Fall is my favorite time of year. There’s something about those first hints of color in the trees, the cooler air, and the feeling that everything is coming back to life after the long heat of summer.
I love the details of the season—hay bale displays, deep orange and red flowers, and what feels like an explosion of pumpkins and apples everywhere you look. And just as much, I love how people seem to come back outside, ready to gather and enjoy it all together.
With the arrival of fall comes a full calendar of festivals and seasonal activities. Over the past few weeks, we’ve tried to soak it all in—visiting cultural festivals, spending time outdoors, and enjoying some classic fall traditions along the way.
From cultural festivals around Nashville to apple orchards in southern Indiana and scenic walks through Tennessee state parks, these were some of our favorite ways to enjoy fall this year.
Fall Festivals Around Tennessee
One of my favorite parts of fall is how quickly the calendar fills up with festivals. From cultural celebrations to community gatherings, this season always seems to bring people together over food, music, and shared traditions.
This year, we made a point to visit several different festivals around Tennessee, each offering something unique—from heritage celebrations to international flavors and seasonal events.
Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival
We kicked off the season at the annual Middle Tennessee Highland Games and Celtic Festival—one of the largest fall festivals in the Nashville area, and one that seems to grow every year.
Set along the Cumberland River, the festival celebrates Scottish and Celtic heritage through music, athletics, and tradition. And of course, no Scottish festival would be complete without the sound of bagpipes filling the air. We stopped to watch a drum and pipe band made up of officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the skill and precision of their performance was incredible.
We knew right away we were in for a fun day when we saw a sign warning that unattended children would be sent home with swords, battleaxes, and puppies—definitely a creative way to get everyone’s attention.
We started in the kids’ area, which was full of crafts, kid-friendly versions of the Highland Games, and even an appearance by Merida teaching kids how to use a bow and arrow. Nearby, the stage featured cultural music and dance performances throughout the day.
From there, we wandered through the rows of clan tents, watched the athletes compete in the Highland Games, and kept finding reasons to stay just a little longer—one more event, one more performance, one more walk through the grounds.
Both sides of our family have a bit of Scottish heritage, so it was especially fun to find our clan on the map—even if it was just a tiny dot. It made the experience feel a little more personal and a lot more meaningful.
International Food Festival
Our next stop was the annual International Food Festival at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church—a community event that brings together people from all over the world for a day centered around food, culture, and connection.
There’s no entrance fee, but you purchase tickets to use at the different food booths. When we arrived, we were given a map showing more than 30 countries represented within the church and the dishes they were sharing. It was amazing to see that kind of diversity gathered in one place—especially in a suburb of Nashville.
Even though we came hungry, we still weren’t prepared for just how much there was to try. We kept going from table to table, sampling dishes from around the world long after we were full because we didn’t want to miss anything.
Some of our favorite bites came from Lebanon, El Salvador, Ukraine, and the Philippines—each one offering something completely different and equally delicious.
Between tastings, we spent time near the stage where performers shared music and dance from their home countries. It added another layer to the experience, making it feel like more than just a food festival.
We learned that this event is the church’s largest fundraiser, and it was easy to see why. It was a joyful celebration of culture and community—and one we were more than happy to support as we ate our way through the day.
Nashville Greek Festival
The Nashville Greek Festival gave us another opportunity to support a local community while enjoying incredible food, music, and culture—hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
This is a large and well-attended event that draws crowds from all over the area. Admission was $5 per person, and the pass is good for the entire weekend if you want to come back again.
We arrived and made a beeline straight for the food tent. After filling our plates, we found a spot in the crowded seating area just in time to watch the dancers take the stage. Multiple groups performed throughout the day, with dancers ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Their traditional attire was beautiful, and the music was full of energy—it was hard not to get caught up in it.
After the performances, we wandered through the vendor stalls filled with items imported from Greece, and then found ourselves in a room lined with rows and rows of pastries. Needless to say, we didn’t leave empty-handed.
One of the highlights of the festival is that the church itself is open to visitors. Stepping inside, we were able to admire the stunning Byzantine-style interior. The detailed murals covering the walls and the intricate golden chandeliers throughout the space were absolutely breathtaking.
With so much to experience—the dancing, the food, the shopping, and the beauty of the church—it’s easy to see why this festival is such a beloved annual tradition.
Nashville Oktoberfest
Keeping with the theme of cultural festivals, we also made a visit to the Nashville Oktoberfest. We went in expecting lively music, traditional German food, and a festive atmosphere to match the season.
Our experience, however, didn’t quite meet those expectations.
After paying $15 for parking and $10 per person for admission, we were surprised to find that much of the food available wasn’t traditional German fare. There were plenty of options, but many leaned more toward general festival food than the classic dishes we were hoping to find.
We spent some time walking through the vendor booths and eventually found a spot tucked toward the back that did offer German food. While it was on the pricier side, it was good and closer to what we had expected from the event.
Overall, the festival felt a bit more limited than we anticipated, and we didn’t end up staying very long. That said, it’s possible that timing played a role in our experience, and visiting at a different time of day may offer a fuller atmosphere. It may still be worth a visit if you’re in the area, but it might be best to check the schedule ahead of time to catch the main performances.
Seasonal activities & Outdoor Favorites
Alongside the festivals, we also made time for some of our favorite fall traditions and outdoor adventures. These quieter experiences offered a slower pace—time to enjoy the changing leaves, visit local orchards, and explore some beautiful countryside.
They were the perfect balance to the busier festival days and reminded us why fall is such a special season for getting outside.
Apple Picking at Fairview Orchard
During a weekend trip to southern Indiana to visit family, we were looking for something seasonal to do—and were immediately drawn to the idea of picking our own apples. So we made our way out to Fairview Orchards for a classic fall experience.
When we arrived, we chose a couple of bags and were directed down a gentle hill, past a small pond, and into rows and rows of apple trees. There were hundreds of trees, each filled with different varieties, stretching out in neat lines across the orchard.
We headed toward the back, hoping to find trees that hadn’t been picked over—and it paid off. Even though it was near the end of the season, there were still plenty of apples to choose from.
Before long, our bags were filled to the brim with a mix of red and green apples, and we were already talking about all the recipes we’d need to use them up. There’s just something about picking your own fruit that feels perfectly suited to fall.
On our way back up, we couldn’t resist the stacks of pumpkins near the entrance and picked out a few to take home for the porch.
Good to know: The orchard is cash only, so come prepared.
It was a simple outing, but one that captured everything we love about the season—fresh air, good company, and the quiet joy of being out among the trees.
Craft Fair at Harmonie State Park
As we were finishing up at the orchard, the owner suggested we head over to Harmonie State Park, where a large fall craft fair was happening that weekend. Being as fond of state parks as we are, it didn’t take much convincing.
We made our way through the surrounding farmland, where the soybean fields had turned a brilliant yellow, before arriving at the park. The setting alone made it worth the drive.
The craft fair itself was expansive, with vendors set up throughout the main area of the park. With the leaves just starting to change and the weather perfectly crisp, it made for an ideal afternoon of wandering from booth to booth.
Fall is peak season for craft fairs, and this one was full of local artisans selling handmade goods—many perfect for early holiday shopping. One of my favorite surprises was a lineup of vintage tractors on display, adding a nostalgic touch that felt right at home in the setting.
Travis Hollow at Tims Ford State Park
We love visiting state parks, and one of our favorites is Tims Ford State Park. One of the things that makes exploring Tennessee especially easy is that all of the state parks are free to enjoy—no entrance fee required.
Tims Ford is centered around the lake, with miles of trails that wind through the woods and cross over the water in a variety of ways. For this visit, we chose the Travis Hollow Bridge Trail, which follows one of the quiet inlets of the lake.
As we walked, the first signs of fall color were beginning to appear along the shoreline. The air felt cooler, the pace slower, and the whole setting had that peaceful stillness that makes you want to linger just a little longer.
One of the highlights of this trail is the bridge itself—its deep red beams standing out beautifully against the surrounding green trees. It’s such a simple detail, but one that makes the walk feel especially memorable.
After a season full of festivals and activity, this quiet moment in nature felt like the perfect way to soak in the changing season. Tennessee’s state parks truly shine in the fall.
Looking back, this season felt like a beautiful mix of energy and calm—busy festival days filled with music, food, and culture balanced with quieter moments outdoors among the trees and water.
Each experience offered something a little different, but together they created the kind of fall we look forward to every year: one filled with connection, tradition, and time spent both exploring and simply being present in the season.
No matter how many festivals we attend or trails we walk, it always comes back to the same feeling—fall has a way of reminding us to slow down and enjoy where we are.
If you have enjoyed this, here are some other fall favorites that you might be interested in:
Thanks for coming along on all the different festivals and fall things with us. May your days be filled with good food, colorful leaves, loud music, and joy in the season.
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