Harvest Nights

Harvest Nights is back at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens on Thursday, October 15, as part of a series that runs every Thursday through October 29. It's a festive evening that brings Cheekwood's autumn display to life after dark, with glowing installations and live entertainment for the whole family. The gardens stay open late, so you can wander through the grounds when the sun is down and the lights take over.

Much of the night is about the visuals. You'll find illuminated scarecrows scattered throughout, and the centerpiece is the Jack-o'-Lantern Topiary—a towering display made from dozens of hand-carved faux pumpkins. Over on the Arboretum Lawn, there are cornhole and other garden games to play, and master carver Lundy Cupp holds pumpkin-carving demonstrations. Food trucks and specialty cocktails are on hand, too, so you can grab a drink and a bite while you walk around.

On the music side, the October 15 date features 50 Shades of Hay, led by vocalist Wendy Newcomer. It's a family-friendly night, so it works just as well as a date as it does with kids in tow. The whole series wraps up on October 29 with the Bootanical Bash, a costume contest and dance party that closes out the season.

Tickets are $21 for adult non-members and $14 for youth non-members, and it's free for members. The event runs from 5 PM to 9 PM, and since it repeats every Thursday through the end of the month, you've got a few different nights to choose from if the 15th doesn't fit your schedule. Cheekwood is at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville.