*Dates reflect 2018
In Tennessee, fall color begins east and makes its way west. As soon as September comes around, you can be sure East Tennessee has a packed calendar of fun events from music festivals to Ocktoberfests and craft events that will help you soak up all the fun things the fall brings each year. Here's just a sampling of festivals you should plan to attend while vacationing in Tennessee this autumn.
Chattanooga + Surrounding Area
Hamilton County Fair
The Hamilton County Fair is held Sept. 29-30, 2018 (usually on the last weekend of September each year) as a kickoff for fall in Southeast Tennessee. Hosted at at Chester Frost Park, the fair has three stages with different acts and bands each day. The Rock Creek Stage, the largest stage at the fair, is a great picnic area for families and groups of friends as it has tables underneath a canopy of trees next to Concessions Row. Arts and crafts, antique cars and tractors, a bungee jump and a petting zoo are offered. Competitions range from animals to flowers during the fair as well.
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival
Downriver, at Ross' Landing in Chattanooga, is the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival Oct. 5-6, 2018, named one of the Top 5 bluegrass festivals by Great American Country. Some of the biggest names in bluegrass have performed at the festival like Bela Fleck, Rhonda Vincent, Del McCoury Band, Greensky Bluegrass and the Steel Drivers, which attendees can listen to for free.
Rock City's Rocktoberfest
Rock City's Rocktoberfest takes place 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October high up on Lookout Mountain. The festival honors Rock City's German heritage with live German music, polka lessons, food, specialty beer, costumed characters and dance performances. It's the first and longest of the season in Southeast Tennessee.
Chattanooga Oktoberfest
You can also attend the Chattanooga Oktoberfest, the oldest and largest celebration in the city Oct. 13-14, 2018. The festival draws crowds regionally and locally for the German traditions like a biergarten with more than 99 local and season craft brews, brats and other foods, music, a market and more.
Wine Over The Water Food & Wine Festival
Wine Over The Water Food & Wine Festival Oct. 4-7, 2018 is a wine tasting festival suspended over the Tennessee River on the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga. Attendees can sip more than 200 wines from 100 wineries while sampling dishes made from local restaurants like Terra Mae, Easy Bistro & Bar, Chatt Smoke House, and Broad Street Grille among many others. Regional musicians serenade the gathering with music ranging from jazz to bluegrass throughout the event.
