Family Fun Archives - Page 11 of 18 - Cheekwood | Page 11
x icon Close
Today's Hours | Sat: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Event Tag: Family Fun

test

Cheekwood Harvest

Fall magic returns at Cheekwood Harvest! During this six-week festival, Nashville’s historic 55-acre botanical garden transforms into a seasonal wonderland. Celebrate the coziest season with outdoor fun, live entertainment, and the beauty of autumn.

NEW for 2026!

Marigold River

Bringing a bold sweep of color to the estate, a new Marigold River of more than 2,500 orange, red, and yellow blooms lines the walkway from the Bradford Robertson Color Garden to Arboretum Lawn. Follow this vibrant ribbon of flowers to the Pumpkin Village, where three interactive pumpkin houses, thousands of colorful pumpkins, and brilliant fall foliage create a charming, undeniable fall feeling and a picture-perfect backdrop.

Stroll the Scarecrow Trail to discover 15 storybook-inspired creations by local artists and organizations, then pick out a pumpkin and bring a bit of the harvest home with you.

Harvest-0005
Harvest Weekends 26 (1)

Harvest Weekends Music

Saturdays & Sundays | 12 – 2 PM

On weekends, a diverse lineup of bands provides the soundtrack to your festive fall day. Bring a blanket or chair, and settle in for a picnic surrounded by gorgeous scenery.

  • Saturday, September 19: Hay Fever (Western Swing)
  • Sunday, September 20: Mindy Miller (Country)
  • Saturday, September 26: Brandon Birkedahl (Americana)
  • Sunday, September 27: Quincy Lancto (Classic Country)
  • Saturday, October 3: Jessie Gray (Singer/Songwriter)
  • Sunday, October 4: King Corduroy and Dayna Bee (Soul)
  • Saturday, October 10: Mark Thornton (Classic Country)
  • Sunday, October 11: Ky Brandes (Singer/Songwriter)
  • Saturday, October 17: MERJ (Jazz)
  • Sunday, October 18: Tim Gartland (Blues)
  • Saturday, October 24: Tony Hannah (Americana)
  • Sunday, October 25: Jerry Tachoir (Jazz)

Scarecrows! 2026 Theme: Once Upon a Harvest… 

A frog and a toad,
A mouse with a cookie,
Even a princess and a pea,
Turn these storybook pages
Life-size for all to see!

There’s something lurking in these trees: Scarecrows at Cheekwood! We’re hosting a few familiar guests along the Carell Dogwood Trail this year. Memorable characters and creatures from beloved storybooks will light up the trail day and night. A not-so-scary twist to these books will bring a sweet, but spooky, flair to the gardens this fall.

_DSC3775

TOTS!

Tuesday Through Saturday | 10 AM – 12 PM

Beginning Tuesday, September 3, TOTS! returns to five days a week through October 26 before taking a break for the winter months. Join us in the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden for hands-on activities, storytimes, and the crowd favorite Turtle Talks. Engaging weekly projects draw from the beauty of the fall season. A visit to TOTS! isn’t complete without a stop at the PNC Living Library, where you’ll find baskets filled with fun interactive items that spark learning about themes including Things with Wings, Elements of Art, Our Sky and Weather, and more.

TOTS! is for children accompanied by an adult. This program is geared towards toddlers, but all are welcome to join.

Learn More

TOTS GROWS - Photo
Fall-3872x2592-0534

House and History Guided Tours

Tuesday-Friday | 12:45 PM
Saturdays and Sundays | 11:15 AM, 12:45 PM and 2:15 PM

Our docents lead guided tours throughout Cheekwood Harvest! The tours are interactive, discussion based, and last 45 minutes to one hour. Visitors can make on-site reservations at the Admissions Building or in the entrance foyer of the Mansion. All tour participants will be given a wristband.

Explore Cheekwood Harvest Events

Reserve Tickets

Tuesday – Thursday Friday – Sunday
Gardens Only Gardens + Mansion Gardens Only Gardens + Mansion
Adults $21 $27 $23 $29
Senior  $19  $25  $21  $27
College Student $17 $23 $19 $25
Youth (3-17) $14 $20 $16 $22
Ages 2 & Under FREE FREE FREE FREE
Member Adult FREE FREE FREE FREE
Member Youth FREE FREE FREE FREE

Non-Members: $2 service fee per ticket + $5 per vehicle parking fee

Save with off-site parking on weekends.
Off-Site Parking

test

El Día de los Muertos: Call for Vendors

Diadelosmuertos2024-4

Murals / Los Murales

Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students in grades sixth to twelfth will create 2-D murals on canvas that may portray any aspect of El Día de los Muertos. Los Murales will be completed off site and will be returned to Cheekwood and hung in the Frist Learning Center.

Help your students develop cultural awareness, encourage class unity and participation, and display the talent and enthusiasm of your students to over 4,000 event visitors through this interactive and fun competition!

Los Murales Display Application

Participating Schools

Buckhorn High School
Culleoka Spanish Club
Cane Ridge High School Visual Arts
McMurray Middle School
Hume Fogg
St. Cecilia Academy Spanish Club
Summit High School – National Art Honors Society
Stratford STEM Magnet High School

Meigs Academic Middle
Nolensville High School – Los Caballeros
East Nashville Middle School
USN – Lucha Group
USN – International Club
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Glencliff High School International Club

Altars

One of the most important aspects of El Día de los Muertos is the creation of a memorial altar for the departed, known as an ofrenda. All across Mexico and beyond, families honor their ancestors by creating altars decorated with items that the deceased enjoyed in life. Learn more about this tradition as you tour the creative ofrendas designed by local groups and organizations.

We are seeking community partners to create altar displays to be shown during the El Día de los Muertos festival. Altar displays are a great opportunity for community organizations to represent themselves and to celebrate their ancestors in the tradition of El Día de los Muertos.

Altar Application

Participating Organizations

Alvéole
FUTURO, Inc.
International Club USN
KIPP Nashville
MLK Spanish Honor Society

MNPD Family Intervention Program
Mundito Spanish
Paragon Mills Elementary
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Voces de Nashville

2021_DiaDeMuertos_CaitlinHarris_DSC1092
2021_DiaDeMuertos_CaitlinHarris_DSC8683

Entertainment Application

We are excited to feature and promote entertainers during our El Día de los Muertos event! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek entertainment that reflects diverse cultural traditions.

Entertainment Application
Daniela Dominguez Photos 12543 2017C_eldiadelosmuertos9_ddominguez.jpg

Food Vendor Application

We feature and promote a variety of food vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek food vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.

Food Vendor Application
Daniela Dominguez Photos 12539 2017C_eldiadelosmuertos5_ddominguez.jpg

Vendor Application

We feature and promote a variety of vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek retail vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.

Vendor Application
test

El Día de los Muertos 2023

Cheekwood brings the traditions of Mexico and Latin America to Nashville during the 24th annual El Día de los Muertos festival

that includes traditional music and dance, vibrant art activities, and authentic cuisine. Visitors will learn about the culture of their Latin American neighbors while exploring beautiful altar displays and shopping in the marketplace.

*Due to limited parking and timed tickets, school groups coming on buses will not be allowed.

30-IMG_2040

Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 28

Entertainment

Main Stage
10 – 10:30 AM | Bilingual Song and Storytime with Senora Rachel
11 – 11:50 AM | Rachel Rodriguez
12:30 – 1:20 PM | Canción: Flowers Of Spanish Song (with the Nashville Opera)
2 – 3:20 PM | AB Band

FLC Courtyard (Dance Performances):
10:30 – 10:50 AM | Aztec Dancers
12 – 12:30 PM | Folklore Iyali
1:30 – 2 PM | Glencliff Ballet Folklorico
3:30 – 4 PM | Aztec Dancers

Food Vendors

Beer Garden
Little Cancun on the Go

Parking Lot B
Caracasville
Delicias Colombianas RR
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
The Inka Trailer
Maria’s Snacks
Sieté Luminarias

FLC Courtyard
Amor y Churros
Conexion Americas

Art & Good Vendors

Bows by Nici
Bisutería Nashville
La Casa Azul
Cheekwood
Cindy David Designs
Happy Phantom
Najah Cuidado Artesanal
Nina’s Colores
Skulls & Roses
The Llama House
Valentina Harper
Vera Art

Sunday, October 29

Entertainment

Main Stage
11 – 11:50 AM | Rosa Rodriguez
12:30 – 1:20 PM | Duo Sudeste
2 – 3:20 PM | Luna Morena and Serenatta

FLC Courtyard (Dance Performances)
10:15 – 10:45 AM | Aztec Dancers
12 – 12:30 PM | Mi Cielito Lindo
1:30 – 2 PM | Baila
3:30 – 4 PM | Aztec Dancers

Food Vendors

Beer Garden
MOREMPANADAS

Parking Lot B
Caracasville
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
The Inka Trailer
Maria’s Snacks
Sieté Luminarias
Delicias Colombianas RR

FLC Courtyard
Amor y Churros
Panecito Kale

Art & Good Vendors

Bows by Nici
Bisutería Nashville
La Casa Azul
Cheekwood
Cindy David Designs
Happy Phantom
Najah Cuidado Artesanal
Nina’s Colores
Skulls & Roses
The Llama House
Valentina Harper
Vera Art

Mural (3)

Murals / Los Murales

Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students from local middle and high schools will create large-scale works which will hang in the Great Hall.

Participating Schools

Buckhorn High School
Culleoka Spanish Club
Cane Ridge High School Visual Arts
McMurray Middle School
Hume Fogg
St. Cecilia Academy Spanish Club
Summit High School – National Art Honors Society
Stratford STEM Magnet High School

Meigs Academic Middle
Nolensville High School – Los Caballeros
East Nashville Middle School
USN – Lucha Group
USN – International Club
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Glencliff High School International Club

Altars

One of the most important aspects of El Día de los Muertos is the creation of a memorial altar for the departed, known as an ofrenda. All across Mexico and beyond, families honor their ancestors by creating altars decorated with items that the deceased enjoyed in life. Learn more about this tradition as you tour the creative ofrendas designed by local groups and organizations.

Participating Organizations

Alvéole
FUTURO, Inc.
International Club USN
KIPP Nashville
MLK Spanish Honor Society

MNPD Family Intervention Program
Mundito Spanish
Paragon Mills Elementary
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Voces de Nashville

2021_DiaDeMuertos_CaitlinHarris_DSC1092

Cheekwood is grateful for the support and guidance of the

El Día de los Muertos Advisory Committee:

Maricruz Flores, Cheekwood Volunteer
David Julseth, Belmont University
Luisa Mattos da Costa, Vanderbilt Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Claudia Nielson, Catholic Charities
Rachel Rodriguez, Performer and Entrepreneur
Arcelia Vasquez, USN
Ofelia Vázquez, La Mision ConArte
Jose Vera, Artist
Suzy Vera, Cheekwood Volunteer

Reserve Tickets

test

National Senior Health & Fitness Day

©Caitlin Harris Photography

Seniors (age 65+) will be offered $2 admission.

  • Café 29 will be open 9 AM – 4 PM.
  • Gift shops will be open.
  • Docent led tours of the Mansion are offered at 11:15 AM and 2:15 PM
  • Non-senior visitors will pay regular daytime admission price.
  • Cheekwood members receive complimentary admission.

Reserve Tickets

test

2023 Music City Rose Show

Calling all rose lovers!

The Nashville Rose Society invites you to see the results of more than 40 of the most accomplished, award-winning rosarians from across Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky as they compete for “Best Rose” awards in multiple categories – from hybrid teas, floribundas, and miniatures to shrub roses and old garden roses – displaying hundreds of beautiful roses in a variety of colors and fragrances. Admission to the Show is FREE with the purchase of a ticket to Cheekwood and is open to the public from 1 – 5 PM on Saturday, October 14, and from 11 AM – 4 PM on Sunday, October 15. Saturday features a FREE lecture from Co-President and established author, Ron Daniels, on the “Basics of Growing Roses” while Sunday offers participants the limited opportunity to pick their favorites (pre-registration required), right out of Cheekwood’s rose gardens, and build their own bouquet!

Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 14

9 AM – 1 PM | Massey Auditorium *closed to the public | Judging and Awards in progress

11 AM – 3 PM | Beer Garden & Lot B | Food Trucks: Chivanada, Tennessee Cobbler Company, Gypsy Crepe, Smokin’ Buttz, Blooming Kupcakes

12 – 2:30 PM | Beer Garden | Live Performance: Denny Jiosa

1 – 5 PM | 2023 Music City Rose Show included with admission to the gardens

TBA | Massey Auditorium | Free lecture on the “Basics of Growing Roses” by Ron Daniels

Sunday, October 15

10 AM -12 PM | Pick-Your-Own Rose Bouquet *pre-registration required

11 AM – 4 PM | 2023 Music City Rose Show included with admission to the gardens

11 AM – 3 PM | Beer Garden & Lot B | Food Trucks: The Love Bus, Bradley’s Creamery, Music City Fish & Chicken, Cousins Maine Lobster

12 – 2:30 PM | Beer Garden | Sunday Jazz Live Performance: Les Sabler

EDIT-1722
test

Saturday Sounds at Cheekwood

TNO-Beer-Garden-1

Outdoor music starts at Cheekwood with the magic of Saturday Sounds…

a day filled with exceptional musical performances by the region’s top bands, delectable offerings from the city’s favorite food trucks, and spirited libations.

Musical Performances

April 6

Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run | 11 AM – 1 PM
Bluegrass flat-picking guitar virtuoso and vocalist with high energy five-piece band

Tim Gartland | 11 AM – 1 PM
Blues harmonica master performing electric Chicago Blues with his dynamic four-piece band

April 13 | 12 – 2 PM

Denny Jiosa
World renowned guitarist performing electrifying jazz rock with his sensational band

April 20: Dogs and Dogwoods | 12 – 2 PM

Charles Treadway Organ Trio
Hammond organ maestro performing jazz, funk, and soul with his 3-piece band

test

Sunday Jazz at Cheekwood

TNO-Beer-Garden-1

On Sundays, virtuosic jazz quartets made up of Nashville Musicians Association members make mastery look easy.

First-class players who have performed with giants in jazz and world music delve into styles ranging from straight-ahead swing and syncopated Latin rhythms to smooth jazz, bebop, and more. Grab a picnic table or bring a blanket and kick back to enjoy a perfect day.

Musical Performances

March 31 | 12 – 2 PM

Les Sabler
A dynamic force in modern jazz guitar with his powerhouse quartet

April 7 | 12 – 2 PM

Jacob Jezioro Quartet
Top-tier bassist performing contemporary jazz with an exceptional quartet

April 14 | 12 – 2 PM

Lisa Stewart
Traditional jazz vocalist performing with Nashville’s finest and most sought-after musicians

April 21 | 12 – 2 PM

Chester Thompson
Legendary drummer performing iconic contemporary jazz tunes with an all-star quartet

Privacy Policy Sitemap Web design by Speak
Back to top