TENNESSEE, USA — Vols football is in full swing. Colder weather is creeping in. Trees are turning red, orange and yellow. That's right, East Tennessee. It's fall, y'all!
Get those comfy sweaters out of your closet and find a pumpkin-spiced treat.
Here are some of the area's corn mazes, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions and other autumn activities to help you really get into the spirit of the spooky season.
Anderson County
Little Ponderosa Zoo is hosting a Fall Festival on Oct. 8 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 629 Granite Road, Clinton. You can also sign up for the chili cook-off.
Museum of Appalachia is hosting its Fall Heritage Days on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Friday, Nov. 4 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). It features activities and demonstrations that highlight Appalachian culture. The museum is located at 2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton.
Blount County
Happy Valley Fall Festival is on Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6468 Happy Valley Road, Tallassee. There will be food, music, arts and crafts and a chance to visit the one-room schoolhouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hyde Farms is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 7545 US-411, Greenback. The cost for entry $5 per person. There is a playground open all week for $5 per person. A pumpkin patch is open every day to pick your own pumpkins for $6 each. A hayride, corn maze and concessions will be available on Fridays and Saturdays for $10 per person.
Maple Lane Farms Maze is open every weekend starting Friday, Sept. 30 to Oct. 31 at 1126 Maple Lane, Greenback. The Haunted Corn Maze is open nightly starting at dusk from Oct. 21 to Oct. 31. This year's maze commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville.
The Townsend Fall Heritage Festival is set for Sept. 23-24 at the Townsend Visitor Center (7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Townsend) starting at 10 a.m. on both days. It features live performances, traditional Appalachian craft demonstrations, games and food. Parking is $10 per day with proceeds benefiting the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department. A free shuttle service provides transportation to and from the different Townsend sites participating in the weekend’s festivities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.
Grainger County
Grainger County Historical Society is hosting its Haints and History Ghost Walk on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 5-9 p.m. at Kingswood School (160 Wachtel Rd, Bean Station). The walks start every 15 minutes on a paved walkway. Entry is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students and kids ages 4 and under get in free. Concessions will be available on-site. The money raised goes to both the Grainger County Historical Society and Kingswood School for Children.
Greene County
Greeneville will be coordinating “Halloween Happenings” on Monday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. in downtown Greeneville. All events are free including the costume contest, Spooky Tales in the Old Gaol (Jail) and more. Merchants, professional offices, banks, churches and the county courthouse will be prepared to treat youngsters with candy if children are under 13 years of age and are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Hamblen County
Frightmare Manor is open every Friday and Saturday from Sept. 23 to Nov. 5 at 7588 W Andrew Johnson Hwy, Talbott. Its hours and additional nights are available on its website.
Jefferson County
Ballinger Farm Crazy Maze is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting Sept. 23 at 2738 Renfro Road, Jefferson City. One thing to keep in mind: it is cash or check only.
Echo Valley Corn Maze is open until Nov. 6 at 915 Bethel Church Road, Jefferson City. It features three corn mazes, a pumpkin cannon, hayrides, a zipline and more. The farm is closed on Monday and Tuesday, and hours vary from Wednesday to Sunday so check the website.
Knox County
Ancient Lore Village (7107 Sevierville Pike, Knoxville) is hosting a number of Trick-or-Treat Trails starting Oct. 25. Hours and additional details are available on its website.
Zoo Knoxville (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville) is hosting Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 6-9, Oct. 12-16 and 20-23. Member nights are on Oct. 6 and Oct. 12.
Dick's Sporting Goods (7600 Kingston Pike, Suite 400, Knoxville) is hosting A Mascot Halloween on Oct. 30 from 2-4 p.m.
The 2022 Farragut Harvest Fest is on Oct. 30 from 2-6 p.m. at the Village Green Shopping Center (11435 Kingston Pike, Knoxville).
Farragut Parks & Recreation is hosting Freaky Friday Fright Night on Oct. 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Mayor Bob Leonard Park (301 Watt Road, Knoxville).
FrightWorks Haunted House is open Sept. 24 to Oct. 31 on Friday to Sunday at 1904 West Emory Road, Powell. Hours and additional days are available on its website.
Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours (36 Market Square #1404, Knoxville) hosts public and private events throughout the week. Hours and additional details are available on its website.
Ijams Nature Center (2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville) is hosting a variety of events including Knoxville Shakespeare, Pickin' on Nature and Movies Under the Stars. Hours and additional details are available on its website.
Knox County Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat is on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at Tommy Schumpert Park, 6400 Fountain City Road. There will be a vendor market, pumpkin patch, costume parade, hayrides and more.
Oakes Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch is open Thursday to Sunday from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30 and Monday to Wednesday on Oct. 10-12 at 8240 Corryton Road, Corryton. It features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and more. The hours vary throughout its season so check the website.
Spirits of Old Gray at the Old Gray Cemetery is on Oct.16 from 4-7 p.m. featuring reenactors, face painting, bagpipes and tours by Jack Neely and Laura Still of Knoxville Tours. There will be beer, wine and food trucks available. It cost $5 for ages 10 and up.
Spirits Within at the Historic Ramsey House is on Oct. 28 and 29 from 6:30-9 p.m. (2614 Thorn Grove Pike, Knoxville). There will be a special spooky tour and refreshments. Tickets are $15 per adult and $13 for children ages 5-17. Children 5 and under are free. Reservations are required in advance.
Tennessee Theatre is hosting its annual “Costumes and Classic Cartoons” on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. at 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville. Families are welcome at this free event, and children are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes as they watch classic Warner Bros. cartoons and collect candy at trick-or-treat stations around the theater. Self-guided tours of the facility, including dressing rooms, will also be available.
Trick or Treat in the Cave at Cherokee Caverns is open from Oct. 21-23, 28-30 at 8524 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville. It features trick or treating along the cave path, fun characters, vendors, coffee & cocoa and a bonfire each night. It runs 5-8 p.m. on Friday and 3-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Walnut Springs (1175 Midway Rd, Knoxville) is hosting a variety of fall events starting Oct. 1 and features a corn maze and pumpkin patch. Additional details are available on its website.
UT Gardens (2518 Jacob Drive, Knoxville) is hosting a number of fall events in September and October including a garden tour on Sept. 23, Pumpkin Painting for Kids on Oct. 8 and a Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade & Pet Expo on Oct. 23. Check its website for time and details.
Loudon County
Dead Man’s Farm Haunted House is open Thursday to Sunday on Sept. 30-Oct. 31 at 13100 West Lee Highway, Philadelphia. Hours vary depending on the date with some special events. It features multiple scary attractions, each with a different theme.
Deep Well Farm (9567 U.S. 11 E, Lenoir City) is open from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30. It features a corn maze, pumpkin patch and playground. The hours and days vary throughout the month so check the website. Keep in mind: The farm only accepts cash.
McMinn County
Mayfield Farm Park is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30 at 257 TN-307, Athens. It features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, haunted attraction, a 60-foot slide and hillbilly pig races.
Monroe County
Cherohala Skyway Festival is on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Charles Hall Museum (229 Cherohala Skyway Tellico Plains). It features family-friendly activities, food and living history demonstrations.
Roane County
Narramore Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is open every Saturday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. to 7 p.m.) from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30 at 199 Laurel Bluff Rd, Kingston. It features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides and more.
Sevier County
Take a hike or drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see some beautiful fall foliage.
Anakeesta is hosting Hallow Mountain, which runs through Oct. 31 at 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg. It features fall food, drinks, wares and decorations. Its cosmic experience called Astra Lumina officially opens on Oct. 21.
Dollywood's Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights with its new Hoot Owl Hollow run from Sept. 23 to Oct. 29. The park is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. each day at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge. It features entertainment, all sorts of tasty treats and wares from artisans.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair runs Oct. 13-30 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center (234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg) featuring more than 200 artisans.
Gatlinburg Garden Club Wine Fest is on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza (88 River Road, Gatlinburg). Visitors can try local ciders, meads and wine, go to a wine pairing lesson and take home a locally made wine glass as a souvenir. The entry fee is $20 and cash only. All proceeds will go to the Gatlinburg Garden Club Annual Scholarship Fund.
Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival runs through late November, and visitors can vote for the business with the best fall decorations along the Parkway. During weekends of September and October, Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales hold nightly performances along the Parkway including storytelling, traditional dance, and song.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is hosting Smoky Mountain Sunrise at 765 Parkway, Gatlinburg through Oct. 26. Additional details are available on its website.
Kyker Farms Corn Maze is open Thursday to Sunday from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30 at 938 Alder Branch Road, Sevierville. It features corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, Kyker's Korn Hopper and more.
Mysterious Mansion calls itself "Gatlinburg's most haunted attraction." It's open year-round but hosts special events every year for Halloween. It is located at 424 River Road, Gatlinburg.
Ober Gatlinburg is hosting OktOBERfest from Sept. 23 to Oct. 30 featuring daily shows and traditional Bavarian food and drink. It is located at 1001 Parkway Suite 2, Gatlinburg.
Wears Valley Fall Festival runs from Friday, Oct.14 through Sunday, Oct. 16 as a fundraiser for Keep Sevier Beautiful. It's open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday next to Tennessee State Bank off Route 321 in Wears Valley. It features a concert lineup of musicians, food and craft vendors.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list. If you know of an event, please send it to 10listens@wbir.com.
