Annual festivals and events in Franklin
The festivals and events that come back each year, in the order they come from today. Each has its own page, kept at the same address and updated every year.
October 2026
November 2026
Family Day
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. A free farm day at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm: wagon, pony and miniature train rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch and corn maze, cane-pole fishing in the pond, crafts, games, face painting and a Touch-a-Tractor, with equestrian demonstrations in the Tractor Supply Arena.
Wine Down Main Street
Historic Downtown Franklin. An evening of wine, beer and food tastings in more than 20 downtown shops and restaurants along Main Street and the Square, with music on three stages, raising money for the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Franklin club. For those 21 and over.
FrankTown Festival of Lights
Williamson County Ag Expo Park. A drive-through light show at the Ag Expo Park: about a mile and a half of more than 200 displays set to music on your car radio, with a lit tree, fire pits and a food truck at the end. The money goes to FrankTown Open Hearts, a Franklin nonprofit for young people at risk.
December 2026
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Historic Downtown Franklin. The city lights the 40-foot tree in the middle of the Public Square, with school choirs, carolers and performers, free photos with Santa, and a livestream on the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages. About 10,000 people come.
Franklin Christmas Parade
Historic Downtown Franklin. Floats, bands and Santa through downtown on the Saturday after the tree lighting. Walkers beside the floats hand out candy; nobody throws it. The 2026 route runs the opposite way to recent years: it starts at 11th Avenue and West Main, comes east along Main to the Public Square, turns north on 3rd Avenue North to Bridge Street, then runs west on Bridge Street and Highway 96 to finish on New Highway 96 West.
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. Children decorate a treat bag, then hunt for candy canes by flashlight at the barn at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, with hot chocolate and cookies after. For ages 2 to 12; bring your own flashlight.
Dickens of a Christmas
Historic Downtown Franklin. A Victorian Christmas on Main Street: Dickens characters from Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Fagin, carolers and dancers in a Victorian Village, story times, Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children, food and craft vendors, and a closing Town Sing. The Heritage Foundation bills 2026’s as the 41st.
March 2027
April 2027
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. A two-day, multi-stage music festival on the pasture at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, with national headliners across rock, country, Americana and blues; John Mayer and Kings of Leon headlined in 2025. The city plans for up to 30,000 people a day.
Arbor Day
Pinkerton Park. A two-hour morning at Pinkerton Park where families take home free tree saplings and learn about trees and local wildlife. In 2026 the Nashville Zoo, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center and the library’s story time took part.
Main Street Festival
Historic Downtown Franklin. A two-day street fair that fills Main Street with more than 150 arts and crafts booths, food from 30-plus vendors and three stages of music and dance, plus the Heritage Foundation’s PetZone. Organizers count well over 100,000 visitors.
May 2027
Franklin Rodeo
Williamson County Ag Expo Park. Three nights of professional rodeo, sanctioned by the PRCA, in the Ag Expo Park’s indoor arena: bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing and specialty acts. Rodeo week opens with a horse-and-float parade downtown and a free family night, and the Franklin Noon Rotary Club gives the net proceeds to community causes.
Touch-a-Truck
Jim Warren Park. An evening at Jim Warren Park where children, with a parent, climb into fire trucks, police cars, tractors, backhoes, tow trucks and the city’s work equipment. The first hour is horn-free for small or noise-sensitive children; in 2026 more than 25 organizations brought over 40 vehicles.
June 2027
July 2027
Franklin on the Fourth
Historic Downtown Franklin. Independence Day downtown: craft and food booths, music, antique cars, a patriotic pet parade and a children’s bike-and-wagon parade on the Square. At night the crowd moves to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm for live music, food trucks and the city’s fireworks.
Bluegrass Along the Harpeth
Historic Downtown Franklin. A two-day old-time and bluegrass festival on the Public Square, held in honor of Sam and Kirk McGee, Williamson County farm boys who became early Grand Ole Opry stars. Friday night is a free concert; Saturday is a contest in 15 categories for musicians and dancers, with cash prizes.
August 2027
Put on something every year?
Submit it to the calendar.
Organizers can send an event for the calendar; an editor reviews each one before it is listed.