Walking among the blooms or a firefly forest, enjoying hot slaw and art, nostalgic burger joints, Meet the Makers classes, train excursions, a brewstillery and live music among the vines. Here’s what’s new, trending and blooming this spring across Tennessee.
Nashville – Get ready for a family-friendly escape to Gaylord Opryland for Once Upon a Spring events and activities, all-new interactive show Paint Me a Fairytale, scavenger hunts, cookie decorating & more.
Eagleville – Lucky Ladd Farms opens for the season April 15, with special events like
Nashville Bunny & Brew, the Spring Festival and pick your own strawberries.
Knoxville – The 1982 World’s Fair 40th Anniversary Celebration May 21 kicks off with international food, festivities, technology and entertainment offerings, history walks with Jack Neely, Knoxville’s Maker Community, a Children’s Festival of Reading and other fun activities.
Cleveland – An art festival with a unique culinary twist, Hot Slaw and Art Y’all April 9 in the historic downtown features local artists and dishes to enjoy this delicious and unique condiment concoction.
Chattanooga – The Tennessee Aquarium celebrates its 30th anniversary May 1 with outdoor art installations and special exhibits like Washed Ashore – Art to Save the Sea and popular spots like Penguins’ Rock and Stingray Bay.
Delano – Climb aboard for an adventure through the mountains on a 5-hour roundtrip train ride through the famous, beautiful Hiwassee River Loop. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard. Trips start April 2.
Gatlinburg - Anakeesta ushers in the season with “Blooms and Tunes” (April 15-June 4) featuring spring-themed art installations, live music, a chef-inspired seasonal menu and thousands of blooms at Vista Gardens. The Treetop Skywalk transforms into a Firefly Forest.
Pigeon Forge – Stroll the colorful umbrella sky, 500,000 blooms, plant sculptures, live music and amazing events like the Flower & Food Festival (April 22-June 5) during Dollywood’s 37th season.
What’s New
Brownsville – Open Spring 2022, Rockin’ Roll Hatchie Trails, designed for mountain biking, hiking or running located along Sugar Creek, highlights the music heritage with trails and features named for icons such as Tina Turner and Sleepy John Estes.
Nashville - GEODIS Park, the 30,000-set home for the Nashville’s Major League Soccer located at the city’s fairgrounds in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, will be Music City’s newest venue for MLS matches, live music and more, set to open in May.
Granville – The Historic Granville Artisans Gallery is now open with handmade items by local artisans, including brooms, blacksmith items, quilts and more. Meet the Makers classes include basket making, broom making, quilting and dutch oven cooking.
Clarksville – Explorer’s Landing, the children’s wing of the Customs House Museum, reopened in Jan. 2022 with a new look and feel. Check out the interactive, engaging, education and localized exhibits.
Chattanooga – The Read House celebrates its 150th anniversary with the new “Throughout the Decades Dinner Series,” featuring era-inspired dinner events inspired by historic menus and cookbooks.
Southeast Tennessee – The perfect pampered vacation with a private chef, ride-along guide and scenic adventure with Bike the South: Wine and Bike in the Tennessee Overhill – a treasure trove of rivers, waterfalls, quiet backgrounds and rolling hills set against the backdrop of Cherokee National Forest.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Visitors are invited to the help preserve park species by recording sightings of animals, plants and other organisms from their smartphones using the iNaturalist app while hiking or enjoying the outdoors, as part of the Smokies Most Wanted program.
Spring Festivals & Events
Arrington – Music in the Vines is the perfect place to spend a spring afternoon. Listen to free live jazz and bluegrass bands while sampling award-winning wines and enjoying delicious food and scenic views at Arrington Vineyards. Parking is free.
Polk County (March 19-May 31) – Check thrilling Whitewater Rafting off your bucket list on the nation’s number one whitewater river destination, along the Ocoee River, with 23 outfitters to choose from.
Gatlinburg (March 21-23) – The unforgettable and thrilling Skywalk Event Returns to Gatlinburg’s SkyLift Park, as daring performers walk 150 feet above ground in the Smoky Mountains.
Murfreesboro (March 30-April 1) – Get creative and messy with free outdoor activities making oobleck, elephant toothpaste and more fun activities during Mess Fest at Discovery Center.
Nashville (Now-April 10)– Celebrate warm weather by walking among 250,000 colorful blooms at Cheekwood in Bloom, which features live concerts, workshops, programming for all ages and outdoor wellness classes.
Nashville (Now-July 31)– Journey on a pre-historic adventure along a hidden path at Dino Trek. Watch as these life-sized animatronic dinosaurs roar at The Nashville Zoo.
Linden (March 25-26) – Kick off spring with more than 150 artists, musicians and food vendors during the 14th annual Blooming Arts Festival in the charming town.
Nashville (March 29-April 2) – Listen to live music at venues across the city during the 30th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. Browse the full list of performances or download a printable schedule.
Memphis (April 4) – The National Civil Rights Museum will host “Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment” to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy on the 54th anniversary of his death and will feature a keynote speaker, musical tribute, changing of the balcony wreath and moment of silence.
Franklin (April 23-24) – More than 120,000 visitors enjoy arts and crafts vendors, superb entertainment, great food, drink, fun and tradition during the Main Street Festival in the historic downtown.
Memphis (April 29-May 1) – The Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, Three 6 Mafia and more take the stage during Beale Street Music Festival, as part of many special events happening during Memphis in May.
Nashville (May 14) – A rite of spring since 1941, Iroquis Steeplechase attracts spectators to watch the best horses and riders in the world race, celebrate time-honored tradition, hospitality & Southern fashions.
Hurricane Mills (May 19-22) – Rock legend Billy F. Gibbons will headline the 5th annual Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival at Loretta Lynn’s historic ranch at Hurricane Mills.
Sevierville – Calling all Dolly fans, contestants can enter the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition by April 15 by singing one of more than 3,000 songs Parton penned – in their own vocal style. Thirty finalists will be invited to perform during the Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival May 21. Winning competitors can earn prizes like a recording session in Nashville and a Dolly Parton autographed guitar.
For a complete list of what’s happening in Tennessee, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.
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