Pumpkins, apples, fall foliage, and fall festivals in Tennessee! Autumn is upon us and it's time to switch gears from the dog days of summer to the crisp air of fall. With the changing of leaves, there is a shift in get-togethers and events which gives us Tennesseans a great excuse to once again meet our wonderful neighbors. From farm festivals to city-wide events, we know how to put on a good seasonal celebration, leaving many of us wondering “Where are the best fall festivals near me?” Well, friends, wonder no more, because I've put together a list of the 10 best fall festivals in Tennessee:

1. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Gatlinburg - Mid September through late November

Just take a look at that picture for a second -- that's why the Smokies are one of the best places to go in the fall in Tennessee! The little town of Gatlinburg is nestled right into the mountains and it made the list because they really know how to embrace the fall season. This isn’t just one event; rather, fall in Gatlinburg is a city-wide celebration to welcome in the changing of leaves with events and special offerings across three months! Every business is doing something different and participates in their own unique way and the best way to experience it is to go and see for yourself. Oh and while you're at it, do yourself a favor and explore the Smoky Mountains in all their fall glory. For more information, please visit the town of Gatlinburg website.

2. Cheekwood Harvest, Nashville - Mid September till the end of October

When it comes to stunning decor and seasonal displays, Cheekwood might simply be the best in the state. So it should come as no surprise that they also put on one of the best pumpkin celebrations too. If you can only make it to one fall festival near Nashville, make sure it is this one. This is a must-see out of all the Tennessee fall festivals for those who are located anywhere near Music City. Taking place for several weeks, expect live music, food trucks, and many other festive treats. Their ever-popular pumpkin village will make its return this year along with a scarecrow walk and many other beautiful places to explore. For more information, please make sure you check out the Cheekwood website.

3. Fall Family Fun Festival, Eagleville - September through October

Nothing says “It’s fall Y’all” like going to a farm here in Tennessee. If you are looking for fall events near Nashville or just looking to get out of the city, this is a great place to go -- especially if you have little kids. Lucky Ladd Farms is designed to be just as much a working farm as it is a fun park for families. There is a petting zoo, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, and so much more. Make sure to head to the Lucky Ladd Farms website for a full schedule of events for this year's super fun celebration.

4. Dollywood Harvest Festival, Pigeon Forge - September through October

Dollywood is viewed by many as the top theme park in Tennessee and I would have to agree with the masses on this one. It also has gained the honor of holding the “Most Beautiful Park in the World” award for a couple of years now. Alongside your standard theme park offerings like big thrill rides, kiddie sections, and live entertainment, Dollywood goes through a dramatic makeover for each season. In the fall, you will find pumpkin decorations and autumn decor everywhere you look. A massive pumpkin tree, a giant pumpkin guitar, and so much more will be on display with unique seasonal fare and live music. This is one of the longest celebrations on this list, but you can attend any given day to be blown away by the immense decorations and enjoy everything this theme park already excels at. For more information, please visit the Dollywood Harvest Festival website.

5. Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest, Jonesborough - September

The charming and friendly town of Jonesborough gets transformed when fall rolls around. The town is decorated with scarecrows, pumpkins, and corn stalks and serves as a picture-perfect backdrop for an autumn celebration. The Jonesborough Pumpkin Fest hosts several local vendors that make specific fall festive dishes to sample. You can walk up and down downtown and try a wide assortment of baked goods, unique treats, and wild fall fusions that are truly one-of-a-kind.

6. Autumn in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge - Starting in September

When you are looking to do a little leaf peeping in Tennessee, there is no better place than the Great Smoky Mountains. And when you'd like to partake in some fall events near the Smokies, make sure to head on over to The Island. The whole place is filled with classic Appalachian fall decor and is the perfect place for a fun fall photo ops. While you visit, make sure you also peruse the seasonal selections offered at each of the restaurants and stores for a taste of autumnal goodness. For more information, please visit The Island website.

7. ChattaBooga, Chattanooga - October

Things start to get a little spooky around this river city come fall. The whole city gets in on the fun for some creative and fun events all throughout town. You can take a fall hike on Lookout Mountain, take a ghost tour, or go on a kid-friendly Halloween train ride. There is so much to do and see throughout the whole month of October, you are bound to find a perfect fit for you.

8. Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin - October 4-5, 2024

This annual event isn't just a great kickoff to the fall season, it's a tried-and-true tradition in East Tennessee. Taking place in the quiet little town of Erwin, the whole place is completely covered with vendors, music, food, and games for a great two-day celebration. And yes, there will be apples... lots and lots of apples! For more information, please visit the Unicoi Apple Festival website.

9. Hatchie Fall Fest, Brownville - October 19, 2024

Hatchie Fall Fest is a highly anticipated annual event to celebrate all things fall! Taking place in Brownsville, this fall event near Memphis allows visitors to enjoy a small-town gathering over this one-day festival. Guests can expect to see plenty of vendors, delicious food, tons of kids' activities, excellent live music, and much more! For more information, please visit the Hatchie Fall Fest website.

10. Pumpkinfest, Franklin - October 26

This highly anticipated annual event near Nashville just radiates good, old-fashioned fall fun. Not only is this small town filled with autumn decor, but the air is abuzz with sensational seasonal joy! There will be a plethora of vendors, tasty food, and live music. There is also a custom contest where people go all out each year trying to win the gold. If adorable families dressing up in themed costumes wasn’t enough for you, make sure to stick around to see the cutest doggies dressing up in their Halloween finest. For more information, please visit the Pumpkinfest website.

From west to east, these are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee. How many of them have you been to and which ones are your favorites? One thing is sure we will have plenty to do while we wait for the leaves to change colors. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to strap on my hiking shoes and take off into the mountains. We have so many great places to visit in the fall in Tennessee, so I would recommend getting my favorite hiking app that I use; AllTrails. You can save a whole list of hikes you want to do in the fall so when you get a free day just pick one and hit the trails!

For more "Fall-spiration" check out this OnlyInYourState video to see more breathtaking autumn places to travel to.