Your new home means a new neighborhood to explore. Each month, Onward brings you “Your New Favorite” – our team’s hand-selected places unique to Middle Tennessee that locals love.
This month, find your new favorite fall activities and make the most of one of the best seasons to explore Middle Tennessee. From pumpkin patches and orchards to festivals and a few spooky traditions, there’s plenty to add to your fall calendar.
Gentry Farm
A Franklin fall tradition, Gentry Farm welcomes visitors back to the farm each year for pumpkins and family-friendly activities. The working farm keeps things simple with hands-on experiences, imaginative play and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the season. For 2026, fall activities run September 26 through November 1, with an assortment of heirloom pumpkins, ornamentals and classic carving pumpkins available throughout the season.
- Location: Franklin
- Address: 1974 Highway 96 West, Franklin, TN 37064
PumpkinFest
Historic Downtown Franklin goes all-in on fall for the annual PumpkinFest, and this year there’s even more time to enjoy it. For the first time, the festival expands to two days, October 24–25, 2026. Expect autumn-inspired food and drinks, live music, costume contests, children’s activities and more than 140 arts and crafts vendors lining Main Street.
- Location: Franklin
- Address: Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064
Walden Pumpkin Farm
Pumpkins, farm animals and classic fall fun make Walden Pumpkin Farm a seasonal favorite in Smyrna. This family-run farm opens exclusively for the fall season with activities for all ages. The 2026 season runs September 26 through October 31, making it an easy addition to your October weekend plans.
- Location: Smyrna
- Address: 8653 Rocky Fork Road, Smyrna, TN 37167
Morning Glory Orchard
There’s something about an orchard that feels made for fall. Located in Nolensville, Morning Glory Orchard is a locally owned farm and orchard where visitors can shop seasonal produce and locally made goods while enjoying a slower-paced escape into the countryside. It’s an easy stop for embracing the flavors and scenery of the season.
- Location: Nolensville
- Address: 7690 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135
Nashville Oktoberfest
Raise a stein to one of Nashville’s favorite fall traditions. Nashville Oktoberfest brings German-inspired food, drinks, live entertainment and plenty of festivities together for a celebration of German culture in Music City. Grab a group of friends and make a day—or weekend—of it.
- Location: Nashville
- Address: 600 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
Nightly Spirits
Ready to discover Nashville’s spookier side? Nightly Spirits combines ghost stories, local history and some of downtown’s most legendary haunts on guided walking tours. Choose from adults-only haunted pub tours or an all-ages ghost walk for a seasonal activity that offers a different way to experience Music City after dark.
- Location: Downtown Nashville
- Address: 150 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201
Cheekwood Harvest
Cheekwood transforms for the season during its annual Harvest celebration, running September 19 through November 1 in 2026. Explore thousands of pumpkins, the Scarecrow Trail, live weekend music and brilliant fall foliage across the estate. New this year is the Marigold River, featuring more than 2,500 colorful blooms leading visitors toward Pumpkin Village.
- Location: Nashville’s Belle Meade neighborhood
- Address: 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205
Shocktober
For movie lovers who prefer their fall traditions on the spooky side, the Belcourt Theatre’s Shocktober is a Nashville classic. Each October, the historic theater celebrates horror cinema with a lineup that ranges from cult favorites and supernatural scares to special screenings and its signature overnight movie marathon.
- Location: Nashville’s Belmont neighborhood
- Address: 2102 Belcourt Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212
Lucky Ladd Farms
Make a day of it at Lucky Ladd Farms, where the annual Fall Harvest Festival brings together a pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm attractions and plenty of family-friendly activities. Running September 16 through October 31 in 2026, the festival is packed with classic fall fun. For something a little different, visit October 23 or 24 for an after-dark corn maze experience during aMAZEing Glow Nights.
- Location: Eagleville/College Grove
- Address: 4306 Rocky Glade Road, Eagleville, TN 37060
Miller's Thrillers
If your ideal October includes a few scares, head south to Columbia for Miller’s Thrillers. This seasonal attraction has become a Middle Tennessee Halloween tradition, offering an evening of haunted entertainment for those looking to add a little adrenaline to their fall festivities.
- Location: Columbia
- Address: 1431 Carters Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
Explore other local recommendations from our previous “Your New Favorite” blog posts.
Contact an Onward agent to bring you one step closer to your new home and what you can experience right in your backyard.
