Crisp mornings, fiery red and golden leaves, pumpkin spice, s’mores and ghostly tales — autumn in Tennessee is a season like no other.
Whether you’re craving a mountain hike among blazing foliage, a family day at the pumpkin patch, or a weekend of small-town festivals, the Volunteer State has a packed calendar of fall festivities.
Here’s your 2025 bucket list for the best seasonal experiences across Tennessee.
Chattanooga: pumpkins and ghost stories
At Rock City, the Enchanted Pumpkin Patch (Sept. 26–Oct. 31) transforms the gardens into a glowing wonderland of thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, scarecrows, live music and seasonal treats.
Nearby, the legendary Ruby Falls offers an atmospheric Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition, where visitors descend into the caverns by lamplight to hear eerie stories echoing through the underground.
Gatlinburg & the Smokies: foliage from above
While Gatlinburg’s SkyBridge is already iconic, the SkyPark hiking trails (1.5 miles in total) offer panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains awash in autumn colours. Combine your visit with one of the scenic drives through the national park for the full fall foliage experience.
Sequatchie Valley: cowboy escapes
Families can saddle up at the Tennessee International Dude & Guest Ranch in Dunlap, staying in cowboy cabins, toasting marshmallows around campfires and riding through the valley’s vibrant autumn countryside.
Sevierville: apples galore
At the Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store, apples rule the season. Beyond the cider house and winery, there’s a bakery, creamery, and orchard to explore — plus the Apple Barn Hard Cider Company, where the fruit is transformed into craft ciders.
Nashville: harvest at Cheekwood
The annual Cheekwood Harvest (Sept. 13–Oct. 30) is one of Tennessee’s standout autumn celebrations. Expect a scarecrow trail, jack-o’-lantern topiary, thousands of pumpkins, live music and themed nights, alongside events such as the Halloween Pooch Party and El Día de los Muertos festival.
Across Tennessee: farms, fairs and small towns
- In Jefferson City, families can head to Echo Valley Farm and Corn Maze or Ballinger Farm for pumpkin-picking, hayrides and corn mazes.
- McMinnville’s Cedarwood Pumpkin Patch (Sept. 20–Oct. 31) marks its 25th anniversary with a new 100-foot Super Slide alongside petting zoos, bonfires and live music.
- Historic Granville, an hour east of Nashville, celebrates autumn with artisan fairs, scarecrows, quilt shows and jazz on the Cumberland.
- In Robertson County, “Smoking Barn Season” fills the air with the sweet scent of curing tobacco, a sensory tradition that draws visitors each fall.
Autumn festivals not to miss
- Dollywood Harvest Festival (Sept. 12–Oct. 27, Pigeon Forge) – Famous for its Great Pumpkin LumiNights, with giant glowing pumpkin displays, live music and artisan craft stalls.
- Cherokee Fall Festival (Sept. 6–7, Vonore) – Tribally owned Sequoyah Birthplace Museum hosts music, food and traditional craft demonstrations.
- International Cowpea Festival & Cook-Off (Sept. 13, Charleston) – A quirky celebration of food, music and community.
- National Storytelling Festival (Oct. 3–5, Jonesborough) – One of the world’s leading storytelling events, set in Tennessee’s oldest town.
- Jack Daniel’s World Championship Barbecue (Oct. 11–12, Lynchburg) – Attracting competitors and fans from across the globe.
- PumpkinFest (Oct. 25, Franklin) – Middle Tennessee’s biggest fall street festival, with over 140 craft vendors, costume contests, beer gardens and family fun.
See Tennessee in full colour
For those with red-green colour blindness, EnChroma -equipped viewfinders installed at 15 scenic lookouts across the state allow visitors to experience the Smokies and Tennessee’s countryside in their full autumn glory.
Plan your fall trip
From Chattanooga’s haunted caves to Nashville’s cultural festivals, and from orchard tastings in Sevierville to craft fairs in Franklin, Tennessee in autumn offers something for everyone — families, couples, hikers and festival-goers alike.
For a full calendar of events across the state, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.