Your Ticket to Tennessee Summer Fun
Looking to squeeze every last drop of fun out of summer? Tennessee is gearing up for another festival season, complete with offbeat themes, bold flavors, and unforgettable small-town vibes. Whether you're into hot wings, hot air balloons, or rootsy music in a field, there’s a summer shindig calling your name.
First up: mark your calendar for the Tomato Art Fest, coming to East Nashville August 8-9. This long-running neighborhood favorite turns the humble tomato into a full-on cultural icon, with a quirky mix of live music, tomato-themed art, a Haiku Contest, and even a Bloody Mary Garden Party. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s totally free to attend.
In Memphis on August 16, the Chicken & Beer Festival brings the heat to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Your ticket gets you unlimited beer tastings from local breweries, while food trucks and restaurants dish out spicy hot chicken and Southern comfort favorites. Expect live music, lawn games, and a pretty perfect summer night… Just don’t forget the wet wipes!
If you prefer your chicken with a side of competition, head to Knoxville for the Big Kahuna Wing Festival on August 31. More than 30 vendors compete for wing supremacy, serving up everything from smoky BBQ to tongue-scorching habanero. Plus there’s a wing-eating contest, live music, and plenty of ice-cold drinks to wash it all down. Bonus: it all benefits local charities, including the Thompson Cancer Survival Center and the Educator Resource Center.
Need a change of pace? Escape to the foothills for the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival in Townsend on August 16. The views are stunning, the balloons are massive and colorful, and the whole scene glows at sunset. Add food trucks, craft vendors, and a kids’ zone, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a dreamy mountain evening.
Capping off the season is the Muddy Roots Music Festival, held August 29–31 in Cookeville. This is one for the true music lovers—three days of punk, country, bluegrass, blues, and everything in between, set on a rural campground with a DIY spirit. It’s rough around the edges in the best way possible, and you'll leave with a full heart—and maybe a bit of dust on your boots!
From glowing balloons to gritty guitar riffs, Tennessee’s summer festivals are as varied as they are unforgettable. Pack your weekend bag, make a playlist, and hit the highway—there’s plenty to celebrate this summer!
Find more festival fun at https://www.guidetotennessee.com/festivals!
