Tennessee truly comes alive in the spring and early summer months, offering countless opportunities to connect with your community, enjoy the outdoors, and discover new local favorites. No matter where you are—East, Middle, or West—you’ll find unique events that showcase the heart and soul of the region. Mark your calendar, grab your friends or family, and make the most of this season’s adventures.
And if you’re thinking of making Tennessee your home—or just want to know more about what each area has to offer—I’d love to help! Feel free to reach out anytime.
East Tennessee
Jazz on the Square
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Dates: Tuesdays, May 6 – June 24, 2025
🎷 Highlights: Free jazz performances on Market Square, creating a lively atmosphere in downtown Knoxville. Inside Knoxville
Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Date: May 10, 2025
🎤 Highlights: A celebration of music and community featuring performances from Americana legends, along with whiskey tastings from top Tennessee distilleries. Southern Skies Music Festival
Vestival Festival
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Date: May 10, 2025
🎉 Highlights: A community arts and heritage festival featuring live music, local artisans, and family-friendly activities. The Vestival
Children’s Festival of Reading
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Date: May 17, 2025
📖 Highlights: Celebrates the joy of reading with author readings, storytelling, crafts, and performances for children and families. Children's Festival of Reading
Tennessee Pirate Fest
📍 Location: Harriman, TN
📅 Dates: May 24–26, 2025
🎉 Highlights: A family-friendly festival featuring pirate-themed entertainment, costume contests, live music, and artisan vendors. TN Pirate Fest
Midfield Lavender Farm U-Pick
📍 Location: Bulls Gap, TN
📅 Dates: May 30 – June 19, 2025
🌸 Highlights: Visitors can pick their own lavender and enjoy the scenic beauty of the farm during peak bloom season. Mid Field Farm
National MooFest
📍 Location: Athens, TN
📅 Date: June 7, 2025
🐮 Highlights: A dairy-themed festival with live music, food vendors, children's activities, and a celebration of the local dairy industry. Moo Fest
Old City Rhinestone Fest and Sunday Market
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Date: June 7, 2025
🛒 Highlights: Outdoor market featuring local artisans, food trucks, and live music. Rhinestone Fest
Knoxville Margartita Festival
📍 Location: Knoxville, TN
📅 Date: June 14, 2025
🛒 Highlights: Who has the best Margartira in Knoxville!? Knox Marg Fest
Jackson Square Lavender Festival
📍 Location: Oak Ridge, TN
📅 Date: June 21, 2025
🌸 Highlights: Features live music, nearly 130 artisans, informative presentations, and lavender-themed activities. Jackson Square Lavender Fest
Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival
📍 Location: Portland, TN
📅 Dates: May 9–10, 2025
🍓 Highlights: Celebration of the strawberry harvest with live music, vendors, parades, and family-friendly activities. Mid TN Strawberry Fest
Iroquois Steeplechase
📍 Location: Nashville, TN
📅 Date: May 10, 2025
🐎 Highlights: Annual horse racing event featuring Southern fashions, tailgating, and family areas. TN Steeplechase
CMA Fest
📍 Location: Nashville, TN
📅 Dates: June 5–8, 2025
🎤 Highlights: Features performances by top country artists including Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, and Luke Bryan across multiple stages. CMA Fest
Lavender Festival at Oak Grove Lavender Farm
📍 Location: Hohenwald, TN
📅 Dates: June 7–8, 2025
🌸 Highlights: Celebrate the lavender harvest with farm tours, lavender products, workshops, and live music. Oak Grove Lavender
Porter Flea Summer Market
📍 Location: Nashville, TN
📅 Dates: June 13–14, 2025
🛍️ Highlights: A curated market featuring handmade goods from local artisans, including art, jewelry, and home decor. Porter Flea Market
Franklin Summer Flea Market
📍 Location: Franklin, TN
📅 Dates: June 21–22, 2025
🛍️ Highlights: Explore hundreds of vendor booths featuring a wide range of items. Franklin Flea Market
West Tennessee
Voices in the Vineyard at Century Farms Winery
📍 Location: Jackson, TN
📅 Dates: May through October 2025
🎤 Highlights: Sip Tennessee wine while enjoying music from a variety of local and regional artists at Century Farm Winery. Century Farm Winery
Rhythm on the Rails
📍 Location: Union City, TN
📅 Dates: Fridays in May and June 2025
🎼 Highlights: An 8-week outdoor concert series at Discovery Park of America, featuring live music on the lawn near the Train Depot. Rhythm Rails
RiverBeat Festival
📍 Location: Memphis, TN
📅 Dates: May 2–4, 2025
🎶 Highlights: A music festival featuring diverse genres, food vendors, and activities along the Mississippi River. RiverBeat Music Fest
West Tennessee Strawberry Festival
📍 Location: Humboldt, TN
📅 Dates: May 4–10, 2025
🍓 Highlights: Tennessee’s largest and longest-running festival featuring parades, live music, carnival rides, and strawberry-themed events. West TN Strawberry Fest
Memphis in May: World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
📍 Location: Memphis, TN
📅 Dates: May 14–17, 2025
🔥 Highlights: Renowned barbecue competition with teams from around the world, live music, and food vendors. Memphis in May
Memphis Margarita Festival
📍 Location: Memphis, TN
📅 Date: May 31, 2025
🍸 Highlights: Features live music, food from local restaurants, and 12 margarita samples included with your ticket. Memphis Margarita Fest
