Spooky season arrives in Nashville one small sign at a time: cooler nights, pumpkins popping up around town, and a growing calendar of Halloween events. Before long, the city is full of haunted attractions, fall festivals, live music, and plenty of reasons to get out. This guide covers the events worth adding to your calendar, spanning historic and low-key gatherings to full-on Halloween thrills, so you can find the right fit for your fall plans!
Spooky Fudge Stripes Safari
When: Now – October 31, 2026
Where: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN
Nashville Zoo’s version of trick-or-treating is a scavenger hunt: follow the Spookie Stripes Safari signs, scan the QR codes, and hunt down every striped resident on the property while answering trivia along the way. It’s a partnership with Keebler’s limited-edition Spookie Fudge Stripes cookies, and the hunt works even if you can’t make it in person; specially marked cookie packages have their own QR code and virtual version. Finish the safari, and you’re entered to win prizes, ranging up to a grand-prize trip complete with airfare, hotel, and a backstage animal experience.
Nashville Nightmare
When: September 12 – November 13, 2026
Where: 1016 Madison Square, Madison, TN
Now in its 16th season, Nashville Nightmare is the region’s marquee haunted attraction, and 2026 brings its biggest crossover yet: an officially licensed Jason Voorhees walkthrough built around the Friday the 13th mythology, opening September 25. Beyond that, guests move through a rogue science-lab experiment gone wrong, a corrupted fairy-tale kingdom, and a theater run by one very attentive, very silent usher. New this year is a limited VIP experience where small groups take the “director’s chair” and choose how Jason’s scares unfold, extremely limited nightly, with a collectible patch for anyone who survives it.
Ghost Tours at The Hermitage
When: September 17 – November 7, 2026
Where: 4580 Rachel’s Ln, Nashville, TN
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage takes on a darker atmosphere after sunset, with lantern-lit tours through the mansion, grounds, and family cemetery. Along the way, guides share ghost stories, unexplained happenings, and the mourning traditions connected to the estate. The evening begins at Andrew & Rachel’s Café with themed treats and specialty drinks before the roughly 90-minute tour. Recommended for guests 13 and older, this is a fitting pick for an adults-focused night of Nashville history with a spooky twist.
Dead Land Haunted Woods
When: September 18 – October 31, 2026
Where: 7040 Murfreesboro Rd, Lebanon, TN
About 45 minutes outside Nashville, Dead Land Haunted Woods takes the scares outdoors, with multiple trails winding through the forest and themed areas like The Curse and Maze of Screams. The main attraction, Where the Roots Remember, follows a construction crew that awakens an ancient curse and three witches determined to protect their land. Guests can also take on a 10-minute escape room, then stick around the bonfire for concessions and a visit to the gift shop. The haunt operates most Friday and Saturday nights through Halloween, with gates opening at 7 p.m.
Harvest Nights
When: September 24 – October 29, 2026
Where: 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN
Cheekwood’s fall festival gets an after-dark upgrade on Thursday nights, when the scarecrow displays light up, and the towering Jack-o’-Lantern Topiary, dozens of hand-carved faux pumpkins stacked into a glowing centerpiece, becomes the main event. Master Carver Lundy Cupp runs live pumpkin-carving demos, and the Arboretum Lawn fills with cornhole and lawn games alongside food trucks, specialty cocktails, and live music. The season wraps up on October 29 with the Bootanical Bash, a costume contest and dance party that closes out Harvest Nights in style.
Devil’s Dungeon Haunted House
When: September 25 – October 31, 2026
Where: 510 Davidson St, Nashville, TN
A Nashville Halloween staple since 2000, Devil’s Dungeon has earned its reputation as Middle Tennessee’s longest-running haunted house. The multi-room attraction is still produced by father-son duo Tony and Patrick Warner, with an intense, high-contact approach that keeps the scares coming. If you’re looking for a classic haunted house focused on suspense, close encounters, and plenty of tension, Devil’s Dungeon delivers without overcomplicating the experience. Weekend nights tend to fill up as Halloween approaches, so booking ahead is recommended
Science of Spirits, Brews & Potions
When: October 2, 2026
Where: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN
Adventure Science Center gets an after-hours makeover for this 21-and-up evening focused on the science behind your favorite drinks. Guests can sample specialty cocktails, mocktails, spirits, wines, and brews while taking part in hands-on demonstrations about distillation and fermentation. The night also includes a show in the Sudekum Planetarium, with designated-driver tickets available for guests who want to join the fun without the alcohol tastings.
Movies at the Mansion: Hocus Pocus
When: October 2, 2026
Where: 3130 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN
Two Rivers Mansion’s grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for this one, giving guests time to set up a chair or blanket, grab food-truck dinner, and play a round of yard games before Hocus Pocus starts rolling once it’s dark enough. Coolers are welcome, popcorn is on hand, and the historic setting does a lot of the atmosphere-building on its own. Friends Members get in for $5 (or $20/vehicle), making it one of the more budget-friendly nights on this whole list.
Monsters and Mystery
When: October 10, 2026
Where: 1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN
Belmont Mansion sets the scene for an evening of classic horror, Victorian storytelling, and Southern legend. Guests move through the historic rooms as stories of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Tennessee’s own Bell Witch unfold throughout the mansion. The evening also features Philadelphia-based actor Neill Hartley performing a Sherlock Holmes story, bringing a literary twist to the night. Wine and horror-inspired sweets round out the experience for a spooky season outing with a dose of history and storytelling.
BOOze at the Zoo
When: October 15, 2026
Where: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN
The Nashville Zoo hosts an adults-only Halloween costume party with unlimited drink samples, a live DJ, local vendors, and plenty of fall atmosphere. Costumes are encouraged, making it a festive night out with friends during spooky season. This one-night event tends to sell out, so grab tickets early if it’s on your list.
Boo at the Zoo
When: October 16 – November 1, 2026
Where: 3777 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN
Nashville Zoo’s biggest family Halloween event brings trick-or-treating, animal shows, costumed characters, and plenty of fall fun for kids and families. Ten trick-or-treat stations are set up for children ages 2 to 12, while the Fall Fun Zone features carnival games, a carousel, and storytime under the Old Oakley Tree. The event wraps up with a Día de los Muertos celebration featuring themed entertainment and opportunities to honor loved ones through culture and remembrance. With activities happening rain or shine, it’s a full day of Halloween fun for the whole family.
Spooky Sprint
When: October 17, 2026
Where: 3150 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN
The Spooky Sprint brings a Halloween twist to race day with options for every age and pace, including a Kids Dash, 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and virtual race. Costumes are encouraged, and every finisher receives a themed shirt, custom medal, and treats at the finish line. With chip-timed results and free race photos included, it’s a fun way for runners and families to kick off Halloween weekend.
Barcrawlerz: Trick or Drink Halloween Bar Crawl
When: October 24 & 30 – 31, 2026
Where: 128 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN
This downtown crawl runs three separate nights, with check-in at Nashville Live! for a wristband, bar map, and drink specials at spots like Bootleggers Inn, Redneck Riviera, and PBR. The wristband gets you into every participating bar with no cover, so the plan is simple: pick up your wristband during registration hours, hit whichever bars catch your eye, and let the drink specials do the rest. All three nights run late, with the party going until 2 a.m.
Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival
When: October 24, 2026
Where: 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN
The Tennessee State Museum celebrates Halloween with a free family day filled with festive décor, games, crafts, prizes, and spooky stories drawn from Tennessee history. Now in its 28th year, the event offers a gentler take on spooky season, with costumes welcome and stories centered on local folklore. It’s a great daytime option for families looking for Halloween fun without the intensity of a traditional haunted house.
Halloween Pooch Party
When: October 24 – 25, 2026
Where: 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN
Cheekwood’s gardens welcome costumed pups and their owners for a weekend of Halloween fun, complete with food trucks, dog vendors, live music, and a costume contest featuring categories like Top Dog and Best Founding Paw-ther. Dogs must remain leashed and outside the buildings, making it an easygoing outing for pet owners looking to bring their four-legged friends along for some spooky season fun.
Pumpkinfest
When: October 24 – 25, 2026
Where: Main Street, Franklin, TN
Franklin’s annual PumpkinFest returns for a two-day celebration filled with fall favorites for all ages. The festival features more than 140 arts and crafts vendors, 30-plus food and drink options, live music across multiple stages, a beer garden, and costume contests for people and pets. Younger guests can head to the KidZone, while Autumn Alley offers seasonal shopping throughout the weekend. With free admission and plenty happening across Main Street, PumpkinFest makes an easy addition to a Halloween weekend in Franklin.
Frankenstein with the Nashville Symphony
When: October 27, 2026
Where: 1 Symphony Pl, Nashville, TN
The 1931 classic Frankenstein gets a live musical treatment as the Nashville Symphony performs Michael Shapiro’s acclaimed score alongside the film on the big screen. The result brings together one of horror’s most iconic films and a full orchestra for a night that feels very different from the usual haunted-house lineup. It’s a great choice for guests looking to add some classic cinema and live music to their spooky season plans.
All Hallows East
When: October 31, 2026
Where: 110 S 11th St, Nashville, TN
Billed as the city’s largest Halloween celebration, All Hallows East takes over Five Points for a full day of carnival games, costume contests, and live entertainment, capped off with a silent disco once the sun goes down. It’s an all-ages, all-day neighborhood festival built on community energy rather than scares, drawing crowds who want their Halloween loud, festive, and centered in one walkable East Nashville pocket. If Halloween night usually means picking one thing, this is the one that packs a whole day’s worth of activities into a single location.
Rock & Roll Playhouse Halloween Spectacular
When: October 31, 2026
Where: 917 Woodland St, Nashville, TN
The Basement East brings live music to Halloween with a kid-friendly concert featuring classic rock songs, games, movement, and storytelling. Designed for families with kids 10 and under, the event encourages costumes and keeps the volume comfortable for younger ears, with hearing-protection earmuffs available as well. It’s a fun way to introduce little ones to live music while adding a Halloween twist to the experience.
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
When: October 31, 2026
Where: Midtown Nashville
Nashville’s longest-running Halloween pub crawl takes over Midtown for one big night of costumes, packed dance floors, DJs, and themed drink specials. Check in at participating bars before making your way through the crawl, with tour guides keeping the energy going through Halloween games and costume contests along the way. For anyone looking to spend Halloween night out on the town, this is a go-to for a full evening of Nashville nightlife.
Plenty is happening throughout spooky season, so why make your Halloween plans a one-night affair? Choose a GoodNight Stay as your home base, then give yourself time to settle in, head out for the festivities, and keep the fall fun going after the event ends. Save 15% on select stays with code TNFALL15, valid for stays September 1–30, 2026, when booked by September 27, 2026. Whatever fills your Halloween calendar this year, make GoodNight Stay the place you come back to when the night winds down!
