Summertime in Tennessee

Soak up the sunshine, reconnect with nature, or stay somewhere unique this summer in Tennessee.

Here’s a look at what’s new and happening this season in Tennessee. Discover your summer travel inspiration.

NEW ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES

Nashville – The Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum focuses on turning points in Parton’s life and career through the decades.

Arrington – Soak up the summer at Arrington Vineyard’s first-ever Crawfish Festival on June 14 with an authentic, Louisiana-style crawfish boil. Sip on Arrington wines and listen to live music.

Shelbyville – Enjoy a day filled with performance car, live music, food, family, fun and treats at the first-ever Wheels & Whiskey at Nearest Green Distillery on June 28.

Smoky Mountains – Unleash your inner WildSide. Ride the longest zipline in America, drive off-road, take a guided UTV tour and hit the trails.

Pigeon Forge – Roar into summer at the interactive Jurassic Adventure at The Island in Pigeon Forge, featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a custom Island Fountain Show telling the story of the dinosaurs.

Chattanooga – Starting June 18, Rock City invites guests and their pups to enjoy Dog Days every Wednesday 5 pm. to close. Enjoy The Enchanted Trail with pup-themed photo ops, free dog bandanas, hot dog pop-up GOOD DOG and pup cups at Café 7. Each week features a local shelter highlighting adoptable dogs and rescue efforts.

Bulls Gap – Midfield Lavender Farm is perfect for summer day out. Pick lavender and wildflowers along the new wildflower trail, take a short hike, shop for honey and more, and try the lavender lemonade.

Knoxville – Covenant Health Park, the new, state-of-the-art, vibrant downtown stadium home to the Knoxville Smokies and One Sporting Club, brings fans together for minor league baseball games and soccer matches with an electric atmosphere.

Farragut – The Farragut Museum reopened after renovations with exhibits highlighting the historical settlement of the area, marble industry, railroads, veterans and a gift shop.

MAJOR MILESTONES

Nashville – The National Museum of African American Music honors the city’s 150-year legacy as “Music City,” with star-studded events during June’s Black Music Month, showcasing the complete story of Black music’s influence on American culture. Check out the calendar.

Nashville – The Grand Ole Opry 100 Plaza Summer Concert series, free Friday and Saturday nights through August 30 is the perfect place to discover rising stars and country favorites.

Jonesborough (July 4-5) – Tennessee’s oldest town celebrates the 55th annual Jonesborough Days Festival with a western disco theme, patriotic parade, fireworks, live music, a MoonPie eating contest, inflatables, craft booths, food trucks, live music and storytelling.

Gatlinburg – (July 4) The 50th annual 4th of July Midnight Parade draws thousands of spectators to the family-friendly celebration with a River Raft Regatta, drone show, grand finale fireworks show and live music set against the background of the Smoky Mountains.

Pigeon Forge – Turn sun-kissed days into starry nights during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration with sprinklers, interactive fountains, fireworks, drone shows and entertainment as the park celebrates 40 years.

Bell Buckle (June 21) – Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the RC Cola and MoonPie Festival with music, cloggers, wacky contests, games, a 10K and 5K, colorful parade and family fun downtown.

NEW AND POPULAR SUMMER EVENTS

Chattanooga – As night falls, Summer at Rock City transforms into a glowing wonderland. Guests can explore lantern-lit trails, new lighting installations, a softly glowing Swing-A-Long Bridge, new hand-crafted gnomes designed to match color-coded trails, bird and native animal shows and more.

Manchester (June 12-15) – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival features performances by Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne and more. The festival’s entertainment village buzzes with epic performances, classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco and a music technology village.

Southside (June 13-15) – Immerse in the sights, sounds and stories of Civil War Days at Historic Collinsville with lantern tours, living history demonstrations, battle reenactments and a ladies’ tea. Sutlers will be on-site selling drinks and food like cornbread.

Rugby (June 14 + 28, July 12) – Head to Historic Rugby for its popular Irish Road Bowling. Take part or watch this quirky sport as teams roll an iron ball down Rugby Parkway at 6 pm ET at Rugby’s Print Shop. The event is free. Check out the full 2025 schedule.

Gatlinburg (Now-Aug. 10) – Get ready to dig in at Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America, bringing a coast-to-coast lineup of eats served with a Smoky Mountain twist. Savor crispy crab mac, apple orchard donuts, peach ice cream, cocktails, carnival-style treats and live music.

Jonesborough (Now-Sept. 28) – Bring a chair or blanket and relax during the free Sunday summer music series, Brews & Tunes in the historic downtown at International Storytelling Center plaza featuring regional songwriters, food trucks and local beer. Cross Plains (June 21) – Enjoy a day filled with live performances, artisan vendors, delicious food trucks during the Feel Food Festival at Ruby’s Happy Farm.

Nashville (July 4) – Celebrate Independence Day at the free, family-friendly Fourth of July in Nashville with one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, live music by Dierks Bentley, Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon and Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge.

Clinton (July 4) – The Museum of Appalachia’s Independence Day Anvil Shoot marks the holiday with an old-fashioned pioneer celebration, bell-ring ceremony, flag procession, live music, demonstrations from blacksmiths, spinners, weavers, woodworkers and more.

Eagleville (July 5-6) – The Tennessee Sunflower Festival at Lucky Ladd Farms is a weekend filled with vibrant pick-your-own sunflowers, live music, maker’s market craft fair, pups in the park, and much more.

Kingsport (July 18-26) – Kingsport Fun Fest is packed with family-friendly fun with a parade, scavenger hunt, block parties, sunset concert series, kid’s central and muc more.

Memphis (Aug. 8-16) – Graceland will be the heart of the world’s biggest Elvis Celebration, Elvis Week, full of music, contests, fan meetups and events.

Knoxville (Aug. 9) – Celebrate light and community at the Knoxville Water Lantern Festival at Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center. This evening is filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night.

Johnson City (Aug. 15-16) Experience the outdoors all in one place at the Meet the Mountains Festival at Winged Deer Park Lakefront.

For more inspiration, explore these Summer Festivals and Events in Tennessee.

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