Best Things to Do in Nashville in October (Updated for 2025)
Fall is in full swing, and it’s a wonderful time to be in Nashville. While it might be a southern city, we do actually get cool weather here, and the leaves turn gorgeous colors (hopefully soon).
There are a bit fewer tourists in the city during this time, but the locals certainly are not slowing done. You’ll find something going on basically all month long. Here are a few of my top picks for October!
If you’re looking for even more to do, make sure to read my full guide to Nashville as well!
October Events in Nashville
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival
2025 Event Dates: October 4
The Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival is a free annual event that highlights the diversity of cultures in the city. The event includes dance and music performances, food vendors with dishes from around the world, a market, and an area with children’s activities.
The festival takes place in Centennial Park from 10 am to 6 pm.
Celebrate Nashville Cultural Fest Website
Southern Festival of Books
2025 Event Dates: October 18-19
This free festival features hundreds of authors on panels talking about their books and related topics. There’s something from basically every genre whether you’re interested in literary fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and tons more.
Besides books, the festival also has live music and food trucks. It takes place at the Tennessee State Museum, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, and Tennessee State Library & Archives. The weather typically makes this a beautiful time to visit the park anyway.
Southern Festival of Books Website
Boo at the Zoo
2025 Event Dates: October 17 – November 1
Boo at the Zoo is one of the best family-friendly Halloween events in Nashville. The special evening event includes animal shows, trick-or-treat stations, storytime, costume characters, and lots more fun.
The event takes place from 5 – 9 pm each night. Tickets are $19 per person Monday – Thursday and $23 per person Friday – Sunday. Entrance is free for children 2 and under.
Parking at the zoo is $10 per vehicle (free for members).
Nightlight 615
2025 Event Dates: October 9, 10, 16
Nightlight 615 is an outdoor movie series for 21+ that takes place May through October. The event includes a pre-movie DJ, a bar, and local food trucks. It’s one of my favorite events of the summer.
The movies being shown in October are Wicked on October 3, Sinners on October 10, and It (2017) on October 16. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance because the most popular movies sell out quickly!
Advance general admission tickets are $11.99, standard general admission tickets are $15.99, and day of general admission tickets are $24.99.
Fridays by the River
2025 Event Dates: October 3, 10, 17
Friends of Shelby hosts Fridays by the River to benefit Shelby Bottoms and Park. The event includes beer, food trucks, live music, and games. Admission is free.
Tennessee Titans
2025 Event Dates: October 19
The regular NFL season is in full swing. Most of the October games are away games, but you can catch the Tennessee Titans at home playing the Patriots on October 19.
The game is at Nissan Stadium, which is an open-air stadium, so watch the weather forecasts to be prepared for rain or unusual temperatures.
Tickets start at $42.
Shows & Live Music
There is always music going on somewhere in the city. You can listen to live music at most of the bars in Downtown and other parts of Nashville.
I also recommend checking the lineup at different music venues around town including Nissan Stadium, Ascend Amphitheater, 5 Spot, Basement East, the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and Bridgestone Arena.
A few bigger names that might be of interest (I’m very uncool and am just picking some artists I’ve heard of) are The Lumineers at Bridgestone on October 3, Ben Rector at the Pinnacle on October 10-11, the Jonas Brothers at Bridgestone on October 14, Keith Urban at Bridgestone on October 17, and Mumford & Sons at Bridgestone on October 22.
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Thanks for reading my suggestions for things to do in Nashville in October! Hopefully, you found something to enjoy around the city during this month!
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