Bring on the cooler temps, autumnal hues, pumpkin spice, and everything nice because fall has made its highly anticipated return to Music City.
With it comes one of the city’s most cherished traditions of the season: Cheekwood Harvest. Featuring thousands of chrysanthemums and pumpkins that transform the gardens into a fall-lovers paradise, plus an extraordinary lineup of seasonal activities, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is a must-visit destination to soak up all the beauty of autumn.
Running now through October 29, Cheekwood Harvest offers enticing events and experiences to delight kids and adults alike. At the heart of the fall festival is the beloved Pumpkin Village, which includes three picture- perfect homes made of pumpkins. While exploring the village and taking advantage of all the Instagram-worthy photo ops, guests can also pick their own pumpkins to take home and make their own with plenty available for purchase.
Cheekwood will also debut a brand-new display this year: an 8-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide pumpkin-shaped topiary made from 400 containers of mums. Aptly named the P’mumkin, this eye-catching creation is located in the Arches Plaza in the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and was brought to life through a culmination of teamwork, planning, design, and expert execution that spanned months. With the sun beginning to set earlier, watch the gardens shine bright under the night sky at LIGHT: Bruce Munro at Cheekwood. This luminous light installation puts the dazzling work of renowned British artist Bruce Munro on full display with 13 of his immersive, grand-scale creations displayed throughout Cheekwood’s vistas, gardens, and The Carell Trail with additional artworks inside the Historic Mansion & Museum and The Frist Learning Center. The exhibition is on view select evenings through October 27.
And the spectacular sights don’t stop there. The ever-endearing Community Scarecrow Trail is back at Cheekwood’s Turner Seasons Garden showcasing clever creations by local organizations and schools. These once ordinary scarecrows have been transformed to reflect this year’s theme inspired by butterflies, lightning bugs, ladybugs, and many more garden dwelling critters.
On the weekends, grab your crew and head to the Beer Garden for some incredible live music from noon until 2 p.m. each weekend during Cheekwood Harvest. Enjoy the melodies of full band performances paired with seasonal beers, craft cocktails, and tasty local food trucks all set against the backdrop of scenic garden views. Rounding out a fun-filled month of events is El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on October 28 and 29. Experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that comprise this important Latin American holiday celebrating the souls of ancestors and the continuance of life. This year marks the 24th year that Cheekwood is bringing this time-honored celebration to Nashville; inviting attendees to experience elements of Latin American Culture including community altars, samples of cuisine from local restaurants, shopping, and unforgettable dance and musical performances.
Whether you’re looking to get the whole family out for some fresh air, a solo stroll through nature, an engaging class, or a cozy date spot, there is something for every fall fanatic to discover this season at Cheekwood Harvest. (1200 Forrest Park Dr., 615-356- 8000; cheekwood.org)