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33 history events in Tennessee: battle reenactments, living-history days, heritage festivals and candlelight tours of historic homes. On now: Information Nation exhibit (Tennessee America 250), Feb 27, 2026 to Feb 21, 2027. Dates are the organizers’ own; where only a month is published we say so.
Header photo: Carter House, Franklin (HABS photo, after 1933), site of the 162nd-anniversary night tours on Nov 30, 2026. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS TENN,94-FRANK,1-.
- 33history events
- 19with confirmed dates ahead
- 5reenactments and living history
- 5America 250 events
Download this data: CSV · JSON · 33 events · free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link to It’s Tennessee. All open data: catalog.json.
Going out soon? See Tennessee events this weekend.
Coming Up, by Month
February 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Nation exhibit (Tennessee America 250) | America 250 | Nashville | Feb 27, 2026 to Feb 21, 2027 | Free (museum admission free) | Tennessee State Museum / Tennessee America 250 |
March 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee America 250 Trail at the Museum of Appalachia | America 250 | Clinton | Mar 25, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Museum admission (see official site) | Museum of Appalachia / Tennessee America 250 |
June 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free admission at the Museum of East Tennessee History (“Lines Were Drawn”) | America 250 | Knoxville | Jun 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027 | Free | East Tennessee Historical Society |
| “Tracing Silhouettes” exhibit | America 250 | Knoxville | Jun 19, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | See official site | Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Mabry-Hazen House (via Tennessee America 250) |
October 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death and Disease Park Tour | Other | Nashville | Oct 31, 2026 | Free | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
November 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk Home Free Day (James K. Polk birthday) | Anniversary commemoration | Columbia | Nov 1, 2026 | Free | President James K. Polk Home and Museum |
| Battle of Johnsonville 162nd Anniversary Event | Living history | New Johnsonville | Nov 7, 2026 | Free | Johnsonville State Historic Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| A Walk in Their Boots | Living history | Johnson City | Nov 7, 2026 | See official site | A Walk In Their Boots (nonprofit) at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site |
| King’s Birthday Garrison | Living history | Vonore | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026 | See official site | Fort Loudoun State Historic Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| Campout With Rangers and Living History Presenters | Encampment | Henning | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026 | $25 adults; $15 ages 12 and under | Fort Pillow State Historic Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| Belle Meade Holiday Open House | Candlelight/holiday tour | Nashville | Nov 12, 2026 | Free | Belle Meade Historic Site |
| “Phillis Wheatley and the Black American Revolution” talk | America 250 | Knoxville | Nov 12, 2026 | Free | Blount Mansion |
| Follow Their Footsteps: Day After Thanksgiving Hike | Anniversary commemoration | Adams | Nov 27, 2026 | Free (optional $5 or $10 donation) | Port Royal State Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| Anniversaries of the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin – 162 Years Later (Rippa Villa) | Anniversary commemoration | Spring Hill | Nov 29, 2026 | $30 per person per tour | Battle of Franklin Trust |
| Anniversaries of the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin – 162 Years Later (Carter House and Carnton) | Anniversary commemoration | Franklin | Nov 30, 2026 | $30 per person per tour | Battle of Franklin Trust |
December 2026
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visions of Christmas | Candlelight/holiday tour | Johnson City | Dec 4, 2026 | See official site | Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site |
| Visions of Christmas – Dinner & Tour | Candlelight/holiday tour | Johnson City | Dec 5, 2026 | See official site | Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site |
| 48th Annual Progressive Dinner | Candlelight/holiday tour | Jonesborough | Dec 5, 2026 | See official site | Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia |
March 2027
| Event | Kind | Where | When | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stones River National Battlefield centennial | Anniversary commemoration | Murfreesboro | Mar 3, 2027 | Free | Stones River National Battlefield |
Held Every Year: Dates Not Announced Yet
The organizer gives only the usual month or season. We add the exact dates when they are posted.
| Event | Kind | Where | Usually | Price | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniversary of the Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson | Anniversary commemoration | Dover | usually February (162nd: February 3-18, 2024) | Free | Fort Donelson National Battlefield |
| Archaeofest | Heritage festival | Pinson | usually mid-September | No state park access fee; event fees see official site | Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| Battle of Stones River anniversary programs (164th) | Living history | Murfreesboro | usually late December through January 2 (163rd: December 26, 2025-January 2, 2026) | Free | Stones River National Battlefield |
| Celtic Festival at Tipton-Haynes | Heritage festival | Johnson City | usually early September (2026: September 4-6) | See official site | Appalachian Highlands Celts at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site |
| Family History Day at TSLA | Other | Nashville | usually October (2026: October 11) | See official site | Tennessee State Library and Archives |
| Fort Pillow Annual Living History | Living history | Henning | usually the weekend closest to April 12 | No state park access fee; event fees see official site | Fort Pillow State Historic Park (Tennessee State Parks) |
| Holiday Open House at the Andrew Johnson Homestead | Candlelight/holiday tour | Greeneville | usually early December (2024 edition: Friday, December 6, 5-8 pm) | Free | Andrew Johnson National Historic Site |
| Memorial Day commemoration at Stones River National Cemetery | Anniversary commemoration | Murfreesboro | usually Memorial Day weekend (2026: May 23-26) | Free | Stones River National Battlefield |
| NCRM April 4 Commemoration | Anniversary commemoration | Memphis | usually April 4 (2026 edition: “Remembering MLK 2026” April 4) | See official site | National Civil Rights Museum |
| NCRM Juneteenth | Juneteenth | Memphis | usually June 19 | See official site | National Civil Rights Museum |
| NCRM King Day | Anniversary commemoration | Memphis | usually January (Martin Luther King Jr. Day; 2026 edition January 19) | See official site | National Civil Rights Museum |
| Tennessee Statehood Day / birthday celebration at TSLA | Anniversary commemoration | Nashville | usually around June 1 (2026: Saturday, May 30, for the 230th) | See official site | Tennessee State Library and Archives |
| Wreaths Across America at Fort Donelson National Cemetery | Anniversary commemoration | Dover | usually mid-December (2023 edition: Saturday, December 16) | Free | Fort Donelson National Battlefield |
Looking for every event, not only history? See all Tennessee events.
What We Could Not Verify
- Some former websites for Tennessee history places and events, including the old Alex Haley Museum, Exchange Place and Secret City Festival sites, now show for-sale or unrelated pages. We link the official state or operator pages instead, or leave the place unlinked.
- Red Clay State Historic Park’s August Cherokee gathering was held for years as the Cherokee Days of Recognition and appears to have a newer name; no park page with a 2027 date was found, so it is not listed.
- Stones River National Battlefield has confirmed its centennial on March 3, 2027, but has not yet posted the program schedule for that day.
We re-check these when the source pages change. Spot something we missed? Use the corrections page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Battle of Franklin anniversary tours?
For the 162nd anniversaries, the Battle of Franklin Trust runs 60-minute night tours at Rippa Villa in Spring Hill on November 29, 2026 and at Carter House and Carnton in Franklin on November 30, 2026, at 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person per tour, bought online in advance. (source: Anniversaries of the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin – 162 Years Later (Battle of Franklin Trust)).
When is the Stones River centennial?
Stones River National Battlefield turns 100 on March 3, 2027; Congress established it on March 3, 1927. The Park Service says special programs run through 2026 and 2027, and its centennial logo stays in use until the 165th battle anniversary programs end on January 2, 2028. (source: Stones River Launches Centennial Logo (NPS)).
Where can I find America 250 events in Tennessee?
Start with the Tennessee America 250 statewide calendar. Current highlights include the free Information Nation exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum through February 21, 2027, and free admission at the Museum of East Tennessee History in Knoxville through February 14, 2027. (source: Upcoming Events (Tennessee America 250); East Tennessee Historical Society).
Last checked October 20, 2026 by the It’s Tennessee editors against each operator’s, agency’s or organizer’s own page.
Sources
- Information Nation exhibit (Tennessee America 250)
- Free admission at the Museum of East Tennessee History (“Lines Were Drawn”)
- Genealogy Open House: Trace Your Revolutionary War Heritage!
- Death and Disease Park Tour
- Polk Home Free Day (James K. Polk birthday)
- Battle of Johnsonville 162nd Anniversary Event
- A Walk in Their Boots
- King’s Birthday Garrison
- Campout With Rangers and Living History Presenters
- Belle Meade Holiday Open House
- “Phillis Wheatley and the Black American Revolution” talk
- Follow Their Footsteps: Day After Thanksgiving Hike
- Anniversaries of the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin – 162 Years Later (Rippa Villa)
- 48th Annual Progressive Dinner
- Stones River National Battlefield centennial
- Holiday Open House at the Andrew Johnson Homestead
- Wreaths Across America at Fort Donelson National Cemetery
- Battle of Stones River anniversary programs (164th)
- NCRM King Day
- Anniversary of the Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson
- Fort Pillow Annual Living History
- Memorial Day commemoration at Stones River National Cemetery
- Tennessee Statehood Day / birthday celebration at TSLA
- Archaeofest
- Family History Day at TSLA
Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “History Events in Tennessee: Reenactments, Living History and Candlelight Tours”, itstennessee.com/history/events/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.