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Close out summer with music festivals, food festivals and historic reenactments for family fun in Tennessee.
End your summer in a big way by attending some of the hottest festivals in Tennessee. Thousands flock to these celebrations for the culture, history, food and family-friendly fun that can't be missed. Add one or several of these Tennessee festivals happening in August 2024 and September 2024 to give summer a proper send off.
*Dates are reflective of the 2024 calendar year
Find antique treasures Aug. 1-4, 2024 during The World’s Longest Yard Sale that spans six states and 690 miles. Plan your trip to include the Major Vendor Stops which include 25 vendors each in single locations and/or small areas. You’ll find resellers and regular yard sales.
The Margarita Festival features more than 20 local restaurants as they compete to serve up the best margarita recipe for you to try Aug. 10, 2024 at First Horizon Pavilion. Vote for your favorite and crown the best margarita in Chattanooga. Enjoy live entertainment, food and a fun photobooth.
Crunch into chicken and wash it down with local beer at the Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival Aug. 10 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Field. Tickets include a souvenir glass and all beverage samples. Live entertainment, yard games, inflatables and local food available for purchase are included in the event.
Experience the daily lives of the men, women and children of Fort Loudoun including soldiers, Cherokee, blacksmiths working the forge, a surgeon giving talks in the infirmary and more at the Siege Garrison Weekend 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 2024. The free, family-friendly event gives you an up close look at soldiers’ training, cannon firing and various trades that will be demonstrated.
Gather with fellow Elvis Presley fans to celebrate the life, legacy and music of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll during Elvis Week Aug. 9-16, 2024. Graceland tours featuring special displays and artifacts, live music, conversations, special screenings at Graceland Soundstage and the fan favorite – Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest – are some of the key highlights of the week-long celebration. The annual Candlelight Vigil is the cornerstone event of Elvis Week and is a must-experience as fans walk up the drive to Elvis’ gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance.
Celebrate Black artists of music, dance, spoken word, visual art and more during the Black Arts Bash Aug. 17, 2024 at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Live musical performances by The Black Opry will happen throughout the day on the Arboretum Lawn stage while drum and dance performances will take place inside Botanic Hall. Community activities, kid-friendly activities, a lounge featuring Black-owned spirits brands, southern foods, vegan soul food and other local food trucks and an art exhibition can be enjoyed throughout the day.
William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, “As You Like It” will be performed by The Nashville Shakespeare Festival Thursdays-Sundays Aug. 29-Sept. 22 and Labor Day Monday on Sept. 2 at The Yard at ONECITY in Nashville and Sept. 26-29 at Academy Park in Franklin. Watch poets, musicians and other colorful characters create the world they want to live in while building community ad creating a new sound along the way. Tickets are pay-what-you-will ($10 suggested donation).
Enjoy the close of summer at Voices in the Vineyard at Century Farm Winery in Jackson now through Sept. 28, 2024. Local and regional musicians provide a musical backdrop as you sip wine among the vines. The free concert series occurs Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Bring a picnic basket and chairs and enjoy local food trucks. Stop into the tasting room and gift shop for snacks like cheese and crackers to enjoy with your favorite Century Farm wine.
Play or watch Irish Road Bowling along Rugby Parkway in Rugby. Teams form as the game starts and the competition is open to all ages. The game takes about an hour on the route used as the game proceeds west, then east. Irish Road Bowling involves tossing an iron ball down the road with the team making it back to the finish in the fewest throw being declared the day’s winner. Watch or play the game every other week until Oct. 12, 2024.
Enjoy the songwriters behind some of your favorite hit songs as they perform and present the stories behind the songs at the Cumberland Mountain Songwriters Festival. Novice songwriters will share their original music as well. Enjoy a weekend of incredible music Aug. 30-31, 2024 in downtown Crossville.
Hear the roar of thousands and the group sing of “Rocky Top” as University of Tennessee Football has their opening game at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers take on the Chattanooga Mocs 12:45 p.m. EST Aug. 31. Tickets are on sale now. Find the full game schedule here.
Dance, drink, eat and be merry at Zoo Rendezvous Sept. 7, 2024 at Memphis Zoo. Your ticket gives you access to an unlimited array of foods from some of the best restaurants, bars and food trucks in Memphis. Party with the animals until the sun goes down. More event details will be announced soon.
Celebrate the rich culinary and artistic talents of the Appalachian region with a night of food, brews and music at Stillwell Festival Sept. 7, 2024 in historic downtown Sevierville. Renowned chefs from local restaurants including RT Lodge, Osteria Stella and The Plaid Apron will offer special collaborative dishes throughout the event. Taste a wide variety of local and regional craft brews. Dance the night away with music by local artists including Rossdafareye, known for his Appalachian Space Funk music blends and, marvel at art exhibits by local artists.
Experience exciting performances, traditional activities and authentic foods that represent the Asian cultures of Indonesia, The Philippines, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and China at the Knox Asian Festival Sept. 7-8 at World’s Fair Park. The celebration kicks off with the Asian Cultural Parade at 10:30 a.m. on the Festival Lawn. Booths for each country will have a variety of performances, activities and food. The amphitheater and two other stages will have ongoing performances over the two days.
See just how high dogs can fly at the Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship Sept. 14-15 at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga. The largest disc-dog series in the world, you’ll see worldwide disc dogs compete for top prizes. All championships consist of either two 60-second rounds of Distance and accuracy or freestyle and distance/accuracy combined. Attend the free event for a fun day of dog competition.
Football is back! Don your Titans football attire and head to Nissan Stadium noon CST Sept. 15 to cheer on the Tennessee Titans as they take on the New York Jets in their first home game of the official 2024 NFL season. It’s the first season with Brian Callahan as head coach, so expect a fun and exciting football season this year.
One of Memphis’ most popular outdoor celebrations, Cooper-Young Festival celebrates the people, culture, heritage and arts of the city and hosts more than 130,000 people each year. Live music, arts, hand-crafted goods, shopping, dining specials, local brews and family-friendly activities are planned for the festival Sept. 14, 2024.
Depot Days is a celebration of Newbern’s long-running railroad history. Live music, food and art vendors and the opportunity to check out the Depot Museum is all hosted on Tennessee State Route 211 where the Historic City of New Orleans Railway passes through Newbern. Enjoy the fun on the third Saturday of September – Sept. 21, 2024.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during the HoLa Festival Sept. 21-22, 2024 at World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn, Clinch Avenue and World’s Fair Park Drive. Live music, dancing, authentic foods and artisan craft vendors can be enjoyed. Special performances, a Parade of Nations, 21 education Hispanic Heritage booths and lots of children’s activities will be fun for your whole family.
Gonerfest will host bands, MCs and DJs from Memphis and around the world Sept. 26-29 as a celebration of music at Memphis’ iconic Goner Records. Don’t miss the African desert blues collective Etran de L’Air, Japanese garage punks Angel Face and Split System, Gee Tee, Michael Beach and RFMC from Australia. Attendees come from over 40 U.S. states and 11 countries. It’s sure to be a great time of listening and celebrating creativity through music.
Attracting more than 20,000 visitors over the weekend, Greek Fest is one of Knoxville’s most popular annual events. Experience Greek culture, dance and food Sept. 27-29, 2024 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Savor loukoumades, lamb gyros, spanakopita, sweet Greek pastries and more. Greek spirits, wine and beer will also be available for purchase. Shop the Agora for authentic ceramics, jewelry, books and clothing. See performances and special dances throughout the festival.
To honor the talents and achievements of National Endowment for the Arts Fellow, Thomas Maupin, Unionville, Tennessee hosts Maupinfest Sept. 28, 2024 in downtown Unionville. It’s a celebration of old-time dance and music.
Celebrate the music, culture, food and creativity of the Franklin, Tennessee area at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. Noah Kahan, NEEDTOBREATHE, Hozier, Dave Matthews Band, Trombone Short & Orleans Avenue, Coin and Better Than Ezra are just some of the artists performing Sept. 28-29, 2024 at The Park at Harlinsdale. Plus, enjoy aerialists, balancing acts and a Bubble Party in the Performance Tent; Oculus VR experiences, DJ mixing stations and henna art tattoos in the Electric Lounge; find your way through the giant maze; burn some energy at the Knockerball Arena; and, relax at the Book Nook and Craft Corner.
Herald in the autumn months by experiencing these Made in Tennessee fall festivals.
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