Five Free and Cheap Family Things To Do in Middle Tennessee

It may be tough to choose what to do with your Saturday this week. Oct. 5 offers several fun outdoor festivals, including two that would be perfect for the kids. The Dragon Boat Festival is perfect for your family members who love to see a race with some flair. Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival packs a lot of punch into one daylong event at Centennial Park. There’s also one just for the dogs at Pups & Pints in West Nashville. Or you can head south and Hike for Healing at the new Mill Ridge Park. If the mud hasn’t quite dried to your liking, you can try Jazz AM, an interactive music workshop on Buchanan Street.

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:

Dragon Boat Festival

On Oct. 5, the annual Dragon Boat Festival is slated for a full day of races and fun riverside in downtown Nashville starting at 10 a.m. Families are welcome to bring a blanket, chairs and sit next to the Cumberland River and watch the boats race by. All proceeds from the event benefit the Cumberland River compact. 

Hike for Healing

At the new Mill Ridge Park in southeast Nashville, they’re hosting a second annual Hike for Healing on Oct. 5 from 8-10 a.m. The hike offers a “chance to come together as a community, to hike for justice, healing, and hope for all,” according to the event. The hike is free, and is appropriate for the whole family. 

Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival 

The annual Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival is also on Oct. 5. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The day is full of events to choose from: The Asurion Stage will host dance and musical performances. The Café Stag near the food area offers a smaller stage to hang out around while you choose from foods from all over the world. The Global Village shows off the customs and traditions of the participating cultures in Nashville. The World Bazaar will have several booths with handcrafted or imported items. Metro Parks Community Center leaders and members will also be on hand offering chances to dance, play sports or engage in arts and crafts. Centennial Park Conservancy’s popular Kidsville will also be there as well as Teens United! You could spend all day here if there weren’t so many other things going on, too.

Jazz AM

Jazz AM is a series of free Saturday morning programs that offer interactive jazz concerts for young people. This iteration focuses on Duke Ellington, and every event includes music, puppets, improv, rhythm and movement. The show begins at 10 a.m. is first come, first served.

Pups & Pints

This one is for the furry family members. Pups & Pints offers an afternoon of dog-friendly activities for your best buds from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to pet product vendors, food trucks, and pet photos, there’s also a full beer garden. All beer sales at the Oct. 5 event benefit the Nashville Humane Association.