October is here, fall break is right around the corner and there are lots of fun (and FREE!) things to do in Middle Tennessee with the kids. Whatever you do, make the downtime from school more meaningful by getting out together. We have ideas for you:
42 Fun & FREE Things To Do this October:
Fridays by the River
FRIDAYS IN OCTOBER | 3 – 8 p.m.
SHELBY PARK, RIVERVIEW SHELTER
Enjoy yard games, food trucks, beer gardens and live music from 3 – 8 p.m. at Shelby Park near the Riverview Pavilion (451 South 20th St., Nashville). Admission to this event is free while beer and food will be available for purchase (a portion of beer and food sales will benefit Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms.)
Family Movie Night: Ghostbusters (1984)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
BEAMAN PARK NATURE CENTER
Who ya gonna call? Beaman Park! Bring a blanket and chair out to the nature center (5911 Old Hickory Blvd, Ashland City) and they’ll have popcorn and lemonade to celebrate the beginning of fall break with a classic starting at 6:30 p.m. For ages 8 and older.
Pups & Pints HOWL-o-ween
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
12 – 4 p.m.
ONEC1TY
Celebrate HOWL-o-ween with man’s best drinking buddy! This free fest for dogs and their humans returns to oneC1TY (8 City Blvd., Nashville) for an afternoon of dog-centric activities, local pet vendors, food trucks, beer tastings and more from 12 – 4 p.m. This festival benefits the Nashville Humane Association, connects dog lovers and beer lovers with the local community and is open to all ages of humans and pups.
National Banana Pudding Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
HICKMAN COUNTY AG PAVILION AND FAIRGROUND
Enjoy two fun-filled days of entertainment on two stages, arts, crafts, food, games, activities for kids of all ages and — of course — Banana Pudding! Stroll through the Puddin’ Path and taste different banana puddings made by local non-profit organizations. Takes place at the Hickman County AG Pavilion and Fairground (979 Grinders Switch Rd., Centerville). Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 – 18 (free for kids under 5).
Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NASHVILLE EAST RIVERFRONT LANDING
40 teams compete in a Dragon Boat race to support the Cumberland River Compact at the Nashville East Riverfront Landing at Cumberland Park (Victory Ave and Titans Way, Nashville) from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come out to race or cheer on the teams and enjoy cultural performances.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
CENTENNIAL PARK
This free festival provides an opportunity for intercultural dialogue through a Nashville festival experience from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Centennial Park (2500 West End Ave., Nashville). Enjoy a variety of dance and musical performances on different stages, food vendors offering authentic and exotic tastes from around the world, hands-on children’s activities, an area just for teens, a marketplace and more.
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Home Depot Kids Workshops
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
VARIOUS HOME DEPOT LOCATIONS
Kids can head in to their local Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month to build something fun with staff in this free workshop from from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Visit the website to reserve your spot.
Gallatin Main Street Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
GALLATIN CITY SQUARE
Come to Historic Downtown Gallatin to enjoy over 200 arts & crafts and food vendors, two live music stages, a large kids area and more from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
PredsFest
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
BRIDGESTONE ARENA
The free fan festival will feature a variety of family-friendly activities for fans to enjoy, highlighted by a visit from Nashville Predators 2024-25 squad who will make an appearance on stage. Members of Smashville Loyal will have access to an exclusive player autograph session inside Bridgestone Arena from 1 – 2:15 p.m. There will be multiple activations on-site including a Kids Zone with inflatables, Preds friendship bracelets, hair braiding, facepainting and the Preds & Pixels Gaming Experience.
Franklin Fire Department Storytime & Fire Truck Visit
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
10 or 10:45 a.m.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
This special program outside the Franklin Main Library (1314 Columbia Ave., Franklin) includes a fire truck visit and a demo of the firefighters’ gear. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Archaeology Adventures with Adam
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
10 – 11:30 a.m.
WARNER PARK NATURE CENTER
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an archaeologist? Find out what real-life archaeologists do and try your hand at some puzzling mysteries at Warner Park Nature Center (7311 Highway 100, Nashville) from 10 – 11:30 a.m. For ages 6 and older. Registration required.
Tween Pumpkin Carving
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
2 – 3:30 p.m.
FRANKLIN LIBRARY
Kids ages 10 – 13 are invited to join the Franklin Library (1314 Columbia Ave., Franklin) for pumpkin carving from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Each kid will receive one pumpkin to carve, paint, or decorate however they would like. All supplies will be provided. Pumpkins will be taken home at the end of the event. Registration required.
Kidsville at The Parthenon
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
THE PARTHENON
Join Kidsville at the Parthenon on select Saturdays each month. Families with children ages 12 and under can enter the Parthenon (2500 West End Ave., Nashville) for free. A Kidsville team member will be taking registrations at the entrance of the Parthenon beginning at 10:30 a.m. Weekly storytelling or special guest programming will begin promptly at 11 a.m. in front of Athena.
SCHEDULE
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October 12, 2024: Join Bach to Rock music school of West Nashville for an exploration of making music with instruments, voices and imaginations, then make art inspired by your time with the Bach to Rock musicians.
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October 26, 2024: Hear about dandelion flowers that are not a trick but a treat in myths, gardens, and more, then make art inspired by the story. Wear a costume if you would like.
Fall Fun Fest at The Mall at Green Hills
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
THE MALL AT GREEN HILLS
Get ready for Halloween with games, crafts, snacks, music, a selfie station and more at The Mall at Green Hills (2126 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville). Don’t forget your costume! Happens from from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reserve your free tickets online.
Hendersonville Pumpkin Patch Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
STREETS OF INDIAN LAKE SHOPPING CENTER
Free pumpkin for kids up to age 9 at the Streets of Indian Lake Shopping Center (300 Indian Lake Blvd., Hendersonville) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Enjoy pumpkin painting, live music, kids play zone, face painting, costume & dance contests for prizes, artisan vendors and more.
October in Orlinda
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
ORLINDA CITY HALL
Come out to celebrate the 16th anniversary of this family-friendly event at Orlinda City Hall ( 7501 TN-52, Orlinda). Enjoy a classic car show, food vendors, art & crafts, a kids zone and the Miss October in Orlinda pageant from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Shade Tree’s Annual Fall Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SHADE TREE FARM AND ORCHARD
Join at Shade Tree Farm and Orchard (2087 Kinneys Road, Adams) for fall fun from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be vendors, food trucks, fresh cider donuts, cider slushies and so more.
Lowe’s Build & Grow Workshop
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
VARIOUS LOWE’S STORES
Cruise into various Lowe’s locations with your mini DIYer for this month’s “Build & Grow” kit! They’ll provide all the parts needed to roll away with a fun, hand-built Fire Dog Bank that kids can really play with. Workshop happens from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reserve your spot online.
Farm Day at Bells Bend Park
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
BELLS BEND PARK
This year’s festivities at Bells Bend Park (4187 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville) will include farm animals, hay and carriage rides, demonstrations, workshops, tractor and machinery show, music and local vendors from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
STEAM-a-Palooza
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
12 – 4 p.m.
DISCOVERY CENTER
The Discovery Center’s (502 SE Broad St., Murfreesboro) signature Tennessee STEAM Festival kick-off event returns this year! This free outdoor event (rain or shine) features local artists, scientists and engineers for all-ages, hands-on fun from 12 – 4 p.m.
Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM
Celebrate the 26th annual Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival at the Tennessee State Museum (1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd., Nashville) — a free, fun and safe Halloween event for children of all ages from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Some of the state’s finest storytellers deliver chilling ghost stories from Tennessee’s past. Nashville Puppet Truck will perform two shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children will also receive a free book from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation when collecting stamps at other spooky stations!
Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
THE AVENUE MURFEESBORO
At Fall Kids Fest, kids can have fun decorating pumpkins, bouncing on inflatables, scaling the climbing wall and participating in other fun activities. You can visit an array of local vendors, enter free giveaways and enjoy live entertainment (like dance performances, science shows and live music!) throughout the day.
Halloween Pumpkin Painting Party
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
LINEBAUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bring a pumpkin to paint for fun, or enter it into the annual Painted Pumpkin Contest at Linebaugh Public Library (105 W Vine St., Murfreesboro) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Leonardo Youth Maker Mixer
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
1 – 4:30 p.m.
FRIST ART MUSEUM
At this event for ages 10 to 18, young people will work to solve a design challenge for a chance to win a prize. There will be short Pecha Kucha presentations from Oasis’ Underground Art Studio, Adventure Science Center, Nashville Ballet, STUDIO NPL and Oasis Bike Workshop. Clips from LEONARDO DA VINCI, a PBS film premiering this fall, will be shown. This event is part of the Tennessee STEAM Festival.
Mt. Juliet Halloween in the Park
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
CHARLIE DANIELS PARK
Costume contest, inflatables, trick-or-treating, hay rides, petting zoo, food trucks, vendors and more at Charlie Daniels Park (1075 Charlie Daniels Pkwy., Mt. Juliet) from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Old Time Jam
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
1 – 3 p.m.
WARNER PARK NATURE CENTER
Bring your instrument and join the round for some old time strummin’ and pickin’ on the back porch at Warner Park Nature Center (7311 Highway 100, Nashville) or just sit back and enjoy the tunes from 1 – 3 p.m.
Woodmont Hills Fall Fest
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
5 – 8 p.m.
WOODMONT HILLS CHURCH
Celebrate the spooky season at Woodmont Hills Church (3710 Franklin Pike, Nashville) with a special trunk-or-treat at 5 p.m., a showing of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown at 6 p.m. and the movie Coco at 6:30 p.m.
Baby Monster Mash at the Franklin Library
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21
9:30 or 10:30 a.m.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Families with babies ages 0 – 2 can bring them in their costumes for this special program Halloween-themed program at the Franklin Library (1314 Columbia Ave., Franklin) at 9:30 or 10:30 a.m.
Barfield Bash Carnival
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
4 – 8 p.m.
BARFIELD CRESCENT PARK
Play some ghostly games and win some frighteningly fun prizes, enjoy spooky music and participate in a chilling costume contest at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy., Murfreesboro)! Previous year’s festivities have included a startling storytime, paranormal petting zoo, a fortune teller and more.
Halloweekend
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER
Trick-or-Treat at the Adventure Science Center (800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville) as you explore seasonal science!
Nashville PBS Be My Neighbor Day!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
NASHVILLE PBS
Say hello to Daniel Tiger, meet your local community helpers, enjoy hands-on activities, explore a children’s entrepreneur market at this FREE family event! The Nashville PBS lot will not be available for parking during this event. Please use free or paid public parking lots, ride share, or safe street-side parking to attend.
GOODFest in the Park
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MOSS-WRIGHT PARK
This event is a combination of GOODFest, Fall Market and Halloween in the Park, with a new name and branding from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Moss-Wright Park (745 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville). It offers a lot of fun activities for everyone like a marketplace for shopping, a food court, DJ with line dancing, inflatables, a candy trail and more. There are also a couple of children’s areas with free activities.
The 39th Annual Pumpkinfest
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN
Enjoy a day of autumn-inspired food and drink, children’s activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families and arts & crafts from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in downtown Franklin. The festival stretches along Main Street and its side avenues and offers tons of festive fun for people of all ages!
2024 Southern Festival of Books
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WAR MEMORIAL PLAZA AND NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The 35th annual literary festival takes place in person at Bicentennial Mall, the Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library The festival weekend will feature appearances from approximately 150 authors, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with their favorite writers through a series of live events, panels, meet & greets, book signings and more.
Beaman Park Nature Center’s 15th Anniversary
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
BEAMAN PARK NATURE CENTER
Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Beaman Park Nature Center (5911 Old Hickory Blvd, Ashland City)! From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., presenters will highlight Beaman Park’s reptiles and amphibians, wildflowers, birds and trees. At noon, enjoy a slice of Beaman Park history while enjoying a slice of birthday cake!
Goblins and Goodies in La Vergne
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
12 – 3 p.m.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
The annual candy trail is a favorite event sponsored by the city and includes games and a hike through the park to “trick or treat” from local organizations and businesses at Veterans Memorial Park (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr., La Vergne) from 12 – 3 p.m. There’s a costume contest at Pavilion A at 1 p.m. Age groups are 4 & under, 5 – 9 years old, 10 – 14 years old, and 15 & up. Stick around for the Zombie Dance at 2 p.m. featuring family-friendly Halloween music the whole family can enjoy.
Kidsville Family Festival
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
CENTENNIAL PARK
Kidsville Family Festival is returning to Centennial Park (2500 West End Avenue, Nashville) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day filled with live music, costumes, arts & crafts, mascot photo station, musical meet & greets, inflatables & lawn games, obstacle course, painting and more. This event is free to attend and open to children of all ages!
Marigold Family Festival
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
3 – 5 p.m.
DEADERICK ST. OUTSIDE OF TPAC
The inaugural festival will feature a vibrant array of activities, including folkloric dancers, music, candy stations, food vendors and engaging crafts and activations where children and families can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Día De Muertos. A highlight of the event will be TPAC’s community ofrenda, where attendees are encouraged to bring photos, offerings and tributes to honor their loved ones.
Trick-or-Treat at Belle Meade
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
1 – 4 p.m.
BELLE MEADE HISTORIC SITE
Enjoy some Halloween fun at Belle Meade Historic Site (5025 Harding Pike, Nashville) with free trick-or-treat stations, hay rides, hay mazes, face painting and more from 1 – 4 p.m. Make sure to show off your best costume at the Halloween Costume Contest!
Trick or Treat at Drakes Creek
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
6 – 8 p.m.
DRAKES CREEK PARK
Join Hendersonville Parks for a night of trick-or-treating at Drakes Creek Park (120 E Main St., Hendersonville) from 6 – 8 p.m. Photo booths will be set up around fields 2 through 5 and will provide candy, games and prizes!
Trick or Treat on the Gallatin Square
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
GALLATIN CITY SQUARE
Bring your preschool-aged children to beautiful Downtown Gallatin for a fun-filled day of trick-or-treating with the merchants on the Square from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is an alternative to trick-or-treating in the evening.
Community Fall Festival
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
5 – 8 p.m.
PATTERSON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
What are you doing for Halloween?Come out to Patterson Park Community Center (521 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Murfreesboro) for free games, food, prizes and crafts for the whole family from 5 – 8 p.m. For ages 8-12.
