HOST: Nashville Zoo
WHEN: Friday, October 18th, 10:00am-1:00pm
REGION: Middle Tennessee
WHERE: 3777 Nolensville Rd. Nashville, TN 37211
WHAT: Let's go on a learning expedition through the Zoo! Come join us from 10am-1pm. Hands-on activity stations and keeper talks will take place throughout the park.
AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities
COST: Event is included with zoo admission
WEBSITE: www.nashvillezoo.org
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
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
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
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
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/
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
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
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/
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/
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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/