things to do near you

Things to do in Tennessee this fall and Christmas

Tennessee in the fall is Dollywood's pumpkins glowing at night and the leaves coming down the Smokies, and at Christmas it's Opryland and Rock City and Speedway in Lights, basically the whole state lights up. The hard part is finding it all, because the big stuff is on one site and the town stuff is buried on a city calendar and the good light shows sell out. So I'm putting it all in one place, area by area, and you can tap what you want and put it straight on your bucket list.

All six Tennessee areas are up now, and I keep adding to them all season. Last updated September 29, 2026.

pick your area

Tennessee, by area

people ask me

Tennessee fall and Christmas questions

When do the leaves change in Tennessee?

The Smokies start up high in early October and the valleys usually peak in late October into early November. Nashville and Memphis turn a little later.

What are the best Christmas lights in Tennessee?

Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights in Chattanooga and Speedway in Lights in Bristol.

When is Dollywood's Harvest Festival in 2026?

September 14 to October 31, 2026, and it's included with park admission.

put it on the wall

Turn your picks into a real bucket list

Tap the events you want on any area page and they land in the slots of whichever fall design you pick. Add your own stuff, then it prints big and hangs on the wall all season.

See the fall designs