Joe’s Top Picks for Nashville This Fall 2021

With so many happenings around the city, it may be difficult to narrow down the best experience for your visit. To help, here are my top picks divided into: Music, Events, and Family-Friendly affairs. It is also recommended to attend a tour-by-local, like this quick (1 hour) orientation tour, for the specifics on your dates. Between these two options, your Nashville Fall is sure to be filled with “pumpkin spice and everything nice”.

Music

Yes, Nashville truly plays music 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We can turn any location into a venue, and any reason into music. If you are visiting on a short trip, here are musical events that will tickle the ears, allow you to explore historical surroundings, and give you that all-around charming Nashville experience. Note, most of these are local events but are more than happy to welcome new residents and visitors alike.

Full Moon Pickin’ Party

Located at Percy Warner Park Equestrian Center in Bellevue, this is one of the most popular outdoor events in greater Nashville. Guests can enjoy traditional bluegrass music as well as fare from local food trucks. These events are BYOB – bring your own blanket, chair, snacks and even Fido. Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash!

Jazz on the Cumberland

It’s the time to get jazzy on the Cumberland! At Riverfront Park, enjoy a series of concerts on selective Sundays each month. Jazz on The Cumberland is ranked the #1 destination for Jazz in Nashville and one of the “top 5 Things to Do” Fall 2021. Free, family-friendly, and unique, enjoy “Spotlight Youth Jazz Band” on September 19 and “Jazz on The Cumberland All-Star Band” on October 17. Being right downtown also allows you to roam freely to the next musical affair.

Americana Music Fest

Get ready to witness the sensational Americana Fest this fall! This is a grand festival where the Americana Music Association gathers thousands of fans, artists, and industry professionals from all over the world into multiple locations across the city.  The event will take place on September 21 and will feature more than 500 live musical performances till September 26. If Americana (including folk, bluegrass, indie, etc)  music is what you like, then this alone is a good enough reason to make your way to Nashville. Check their website for locations as music and events, which are all included in the one festival entry price, will take place from East Nashville, to SoBro, to West Vanderbilt.

September Sundown

This is a newer event presented by Musician’s Corner in Centennial Park every Thursday and Friday in September and October 1. It’s a free outdoor concert series showcasing local artists, food trucks, kid’s events, and other local vendors. It is festivals like these where memories are made.  What’s special about September Sundown is that it supports emerging artists, and proceeds and donations go to provide art enrichment and educational programming for adults and youth across Nashville.

Family Friendly Activities

There are tons of interesting activities for the whole family in this great city- After all Nashville was built on community. The Nashville Experience orientation tour would be a great first stop for all local insights and recommendations on your select dates. Here are my recommended picks for a “family friendly” good time.

Cheekwood Harvest

Cheekwood hosts a variety of events all throughout the Fall season. Specifically, from September 18 till October 31, the spirit of fall comes alive for the Cheekwood Harvest festival. They have two 11-foot pumpkin houses you can walk through, seasonally decorated gardens and trees, and offer select fall workshops and live music. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase autumn to the young ones while enjoying a peaceful stroll right outside the city.

Nashville Zoo – Boo at the Zoo

Another Nashville Fall favorite is the Nashville Zoo “Boo at the Zoo”. Here there are fall-themed activities, shows, pumpkin-patches, and kids’ trick-or-treating. The Nashville Zoo is one of the best prepped Covid-ready events in my opinion. They are strict on policies and offer timed entries- so buy your ticket beforehand!

Adventure Science Center

Spark your curiosity while being in Nashville with a trip to the Adventure Science Center. Here, you’ll get a chance to enjoy live science demonstrations, a full-motion flight simulator, and a kid-favorite, The Tinkering Garage. Throughout September and October, the science center will feature interesting Fall displays and activities, and costumes are encouraged!

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Ghost Tours

I often get asked about the best ghost tours in Nashville and would have to say for the full mysterious and historical experience, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the place to be. Explore the haunted side of history in what they have dubbed the “Hermitage Ghost Tours”. Throughout September, they will off a chance to explore the haunted mansion, a lantern-lit cemetery, and the surrounding (spooky) grounds. The tour guides here have amazing stories to tell!

Annual Events

Year after year, these seasonal festivals have exploded- and for good reason! I am excited to see what Fall 2021 brings. Here’s a rundown of the most anticipated fall festivals on the calendar.

Tennessee Beer and Wine Festival

For the avid beer, wine, and shine aficionados! The Tennessee Beer and Wine festival, going on 11 years strong, offers beer, wine, and moonshine from local, regional, and national vendors. This is a calmer, cultural experience geared towards adults. There will be live music, art, and history to enjoy at the Two Rivers Mansion, which is on the National Register for Historic Places.

Nashville Cultural Festival

I still can’t figure out why this event is free – it is an amazing way to experience Nashville, meet the community, and share in over 50 cultures that make up this city.  Nashville Cultural Festival will take place at Centennial Park on October 2nd.  This year is larger than ever- with two musical stages, a global bazaar marketplace, Oktoberfest beer garden, foods from all over the world, and more.

Light The Nations

On October 16th, West Nashville joins the party with Light the Nations. This is a unique event as it is geared towards local businesses, artists, and musicians to highlight the up-and-coming neighborhood of The Nations. It’s a block party styled event, catering to all ages and at the end of the night you will see luminary bags decorated and posted throughout the day, lighting up the sky! Everyone also receives a free luminary bag to take with them to keep the spirit of Nashville alive!

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