Top 22 Festivals In Tennessee, USA

1. Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival (September)

Though relatively new, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival has become a popular music festival that showcases diverse music genres. The fest brings together artists across a wide range of music genres, including rock and roll, indie, jazz, gospel, blues, country and pop. In recent editions, it has offered 6 stages and over 60 participating artists. The festival takes its vibe from its setting, the historic city of Franklin, which is around 17 mi (27 km) from Nashville. The festival has several interesting features such as Pilgri-mashups, Lil’ Pilgrims stage, Farm to Turntable (a food truck park) and Makers Village (marketplace).

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

Address: 239 Franklin Rd, The Park at Harlinsdale, Franklin, TN

Website: Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

Takes place: September

2. Riverbend Festival (June)

Counted among the major music festivals of Tennesse, Riverbend Festival is a multi-day affair that features over 100 musical artists across genres such as classic rock, country, bluegrass and jazz. Concerts are held on several stages set up along the Tennessee River, with the highlight being the famed Coca-Cola Stage, a floating stage converted from a barge.

Riverbend Festival

Address: 180 Hamm Rd., Chattanooga, TN

Website: Riverbend Festival

Takes place: June

3. Cleveland Apple Festival (October)

Held in downtown Cleveland, this festival is a fun two-day fall festival. Throughout a weekend, numerous events and activities are organised, such as an arts and crafts show, live music, artistic performances, special kids activities like pony rides, and food and product stalls. There are also themed competitions held, such as the Apple Dessert Contest.

Cleveland Apple Festival (October)

Address: Bradley County Courthouse Square, 155 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN

Website: Cleveland Apple Festival

Takes place: October

Price: 7 USD

4. Big Ears Festival (March)

Big Ears Festival brings together some of the best musical artists and performers spanning different genres from across the world to the city of Knoxville. The festival has a unique format where all shows and events are held in the many historic buildings of Knoxville, including theatres, churches, museums, nightclubs as well as outdoor spaces. Numerous events are organised, such as concerts, workshops, discussions, interactive sessions, film shows and surprise artist collaborations, with a focus on experimental music.

Big Ears Festival

Address: Knoxville, TN

Website: Big Ears Festival

Takes place: March

5. Nashville Greek Festival (September)

Get a taste of Greek culture at the Nashville Greek Festival. Organised by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church community over a weekend, each day offers traditional dance shows, live Greek music, classes and more. The highlight for many is the range of scrumptious authentic Greek food and baked goods on sale, made by the community. The festival also features vendor stalls offering Greek-inspired crafts and items.

Nashville Greek Festival

Address: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4905 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN

Website: Nashville Greek Festival

Takes place: September

Price: 3 USD

6. International Folkfest (June)

The International Folkfest hosts performance groups from countries world over in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Dance groups and musicians are invited to gather in the city and give shows in numerous community locations like schools, civic clubs, youth groups and senior citizen organizations. In recent years, artists from over 50 counties have assembled in the city to give performances.

International Folkfest

Address: Multiple locations, Murfreesboro, TN

Website: International Folkfest

Takes place: June

7. Soulsville USA Festival (October)

This one-day musical fest celebrates Memphis’ deep relationship with soul music with performances from major local and regional artists/bands. The Soulsville USA Festival is held in the city’s historic Soulsville district and it typically offers 3 stages with 10+ artists. The fest additionally hosts interactive dance demonstrations and fun events such as contests. It also features a dedicated kids’ section that offers cool events like face-paintings and games, and a marketplace with food trucks and stalls selling baked goods, craft items and art.

Soulsville USA Festival

Address: 1130 College St, Memphis, TN

Website: Soulsville USA Festival

Takes place: October

8. Nashville Hot Chicken Festival (July 4th)

Nashville is famed for its homegrown culinary delicacy the hot chicken. The Nashville Hot Chicken Festival celebrates the city’s signature dish with a dedicated festival that comprises a fun collection of events including a fire truck parade, art shows, live music and an amateur cooking competition. The festival also sees several hot-chicken food establishments from across the city participate by setting up food stalls for visitors to enjoy the dish.

Nashville Hot Chicken Festival

Address: East Park, 700 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN

Website: Nashville Hot Chicken Festival

Takes place: July 4th

9. Lynnville Blackberry Festival (July)

The Lynnville Blackberry Trail features key historic landmarks through southern Middle Tennessee, highlighting local specialities relating to crafts and food at its various stopovers. The trail festivities go for a week, at the end of which, The Lynnville Blackberry Festival is held on the grounds of a major local distillery in Lynnville. The fest includes entertainment performances, blackberry pie contests, a marketplace with local vendors selling blackberry dishes, crafts and home goods.

Lynnville Blackberry Festival (June/July)

Address: Big Machine Distillery, 1800 Abernathy Road, Lynnville, TN

Website: Lynnville Blackberry Festival

Takes place: July

10. Tomato Art Fest (August)

A festival dedicated to tomatoes? Yes, it may be a zany concept for a festival but the Nashville Tomato Art Fest is an offbeat homegrown fest that has become a beloved tradition in East Nashville. Initially started as an art show themed around tomatoes, it has evolved into a two-day festival that comprises numerous fun-filled competitions, shows and activities. There’s a fashion show, a costume contest, recipe contests, home decor contests, special kids’ activities - all revolving around tomatoes! Some of the most popular events are the traditional Tomato Parade in which people can participate either with a costume or a float inspired by tomatoes; the Bloody Mary Garden Party which has a competition for new tomato-based cocktail recipes and the Tomato Art Show. Of course, stalls with craft items from local artists, local vendors and food trucks are also set up.

Tomato Art Fest

Address: The 5 Points, Nashville, TN

Website: Tomato Art Fest

Takes place: August

11. Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival (May)

The Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival celebrates the best ales and lagers from the region. This one-day festival is organised by a local brewery and it brings together a few carefully selected local breweries, which offer 75+ beers for sampling and tasting. The festival program includes other activities as well, such as beer pairings. Live music and food trucks are, of course, on hand.

Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival

Address: The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN

Website: Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival

Takes place: May

12. Tennessee Renaissance Festival (May)

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival brings to life 16th-century England in Gywnn Castle, a popular landmark in Tennessee. The world of medieval England is created in the village of Covington Glen, which bustles with a host of activities such as competitions, displays and marketplaces that evoke the historical era. The festival runs for several weekends with special themes and shows planned for each. Visitors can enjoy artistic performances, authentic costumes, live music, speciality food of that time and games of skill like jousting or knife throwing. There are even manual rides for kids and adults alike. Artisans from across the country set up stalls showcasing middle-age-inspired crafts and memorabilia such as swords and jewellery.

Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Address: 2124 New Castle Rd., Arrington, TN

Website: Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Takes place: May

13. Secret City Festival (June)

The Secret City Festival celebrates Oak Ridge’s heritage with a focus on its prominent role in the Manhattan Project. The program includes a variety of events, shows and activities organised over two days. Informative science installations and exhibits and historical displays provide visitors with insights into the city’s role and the project itself. Visitors can also join tours that explore original Manhattan Project sites. A big feature of the festival is the incredible range of activities organised for kids - there are special zones offering a petting zoo, inflatable slide, arts and crafts workshops, magician shows and more. Live music from regional artists, a market place with antique dealers, art and craft vendors and food trucks are also available.

Secret City Festival

Address: A.K. Bissell Park, 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN,

Website: Secret City Festival

Takes place: June

14. CMA Fest - Nashville (June)

A must-visit for country music fans, the CMA Fest - Nashville is one of the biggest festivals of the state. Spread over four days, the festival has an enviable line up of the top stars of country music. Concerts are typically held in popular outdoor locations across downtown Nashville and the city’s biggest stadiums. The nightly concerts held at the Nissan Stadium are not to be missed. In addition to concert shows, other events like autograph singing, celebrity meets and special appearances are also held.

CMA Fest - Nashville

Address: Several downtown venues; Nissan Stadium, 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN

Website: CMA Fest

Takes place: June

15. Lynchburg Frontier Days (June)

The Lynchburg Frontier Days Festival packs in a whole host of fun activities and events for three nights and one day. Bringing an exciting range of events for the entire family, the festival includes contests, competitions and artistic performances. The most popular events include the parade, a Rodeo/ bull riding show, the Frontier Days Queen competition and the Frontier Days Auction. Children will especially have loads to enjoy such as a petting zoo, pony rides, costume competitions and much more. The festival ends with a massive fireworks display.

Lynchburg Frontier Days

Address: Lynchburg Town Square and Wiseman Park, Main Street, Lynchburg, TN

Website: Lynchburg Frontier Days

Takes place: Usually held in June

16. Blue Plum Arts and Music Festival (June) [Last event in 2019]

Blue Plum Arts and Music Festival is one of the biggest outdoor events in the region. Held over a weekend, the festival hosts music performances, family-friendly events, rides, art shows, contests and marathons, organised in outdoor venues across downtown Johnson City. Three stages are usually set up for performances by artists across genres. The annual Urban Art Throw-down (graffiti contest), Silent Disco and 5k Blue Plum are some of its popular events. Arts and craft vendors displaying their wares and food trucks offering local specialities are typically available.

Blue Plum Arts and Music Festival

Address: 315 E. Main St., Johnson City, TN

Website: Blue Plum Arts and Music Festival

Takes place: First week of June

17. Cooper Young Festival (September)

Memphis’ largest single-day event, the Cooper Young Festival is a grand celebration of the region’s rich cultural history. Choc-a-bloc with exciting events, the festival is one of the most highly visited ones with over 100,000 attendees. There are three music stages set up that host performances by artists across genres, with a line up consisting of top local and national artists. Additional activities include art exhibits/shows, kids activities and competitions, and a marketplace with vendors selling an incredible range of things like crafts and jewellery. There are also food options with numerous food trucks. The festival gets a rousing beginning with the Cooper Young Festival Kickoff Party that is open for all.

Cooper Young Festival

Address: Historic District, Memphis, TN

Website: Cooper Young Festival

Takes place: September

18. The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (June)

A music festival unlike any other in the country, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a relaxed, fun-filled celebration of music. The festival lasts for four days and brings together some of the biggest names in the industry, covering all kinds of genres ranging from mainstream to alternative music. The festival usually has over 10 stages and more than 150 artists participating. The setting of the festival is also unique - a 700-acre (280 ha) farm that lends itself to a camping experience for visitors. Guests can choose to stay on-site in tents or RVs. There are several other activities also organised, such as art shows, games, painting sessions, yoga classes and more.

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Address: Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN

Website: The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Takes place: June

19. Rhododendron Festival (June)

Every June, the hillsides around the Roan Mountain gets carpeted with miles of purple-magenta rhododendron. The mountain is the flower’s largest natural garden in the world and the Rhododendron Festival offers visitors the chance to enjoy this spectacular sight along with other fun activities. Held at the foot of the Roan Mountain State Park for a weekend, the fair offers live music, traditional folkway demonstrations, stalls with handmade crafts, food trucks with local specialities, kids games and more. The best way to enjoy the flowers is to go hiking on one of the many trails available.

Rhododendron Festival (June)

Address: Roan Mountain State Park, Hwy 143, Roan Mountain, TN

Website: Rhododendron Festival

Takes place: June

20. Music City Jazz Festival, Nashville (July) [Last event in 2018]

The Music City Jazz Festival, Nashville, offers the chance to enjoy soothing jazz tones from some of the best in the industry. Held for two days, the festival brings both veterans and newer artists of smooth and contemporary jazz for a string of performances held in the beautiful setting of Public Square Park.

Music City Jazz Festival

Address: Public Square, 3rd Ave N and Union St, Nashville, TN

Website: Music City Jazz Festival

Takes place: July

21. Tennessee Soybean Festival (August/September)

The soybean crop has a significant impact on the economy of Tennessee’s western regions and the City of Martin in particular. This festival was conceived by the University of Tennessee as a way for the community to come together and celebrate its role. Lasting for roughly a week, the festival has concert shows, children’s events, artist performances like dance and magic shows, art contests like sidewalk chalk art competition, educational workshops, cook-offs and more. Some of the major events include the Soybean Festival Talent Show, Soybean Festival Parade and the Miss Soybean Festival Pageant.

Tennessee Soybean Festival

Address: 109 University St., Martin, TN

Website: Tennessee Soybean Festival

Takes place: September

22. African Street Festival (September)

The African Street Festival puts the spotlight on the diverse cultures of Africa and on the African-American culture. The festival is held for two days and every year, a different theme is highlighted. A wonderful variety of activities is organised. The Art Village showcases arts and crafts by local artists while the Children’s Village is a buzzing centre of children’s activities including arts and crafts workshops/contents, music, dance and storytelling sessions. Live music across a variety of genres including African, African drumming, spoken word, reggae, jazz, soul, country and gospel can be enjoyed. Visitors can also sample authentic cuisines from Africa and America.

African Street Festival (September)

Address: Hadley Park, 1037 28th Avenue N., Nashville, TN

Website: African Street Festiva

Takes place: September

Never a dull moment

Given the sheer number of festivals held in Tennessee across the year, there is always a fun event happening in some part of the state. Festivals like the High on the Hog Festival, Mule Day, International Biscuit Festival, Knoxville and the TN and RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival are a good way to learn about different facets of Tennessee. Festival schedules are often released in advance so you can look them up and choose the ones that have maximum appeal to you. We hope our list of top festivals in Tennessee, USA, will help you choose the best ones to attend.