NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As the days get warmer and daylight begins to last longer, people around Middle Tennessee are preparing to come together to celebrate the arrival of spring.
News 2 has compiled a list of festivals scheduled to happen over the next three months that feature entertainment, food, music and more.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate spring with the many events happening across the region!
March
Daffodil Day
Every March, Bell Buckle enters full bloom with a colorful explosion of daffodils, marking the arrival of spring. To celebrate the coming of spring, the town holds “Daffodil Day” every third Saturday in March. According to organizers, the quaint festival began in 1978 and thousands of daffodils line a six-mile stretch of highway leading to Bell Buckle.
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The 2025 Daffodil Day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, follow this link.
Festival of Colors at Cheekwood
Holi, the colorful festival that marks the end of winter and beginning of spring, will be celebrated at Cheekwood on Saturday, March 22. The educational event will feature vibrant sights, sounds, and colors of Indian culture. According to the historic estate, there will also be hands-on activities for all ages, including henna and musical performances.
Color packets are reportedly included in the price of admission. To learn more about the event and admission prices, visit Cheekwood.org.
APSU GuitarFest
Austin Peay State University’s Department of Music in Clarksville is getting ready for their 20th Annual GuitarFest. The festival will take place from March 16-19. Musicians in attendance will range from APSU graduates to internationally renowned Grammy-winning performers. According to the university, artists at the festival will focus primarily on classical style, but will also highlight “fingerstyle, flamenco, and jazz guitar techniques.”
Event organizers said this year’s festival will include a performance by the Maharajah Flamenco Trio. To purchase tickets for the performance, follow this link.
Tulip Fest at Liberty Grace Farms
The 8th Annual Tulip Fest at Liberty Grace Farms in Columbia, Tennessee is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, March 15. Rows and rows of beautiful tulips will be on display and guests will have the opportunity to pick their own tulips. The farm will reportedly provide a basket for the flowers, which are $1.50 per stem. To learn more about Tulip Fest, click here.
April
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
April 12th will be a day to not only celebrate springtime, but also learn more about Japanese culture. The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival will return to Music City from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Public Square Park. Some of the festivities include martial arts demonstrations, a Cosplay contest, live music and sumo suit wrestling. Those in attendance will also get to enjoy a “Taste of Japan,” with several food vendors on hand. For more information about the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, click on this link.
Mule Day Festival
Mule Day celebrations in Maury County dates back to more than 180 years ago. The annual celebration will take place from April 3-6. According to city officials, the multi-day festival attracts thousands of attendees to Columbia and the parade is the highlight of the event. Square dancing, a mule-driving contest, horse show and flea market are a few events that are featured during the festival. A full schedule of events can be found on the festival’s website.
East Nashville Beer Festival
More than 1,000 unique beers are showcased at this Nashville festival! The East Nashville Beer Festival began in 2011. According to event organizers, the festival aims to bring the best craft beer to Music City and raise funds for non-profit organizations. The beer festival will take place on Saturday, April 12. Tickets can be purchased here.
Boro BBQ Festival
Eat the finest BBQ east of the Mississippi River and west of the Great Smoky Mountains at the Boro BBQ Festival! Some of the top cookers in Middle Tennessee will compete at the festival in the KCBS Competition Series. Event organizers stated that more than 7,500 people came to cheer on the competition in 2024.
The 13th Annual Boro BBQ Festival is scheduled to take place at Hop Springs Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Saturday, April 26. To learn more about the event, click here.
May
Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival
An annual tradition is returning to Portland on Mother’s Day weekend. The Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival will kick off its 84th Annual Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 9. Opening day will feature fireworks and the “Strawberry Jam” concert. The main festival day be Saturday, May 10 and will include food vendors, multiple music stages, a parade and more. To learn more about the events and vendors, visit the festival’s website.
Buttercup Festival
The town of Nolensville has teamed up with business owners to bring back its Historic Buttercup Festival on May 3. Visitors can reportedly look forward to live performances, art showcases, and delicious food. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Nolensville’s Historic District. For more about the festival and opportunities on how to get involved, visit this link.
Tennessee Renaissance Festival
Throughout the month of May, you can travel back to 16th Century England by visiting the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in Arrington, Tennessee. The festival will begin on Saturday, May 3, and will take place on every weekend. Organizers said the festival will feature themed weekends, costume parades, magicians and food vendors. For more information about the month-long festival, click here.
