25 Terrific Things to Do in Tri-Cities TN in October

With autumn activities in full swing, there are plenty of fun things to do in Tri-Cities TN in October.

From apples and pumpkins to fall festivals and fall craft fairs, there’ll be enough to keep your family entertained all month long. Of course, the list below has plenty of non-fall-themed events and activities too.

There’s no better time to start planning your perfect October in Johnson City, Kingsport, and beyond!

October Activities

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

For a fun-filled day of outdoor adventure, check out these Tri-Cities’ pumpkin farms. With playgrounds, hayrides, jump pillows, corn mazes, and more, you’ll be able to entertain the kids for hours.

Go Apple Picking

In East TN and the surrounding states, apple season lasts through October. Whether you are looking for pre-picked goodies or want to pick your own, our neighboring orchards have got you covered.

Plan an Awesome Halloween

In our best-ever guide to Halloween fun in Tri-Cities, TN, you’ll discover tons of fun haunted houses, trick-or-treat events, spooky snack ideas, and more!

Fall Festivals

For all the fall-themed fun you’ve been dreaming of, check out these adorable fall festivals in Tri-Cities TN.

October Events

Front Porch Concert Series

Sundays in October 2023
Johnson City Public Library
FREE

Enjoy a free and family-friendly outdoor concert every Sunday in October, beginning on the 8th. Bring a camp chair or a picnic blanket to enjoy the show.

PLAYtime in the ARTspace

Saturdays in October 2023
Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace
$5 Per Family

Kids ages 0-5 will enjoy a variety of educational songs and rhymes while parents connect over coffee and bagels.

Make Break Art Activities

Weekends in October 2023
Michael’s Craft Stores (All Locations)
FREE

This month kids can make various crafts, including a ghost box, a friendship bracelet, a pumpkin art painting, and a witch painting. These activities are free and all supplies are included.

These Shining Lives

October 5-8, 2023
ETSU Martin Center for the Arts
$10-$20

This is a student performance, which means it’s a great opportunity to attend a theatre performance at a discounted rate.

These Shining Lives tells the real-life story of the radium girls.

If you don’t already know the story, unsuspecting women obtain factory employment hand painting watch dials with radium to make them glow in the dark.

Eventually, the women become sickened by the toxic radium and suffer debilitating health effects. Unfortunately, their concerns are dismissed by the company and local doctors until it is too late.

This is a fantastic history lesson, but due to the heavy content of this play, it is probably best to go with middle and high-school-aged children.

Family Canvas Painting Class

October 6, 2023
Master Piece Mixers, Johnson City
$35 Per Painter

Bring the kiddos out to paint an adorable Halloween owl that can decorate your house for years to come.

Carden Circus

October 6, 7, & 8, 2023
Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City
$20/Adults, $12/Kids (+ B1G1 Coupons Available)

Carden claims to be the biggest circus show in the country and incorporates everything you’d expect, including acrobatics, animals, and more.

Glow Crazy Family 5K

October 7, 2023
The Reserve in Kingsport
$40/Adults, $10/Kids

Put on your best 80s outfits and bring the whole family out for a nighttime fun run complete with plenty of glow to go ’round.

DIY Rescue Float Plane

October 7, 2023
Home Depot (All Locations)

Kids will build a rescue plane toy using real tools. This activity is free and all supplies are included.

DIY Pumpkin Floral Arrangement

October 7, 2023
The Generalist: General Store + Retail Collective, Johnson City
$15/Small Pumpkin, $25/Medium Pumpkin

Make an adorable pumpkin floral arrangement using locally grown and dried flowers.

Family Storytime

October 7, 2023
Johnson City Public Library
FREE

This fun storytime event is designed to be a family affair.

Fall Mercantile

October 8, 2023
Kingsport Farmers’ Market
FREE Admission

Support small businesses at this local vendor event. In addition to arts and crafts tents, there will also be kids’ activities, face painting, and food trucks.

Heritage Days Festival

October 13-15, 2023
Downtown Rogersville
FREE Admission

Celebrate Rogersville’s historic heritage with traditional Appalachian music, juried crafts, vendors, food trucks, kids activities, and more!

DIY Fire Truck

October 14, 2023
Lowes (All Locations)

Kids will use real tools to build an adorable toy firetruck that they can take home. This event is free and all supplies are included. Pre-registration is required.

Solar Eclipse in the Park

October 14, 2023
Sycamore Shoals State Park

View the partial solar eclipse through a telescope while a park ranger explains the science. Kids will be able to make a pinhole solar projector and will also receive educational coloring pages.

Eclipse glasses will be available to purchase in the gift shop.

French Macaron Class

October 14, 2023
Serenity Knoll Farm, Jonesborough
$75 Per Person

At this all-ages cooking class, students will be making from-scratch macaroons in fun fall flavors. This is the perfect opportunity for a parent-and-me date.

Pick and Paint

October 14, 2023
The Pumpkin Barn, Jonesborough
Varies Based on Chosen Pumpkin

Buy a pumpkin and have fun painting it in the barn. All supplies will be provided.

Arts in the Park

October 21, 2023
Dogwood Park, Greeneville
FREE Admission

Shop from various artists and craft vendors while listening to live music. Food trucks will also be on-site.

Scarecrow Skedaddle

October 22, 2023
Kings Commons Park, Johnson City
$10 Per Person

This fall-themed fun run is a fundraiser for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital. All ages and abilities are welcome and costumes are encouraged.

Fall Ceili

October 27, 2023
Roan Mountian State Park
$5/Adults, $2/Kids

Enjoy a festive night of Scots-Irish dancing, music, and storytelling. Coffee and treats will be provided.

Open Bluegrass Jam

October 28, 2023
Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol
FREE Admission

This is a free, all-ages bluegrass jam session, come to play or simply just to enjoy the music.

In addition to the run, there will also be photo props, a book bus, kid-friendly vendors, and more.

If you’d like to add an event to our list of things to do in Tri-Cities TN in October, please send us the details so we can get it added in.