18 Nashville Events & Happenings: October 2025
From Oktoberfest celebrations to spooky pop-ups and fall festivals, these are some of our favorite Nashville events happening in October! Image: Cheekwood
Fall has officially arrived in Nashville, bringing a full slate of local events to enjoy — from food festivals to fundraisers and fun runs. Whether you’re planning a date night or seeking some seasonal thrills, here are our top can’t-miss events this October!
Through October 30, 2025: Cheekwood Harvest
Nashville’s beloved Cheekwood Harvest runs through October 30. Step into Pumpkin Village — featuring 75,000+ pumpkins, blooming chrysanthemums, and three charming pumpkin houses — and explore the Scarecrow Trail with this year’s “A Hint of Haunts” theme. New for 2025 are Harvest NIGHTS on Thursdays, featuring live music, food trucks, seasonal drinks, and special themes. cheekwood.org
October 1, 2025: BrainTrustLIVE 2025: Let Failure Be Your Fuel
From 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Nashville’s Music City Center hosts BrainTrustLIVE 2025, a transformative conference for women entrepreneurs. Centered around the theme “Let Failure Be Your Fuel,” this full-day event features keynote speaker Sarah Dusek, founder and CEO of Few & Far, along with a lineup of other successful women leaders sharing candid stories of challenges, resilience, and growth. Attendees have opportunities to network, gain insights, and connect with like-minded professionals. Tickets are $349. eventbrite.com
October 1 – 4, 2025: Hostess & Home’s First Birthday
Celebrate Hostess & Home’s first anniversary with four days of festive shopping. Enjoy new arrivals, receive a gift with your purchase, and take home complimentary flowers to fill any vases purchased. Store hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. hostessandhome.com
October 2 – 5, 2025: Nashville Oktoberfest
The city’s ultimate Oktoberfest celebration returns to Germantown, filling Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park with German food, live music, local vendors, and plenty of beer. Guests can look forward to bratwursts, steins of imported brews, the lively Pup Parade, and the 5K Bier Run. General admission starts at $10, with children ages 3 and under admitted for free. thenashvilleoktoberfest.com
October 3, 2025: RETROspective Rewind
The Adventure Science Center’s RETROspective Rewind, a one-night-only, 21+ event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., celebrates the center’s 80th anniversary with a mix of science, nostalgia, and nightlife. Guests are encouraged to dress in decade-inspired attire as they enjoy laser shows, old-school games, and vintage gadgets (think Atari consoles). The event also features themed cocktails, local brews, live science demonstrations, and retro music. Food trucks and bars are also on site. Tickets are $40. adventuresci.org
October 4, 2025: Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival
The Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly event at Centennial Park that showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Nashville through music, dance, food, and art, with over 50 cultures represented. Attendees can enjoy live performances on multiple stages, sample authentic international cuisines, browse a global marketplace, and participate in interactive activities for all ages. Admission is free, and events take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. celebratenashville.org
October 5, 2025: Carnival Grand Opening
Step right up for Hester & Cook’s newest venture, Carnival, and its grand Opening on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., in the heart of Hillsboro Village. Carnival is a whimsical wonderland filled with retro candies, international sweets, local chocolates, sodas, ice creams, playful party goods, custom balloon bouquets, and Hester & Cook’s signature tableware. With its colorful, nostalgic flair and ever-changing seasonal themes, this vibrant shop promises a sweet escape for kids, teens, and the young at heart. hesterandcook.com
October 9 & 11, 2025: The Shining
Nashville Opera presents The Shining, a haunting operatic adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. Composed by Paul Moravec with a libretto by Mark Campbell, this chilling production delves into the psychological unraveling of Jack Torrance as he confronts supernatural forces within the isolated Overlook Hotel. Tickets start at $35.75. tpac.org
October 10 – 12, 2025: If I Can Dream
Nashville Ballet dances into TPAC’s Polk Theatre with If I Can Dream, a dynamic program fusing classical and contemporary works — including Balanchine’s Rubies, Kylián’s Un Ballo, and a new tribute to Elvis Presley choreographed by Travis Bradley. Performances are scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets begin at $64.50. nashvilleballet.com
October 10 – 12, 2025: Tennessee Craft Fair
The 47th Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair is a celebrated event at Centennial Park, showcasing the finest handmade crafts from local artisans, including pottery, jewelry, textiles, and other unique items. Visitors can also experience live demonstrations, food vendors, and activities for all ages. Admission is free. tennesseecraft.org
October 16, 2025: BOOze at the Zoo
The Nashville Zoo transforms into a spooky celebration for adults (21+) with BOOze at the Zoo. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., guests can sip unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails while enjoying live music, trick-or-treating, and up-close animal encounters. Costumes are highly encouraged, and the best-dressed could win a Backstage Pass Tour for up to four people. Designated driver tickets are available for $45, and zoo members enjoy a $5 discount through October 10. Non-member tickets start at $80. nashvillezoo.org
October 17, 2025: Sunset Supper with Chef Johnny Haffner
Join Chef Johnny Haffner for an unforgettable five-course dining experience benefiting the Heimerdinger Foundation’s Meals 4 Health & Healing program, which provides free organic meals to families battling cancer. Tickets are $200 per person, and each intimate supper features seasonal ingredients, a warm setting, and generous portions of hospitality. hfmeals.org
October 18, 2025: 7th President 7K
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage hosts the 4th Annual 7th President 7K, a scenic race across the property once home to the nation’s seventh president. Runners follow paved paths and fields, passing historic sites like Tulip Grove Mansion and the Hermitage Church, before finishing at the iconic Hermitage Mansion. A two-mile walking course is also available, offering a leisurely way to explore the historic grounds. Registration is $43.40. thehermitage.com
October 18, 2025: Dog Day Festival
The Nashville Humane Association’s 36th Annual Dog Day Festival returns to Centennial Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a $5 donation, attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, over 40 local vendors, costume contests for dogs and humans, and meet adoptable pups ready for their forever homes. It’s Music City’s longest-running pet celebration! nashvillehumane.org
October 18, 2025: Haunted Harvest Festival
This favorite (and free!) community event in the Historic Old Hickory neighborhood promises a festive atmosphere with costume contests for all ages, live entertainment, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Attendees can enjoy a variety of attractions, including a pumpkin patch, games, and a photo booth. oldhickoryvillage.org
October 18 & 19, 2025: Southern Festival of Books
The Southern Festival of Books returns to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Tennessee State Museum, and the State Library & Archives. Presented by Vanderbilt University and Humanities Tennessee, this longstanding literary festival is free and features author panels, book signings, live performance stages, food trucks, and more than 60 publishers and booksellers. To see the complete list of events and authors, visit sofestofbooks.org.
October 23 – 25, 2025: Artclectic
Artclectic 2025 returns to the University School of Nashville for another year of showcasing the city’s vibrant arts scene. The event features 61 juried artists across a variety of media, with highlights including the Patrons Party on October 23, the ARTbash gallery party on October 24, and Discovery Day with family-friendly activities on October 25. Featured artist Carlos Gamez de Francisco explores themes of power, identity, and gender through vibrant works, and all proceeds benefit USN’s Artclectic Endowment Fund for Innovative Teaching. artclectic.org
October 23 – 25, 2025: Compagnie Dyptik’s Le Grand Bal
OZ Arts Nashville presents the U.S. premiere of Le Grand Bal, a thrilling production by French company Compagnie Dyptik. Expect a visceral fusion of hip-hop, contemporary, and Arabic dance styles in a daring performance that explores themes of rebellion, release, and collective transcendence. Tickets start at $35. ozartsnashville.org
October 25, 2025: All Hallows East
Let’s get spooky! All Hallows East returns in a new location — East Park — for Nashville’s largest Halloween block party featuring live music, games, a Silent Disco, costume contests, and family-friendly fun from 2–10 p.m. Tickets start at $10. allhallowseast.com
October 31, 2025: Murder Mystery Dinner
On Halloween, Thistle & Rye at The Conrad Nashville hosts an interactive Halloween murder mystery dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. The evening begins with spooky-chic light bites and themed entertainment, and after the case is solved, the fun continues with a live DJ and dancing until 11:45 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress to impress, as one standout guest will be crowned Best Dressed and awarded a $150 Conrad Hotel gift certificate. Tickets are $75 per person. opentable.com
Have a fun-filled October, Nashville!
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To see more great Nashville events, visit our Happenings calendar.
Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.