Haunted Museum

This weekend it’ll be tough to figure out where to get all that fall festival energy out. First up, you can hit a twofer at the rescheduled Fall Ball, Y’all at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, which is now happening on the same day as the Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival next door at the Tennessee State Museum. (Arrive early to park is my advice.) There are also fall festivals in Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, and others not on this list on the same day. And then for your older children, there’s a STEAM event at The Frist Museum that looks worth checking out.

As part of our series on free cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival

On Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tennessee State Museum is slated to host its 26th annual Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival, a favorite for our family. The family day at the museum includes Hallween decor throughout the museum, prizes, crafts, stories and games. Kids are encouraged to dress in their costumes to hear all kinds of spooky Tennessee stories. The Nashville Puppet Truck will also be on site as well as several spooky stations throughout the free facility.

Fall Ball, Y’all Festival

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is also hosting its Fall Ball, Y’all from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., right next to the Tennessee State Museum. The day will include live bluegrass music from Off the Wagon and singer-songwriter Mattie Taylor, a petting zoo with pony rides, cooking demonstrations, a screen printing zone, a paint-your-own-pumpkin station, fall vegetables and goods, a photo booth and more. 

Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest

If you're closer to the south side of town, The Avenue in Murfreesboro is slated for a day of autumnal fun at the Rutherford Parent’s Fall Kids Fest. The event begins at 10 a.m., and costumes are encouraged. The day includes trick-or-treating, games and more, and will be hosted behind Belk. 

Halloween in the Park Mt. Juliet

Mt. Juliet’s 2024 Halloween in the Park is also on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’ll be a costume contest, hay ride, petting zoo, inflatables, vendor booths and lots of free candy.

Leonardo Youth Maker Mixer

If you’re looking for something out of the fall festival zone, this event is for kids aged 10 to 18. Young people will be asked to solve a design challenge for a chance to win a prize and will also have the chance to see PechaKucha presentations from Oasis’ Underground Art Studio, Adventure Science Center, Nashville Ballet, STUDIO NPL, and Oasis Bike Workshop. Clips from Leonardo Da Vinci, a PBS film, will be shown at the event, which is free and takes place at The Frist on Oct. 19 from 1-4:30 p.m. Register ahead of time to ensure a slot.