Family events in Oak Ridge, TN

Settle in for a read-aloud followed by a hands-on pumpkin craft. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost to participate.

Hey Bear Cafe hosts karaoke that features an outdoor area and boba tea. It is set up to be kid friendly and also works well for birthday celebrations.

This free weekly program for preschoolers blends story time, nature discovery, hands-on gardening and simple crafts to nurture young gardeners and their caregivers. Children can dig in the soil, plant seeds, water and harvest while enjoying age-friendly stories and creative activities. Although designed with preschoolers in mind, participants of all ages, from babies to grandparents, are welcome. Activities begin in the Every Child Outdoors ECO Garden.

Designed for children ages 2 to 5, this playful library program blends storytime, music, simple crafts, and hands-on activities to nurture early learning skills. It offers a warm setting where preschoolers can explore, create, and build confidence through guided fun.

Starlight Movie Night brings a nostalgic screening of The Goonies to the Village, celebrating the thrill of discovery and the bonds of friendship. Guests can arrive early to meander along charming pathways, pick up seasonal beverages and cocktails for purchase, and settle in with a comforting meal before the film. As night sets in, the movie unfolds in the open air beneath the Covered Patio atop Boyd Hollow Falls, offering a lighthearted journey filled with humor, heart, and memorable moments. The menu includes mini deep dish pepperoni and cheese pizza, spinach Alfredo with campanelle noodles, a garlic roll, and Baby Ruth cheesecake. Tickets are limited, with prices set at $49 for adults (ages 10+) and $41 for youth (ages 3-9).

Kids can explore their imagination with LEGO bricks provided at the library. They can build towers, cars, animals, or any creation that comes to mind. It is a simple, playful activity for children who love to create and have fun.

Each Thursday, the pinball workshop opens for public play, featuring a rotating lineup that changes regularly. Free parking is available downtown, and there are places to stroll and grab a bite nearby, including Maui Waui Cafe and Lenoir City Barrel House. Turn your visit into a full outing with play time, a walk, and a meal close by.

Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville transforms into a gentle Halloween adventure designed with little ones in mind. Families follow a whimsical trail crafted for younger explorers, stopping at 10 candy stations hosted by friendly costumed characters. Expect lighthearted laughs, sweet surprises, and plenty of photo-worthy moments with playful Halloween and fairytale faces. After the trail, many guests linger to enjoy simple games, upbeat character encounters, and the cozy feel of an autumn evening around the Village. A single lap typically takes about 20 minutes, though it is common to spend close to an hour revisiting favorite spots and picking up seasonal treats available for purchase at the Outdoor Bar. The setting is welcoming and safe, keeping the fun high and the frights low, and costumes and candy bags are encouraged. Passes are reserved in advance with a selected entry window. Attendance is limited and may sell out. Tickets are $15 per person for ages 3 and up, and children under 2 are free.

Pack a blanket for a cozy morning in the park by the Concord Cove playground. Young children can enjoy autumn themed stories, a craft using leaves and crayons, and apple cider.

Celebrate the season with an evening of trick-or-treating, games, music, and fall-themed activities. The event features trick-or-treat stations, vendors, a costume contest, and plenty of music. Attendees may come dressed as superheroes, princesses, pirates, or other spooky favorites. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Participants compete in the Standard format, with the number of rounds determined by attendance. Entry costs $5, and registration includes one Pokemon Prize Pack. Each match victory earns a Pokemon Prize Pack. New participants in the league receive one Pokemon Prize Pack.

A fall journey through the Nantahala Gorge unfolds aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, reached by deluxe motorcoach from Clinton or Oak Ridge to Bryson City, North Carolina. Settle into a historic steam train coach as the line traces rivers and cliffs across roughly 44 miles, with mountainsides glowing in vivid reds, golds, and oranges. The gentle cadence of the rails and the scent of coal drifting through the windows set a nostalgic tone, while open-air cars offer wide-open views and prime photo opportunities. The package includes round-trip transportation, a four hour train ride, and free time to explore Bryson City with lunch on your own. Price is $150 per person. This tour is sold out.

At Baker Creek Preserve in Knoxville, the 3rd annual community hike gathers pet lovers, friends, and families to celebrate the bond between people and animals while giving back. The experience features a community hike on scenic trails, live acoustic music, coffee and treats, and plenty of conversation. A Memory Wall offers a thoughtful way to honor beloved pets, the Golden Paw Awards recognize local pet heroes, and pet photography provides special keepsakes. Interactive pet activities and demonstrations create easy opportunities to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. This event supports the Nomar & Mia Compassion Fund through the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, which helps pet families facing emergency veterinary expenses. Inspired by two cats, Nomar and Mia, it has grown from a simple hike into a tradition built on compassion, connection, and the enduring love people share with their animals.

Enjoy a free, family friendly Halloween event at AMVETS Post 2 that brings together costumes, community and a silent auction supporting the post’s mission to assist veterans. Highlights include pet and human costume contests, a variety of vendors, participation from local nonprofits and plenty of festive activities. Admission is free for the public. All silent auction proceeds benefit AMVETS Post 2 and its work with veterans. Vendor spaces are available, and applications can be requested by emailing amvetspost2tn@gmail.com.

A one-day conference at First Baptist Knoxville features Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the number one New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages. Created for parents, grandparents, and those who hope to be in the future, the program blends practical guidance with humor to help participants move past unhelpful patterns, make constructive changes, and strengthen connections across the family. Sessions focus on deepening the relationship between spouses and nurturing the bond between parents and children, with actionable ideas for building a healthy home.

Now in its seventh year, the Louisville Book Festival brings an expanded slate of literary programming to the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The program features nationally recognized authors alongside local voices, children's story times, and thoughtful panel discussions. Activities support aspiring writers taking early steps and longtime readers exploring new favorites, all centered on how stories bring people together. Roxane Gay is among the featured guests. Community partners include Foxing Bookstore and A Novel Romance Bookstore, and festival artwork is by cm__art.

Enjoy a full day of family friendly fun at this second annual festival and corn maze. Activities include hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, games for all ages, and a variety of vendors and food trucks. Additional details about the 2026 plans will be shared in future updates.

Explore the basics of royal icing and sugar cookie art in a beginner-friendly Halloween cookie decorating class at the Farragut Community Center. The session welcomes newcomers, anyone curious about cookie design, or those who have found royal icing tricky. Each participant decorates six festive cookies using four icing colors, with cookies, icing, sprinkles, tools, and a take-home box all provided. Everything is prepped in advance, so there is no baking or mixing, just decorating and time for questions. Suitable for ages 10 and up, with seating for up to 16 participants. Add-on kits are available at checkout for extra practice or for kids at home, and the class PowerPoint will be shared so you can guide a lesson yourself. Kits are ready for pickup at the end of class, or, if you are only purchasing a kit, you can stop by during class to collect the labeled package.

Celebrate autumn at Narramore Farms in Kingston, Tennessee with a wide range of family activities. Navigate the corn maze, choose a pumpkin, take a wagon ride, visit with farm animals, pan for gems, and snap photos across more than 25 attractions. Enjoy BBQ, funnel cakes, apple cider slushies, donuts, freshly squeezed lemonade, and other tasty options. Admission is $14, and children ages 2 and under enter free. New this year, live music adds to the atmosphere, and the Market Barn debuts with Narramore Farms merchandise and more. Additional special events are planned during the fall.

This group class welcomes puppies under 6 months old and under 25 pounds. Guided by a professional dog trainer, each session focuses on helping young pups build healthy social skills in a safe, supportive setting. Attend as many or as few sessions as you like, and book through the app.

FPK is hosting a community Trunk-or-Treat with candy for attendees. In addition to treats, period products will be given away, and with help from Helping Mamas of Knoxville, diapers will be available as well.

A festive Halloween gathering fills Historic Downtown Loudon with vendors, trick or treating, a costume contest, a dog costume contest, a scream contest, and additional activities. Vendors can participate for a $30 fee, paid to Loudon Alive on the day of the event. For sign ups or more information, call 458-7525.

Little Playschool’s Trunk or Treat welcomes everyone. Attendees can wear kid friendly costumes, pick up treats, and help choose the top decorated cars.

This weekly Lorcana League offers a relaxed setting for friends and family to enjoy casual matches, card trading, and collection building. Entry is $6 and comes with a Lorcana pack. Participants are welcome to drop in and head out as they wish throughout the afternoon. League members receive added perks, including discounted pricing on Lorcana and priority access to packs, boxes, promos, playmats, and other related products.

Enjoy a safe, family-friendly afternoon of trick-or-treating with Harvest Fest vendors as kids wear their favorite costumes and wander the festival collecting candy. The event highlights festive fall fun, local shopping, delicious food, and plenty of community spirit, creating a warm way to celebrate the season.

The Knoxville Buddy Walk at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville is a fun celebration of friends with Down syndrome.

Celebrate the season at Second Baptist with a family-friendly fall festival filled with candy, costumes, games, and a Trunk or Treat. Expect plenty of activities and more than enough sweets for kids. There is no admission charge, and everyone is welcome. Children are encouraged to come in costume, whether as superheroes, princesses, cowboys, dinosaurs, or cuddly creatures. The church aims to bring the community together to share the light and love of Jesus, creating a day of joy, laughter, connection, and hope. Bring friends, family, and a bag or bucket ready for candy, and enjoy a festive celebration of fall.

Families can enjoy a fall-themed evening with costumes and candy buckets, trunk-or-treat stops, yard games, mini pumpkin crafts, hot dogs, seasonal treats, giveaways, and more. Every activity is free. This community tradition is eagerly anticipated each year and offers a relaxed way to celebrate autumn together.