A Season Full of Nashville Vibes

Fall in Nashville hits different. The air cools down just enough to finally throw on a light jacket, the trees start showing off with all those fiery reds and oranges, and the city comes alive with events you don’t want to miss. This is the season when Nashville really flexes its cultural side from outdoor concerts and art crawls to food adventures and ghost tours. Whether you’re a local who wants to rediscover the city or a visitor trying to soak it all in, there’s no shortage of things to do. This guide brings you the best fall activities in Nashville, mixing the classics with hidden gems that’ll make your autumn memorable.

Fall Activities To Do In Nashville

Nashville Film Festival (Paid)

Celebrating the art of independent cinema, the Nashville Film Festival brings together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences for screenings, panels, and discussions. It’s one of the oldest running film festivals in the country and an anchor event on the city’s fall calendar.
Date: Sept. 18 – 24

Cheekwood Harvest & Pumpkin Village (Paid)

Cheekwood transforms into a fall wonderland with seasonal gardens, a themed beer garden, and the famous Pumpkin Village. Think creative pumpkin art installations and crisp autumn air, all in a lush outdoor setting.
Date: Sept. 13 – Oct. 30, 2025 | TN Vacation, Visit Nashville TN

Hermitage Ghost Tours (Paid)

Step into history with a lantern-lit ghost tour of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Guides share eerie stories about the estate’s past as you walk the grounds under the night sky. This one balances history, mystery, and just the right amount of spooky.
Dates: Select nights, Sept. 19 – Oct. 16

Shades of Black Theatre Festival (Paid)

For a full month, Nashville celebrates Black creativity with the Shades of Black Theatre Festival. From plays to performance art, it highlights the depth of storytelling and representation in the city’s cultural scene.
Date: Sept. 2 – Sept. 27

National Museum of African American Music (Paid)

If you haven’t visited yet, fall is the perfect time to explore NMAAM. The museum takes you through the history of Black musical genres with interactive exhibits, soundscapes, and cultural artifacts that bring the story of music to life.
Year-Round

First Friday Nashville Black Market (Free)

On the first Friday of each month, more than 80 Black-owned businesses come together at the Farmers’ Market. Add in live music, food vendors, and a community-centered vibe, and you’ve got one of Nashville’s best recurring events.
Next Market: Sept. 5, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Nashville Black Market

North Nashville Cultural Crawl (Free)

This annual crawl celebrates the legacy of North Nashville, once the epicenter of Black music and civil rights. This year’s theme, Art You Can Touch, makes it an interactive experience that blends history, art, and community.
Date: October 11

Darkhorse Theatre / Destiny Theatre Production (Paid)

Support Black storytelling at the Darkhorse Theatre. Their partnership with Destiny Theatre Productions brings intimate plays and cultural narratives to the stage all fall long.
Dates Vary

Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream (Paid)

If you want a sweet fall treat, Rolled 4 Ever in Germantown offers handmade rolled ice cream with creative flavors and toppings. A Black-owned shop with a unique spin on dessert.
Year-Round

Adult Pick: Murder in Music City Ghost Tour (Paid)

This isn’t your kid-friendly haunted house. The Murder in Music City Ghost Tour takes you on an adults-only true crime ghost walk through Nashville. Expect chilling tales, haunted corners, and the city’s darker history woven into one unforgettable night.
Dates Vary | Ghost City Tours

Nashville Nightmare Haunted House (Paid)

This isn’t your kid-friendly haunted house. The Murder in Music City Ghost Tour takes you on an adults-only true crime ghost walk through Nashville. Expect chilling tales, haunted corners, and the city’s darker history woven into one unforgettable night.
Dates Vary | Nashville Nightmare Haunted House

Wrapping Up Nashville’s Fall Scene

Nashville knows how to do fall right. You can vibe out to live music under the stars, explore history with a spooky twist, or spend the day supporting Black-owned businesses while eating some of the best food in the city. And that’s just scratching the surface. What makes these fall activities in Nashville special is how they reflect the city’s personality, a mix of creativity, culture, and community that feels authentic and vibrant. So whether you’re building your perfect fall weekend or just looking for one good thing to do, this list has something for you. Grab your friends, your family, or roll solo, either way, Nashville in the fall is waiting for you to dive in.