Little Shop of Horrors (Franklin)

HOST: Studio Tenn Theatre Company

WHEN: October 11th - 27th, 7:00-9:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 230 Franklin Road, Franklin TN 37064

WHAT: Studio Tenn’s 15th Season opens with this affectionate spoof on the 1960’s sci-fi movie about a twisted tale of botanical bloodlust. On the downtrodden streets of Skid Row, Seymour, a struggling floral assistant, becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a craving for fresh blood and world domination.
There is no formal pre-registration required but since Little Shop of Horrors is a ticketed event, we do require tickets to be purchased prior to show times.

AUDIENCE: Adults

COST: Superior price: $95, Premium price: $74, Classic price: $58

WEBSITE: www.studiotenn.org

Martin ArtQuest (Nashville)

HOST: Frist Art Museum

WHEN: Friday, October 11th, 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday, October 12th, 10:00-5:30pm
Sunday, October 13th, 1:00-5:30pm
Monday, October 14th, 10:00am-5:30pm
Thursday, October 17th, 10:00am-8:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

WHAT: The Frist Art Museum Martin ArtQuest Gallery will feature hands-on art activities related to the exhibition "Journey through Japan: Myths to Manga" including creating your own manga character or making a print.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Families

COST: $15 for adults; children 18 and under are free

WEBSITE: FristArtMuseum.org

STEAM Week (Lexington)

HOST: Lexington-Henderson County Everett Horn Public Library

WHEN: Daily from Monday, October 21st - Friday, October 25th, 4:30-5:30pm

REGION: West Tenneessee

WHERE: 702 W Church Street, Lexington, TN 38351

WHAT: Join us every day the week of October 21-25 at 4:30pm for a week of fun STEAM activities including Pumpkin Catapults, Fall Leaf Tesselations, Jack-O-Lantern Lava Lamps, and more.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.ehlibrary.com

Nashville PBS’ Leonardo Youth Maker Mixer

HOST: Nashville PBS

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th, 1:00-4:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Frist Art Museum 919 Broadway Nashville TN 37203

WHAT: At Nashville PBS’ Leonardo Youth Maker Mixer participants ages 10 to 18 will work to solve a design challenge for a chance to win a prize. There will be short Pecha Kucha presentations from Oasis’ Underground Art Studio, Adventure Science Center, Nashville Ballet, STUDIO NPL, and Oasis Bike Workshop. Clips from LEONARDO DA VINCI, a PBS film premiering this fall, will be shown. Refreshments will be served. Parking at the museum will be free for those attending this event.
Registration is required. Register at https://www.wnpt.org/events/

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens

COST: Free, but registration is required. Register at https://www.wnpt.org/events/

WEBSITE: https://www.wnpt.org

ShowCason STEAM Night (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Cason Lane Academy

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th, 5:00-6:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Cason Lane Academy, 1330 Cason Lane, Murfreesboro, TN, 37128

WHAT: Join us for a fun-filled and academically rich evening exploring STEAM Projects designed by Cason Lane students. From bug hotel research and design to the buzzing pollinator gardens, our AG-enriched STEAM projects will have you “STEAMING Into AG’tion”.

AUDIENCE: Cason Lane Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.casonlaneacademy.net/

Star Party (Tullahoma)

HOST: University of Tennessee Space Institute

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 4:00-9:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 411 B.H. Goethert Parkway Tullahoma, TN 37388

WHAT: UTSI is pleased to host their annual Fall Star Party on Saturday, October 12 from 6pm - 9pm for National Astronomy Day! Activities to expect; star gazing, a mobile planetarium, straw rockets, hands-on STEAM activities, door prizes, and more!

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.utsi.edu

STEAMagination! (Chattanooga)

HOST: UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 11:00am-2:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 755 E 5th St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

WHAT: STEAMagination will feature space shuttle simulations, engaging family-oriented STEAM activities for all ages, vendors from all over Chattanooga, and food to eat! It is completely free, and explorers of all ages are welcome to join!
This will be a carnival-style event, and guests are welcome to come and go whenever they please.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Families

COST: Free!

WEBSITE: utc.edu/clc

Lantern Parade (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring

WHEN: Thursday, October 24th, 5:30-7:15pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 502 SE Broad Street, Murfreesboro TN 37130

WHAT: Come light up the night at our 3rd annual Lantern Parade at Discovery Center! Participants can bring their own lanterns from home or make a lantern on-site with our provided materials. There will be an hour of lantern-making before the parade facilitated by the Rutherford Arts Alliance. The parade itself will begin around 6:40pm and last until about 7:00pm. This event will feature live music courtesy of the Center for Popular Music at MTSU. Free grilled cheese sandwiches will be provided by the Electric Griddle from Middle Tennessee's Electric.

Lantern-making will take place from 5:30-6:30pm
Parade participants will line up at 6:30pm
The parade will take place from 6:40-7:00pm

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.explorethedc.org/

STEAM-a-Palooza (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 12:00-4:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 502 SE Broad Street, Murfreesboro TN 37130
Overflow parking for the STEAM-A-Palooza will be at Holloway High School, located at 619 S Highland Ave, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

WHAT: The Discovery Center’s signature Tennessee STEAM Festival kick-off event, “STEAM-A-Palooza” returns this year on Saturday, October 12th, from 12pm to 4pm.

This free outdoor event (rain or shine) features local artists, scientists and engineers for all-ages, hands-on fun. People ages 1-100 can travel from booth to booth and learn about the processes behind robotics, composting, cosmetics, creative arts, physics, environmental conservation, mathematics, meteorology and everything in between. Live performances! Food Trucks! And more!

In addition, Discovery Center’s museum admission for indoor exhibits will be half-priced from 12pm to 4pm on this special day.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free (entrance into the museum requires a separate, paid admission)

WEBSITE: https://www.explorethedc.org/

STEAM Fridays at Etowah Carnegie Library (Etowah)

HOST: Etowah Carnegie Public Library

WHEN: Friday, October 11th, 3:30-4:30pm
Friday, October 18th 3:30 pm-4:30 pm
Friday, October 25th 3:30 pm-4:30 pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 723 Ohio Avenue, Etowah, TN 37331

WHAT: Join us for three Fridays of after-school STEAM activities. Have a blast with STEAM crafts, learn about careers in STEAM, and meet local scientists!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.etowahlibrary.com

Interactive Science Experiments and Demonstrations at Wonderworks! (Pigeon Forge)

HOST: WONDERWORKS

WHEN: Friday, October 11, 3:30-5:00pm
Wednesday, October 16, 3:30-5:00pm
Friday, October 18, 3:30-5:00pm
Wednesday, October 23, 3:30-5:00pm
Friday, October 25, 3:30-5:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: WonderWorks, 100 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge TN 37863

WHAT: WonderWorks is participating this year in the Tennessee STEAM Festival October 11-27 by offering a Lobby Learning series! Stop into our lobby for free and entertaining science demonstrations during the festival! Visit www.wonderworkstn.com for more information about WonderWorks Indoor Amusement Park – a great fit for all ages with over 100 interactive exhibits including bubble lab, 360 bikes, astronaut training challenge, XD motion-seat theater, ropes course, bed of nails and more!

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: There is no charge for the Lobby Learning Series but if anyone would like to enter WonderWorks, regular admission rates would apply.
Adults (ages 13+) $33.99 plus tax, Children (ages 4-12) $25.99 plus tax, Ages 3 & under are free

WEBSITE: wonderworkstn.com

Dino Days (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Earth Experience

WHEN: Friday, October 11th 2024, 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, October 12th 2024, 10:00am-4:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 816 Old Salem Road Murfreesboro TN 37129

WHAT: Earth Experience is hosting Dino Days on October 11 and 12, 2024 as part of the TN Steam Festival. They will have a kids fossil dig, geode breaking, a bounce house and Kona Ice. Also The Middle TN Gem and Mineral Society will host a rock sale in the parking lot.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Museum admission:
Ages 12 and up - $10 $8
Ages 4-11 - $8
Activities vary from $5-$20

WEBSITE: www.earthexperience.org

Homeschool Science Fair (Nashville)

HOST: Southeast Nashville Homeschool Enrichment

WHEN: Friday, October 25th 2024, 1:00-3:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 477 McMurray Dr, Nashville, TN 37211

WHAT: Homeschoolers across Middle Tennessee are invited to join us for a Science Fair! This event is open to all grades K-12. Each student will prepare a science fair project and display their work at our science fair. All students will receive a certificate of participation. Students in grades 6-12 will be awarded ribbons for first, second, and third prize by our judges.
In addition to the amazing science fair projects, we will be offering hands-on science from Mr. Bond & the Science Guys!
Register at nashvillehomeschoolers.com/event

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens

COST: Free

WEBSITE: nashvillehomeschoolers.com

Erosion, Sediment Controls, and Water Quality with Metro Water at the Adventure Science Center (Nashville)

HOST: Metro Water Services

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203

WHAT: Nashville's Metro Water Services, Stormwater will lead all ages through interactive enviroscapes to show how erosion prevention and sediment controls play an important role in keeping our water clean! Visitors can also walk through our inflatable soil tunnel to learn about soil conservation.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: This is a free event OUTSIDE of the Adventure Science Center. Admission into the museum must be purchased separately. (Adults (13+) - $22 Youth (2-12) - $18 Toddler (under 2) - Free Members - Free)

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water

Nashville Ballet Premiere's Dia De Los Muertos (Nashville)

HOST: Nashville Ballet

WHEN: Friday, October 18th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 19th at 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 7:30pm
Sunday, October 20th at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 3630 Redmon St., Nashville, TN 37209

WHAT: Experience the vibrancy of Dia de Los Muertos with Nashville Ballet's unique performance, inspired by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Choreographed by NB2 Director Maria Konrad, this visual feast celebrates the life and death, family bonds, and our shared humanity. With dynamic pacing, the show ignites imaginations across all ages through vivid costumes, soul-stirring music, and sheer joy. Witness this world premiere that bridges Mexican traditions with Nashville's cultural landscape, promising an unforgettable journey into the heart of this beloved holiday.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: $35 per ticket

WEBSITE: www.nashvilleballet.com

Reelfoot Lake State Park Pelican Festival (Tiptonville)

HOST: Reelfoot Lake State Park

WHEN: Friday, October 18, 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, October 19th
Sunday, October 20th

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 2595 State Route 21, East Tiptonville, TN. 38079

WHAT: Love to see bird migration? Come see the white pelicans using Reelfoot Lake for a rest stop!! VENDORS, PONTOON TOURS, ART AND PHOTO CONTEST, GUEST SPEAKER: BOB TARTER WITH EXOTIC ANIMALS!!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Families, Adults, Seniors

COST: $20 SENIORS
$23.50 ADULTS FOR PONTOON TOUR.
Reservations are required. Register at https://tnstateparks.com/parks/reelfoot-lake OR call 731.253.9652

WEBSITE: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/reelfoot-lake

Ripley's Aquarium at Wears Valley Fall Festival (Sevierville)

HOST: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

WHEN: Friday, October 18, 10:00am-6:00pm
Saturday, October 19, 10:00-6:00pm
Sunday, October 20th, 10:00-4:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 3179 Wears Valley Rd. Sevierville, TN 37862

WHAT: Join us at the Wears Valley Fall Festival for engaging STEAM games and activities! Explore unique hands-on activities at the booth and learn more about STEAM careers at Ripley’s!
Guests may walk up to the Ripley's booth in the Kids Zone of the Wears Valley Fall Festival to participate in our offerings. All activities at the Ripley's Aquarium booth is FREE of charge! The festival is open Friday and Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-4.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Families of all abilities

COST: FREE at the booth, Wears Valley Fall Festival charges admission

WEBSITE: https://www.ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-aquarium-of-the-smokies

STREAM Into the Library (Savannah)

HOST: Hardin County Library

WHEN: Monday, October 21, 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, October 22 , 3:30pm
Thursday, October 24, 3:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 1:00pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 1365 Pickwick Street, Savannah, TN 38372

WHAT: A week of STEAM activity that includes STEAM careers, STEAM crafts, a science show, and incorporating reading into STEAM activities.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.hardincountylibrary.org

Big Bug Hunt at the Historic Sam Davis Home (Smyrna)

HOST: Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation

WHEN: Sunday, October 13th, 2:00-3:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna, TN 37167

WHAT: Join entomologist Dr. Steve Murphree in collecting insects and other arthropods, then learning about what happens to them during the winter, on the grounds of the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation in Smyrna. Collecting equipment will be provided.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Families, Seniors

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.samdavishome.org/

Bays Mountain StarWatch (Kingsport)

HOST: Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 7:30-8:30pm
Saturday, October 19th, 7:00pm
Saturday, October 26th, 7:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660

WHAT: Enjoy nighttime viewing at our observatories, Saturday nights Oct.-Nov., starting at dusk. They are free. If poor weather, an alternate live program will be held in our planetarium theater.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Families, Seniors

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.baysmountain.com