Best Places to Trick or Treat in Middle Tennessee

Posted by Jenni Barnett on Friday, October 11th, 2019 at 3:45am.

 

Many children say that trick or treating on Halloween is one of their favorite annual activities. Tennessee puts its heart into all holiday festivities, and Halloween is no exception! Parks has the scoop on the best places to trick or treat in Middle Tennessee. Our guide will highlight the neighborhoods and events that are well-known for delivering huge candy hauls and having robust community turnout.

While more families each year retreat from the sidewalks and choose to attend “trunk or treat” events instead, take heart! There are still crowds of spooky little ghouls and ghosts parading through the area. Festivities begin on the weekend and wind down on Thursday night.


Note: Halloween 2019 falls on a school night, so many areas have posted an official 8 p.m. curfew. Police will monitor busy areas and be available to help crowds move along the sidewalks.


Top Neighborhoods for Traditional Trick-or-Treating

Below we’ve listed the neighborhoods we know put on an excellent night of trick-or-treating. Please add your area in the comments if we missed a happening spot!


West Nashville – Richland and Central Avenues between West End and Murphy Road

This busy area is reputedly one of the best trick-or-treating zones in downtown Nashville. Prepare your kiddos with extra-large candy buckets and be prepared to join a large crowd.


Downtown Nashville – Belmont Neighborhood

The picturesque Belmont neighborhood is famed for their outstanding Halloween decorations, safe sidewalks, and plentiful on-street parking. This combination draws a huge crowd every year.


Downtown Nashville – Belle Meade Neighborhood

Not to be outdone by the historic plantation, the residents of the pristine neighborhoods around Belle Meade go all out with candy and decorations. If you feel like having a downright fancy Halloween, get spiffed up and take your tiny trick-or-treaters to get the candy haul of their dreams!


East Nashville – Eastland Ave

About 400 children tend to trick-or-treat in this area, making it perfect for those who want to have a “big” Halloween experience but aren’t quite ready for the busiest spots. Other popular places to trick-or-treat in East Nashville include: Stratton, Greenfield, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet and Fatherland Street.


North Nashville — Salemtown

Salemtown hosts a Halloween block party, making the area safe for the hundreds of children (and their parents) who attend the festivities. The event is intended to foster community while encouraging a safe “traditional” trick-or-treating experience. Another great North Nashville suburb that gets phenomenal trick-or-treat reviews is Hendersonville.


Trick-or-Treat Events


Belle Meade Plantation

October 21 from 1 – 3 p.m.

This FREE event will have fun for the whole family. Play games, attend a dance party, and walk a full mile of trick-or-treating stations. If your child’s costume is spectacular this year, try your luck in the 2 p.m. kids-only costume contest!

Belle Meade Plantation is a Teal Pumpkin participant for children with food allergies.


“Old Maney Mansion,” Murfreesboro

North Maney Avenue ends at the breath-taking tree-lined avenue leading to the famous “Old Maney Mansion.” Trick-or-treating at this gorgeous historic venue is FREE but arrive early; trick-or-treating begins at 4 p.m. and the candy goes quickly.


“Trail of Treats,” La Vergne, Veterans Memorial Park

October 27, 2 – 4 p.m.

Thousands of children attend this FREE event every year. Trick-or-treat along a candy trail, take an old-fashioned hayride, and play free games!


“Fright on Franklin,” Downtown Clarksville

October 26, 3 – 6 p.m.

Hosted by Clarksville Parks and Recreation, this event features costume contests, food and beverages from local vendors, craft booths, games, and of course, safe, controlled trick-or-treating.


“Halloween in the Park,” Mt. Juliet

October 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Charlie Daniels Park is hosting its annual Halloween in the Park. This event is FREE and includes a petting zoo, vendors, old-fashioned hayrides, costume contests, and inflatables. Kids can trick-or-treat at each vendor (in broad daylight) – perfect for little kids who go to bed early and school-age children who are crazy about Halloween!


“Halloween in the Park,” Goodlettsville

Moss-Wright Park is also hosting a Halloween in the Park event. Look for a DJ, storytelling, candy, and carnival-style food booths selling soft pretzels, buttered popcorn, shaved ice, fresh lemonade, and tons more yummy snacks and beverages.

Teens and adults are not allowed to wear masks, and no clown costumes will be permitted entry.


“Trick-or-Treat on the Square,” Gallatin

October 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This rain-or-shine event is hosted in Gallatin’s beautiful Historic Downtown Square. Created with very young children in mind, Trick-or-Treat on the Square” is perfect for little ones who are just learning how to enjoy Halloween. Event coordinators kindly request no early arrivals.


“Pumpkinfest,” Downtown Franklin

October 26, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The 36th annual Pumpkinfest in Franklin is slated to be Middle Tennessee’s single largest fall festival yet again, with more than 65,000 people expected to attend. This festival extends the length of Main Street and into the side avenues downtown. Intended for celebrants of all ages, this free event even encourages costumed adults to trick-or-treat at vendor booths!


“Trick-or-Treat at Drake’s Creek,” Hendersonville

October 29, 6 – 8 p.m.

Drake’s Creek Park is the host of this FREE community event. All kids wearing a costume can enjoy trick-or-treating at booths along the walking trails to load up on candy and prizes. All attendees can play a variety of games and catch a good old-fashioned fall hayride.


“Treat Trail on Main,” First Baptist Gallatin

October 31, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

This FREE community event is an indoor alternative to the popular outdoor “trunk or treat.” Intended to provide the thrill of trick-or-treating with none of the potential risks, kids can take the trail to gather candy and play games.


Wherever you find yourself trick-or-treating this year, we hope you have a spooky and delightful time with your children and fellow community members. Be safe – and snag one of those mini candy bars: you deserve it!

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