MID TN

Airport STEAM Festival (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Murfreesboro Municipal Airport

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 9:00am-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1930 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro TN 37129

WHAT: The TN Steam Festival is bringing science, technology, engineering, art, and math to life at events across the state! We will host an event to all members of the surrounding communities to engage in the sciences and learn about what the Murfreesboro Airport does for the community.
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., the Murfreesboro Airport will host the Tennessee STEAM Festival along with our friends at the Murfreesboro Discovery Center! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM). Previous years attendance of approximately 1,500 people make this an event that cannot be missed!
The Experimental Aircraft Association will be grilling hotdogs as well as providing bottles of water and individual bags of assorted chips for FREE for all who attend

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free
Sponsorship opportunities are available!

WEBSITE: https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/2385/Airport-STEAM-Festival

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FULL STEAM AHEAD LIVE! VOL. 1: AIR IS EVERYWHERE (Nashville)

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HOST: Tennessee Performing Arts Center

WHEN: Monday, October 20th 2025, 10:30am-11:30am
Tuesday, October 21st 2025, 10:30am-11:30am
Wednesday, October 22nd 2025, 10:30am-11:30am
Thursday, October 24th 2025, 10:30am-11:30am
Friday, October 25th 2025, 10:30am-11:30am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: TPAC Polk Theater
505 Deaderick Street, Nashville TN 37243

WHAT: The Season for Young People is available to schools statewide and beyond through in-person shows at TPAC and through virtual performances to view in your classroom. All performances are during the school day, and exclusively for student audiences. Look for virtual and live performance options, titles that are new and returning, and grade-level specific recommendations. Be sure to view our Resource section where you will find standards and classroom materials, helpful instructions for show days, and inspiring professional development workshops.
Pre-registration is required and opens August 4th, 2025. School groups can register online at TPAC.org/Reserve

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: $10 per student/adults - 1 adult free per every 10 students
Pre-registration is required and opens August 4th, 2025. School groups can register online at TPAC.org/Reserve

WEBSITE: https://www.tpac.org/inclusive-arts/student-performances

STEAM Showcase (Smyrna)

HOST: Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County - Smyrna

WHEN: Thursday, October 16th 2025, 4:00pm-6:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 198 Culbertson Street, Smyrna TN 37167

WHAT: At our showcase - members will be able to show the amazing activities they've worked on throughout the School Year. Families will be able to attend and watch their child shine!

AUDIENCE: Children, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: bgcrc.net

Artober in Antioch! (Antioch)

HOST: Southeast Community Ventures

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 10:00am-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch TN 37013

WHAT: Join us for fun with robotics and art! Build a robot, paint and draw with artists and engineers! Learn how science and art come together for lots of fun outside in the park!
Open to the public. Materials provided by our organization

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.southeastcommunityday.com

Telescope Night (Brentwood)

HOST: Vanderbilt University Dyer Observatory

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 8:00pm-10:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood TN 37027

WHAT: Dyer Observatory telescopes will be set up for gazing, and the observatory will be open for viewing exhibits and speaking with astronomers. The format is “open house” so you may arrive and depart any time during the event. There will not be a formal talk/program on these nights unless noted.
The event has two one-hour time slots. Dyer Observatory telescopes will be set up for gazing, and the observatory will be open for viewing exhibits and speaking with astronomers. The format is “open house” so you may arrive and depart any time during the event. There will not be a formal talk/program on these nights unless otherwise noted.
Age Recommendation: 8+

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: $10 for Ages 12+; $5 for Under 12yo
Pre-registration is required. The event has a limited number of tickets that go on sale one month before. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/vanderbilt-university-dyer-observatory-2143130631 to acquire tickets when they go on sale in early September.

WEBSITE: dyer.vanderbilt.edu

Paint night! (Nashville)

HOST: Paint + Canvas

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 6:30pm-8:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 6913 Lenox Village Drive, Nashville TN 37211

WHAT: Join us and recreate a painting from scratch. All supplies and instruction are provided. Learn some new skills and leave with your own painting.
Pre-registration is required for this event. Visit us at paintpluscanvas.com and register for the class from our calendar.
We will have class in the evenings during the entire STEAM festival.

AUDIENCE: Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Adults with Special Needs

COST: $25 - Pre-registration is required for this event. Visit us at paintpluscanvas.com and register for the class from our calendar

WEBSITE: Paintpluscanvas.com

Wings of Wonder STEM Fab Friday (Cookeville)

HOST: Oakley STEM Center at Tennessee Tech

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 5:00pm-8:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 155 W 7th St, Cookeville TN 38505

WHAT: Get ready to soar at Wings of Wonder STEM Fab Friday! Explore the amazing world of flight, from the majestic wings of eagles to the engineering marvels of airplanes, gliders, and hot air balloons. Discover the science behind how things fly and unleash your inner aviator with hands-on activities that will lift your spirits and your understanding of the skies!
Pre-registration is not required, but highly encouraged for planning purposes on our end. Register at https://tf.tntech.edu/view.php?id=1724286
STEM Fab Friday events are focused on getting families and their children engaged in STEM activities. There are two regularly scheduled events each semester held on Fridays from 5-8 pm. Activities during this event are mostly geared for grades 3-8th, but learners of all ages are always welcome

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Free. Pre-registration is not required, but highly encouraged for planning purposes on our end. Register at https://tf.tntech.edu/view.php?id=1724286

WEBSITE: www.tntech.edu/stem

Erosion, Sediment Controls, and Water Quality with Metro Water (Nashville)

HOST: Metro Water Services

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 299 Haywood Lane, Nashville TN 37211

WHAT: Nashville's Metro Water Services, Stormwater will lead all ages at the Growing Together Farmers Market through hands-on models to show how erosion prevention and sediment controls play an important role in keeping our water clean! Build your construction site and watch where the soil goes when it rains!
Look for our blue branded tent and STEAM Festival sign at the farmers market to find our event!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: water.nashville.gov

Rutherford County Day of Play (Murfreesboro)

HOST: MTSU Early Learning Programs

WHEN: Sunday, October 12th 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Tennessee Livestock Center
1720 Greenland Dr, Murfreesboro TN 37132

WHAT: The local early childhood community is hosting an afternoon of play at the MTSU Tennessee Livestock Center. Families and children can engage in a variety of fun activities of their choice. Informational booths about all things early childhood provide families with resources to support them in raising healthy children. STEAM Activities for Children and resources for families, food trucks.

AUDIENCE: Children, Families, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: Free

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Pumpkin Patch Parties (Antioch)

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HOST: Friends Of Mill Ridge Park

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Friday, October 17th 2025, 4:00pm-7:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 12944 Old Hickory Boulevard, Antioch TN 37013

WHAT: Come to our pumpkin patch party! We’ll paint pumpkins, build scarecrows, play lawn games, and eat seasonal treats. Wear your Halloween costume and bring a picnic blanket or chair. Leashed dogs (in costume) are welcome.
Follow safety precautions for this outdoor gathering. A portable toilet is onsite. Check online for weather updates. Contact us for accessibility needs.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.friendsofmillridgepark.org/

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Kite Festival (Antioch)

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HOST: Friends Of Mill Ridge Park

WHEN: Saturday, October 4th 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm
Saturday, October 11th 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm
Saturday, October 18th 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 12965 Old Hickory Boulevard, Antioch TN 37013

WHAT: Join us for the biannual Kite Fest at Mill Ridge Park! Kites and flying tutorials, picnic snacks, and lawn games are provided by Friends of Mill Ridge Park!
You can also volunteer at Kite Fest. Help us welcome park visitors, assemble kites, demonstrate proper kite flying etiquette, and facilitate lawn games.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.friendsofmillridgepark.org/