Cookeville, TN & Upper Cumberland
Upcoming Events
Festivals, concerts, farmers markets, and community events in Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland.
Downtown History Hike
A guided walking tour connecting the Cookeville Depot Museum and the Cookeville History Museum through Cookeville's historic downtown. Led by local historians with stops at key landmarks.
Upper Cumberland BBQ Festival
Teams from across Tennessee compete in this annual BBQ championship on Cookeville's downtown square. Live music, local vendors, and plenty of smoked meat.
Cookeville's Largest Yard Sale - May
One of three annual dates for Cookeville's city-wide yard sale event. Hundreds of vendors and residents set up across town making it easy to treasure hunt across multiple neighborhoods in a single day.
First Friday Arts - June
Art Round Tennessee's monthly First Friday event brings the arts to Cookeville's Historic Westside. Stroll from gallery to gallery, meet local artists, shop original work, and enjoy live music at stops including Edison Hills, Glass Tangerine, Plenty Bookshop, and more. Suggested $5 donation.
After Dark Movies in the Park - June 8
Free outdoor movie night at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets - movies begin at dusk. Part of the city-sponsored summer series running every other Friday in June and July.
Downtown History Hike
A guided walking tour connecting the Cookeville Depot Museum and the Cookeville History Museum through Cookeville's historic downtown. Led by local historians with stops at key landmarks.
After Dark Movies in the Park - June 22
Free outdoor movie night at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets - movies begin at dusk. Part of the city-sponsored summer series running every other Friday in June and July.
TN Banana Festival 2026
The Tennessee Banana Festival brings a day of banana-themed fun to the Putnam County Fairgrounds - banana eating contests, live music, carnival rides, local vendors, a free petting zoo, and bounce house. A uniquely Cookeville summer tradition.
Red White & BOOM
Cookeville's signature Independence Day celebration culminates in Tennessee's 2nd largest fireworks display on the 4th of July. The 2026 edition marks America's 250th birthday and debuts at the new Putnam County Fairgrounds on Tennessee Ave, with a Star-Spangled Concert followed by the fireworks spectacular.
First Friday Arts - July
Art Round Tennessee's monthly First Friday event brings the arts to Cookeville's Historic Westside. Stroll from gallery to gallery, meet local artists, shop original work, and enjoy live music at stops including Edison Hills, Glass Tangerine, Plenty Bookshop, and more. Suggested $5 donation.
Putnam County Fair
The annual Putnam County Fair returns for a full week of carnival rides, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, beauty pageants, a rodeo, and nightly entertainment on the main stage. One of the Upper Cumberland's longest-running summer traditions at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.
First Friday Arts - August
Art Round Tennessee's monthly First Friday event brings the arts to Cookeville's Historic Westside. Stroll from gallery to gallery, meet local artists, shop original work, and enjoy live music at stops including Edison Hills, Glass Tangerine, Plenty Bookshop, and more. Suggested $5 donation.
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