin closes out July with events for book lovers, dancers, and young writers. Upcoming highlights include the Tennessee Book and Ephemera Fair, the final Factory Dance Night of the season, and a three-day creative writing camp for children.
Tennessee Book and Ephemera Fair
- Friday, July 24, 5 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday, July 25, 10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday, July 26, 10 am to 4 pm
The Tennessee Book and Ephemera Fair brings dealers from across the country to The Factory at Franklin with rare and collectible books, first editions, vintage volumes, maps, prints, postcards, and other paper treasures. The event welcomes both experienced collectors and casual book lovers.
Big Little Stories Camp
- Monday, July 27, through Wednesday, July 29, 9 am to 12 pm
Big Little Stories is a three-day creative writing camp from The Department of Curious Things for rising second through sixth graders. Campers will learn the basics of story structure, create original characters and plots, and design a bound book to take home.
Line Dancing with Justin Lee
- Monday, July 27, 6 pm to 8 pm
The final Factory Dance Night of the season brings line dancing with Justin Lee to Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin. Guests of all experience levels can learn beginner-friendly routines and enjoy a lively evening on the dance floor.
Elvis: The ’68 Comeback LIVE
August Events at The Factory at Franklin
The Factory at Franklin’s August calendar includes concerts, shopping events, fundraisers, family activities and specialty experiences. Highlights range from Franklin Summer Bash and ELVIS: The ’68 Comeback LIVE to Plant Bingo and Babypalooza Baby Expo.
Franklin Summer Bash
- Saturday, August 1, 7 pm to 9:30 pm
The fourth annual Franklin Summer Bash brings several 2026 “American Idol” finalists to Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin for an all-ages concert. Performers include Braden Rumfelt, Daniel Stallworth, Philmon Lee, Lucas Leon and Julián Kalel, with 2006 finalist Paris Bennett serving as special guest host.
Blood Assurance Blood Drive
- Wednesday, August 5, 11 am to 3 pm
Blood Assurance will host a community blood drive in The Factory’s Heritage Room on August 5. Donors can schedule an appointment in advance, and those who donate in August will receive a $25 eGift card.
9th Annual Southern Food & Whiskey Experience
- Saturday, August 8, from 6 pm to 9 pm
The Southern Food & Whiskey Experience returns for its ninth year with tastings from Southern chefs, restaurants, and whiskey producers. The ticketed event offers guests an opportunity to sample food and spirits while learning more about Southern culinary traditions.
ELVIS: The ’68 Comeback LIVE
- Monday, August 17, 7:30 pm to 9 pm
- Tuesday, August 18, 7:30 pm to 9 pm
ELVIS: The ’68 Comeback LIVE returns to Turner Theater for two nights during Elvis Week. Graceland Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Champions Cote Deonath and Emilio Santoro recreate the music, style, and energy of Elvis’ historic television special in an up-close, in-the-round performance.
The Skylight Bar at The Factory at Franklin
Plant Bingo at The Skylight
- Thursday, August 20, 6 pm to 8 pm
Plant Bingo brings a plant-themed twist to classic bingo at The Skylight Bar. Players can compete for more than 10 prize plants during several relaxed rounds, and every participant will take home a plant.
37th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner Benefiting Boys & Girls Club of Middle TN
- Thursday, August 27, 5:30 pm to 8 pm
The 37th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and brings supporters together with local Club members for dinner, entertainment, and conversation. Adults are served hamburgers while participating youth enjoy steak, with proceeds supporting after-school and summer programs for ages 5–18.
Babypalooza Baby Expo
- Saturday, August 29, 10 am to 2 pm
Babypalooza Baby Expo is a free event for expectant parents and families with babies under 12 months old. Guests can attend pregnancy and parenting seminars, explore baby gear, connect with local maternity and newborn resources, and take part in games and giveaways.
The Factory at Franklin
Explore More at The Factory at Franklin
The summer calendar is one way to experience The Factory, but visitors can also build a full outing around its shops, restaurants, performances and hands-on activities. Find more ideas in 10 Things to Do at The Factory at Franklin Beyond Shopping & Dining, explore dining options with Outdoor Dining at The Factory at Franklin, or read Discover the Charms of the Factory at Franklin for a guide to the businesses, attractions, history and experiences found across the campus.
