Tennessee Festivals Locals Say Tourists Took Over

Tennessee is home to some of the most beloved festivals in the South, from music celebrations to quirky food fairs. But over the years, many of these local traditions have exploded in popularity, drawing crowds from across the country and even around the world.

What once felt like neighborhood gatherings have transformed into major tourist attractions, leaving some locals feeling like outsiders at their own events. Social media buzz, national press coverage, and word-of-mouth have turned Tennessee’s festivals into must-see destinations.

While the growth brings economic benefits and cultural recognition, it also means longer lines, higher prices, and a different vibe than what longtime attendees remember. Here’s a look at twelve Tennessee festivals that locals say have been taken over by tourists.

1. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Manchester

Bonnaroo started in 2002 as a jam band haven on a farm in Coffee County, but it quickly became one of America’s premier music festivals. Held every June on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, this four-day event now attracts around 80,000 attendees annually. Headliners range from rock legends to pop superstars, and the festival features art installations, comedy tents, and late-night performances.

Locals remember when Bonnaroo felt like a regional secret, drawing mostly Southern music lovers and college students. Now, festivalgoers fly in from every state and beyond, camping in massive tent cities that sprawl across the property. Traffic jams stretch for miles, and nearby towns see their populations swell overnight.

The festival’s national reputation has brought economic boosts but also challenges like noise complaints and environmental concerns. Many longtime Manchester residents appreciate the revenue but miss the quieter days before Bonnaroo put their small town on the map. Still, the festival remains a cultural cornerstone, even if it feels less like a local gathering and more like a global destination.

2. CMA Fest – Nashville

CMA Fest began in 1972 as Fan Fair, a modest gathering where country music fans could meet their favorite artists. Today, it’s a four-day extravaganza every June that takes over downtown Nashville with performances at Nissan Stadium, Riverfront Park, and countless Broadway honky-tonks. The festival draws more than 80,000 people daily, most of them out-of-towners eager to experience Music City’s biggest party.

Nashville locals have watched CMA Fest grow from a fan appreciation event into a tourist spectacle that clogs streets and fills hotels. Broadway becomes nearly impassable during festival days, and longtime residents often avoid downtown entirely. Hotel rates skyrocket, and reservations at popular restaurants become impossible without booking months ahead.

The festival showcases hundreds of country artists and generates millions in tourism revenue, which city officials celebrate. However, many Nashvillians feel disconnected from an event that once felt more community-oriented. The massive crowds and commercial atmosphere have transformed CMA Fest into something that feels designed for visitors rather than locals.

3. National Cornbread Festival – South Pittsburg

South Pittsburg, a town of fewer than 3,000 people, hosts the National Cornbread Festival every April, celebrating the region’s cornbread heritage and its connection to Lodge Cast Iron. What started as a small-town celebration in 1997 has grown into a two-day event attracting more than 50,000 visitors. The festival features cornbread cook-offs, live music, arts and crafts, and plenty of Southern food.

Locals recall when the festival felt like a community picnic where everyone knew each other. Now, tour buses arrive from neighboring states, and parking becomes a nightmare as visitors flood the tiny downtown. The population swells to more than fifteen times its normal size, overwhelming local infrastructure and changing the festival’s intimate atmosphere.

Many residents still volunteer and participate, proud that their town gained national recognition. But some miss the days when you could stroll through the festival without fighting crowds or waiting in long lines. The economic impact helps local businesses survive, yet the festival’s explosive growth has left some wondering if success came at the cost of small-town charm.

4. Beale Street Music Festival – Memphis

Beale Street Music Festival kicks off Memphis in May every year, bringing three days of live music to Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River. Since its inception in 1977, the festival has grown from a local blues celebration into a major event featuring rock, hip-hop, soul, and country acts. Attendance regularly exceeds 100,000, with music fans traveling from across the nation to experience Memphis’s legendary music scene.

Memphis locals remember when the festival primarily showcased regional blues and soul artists, staying true to the city’s musical roots. Now, headliners are often mainstream acts that appeal to broader audiences, and ticket prices have climbed accordingly. The festival grounds become packed with out-of-state visitors, many of whom have little connection to Memphis’s rich musical history.

Traffic and parking challenges frustrate residents who live near downtown, and some longtime attendees feel the festival has lost its authentic Memphis flavor. Still, the event brings significant tourism dollars and keeps Memphis in the national spotlight as a music destination. Balancing commercial success with cultural authenticity remains an ongoing conversation among locals.

5. Tomato Art Fest – Nashville

Tomato Art Fest started in 2004 as a quirky neighborhood celebration in East Nashville, featuring tomato-themed art, live music, and a parade of costumed participants. Held every August, this free festival was originally a grassroots effort to bring the community together and showcase local artists. What began as a few hundred attendees has exploded into a crowd of more than 50,000, making it one of Nashville’s most popular summer events.

East Nashville residents loved the festival when it felt like a creative, offbeat gathering that reflected their neighborhood’s artistic spirit. Now, visitors from across the region descend on Five Points, creating parking nightmares and overwhelming local businesses. Streets close down, and the once-relaxed vibe has been replaced by shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and long waits for food and restrooms.

Many locals appreciate the economic boost and cultural attention, but some longtime residents avoid the festival entirely, feeling it no longer represents their community. The event’s success has made it a victim of its own popularity, transforming from a neighborhood block party into a tourist destination that barely resembles its humble origins.

6. International Biscuit Festival – Knoxville

Knoxville’s International Biscuit Festival celebrates Southern baking traditions every May in Market Square, featuring biscuit tastings, cooking competitions, and live entertainment. Founded in 2009, the festival started as a fun way to honor the humble biscuit and showcase Knoxville’s culinary scene. Attendance has grown from a few thousand to more than 50,000, with food enthusiasts traveling from across the country to sample creative biscuit creations.

Knoxville residents enjoyed the festival when it felt like a local food celebration with a quirky twist. Now, the event draws massive crowds that pack Market Square and surrounding streets, making it difficult for locals to navigate downtown. Hotel rooms fill up quickly, and restaurants experience overwhelming demand during festival weekend.

The festival has put Knoxville on the culinary map and generated significant media coverage, including features in national food publications. However, some locals feel the event has become too commercialized and crowded to enjoy. What was once a charming community gathering now feels like a major tourist attraction, complete with long lines and a bustling atmosphere that can be exhausting rather than fun.

7. Riverbend Festival – Chattanooga

Riverbend Festival has been a Chattanooga tradition since 1982, offering nine days of live music along the Tennessee River every June. The festival features multiple stages showcasing rock, country, blues, and pop artists, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Originally a regional event drawing mostly locals and nearby residents, Riverbend now attracts more than 650,000 attendees over its run, many from out of state.

Chattanooga locals remember when Riverbend felt like a relaxed community celebration where you could spread a blanket and enjoy music with friends. Today, the festival grounds become packed with tourists, and finding a good spot requires arriving hours early. Downtown hotels and restaurants fill to capacity, and traffic congestion makes getting around the city challenging.

The festival’s growth has brought economic benefits and national recognition for Chattanooga as a destination city. But longtime residents often complain about the crowds, noise, and disruption to their daily routines. Some skip the festival entirely, preferring to remember the more intimate gatherings of past decades rather than navigate the massive event it has become.

8. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair – Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair showcases traditional Appalachian arts and crafts, held twice annually in July and October at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Since 1973, the fair has featured hundreds of juried artisans selling handmade pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and textiles. Originally a venue for local craftspeople to sell their wares, the fair now draws visitors from across the nation, with attendance reaching tens of thousands each session.

Local artisans and residents appreciated when the fair felt like a genuine celebration of Appalachian heritage and craftsmanship. Now, the event attracts massive tourist crowds, especially during fall foliage season when Gatlinburg is already packed with visitors. Parking becomes nearly impossible, and the convention center fills with people more interested in souvenirs than supporting traditional crafts.

Many longtime vendors still participate, but some have noticed a shift toward more commercial products that appeal to tourists rather than authentic handcrafted items. The fair remains an important cultural event, yet its transformation into a major tourist attraction has changed its character. Locals who once enjoyed browsing at a leisurely pace now find themselves navigating shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and competing for limited parking spaces.

9. Mule Day – Columbia

Mule Day in Columbia celebrates the town’s history as the Mule Capital of the World, with a festival dating back to the 1840s. Held annually in April, the four-day event features mule shows, parades, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. What started as a livestock trading day for local farmers has evolved into a tourist attraction drawing more than 200,000 visitors, making it one of Tennessee’s largest festivals.

Columbia residents remember when Mule Day was genuinely about mules and agriculture, with farmers coming to buy and sell livestock. Today, the festival feels more like a general street fair, with tourists flooding the small town to experience a quirky Southern tradition. Parking lots fill up quickly, and downtown becomes gridlocked with out-of-town traffic.

The festival still includes mule competitions and agricultural exhibits, but much of the focus has shifted to carnival rides, food vendors, and entertainment that could be found at any festival. Many locals appreciate the economic boost and the attention their town receives, but some miss the authentic agricultural roots. The transformation from working livestock event to tourist spectacle represents both progress and loss for this historic Tennessee tradition.

10. Tennessee Strawberry Festival – Dayton

Dayton’s Tennessee Strawberry Festival has celebrated the region’s strawberry harvest every May since 1947, making it one of the state’s oldest agricultural festivals. The nine-day event features strawberry-themed foods, live music, carnival rides, and a grand parade. Originally a local celebration of the strawberry harvest, the festival now attracts more than 100,000 visitors, transforming the small town of about 7,000 residents into a bustling tourist destination.

Longtime Dayton residents remember when the festival truly centered on strawberries and local agriculture, with farmers selling fresh berries and homemade preserves. Now, the event has expanded to include typical carnival attractions and vendors selling items unrelated to strawberries. Out-of-town visitors pack the streets, and locals often struggle to find parking near their own homes.

The festival remains an important tradition and economic driver for Dayton, but some residents feel it has lost its agricultural focus. Many still participate in planning and volunteering, proud of their town’s heritage. However, the massive crowds and commercial atmosphere have changed the festival from a community celebration into something that feels designed primarily for tourists seeking a weekend getaway.

11. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion celebrates the region’s role as the birthplace of country music, held every September along State Street, which straddles the Tennessee-Virginia border. Since 2001, the festival has showcased Appalachian roots music, bluegrass, folk, and Americana across multiple stages. What began as a modest celebration of Bristol’s musical heritage now attracts more than 50,000 visitors, many from distant states and even international destinations.

Bristol locals appreciated when the festival focused on traditional mountain music and felt like a genuine celebration of regional culture. Today, the lineup often includes mainstream Americana acts that appeal to broader audiences, and ticket prices have increased significantly. Hotels book solid months in advance, and the small city becomes overwhelmed with tourists who may know little about Bristol’s rich musical history.

The festival has brought national attention and economic benefits to a city that straddles two states and has faced economic challenges. However, many longtime residents feel the event has become too big and too commercial, losing some of its authentic Appalachian character. Balancing tourism success with cultural preservation remains a challenge for this historically significant festival.

12. Tips for Enjoying Tennessee Festivals Respectfully

If you’re planning to visit one of Tennessee’s popular festivals, there are ways to enjoy yourself while being respectful of local communities. Arrive early in the day or attend on weekdays when possible to avoid peak crowds and experience a more relaxed atmosphere. Book accommodations well in advance and consider staying slightly outside the festival area to reduce strain on local housing and give yourself a quieter retreat.

Respect local neighborhoods by following parking regulations and keeping noise levels reasonable, especially in residential areas. Support local businesses and artisans rather than just chain vendors, and take time to learn about the festival’s history and cultural significance. Clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly to help preserve the community spaces that host these events.

Remember that these festivals are important traditions for local residents, not just tourist attractions. Be patient with crowds and infrastructure limitations in small towns that weren’t designed for massive influxes of visitors. By being a thoughtful and considerate guest, you’ll have a better experience while helping preserve these beloved Tennessee traditions for future generations to enjoy.