Top 10 Festivals In Franklin, Tennessee

Nadine
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 5 min read
festivals in franklin tn

Named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, this city is known for its rich history involving the Civil War. Right now, this is a bustling place with a lot of interesting happenings - Main Street is always busy with passersby exploring the galleries, boutiques, and many more establishments. Walk farther and you will find some museums and parks where events can also be held. If you are going to Franklin, Tennessee, you might as well check out their calendar of events. The place has a lot in store for you! Read on to find out about the amazing festivals in Franklin, Tennessee.

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1. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

In central Tennessee, there is a notable annual event that locals anticipate every December. It is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, typically held in the first week of December, and it symbolizes the start of the festive season! Not only that, this is a full event complete with an emcee and lots of performers at pre-show until after the show! You will be given the chance to have photo ops with performers as well as the beautifully lighted Christmas tree. You will really feel the magical season of Christmas upon attending this event. Let your hearts be merry and start this wonderful season in a simple yet enjoyable way at this event.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Address: Town Square, Franklin, TN

Website: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Takes place: December

Price: Free

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2. Bluegrass Along the Harpeth

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

As a traveler, one of the ways to immerse yourself in the culture of the place is by listening to local music. As a local, it is always fun to participate! Bluegrass is a music genre with American roots. The instruments typically used here are the fiddle, banjo, and acoustic guitar, among others. Franklin Town Square is going to be filled with these melodies as performers on stage initiate the jamming sessions. And, what we mean by that is that the fun does not just end with them too! The unique part of this fest is that you will find other jamming sessions just around the corner under the shades of trees! Once you pick up the style, don’t shy away from making friends or even trying out the instruments! Get your musical talent activated.

Bluegrass Along the Harpeth

Address: Town Square, Franklin, TN

Website: Bluegrass Along the Harpeth

Takes place: July

Price: Free

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3. Pumpkinfest

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The main street is usually more vibrant than usual thanks to the annual Pumpkinfest every October! It has been reported that the event attracts over a staggering 65,000 attendees! It is no wonder - people are usually in Halloween costumes, pets can also join the costume contest, there will be hundreds of craft and food vendors, plus lots of activities involving pumpkins are held here. Thankfully, there is a neat program of this yearly event available on the website, so you will know where to go and what to do. Witness the town come together to enjoy this event.

Pumpkinfest

Address: Franklin’s Main Street 106 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN, 37064, United States

Website: Pumpkinfest

Takes place: October

Price: Free

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4. Kids Arts Festival [Last event in 2019]

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Be amazed by how artistic kids really are by spectating at this event. The Kids Art Festival in Franklin, Tennessee, showcases multi-media art masterpieces from kids in kindergarten up to the 12th grade. Talents are the highlights here, so besides giving an avenue for the kids to shine, people of all ages, this time, can sign up for stage performances - they may be seasoned performers or just starting. If you dance, play instruments, or sing, you can even have the chance to be on stage during the event. Just observing and enjoying the fun art and music scene is so much fun already!

Kids Arts Festival

Address: Pinkerton Park 495 Murfreesboro Rd Franklin, TN 37064 United States

Website: Kids Arts Festival

Takes place: March

Price: Free

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5. Pilgrimage Festival

Pilgrimage Fest 2016
Source: Photo by user Shannon McGee used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Perhaps one of the biggest music festivals of all time here in Franklin, Tennessee, is none other than the Pilgrimage Festival. Featuring big bands and artists to play some awesome music, you will surely be hearing some familiar melodies that will soothe your ears. The ticket prices may surprise you, but you’re in for a pleasant experience knowing that you might be witnessing a famous singer! Watch out for the voting seasons where the participants can help the organizers decide on who to call for a lineup. Another great part of the music festival is the availability of food and beverage. That really sums up to a wholesome experience!

Pilgrimage Festival

Address: The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Franklin, Tennessee, United States

Website: Pilgrimage Festival

Takes place: Usually held in September

Price: 130 USD

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6. Wine Down Main Street

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

In mid-Tennessee, an annual event is open to anyone from anywhere in the world. Yes, international guests attend this event that happens every first Saturday of November. Over 35 restaurants at Main Street will be more than happy to serve you and, of course, over 150 kinds of wines are going to be served! There will also be live music at the square for you to be entertained. This casual day will turn out to be extraordinary as you meet people along the way.

Wine Down Main Street

Address: Main St. Franklin, TN 37064 United States

Website: Wine Down Main Street

Takes place: November

Price: 6 USD

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7. Franklin Wine Festival [Last event in 2019]

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are a wine lover, complete your stay here in Franklin especially during October. So many kinds of drinks are featured here - a variety of wines, champagne, beer, spirits, and so much more. An awesome part of this is that you will be tasting some of the finest creations made by the locals. Who knows, you might even find a favorite at this event! This is a whole new way to know more about the place, done in a classy manner too.

Franklin Wine Festival

Address: 230 Franklin Rd, Franklin, Tennessee 37064

Website: Franklin Wine Festival

Takes place: October

Price: 100 USD

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8. Dickens of a Christmas

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

‘Tis the season to be jolly and celebrate with the locals at this annual event! With the aims of recreating the time of Charles Dickens (meaning, you will see that classical way of dressing) as a way to enjoy December. Be part of the scene by dressing in these classic styles. Perhaps a trench coat would do just fine. The Victorian architecture around Franklin adds to the magnificence of the overall ambiance of this festival. Fill your ears with carols coming from street musicians. Enjoy Victorian treats. Your Christmas will be extraordinary thanks to this one-of-a-kind event.

Dickens of a Christmas

Address: Franklin’s Main Street 106 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN, 37064, United States

Website: Dickens of a Christmas

Takes place: December

Price: 32 USD

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9. Franklin on the Fourth

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The fourth of July is undeniably one of the biggest days celebrated in the States. Homes are decorated with the American flag and people gather to commemorate one of the most significant days in history. Have all that plus a city-wide event held in Downtown Franklin! The adults can enjoy some booze and great music while the kids can have fun in the play areas. Enjoy delicious food and live music with the locals. What a simple yet fantastic way to celebrate American Independence.

Franklin on the Fourth

Address: Downtown Franklin, Franklin, Tennessee

Website: Franklin on the Fourth

Takes place: July

Price: Free

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10. Main Street Festival

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Since this occurs on Main Street during summer, expect lots of people to flock to the area. We are talking over 100,000 tourists and locals! This makes it eventful. The weekend is all about fun, music, arts, and of course, food! Children also look forward to having some fun thanks to the rides and other kids’ activities. So many things go on in Main Street during this month, so take the time to stroll and find activities to try! To help you navigate through this enormous festival, you can download their app via Playstore or the app store. Isn’t that fantastic?

Main Street Festival

Address: Franklin Main Street 106 3rd Ave N, Franklin, TN, 37064, United States

Website: Main Street Festival

Takes place: Usually held in April

Price: Free

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An unforgettable stay in Franklin

Franklin tennessee historical district view from square 2010
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ichabod used under CC BY-SA 3.0

That is exactly what you will have if you choose to participate in these fun-filled festivals! One of the best parts of the city is that there is a variety of festivals to go to. Anyone from anywhere in the world can find a festival here that will spark some interest. Remember that one of the ways to gain a full experience is by living like a local, attending local events and knowing things that the locals know including the city’s history and culture.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nadine has a passion for film photography, entrepreneurship, and the performing arts. She loves meeting friendly people, trying exotic cuisines, and exploring new places authentically. Her life...Read more

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