Fragrant mountain laurels fill the springtime air, Delicious food, live music, And laughter everywhere, Open up a lawn chair, throw a blanket down, Meet ya out in Wartburg for that Mountain Laurel sound. Written about the Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival in Wartburg, Tennessee.

Celebrate Springtime Festivals in these Tennessee Small Towns

Tennessee’s small towns ring in spring with charm, history and outdoor adventures.

Amanda Burton

Tennessee’s small towns ring in spring with charm and outdoor adventures. It’s in the small towns you can gallivant the state’s countryside with easy access to parks, rivers, meadows and mountains. See Bell Buckle bloom yellow; eat your weight in catfish; and explore Tennessee's scenic beauty, made even prettier with springtime blooms. 

*Dates reflect the 2026 calendar year*

Outdoor Celebrations in Tennessee

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What to know before you go to Daffodil Day in Bell Buckle

The scent of fresh flowers, Perfumes the air. Daffodils, tulips, in bloom everywhere. Bumblebees buzzing in the springtime breeze. Songbirds sing songs in the tall hickory trees. Written about Daffodil Day in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: The Town of Bell Buckle

Bell Buckle celebrates Daffodil Day as a great local weekend event in its downtown area. Mass plantings of the golden beauties were planted more than 100 years ago along the corridors to the scenic little town of Bell Buckle. The daffodils have multiplied and now grow in every direction throughout the tree-lined town and corridors leading to the charming little railroad town. Horticulture seminars, The Daffodil Flower Show, and a seed exchange round out the festival events.

  • Festival dates: March 21, 2026
     
  • Parking: Free Parking is available throughout the town on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
  • Accessibility: The festival is ADA accessible as it takes place in downtown Bell Buckle.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free and open to the public
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Things to know before going to Trails & Trilliums in Monteagle

Soft hiking boots on root covered paths, Fragrant wildflowers dance as you pass, Mother nature sure puts on a show. Beersheba Springs, If you know you know. Written about Trails and Trilliums in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee.
South Cumberland State Park
Photo Credit: @aerialhiking

 

Construct fairy houses, take a hike through the South Cumberland Plateau with naturalist experts and browse the vendors at Trails & Trilliums in Monteagle, one of the best small towns to visit. Birds of prey programs and demonstrations on natural dye making are also on the calendar during Trails & Trilliums that supports Savage Gulf State Park.

  • Festival dates: April 10-12, 2026
     
  • Parking: Free parking is available onsite at the Beersheba Springs Assembly.
     
  • Accessibility: The Beersheba Springs Assembly is accessible with wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking. The chapel is also accessible. There are 6 accessible roooms on the main level of the Eastside building for overnight guests.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free and open to the public
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Important information for Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival near Wartburg

Fragrant mountain laurels fill the springtime air, Delicious food, live music, And laughter everywhere, Open up a lawn chair, throw a blanket down, Meet ya out in Wartburg for that Mountain Laurel sound. Written about the Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival in Wartburg, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: @thoughtscapes

 

When the mountain laurel blooms, the Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival shows attendees just how beautiful it is with a whole month of celebrations like the Climb with a Ranger event and the Mountain Laurel 5K race. It all culminates on Courthouse Square including 24 designated trails in Frozen Head State Park, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, Cumberland Trail State Park, and Obed Wild & Scenic River to name a few.

  • Festival dates: May 16, 2026
     
  • Parking: Free parking is available throughout the town on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
  • Accessibility: The festival is ADA accessible as it takes place in downtown Wartburg.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free and open to the public

Art Festivals in Tennessee

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What to know before you go to Blooming Arts Festival in Linden

Quilts on view at Blooming Arts Festival, a fine arts festival in small town Linden, Tennessee near Nashville
Photo Credit: Will Nunley

More than 150 regional and local artists come to Linden, Tennessee to show off their talents and artwork for the thousands of attendees who flock to the Blooming Arts Festival, one of the best local festivals near Nashville. Fine arts like glass art, woodwork and painting can be found displayed along Linden's Main Street. Demonstrations like chainsaw carving, live dance performances and food vendors can all be enjoyed. Stop in at the Commodore Hotel & Cafe for a made-from-scratch lunch that you'll remember well after your visit.

  • Festival dates: March 27-28, 2026
     
  • Parking: Free parking is available throughout the town on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
  • Accessibility: The festival takes place in downtown Linden with wide, paved sidewalks and accessible for those with mobility devices.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free.
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Important information for Great Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival in Townsend

Bridge stitching, creating rolags, peg loom-beg classes and demonstrations take place to teach attendees fiber arts at the Great Smoky Mountain Fiber Fair in Townsend full of small town charm. See displays of llamas, angora rabbits, sheep and goats. There are lots of activities for families and shopping opportunities in the Marketplace.

  • Festival dates: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24-25, 2026 
     
  • Parking: Ample paved parking is available at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.
     
  • Accessibility: The festival takes place at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center which is wheelchair accessible and offers ADA parking, accessible restrooms and entrances.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free.
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Things to know before going to the Iris Festival in Greeneville

Tennessee Iris Festival in Dresden, Tennessee.

 

The juried Iris Festival, named to honor Tennessee’s state flower, welcomes local and regional entertainment talent, more than 160 crafters and merchants and food vendors for an event that draws thousands of spectators in Greeneville, one of the best small towns to visit in the USA. See demonstrations like wheel-thrown pottery, woodworking and crocheting while noshing on Southern food favorites, stir fry and gyros while seeing entertainment ranging from clogging, square dancing and jazz music.

  • Festival dates: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16, 2026 and noon to 5 p.m. May 17, 2026
     
  • Parking: Please refer to the Facebook page for this year's parking details. In past years, shuttle service from Walters State and Greeneville High School was provided.
     
  • Accessibility: The event takes place in downtown Greeneville which is ADA accessible with wide sidewalks. ADA parking is very limited, so arrive early or you can pick up/drop off in areas near the festival if parking is full.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free to attend.

Food Festivals in Tennessee

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Important Information for the Slawburger Festival in Fayetteville

A Slawburger and fries at Honey's Restaurant in Fayettville, TN
Honey's Restaurant in Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Greta Hollar/Honey's Restaurant

If you're looking for local festivals near Nashville, celebrate the deliciousness of the famous slawburger at the Slawburger Festival that will either feed or start a craving for this unique burger found in Fayetteville. Thousands of slawburgers have been sold at the festival. Enjoy this culinary masterpiece while listening to five bands perform throughout the day and exploring this quaint Tennessee town.

  • Festival dates: 10 a.m. April 18, 2026
     
  • Parking: Ample parking is available downtown.
     
  • Accessibility: The event takes place in downtown Fayetteville which is ADA accessible with wide sidewalks. 
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free to attend.
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Important information for the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Portland

Enjoy the fruit of summer at the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival in downtown Portland full of small town charm. The event kicks off Friday, May 8 with the Strawberry Jam Concert & Fireworks as well as the Strawberry Carnival. On Saturday, enjoy live music, strawberry farmers' strawberries for sale, magic show, parade with the theme "Berry Proud to be an American," bingo and more.

  • Festival dates: Strawberry Jam Concert & Fireworks - 5-9 p.m. May 8, 2026
    Festival day: May 9, 2026
     
  • Parking: Free parking for May 8 will be Portland High School 4:30-9:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the Portland High School and Generation Church May 9 with shuttles beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The last shuttle runs at 6:30 p.m. The shuttles don't run during the parade which starts at 4 p.m.
     
  • Accessibility: The event takes place in downtown Portland which is ADA accessible with wide sidewalks. ADA parking in Generation Church is available. ADA accessible buses will shuttle from the location to the festival.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free to attend. Some events like the Rotary Pancake Breakfast and Kidtown USA have a minimal admission cost.
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What to know before you go to the World's Biggest Fish Fry in Paris

World's Biggest Fish Fry in Paris, Tennessee.

 

Eat your weight in catfish at the World's Biggest Fish Fry, one of the local fairs and festivals in Tennessee, where more than 12,000 lbs. of catfish is fried up and served with sides. Enjoy the two-hour grand parade, carnival, rodeos, and even catfish races all week-long.

  • Festival dates: April 18-26, 2026 with fish served APril 22-25, 2026
     
  • Parking: Parking is primarily at the Henry County Fairgrounds.
     
  • Accessibility: ADA parking is available and the event is ADA accessible with wheelchair-friendly entrances as well as blacktop or concrete surfacing throughout the Henry County Fairgrounds.
     
  • Ticketing: In the Fish Tent, the all-you-can-eat fish fry is $20/adults and $12/child (ages 6-12) per plate.
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Things to know before going to the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg

Woman vendor at outdoor market stand with skillet and baked goods under a striped tent.
National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

 

The battle for who can cook the yummy Southern staple is on at this event as thousands flock to South Pittsburg for the National Cornbread Festival to taste test some of the best cornbread creations. Mosey down Cornbread Alley and sample various cornbread recipes. Play games, ride carnival rides, enjoy live music and see the arts and crafts from area vendors. You can even tour the Lodge Museum of Cast Iron where you can learn how the famous cast iron skillets are meticulously made.

  • Festival dates and hours: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 25, 2026 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26, 2026
     
  • Parking: The best parking is available on 1st and 12th street. Parking volunteers and TDOT signs direct you to the best parking once you arrive. 
     
  • Accessibility: ADA parking is available on 1st and Ash Street, 5th & Cedar at the SVEC gated lot and Cedar Avenue. Licensed service animals are welcome. 
     
  • Ticketing: $10 per day. Preschool-age children are admitted for free.

Unique Celebrations in Tennessee

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Things to know before going to Mule Day in Columbia

Mule Day Parade in Columbia, Tennessee.

Celebrate everything related to mules at Mule Day. Learn how the mule has played a vital part in Columbia, Tennessee history. The festival is made complete with mule pull contests, lumberjack competitions, “best of breed” contest, working mule competition and so much more. Keep an eye out for the Wagon Train that kicks off festivities at Maury County Park.

  • Festival dates and hours: 
    10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 9
    9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 10
    6 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 11
     
  • Parking: Onsite parking is available at the Maury County Park where main events take place. General parking is available at Columbia State Community College where shuttles run from the parking area to the festival.
     
  • Accessibility: The event has some ADA accessibility like paved trails and designated parking. However, the event is largely held on natural terrain like gravel/grass that can become muddy. 
     
  • Ticketing:
    Thursday-Saturday: $10
    Sunday: $5
    Weekend passes: $25 + $1 for card transcations
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What to know before you go to the Trenton Teapot Festival in Trenton

The Teapot Museum in Trenton, Tennessee.

 

The 40th annual Trenton Teapot Festival is held annually to celebrate the very rare collection of porcelain Veilleuses-Theieres or teapots. Enjoy music, arts and crafts and learn the history of how the rare collection came to this small Tennessee town.

  • Festival dates: April 26-May 2, 2026
     
  • Parking: Parking is available throughout downtown Trenton.
     
  • Accessibility: The event takes place in downtown Trenton which is ADA accessible with wide sidewalks. 
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free to attend.

History Commemorations in Tennessee

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Important information for the Military Expo at Discovery Park of America

Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee.

The two-day Military Expo at Discovery Park of America includes programs and interactive activities for the whole family. Hear reenactors share stories of military history, gallery talks with Discovery Park educators, a live theatrical performance that brings the Revolutionary War to life and learn about Deborah Sampson who disguised herself as a man to join the Continental Army and be honorably discharged from the American military.

  • Festival dates: April 17-18, 2026
     
  • Parking: Ample paved parking is available onsite at Discovery Park of America.
     
  • Accessibility: Discovery Park of America offers wheelchairs and scooters on a first-come, first-served basis. Scooters can be rented for $20. Exhibits, restaurants, attractions and retail spaces are wheelchair accessible. Large restrooms are available on the main entrance level off the lobby on the lower level off Art Hall. Outside, restrooms can be found on each side of the park. A medical room is available and a nurse is usually on staff during operating hours. Trained service animals are welcome. An elevator accessess all floors of the museum.
     
  • Ticketing: The event is free with park admission. Buy tickets online to receive 10% off.
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Important information for the Great War Expo in Pall Mall

Alvin C York in Pall Mall, TN . A part of Designsensory 2022 Rural Photoshoot.

Living historians, lectures, collections and artifacts on display and vendors will be onsite for the Great War Expo at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park. The educational event highlights all things World War I. Arrive on April 10 to celebrate 100 years of the 1926 Model T Ford pickup with cake and refreshments 5-6 p.m.

Festival dates and hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11, 2026

Parking: Ample parking is available onsite.

Ticketing: The event is free, but donations of $10 and $20 are appreciated.

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