23 Sep 2025
TENNESSEE TOURISM UNVEILS WHAT'S NEW THIS FALL
Smoky Night Lights, Geology Tour, Caverns Tavern, The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, a Banjo Championship and Immersive Seasonal Festivals
Photos for media use courtesy Tennessee Tourism unless noted in image title.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sept. 22, 2025 – Fall in Tennessee brings unique ways to experience fall colors, immersive seasonal festivals, ghost tours, new locally owned restaurants, breweries and handmade harvest crafts. Here's a look at what's new and happening this season in Tennessee.
NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES
Chattanooga – Discover how Ruby Falls formed, the science behind many of the cave's geological formations, hear about how they changed over time, see fossils embedded in limestone and learn along the cavern trail to the waterfall on the new guided Geology Tour.
Knoxville – Zoo Knoxville's Smoky Night Lights, a new, unique, 360-degree immersive music and light show celebrating the spirit and nature of the Smoky Mountains, debuts Nov. 2025. Visitors will be immersed in a dynamic soundscape where nature and melody converge.
Gatlinburg – Fire up the smokers for the first annual Gatlinburg Smoke-Off. The Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned event Sept. 27 transforms downtown to bring together top pitmasters, live music, community and a mission to support families in need.
Pigeon Forge – Experience the thrills at Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, the first racing mountain coaster in the United States, where riders control their own speed in this adrenaline-fueled adventure.
Kingsport – Visit Kingsport's “Dog Approved Kingsport” highlights dog-friendly places to stay, parks, restaurants, breweries, trails and businesses like MeadowView Marriott, Hudson's General Store, Chef's Pizzeria, 6ix Grist & Grind Brewhouse and the I-26 Welcome Center Dog Park. Look for Dog Approved KPT decals in store windows and use the hashtag #DOGSLOVEKPT.
Benton – Ocoee River State Park is Tennessee's newest state park, renowned for its thrilling whitewater rapids. Explore exciting adventures and experiences like paddling, picnicking, hiking or fishing on the Ocoee, which hosted kayaking and canoeing events during the 1996 Olympics.
Red Boiling Springs - Explore A Southern Marketplace, nestled on the Acres of Grace Farm Oct. 3-4 and Nov. 20-22, featuring handcrafted goods, home decor, jewelry, tempting foods and vintage treasures – an all-in-one open-air market for unique finds.
Manchester - Get ready to pick, strum, and celebrate the spirit of bluegrass at the Southeast Bluegrass Banjo Championship Sept. 27 at Common John Brewing Company. Enjoy some of the region's most talented musicians in a setting that honors great music, great beer, and community.
Pelham – The Caverns raises a toast to something new at Caverns Tavern, featuring the first-ever signature beer, Caverns Limestone Lager, made with Common John beer. Come early, sip a crisp pour and connect with friends before a live show inside the cave or after a cave tour.
Loudon – Get your spooky season fix winding through dark alleys and old buildings to hear stories of the past on the Ghost Tour of Loudon or learn about one of Tennessee's most historical graveyards on the Full Moon Cemetery Tour of Old Steekee Cemetery. Tour information and tickets.
Nashville – Celebrate today's artists, honor legendary trailblazers and be inspired by future voices with state-of-the-art exhibits at the new Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, opening Oct. 3. Meanwhile, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's new exhibit, Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising, opens on Nov. 14, spotlights the enduring cultural impact of Muscle Shoals as a recording epicenter in the 1960s and 1970s.
Brownsville – A new bronze statue of the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll will be unveiled at Heritage Park during the annual Tina Turner Days on Sept. 27. The weekend fest includes Nutbush Tours to walk in Tina's footsteps, a parade, workshops, live concert and Tinaoke, karaoke with a twist.
NEW HOTELS & PLACES TO STAY
Nashville – Mint House Marathon Village offers a state-of-the-art stay with indoor common areas like a clubhouse, coworking space, fitness center and outdoor spaces like a BBQ, outdoor pool and beautiful rooftop patio, steps away from shops and distilleries in Marathon Village.
Jackson – The new Hyatt Place, set to open Nov. 1, features an upscaled dining restaurant, Vicari, which features an Italian grill with steaks, fresh fish, unique pastas and artfully presented salads.
NEW RESTAURANTS, RETAIL & MUSIC VENUES
Memphis – 711 Social specializes in spicy Malatang, a popular Chinese street food, Asian street food and dishes like crab rangoon dip, Taiwanese scallion pancakes, street crunch wings, sake, soju, Asian beers, specialty cocktails and more.
Martin – Woodfire Pizza Kitchen is locally-owned and community driven offering handcrafted, wood-fired pizza made from scratch, house-brewed beers and “The Level Up,” an upstairs arcade bar featuring pinball machines, nostalgic cocktails and a vibrant gathering space.
Clarksville – Clarksville Book Shop is a book lover's dream to discover local authors, attend inspirational book-lover events, purchase stationary and locally-crafted items and walk-in terrarium in the heart of the bookshop with vibrant plants available for purchase.
Franklin – Turning pizza into an art form, Slice House, founded by a globally acclaimed 13-time world pizza champion, features a diverse menu of artisan signature pizzas, health-conscious options, hand-picked selection of local craft brews and natural wines.
Kingsport – Momma D's is a modern Southern eatery downtown. Founded by a mother-daughter team, the menu brings roots, stories and scratch cooking to the table with fresh, seasonal ingredients, handheld sandwiches, fresh-made salads and soul-warming soups.
NEW BARS, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES & SPIRITS
Memphis – The long-awaited cocktail bar, The Dame, at the new Hotel Pontotoc brings an upscale, yet cozy ambiance to downtown, with a creative menu like the Older, Bolder Old Fashioned, signature Pontotoc Cocktail, bar bites and coffee, with nods to history and local touches.
Copperhill – Copperhill Brewery, a female-owned destination combining Copperhill Brewery and Ocoee River Distilling, opens its new renovated taproom and production space this fall. Guests can sip locally crafted beer, inventive cocktails, trivia nights, cornhole and live music.
NEW OR POPULAR FALL FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Pigeon Forge (Now-Oct. 27) - Falls glows brightest at Dollywood's Harvest Festival presented by Humana, where crisp autumn days burst with vivid color magical nights shimmy with Great Pumpkin LumiNights. New this season, explore and play in the new Candy Corn Country.
Nashville (Now - Oct. 30) - Cheekwood Harvest is a celebration of autumn filled with mums, scarecrow trail, thousands of colorful pumpkins, chrysanthemums, new Harvest NIGHTS, a jack-o-'lantern topiary, and familiar favorites like the Japanese Moon Viewing, Halloween Pooch Party, El Dia de los Muertos, seasonal libations and musical performances.
Sevierville (Now-Nov. 1) - SkyLand Ranch's Apple Harvest Festival is the perfect way to experience the magic of fall with seasonal apple treats, fall-themed foods, live entertainment and the changing leaves of the Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg (Now-Nov. 2) – Autumn's changing leaves burst in the Smokies. During Anakeesta's Bear-Varian Fall Festival, visitors can enjoy fall décor, seasonal entertainment and Bavarian-inspired eats while sampling beer from several local and regional craft breweries.
Memphis (Sept. 26) – Gather around the fire, roast hot dogs and build the ultimate s'mores while kicking back with two complimentary drinks – your choice of spiked apple cider, local, beer or wine – and listen to live music during Campfire & Cocktails at Memphis Botanic Garden.
Chattanooga (Sept. 26) – Go hog wild at Chattanooga's Bacon & Barrel Festival. Enjoy tasty bacon dishes from restaurants and vote for your favorite. Tickets include unlimited samples of signature bacon-themed dishes, 12 whiskey samples, live music and fun photo ops.
Dandridge (Sept. 26-27) – The Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival on Historic Main Street features an opening concert, food truck, ale garden, parade, pipe bands, Celtic music, playground, a dog parade and tasty treats.
Kingsport (Sept 27-28) - Exchange Place Living History Farm's Fall Folk Arts Festival features regional artisans demonstrating 19th century crafts, including broom making, wood whittling, basket weaving and harvest-time activities typical of an 1850s farm.
Granville (October) - Nestled on the banks of the Cumberland River, experience the small-town charm of fall in Historic Granville with a Scarecrow & Artisan's Festival, Quilt Show, Jazz on the Cumberland and Cornbread & Tennessee Spirits Tasting & Festival. Details on fall events.
Greeneville (Oct. 2) - Get your dancing shoes ready for Lyrics in the Fall Y'all on the lawn of Dickson-Williams Mansion. Enjoy a night of live music, delicious bites from food trucks, pumpkin painting, face painting and cozy vibes.
Erwin (Oct. 3-4) - The Unicoi County Apple Festival is a beloved celebration of Appalachian autumn with over 400 craft vendors showcasing unique handmade items, from pottery to jewelry to woodworking, with apple-themed treats like fresh apple cider, apple pies, caramel apples, an apple decorating contest, baking contest, pottery show and more.
Tiptonville (Oct. 3-5) – Get your holiday shopping started early at the Reelfoot Arts & Crafts Festival, featuring thousands of handcrafted products, art, ceramics, sculptures and live music. Come enjoy the festival and enjoy local flavor at restaurants, go fishing or take a nature walk.
Jonesborough (Oct. 3-5) – Hear captivating tales at the world-renowned National Storytelling Festival in historic Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town. The festival celebrates Appalachian oral traditions while embracing diverse voices, reflecting the richness of Tennessee's cultural heritage.
Centerville (Oct. 4-5) - Taste the sweetness along the Puddin' Path at the National Banana Pudding Festival. Watch the live national cook-off featuring chefs whipping up their best recipe for judges. Enjoy shopping, live music and a kid-friendly activities in the Little 'Nanners Kid's area.
Crossville (Oct. 11) - The American Chestnut Festival at Cumberland Mountain State Park welcomes nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts to shop and connect with local artisans and conservation groups and learn during engaging, educational programs.
Lynchburg (Oct. 11-12) - Barbecue teams around the world come to Lynchburg for the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue. More than 40,000 people attend the event to sample barbecue, see the competition at Wiseman Park and shop at booths around town.
Brownsville (Oct. 18) – Arts, hundreds of craft vendors, live music, children's activities, cornhole and a pie baking competition are on tap at Hatchie Fall Fest on Brownsville's historic Court Square.
Bell Buckle (Oct. 18-19) - The Webb Art and Craft Festival in Bell Buckle is a juried festival with handmade arts and crafts by local and regional artists. Browse for unique gifts like pottery, metal works, woodworking, jewelry, textiles and more. Live music, food trucks serving cuisine from around the world and an additional 700 booths of shopping and exploring downtown.
Nashville (Oct. 18-19) - The Southern Festival of Books welcomes authors and visitors to the Tennessee State Museum, Tennessee State Library & Archives and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The free fest includes author readings and discussions, performances and food trucks.
Franklin (Oct. 25) - PumpkinFest Fall Festival stretches along Franklin's picturesque Main Street with artisan and craft booths, the PetZone, KidZone and EndZone themed areas, entertainment, whiskey lounge, beer garden, and pet and people costume contests.
Townsend (Nov. 1) – The Townsend Grains & Grits Festival is full of southern spirits and gourmet grub with live entertainment, savory bites and sweet treats from local restaurants, a sample of craft spirits from regional distillers and cozy fun nestled in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
South Pittsburg (Nov. 8-9) - Lodge Fest is a weekend of food, fun, and community in the hometown of cast iron. Guests can enjoy tours of the Lodge Museum of Cast Iron, local food trucks, regional craft beers, a cast iron auction, kids zone and a massive warehouse sale.
ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD's global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.
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Media Contact:
Jill Kilgore
Amanda Murphy
Chelsea Trott
