The Best Fall Festivals Near Chattanooga, Tennessee

Updated October 10, 2026

Fall festival season near Chattanooga runs from mid-September into early November. The farm festivals in Soddy-Daisy and Cleveland are open most weekends all season, and the downtown events on the riverfront and at First Horizon Pavilion last one or two days each.

The short version: For pumpkins and corn mazes with kids, go to Flat Top Mountain Farm or Mayfield Farm Park. For free live music, go to 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival at Ross’s Landing. For food and drink, go to Chattanooga Oktoberfest or Bacon & Barrel. Three of the six are free to enter.

2026 fall festivals at a glance

Listed in season order. Check each festival’s website before you go, since dates and prices change year to year.
Festival	Where	When	Cost	Best for
Flat Top Mountain Farm Fall Festival	Soddy-Daisy	Fri to Sun, mid-Sept to late Oct	$12, ages 3 and under free	Families, young kids
Mayfield Farm Park Fall Festival	Cleveland	Thu to Sun, late Sept to early Nov	Varies by day	Families, a full day out
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival	Ross’s Landing, downtown	First weekend of October	Free	Live music, groups
Apple Festival	First Horizon Pavilion	One Sunday in early October	Free	Food, local makers
Chattanooga Oktoberfest	First Horizon Pavilion	Mid-October weekend	Free	Beer, food, all ages
Bacon & Barrel	First Horizon Pavilion	Early November	Ticketed, by package	Adults, whiskey fans

Flat Top Mountain Farm Fall Festival

Pumpkins stacked outside a rustic barn at Flat Top Mountain Farm in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

When: Fridays to Sundays, mid-September to late October 2026
Where: Flat Top Mountain Farm, Soddy-Daisy, TN
Cost: $12 general admission, ages 3 and under free
Website: flattopmountainfarm.com

Flat Top is the smaller, slower of the two farm festivals, which makes it a good pick for families with toddlers. Plan on the corn maze, the pumpkin patch, and a loop through the artisan market. There’s a dedicated kids’ area, seasonal snacks, and live music on weekends.

Soddy-Daisy is north of downtown Chattanooga, so pair it with a morning on Signal Mountain or a stop at a lake access point on the way back.

Mayfield Farm Park Fall Festival

Rustic farm sign advertising hayrides and cider at a Tennessee fall festival

When: Thursdays to Sundays, late September to early November 2026
Where: Mayfield Farm Park, Cleveland, TN
Cost: Varies by day; buy tickets online
Website: mayfieldfarmpark.com

Mayfield is the big one. The farm grows more than 50 pumpkin varieties, runs three corn mazes, and lists 40-plus activities, so set aside most of a day. Food is part of the draw: wood-fired pizza, barbecue, and hand-dipped Mayfield ice cream.

Weekend tickets usually sell for more than weekday ones, and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds. A Thursday or Friday visit gets you shorter lines.

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival

When: October 2 to 3, 2026
Where: Ross’s Landing, downtown Chattanooga
Cost: Free
Website: 3sistersbluegrass.com

Two days of traditional and contemporary bluegrass on the Tennessee River, with the Walnut Street Bridge in view. Bring a blanket or low camp chairs and get there early for a spot near the stage. It’s free, it’s walkable from downtown, and it works well for a group with mixed tastes, since there’s food nearby and the Tennessee Aquarium is next door.

Apple Festival at the Chattanooga Market

Wooden crates of fresh apples at an orchard

When: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11 am to 4 pm
Where: First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: Free
Website: chattanoogamarket.com

The Chattanooga Market runs a themed Sunday each fall built around apples. Expect apple pie, apple butter, cider, and baked goods from regional vendors alongside the market’s usual farmers and makers, with live music through the afternoon. It’s an easy half-day and a good place to pick up local food for the rest of your stay.

Chattanooga Oktoberfest

When: October 2026 weekend, dates TBD
Where: First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: Free entry
Payment: Card only, no cash
Website: chattanoogaoktoberfest.com

Brats, German beer, and oompah bands, with plenty for kids during the day. The festival also runs a Mr. and Ms. Chattanooga Oktoberfest contest if anyone in your group wants to dress the part. Vendors take cards only, so leave the cash at home.

Bacon & Barrel Food and Whiskey Festival

Whiskey bottles and tasting glasses at the Bacon and Barrel Festival in Chattanooga

When: November 2026, date TBD
Where: First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: Ticketed; price depends on tasting package
Ages: 21 and up
Website: chattanoogafestivals.com

The season’s closer, and the one for adults. Ticket packages cover whiskey and bourbon tastings plus bacon-forward dishes from local restaurants. It’s an easy anchor for a friends’ weekend in early November, when the leaves on Lookout Mountain are usually near peak.

Where to stay for a fall festival weekend

Most of these festivals are a short drive from Timberroot’s Chattanooga properties, and several stays are built for groups, so the whole crew can share one place instead of splitting across hotel rooms.

Wauhatchie Woodlands, in Chattanooga at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Wooded cabins a short drive to the downtown festivals at First Horizon Pavilion and Ross’s Landing.
Quail Run Farm, a working farm in Chattanooga with silos, cabins, and farm homes. A natural fit if your weekend is already about pumpkins and hayrides.
Lookout Mountain Inn, on the mountain, close to Rock City and the overlooks for fall color.
Welcome Valley Village, in Ocoee, with log cabins and covered wagons. About 30 minutes from Mayfield Farm Park and near the Cherokee National Forest.

Wauhatchie Woodlands, Lookout Mountain Inn, and Quail Run Farm each have units with private hot tubs, which is a good way to end a cold day at a corn maze.

See group stays near Chattanooga

Fall festivals near Chattanooga: FAQ

When is fall festival season in Chattanooga?

Mid-September through early November. Farm festivals open in September and run on weekends through October, the riverfront and pavilion events cluster in October, and Bacon & Barrel closes the season in November.

Which fall festivals near Chattanooga are free?

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, the Apple Festival at the Chattanooga Market, and Chattanooga Oktoberfest have all been free to enter in recent years. You’ll still pay for food and drinks.

What’s the best fall festival near Chattanooga for kids?

Flat Top Mountain Farm for younger kids, since it’s smaller and easier to manage. Mayfield Farm Park for older kids who want a full day of mazes and activities.

Do I need cash at Chattanooga fall festivals?

It depends on the event. Chattanooga Oktoberfest is card only. Farm festivals and market vendors vary, so it’s worth carrying a little cash for smaller booths.

Where should I stay for a fall festival weekend in Chattanooga?

For downtown festivals, stay in Chattanooga at Wauhatchie Woodlands or Quail Run Farm. For Mayfield Farm Park, Welcome Valley Village in Ocoee puts you closer. Several Timberroot properties are set up for groups, so one booking can cover everyone.