Events

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CPAC'S Backstage Series Season 33

Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower | Directed by Patrick Mannle
January 16th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 7:30pm, and January 18th and 24th at 2pm 

Long after returning from Neverland, Wendy decides that she must find Peter in order to reclaim her kiss and move on with her life. Along the way, she meets other girls who went to Neverland and learns she is not alone. A coming-of-age exploration of first love and lasting loss, Lost Girl continues the story of J.M. Barrie’s beloved character – the girl who had to grow up.

Two Across by Jerry Mayer | Directed by Holly Mills
February 13th, 14th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd at 7:30pm and February 15th and 22nd at 2pm 

Two opposites in an enclosed space, attacking each other's values but also being swayed and intrigued by them. They each have serious life problems that the other helps solve. Their trip is filled with unpredictable, but believable, surprises, even a passionate kissing embrace or two. As the train ride ends, it's obvious each of them has been changed for the better.

Lost Girl Poster FINAL (With time changes)
2 Across FINAL

Fit Frenzy

Jan 31 | 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Cane Creek Recreation Center | Free

Enjoy a free sampling of group fitness classes all in one morning at Cane Creek Recreation Center. Different classes are offered every half hour. Meet the instructors and find your fitness fit.

fitness instructor teaching class

Father Daughter Date Night

February 20, 21, 26 (NEW!), 27, & 28 | 6 p.m. | Leslie Town Centre 

Join us at the Leslie Town Centre for FIVE magical evenings, including a new night added on Thursday, Feb. 26th, all beginning at 6 PM.

Limited tickets remain for Thursday, 2/26/26 ONLY. 

All tickets are issued through ETIX and must be scanned for entry. Please review your confirmation email carefully; tickets cannot be printed at the door.

Don’t miss out! This event sells out every year. For info or questions, call Cara Sheets at 931-526-7393.

dad and daughter dressed up at a nice dinner event

WestSide Scavenger Hunts

 Feb 14 | March 14 | 10:30 AM -2:30 PM | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free

Get your family and friends together and spend the second Saturday of each month exploring Cookeville’s historic WestSide District. This free activity begins at the Cookeville Depot Museum between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Follow the clues, duplicate images in and around participating businesses with your cell phone or camera and be entered in a prize drawing.

Couple holding cards for scavenger hunt

Storyfest

May 2 | Dogwood Park | Free

Lend us your ears for our annual Storyfest in the Park. This is an all-day, family-friendly event that features professional storytellers from across the region as well as an amateur storytellers’ competition. Come listen for a while under the big tent.

group of people under a tent laughing at the stage

School of Dance performances 

May 8 & 9 | Cookeville Performing Arts Center

Students from the Leisure Services School of Dance present their annual spring performance. Dance classes, which are designed for ages 3 and up in the classic disciplines of ballet, jazz and modern dance, meet August through May at Cane Creek Recreation Center. Tickets are available by calling CPAC’s box office at 931-528-1313 or www.cpactn.com.

girl standing on one leg dancing

After Dark Movies in the Park

June 5, 12, 19, & 26 |  8 PM  |  Dogwood Park  |  Free

The After Dark Movies in the Park series, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Williams, brings family-friendly movies to Dogwood Park each Friday night in June. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Concessions are available.


large crowd watching movie outside at dogwood park

Cookeville Community Band concerts 

June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, November 29

June & July - Cookeville Community Band at Dogwood Performance Pavilion
November - Community Band Holiday Concert at CPAC

Join the Cookeville Community Band for a series of free Concerts in Cookeville! Enjoy the rich sounds of classic wind band music on select evenings. Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable experience.


Sounds of Summer Graphics CCB July

School of Dance Open House

TBD | 4-6 PM | Cane Creek Recreation Center

Visit the Leisure Services School of Dance Open House and meet our instructors! We offer classes in ballet, jazz, and modern dance for ages 3 and up. Learn about our curriculum and see if our school is right for you. 

kids dancing on stage

Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert

September 6 |  7 PM  |  Dogwood Park  |  Free

An orchestra under the stars awaits music lovers at Dogwood Park. BSO’s annual outdoor community concert features professional musicians from throughout the region, including faculty and select students from Tennessee Tech University.

group playing instruments on stage

Dogapalooza

September 19, 2026 | Cane Creek Dog Park

Dogapalooza returns Saturday, September 19 at Cane Creek Dog Park! Hosted by the City of Cookeville Leisure Services, this tail-wagging event is packed with fun for dogs and their humans.

We’re inviting dog-related vendors and nonprofits to be part of the fun! Promote your business, hand out pet-focused materials, and connect with the community.

Let’s make this Dogapalooza the best one yet! 🐾

dogapalooza

History Hikes

April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug 8, Sept 12, Oct 10, | 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Cookeville Depot Museum and Cookeville History Museum | Free

Explore downtown Cookeville’s rich history with a “hike” between Cookeville Depot Museum and Cookeville History Museum on Broad Street the second Saturday of each month, April through October. Start at either museum between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Complete this activity to be entered in a prize drawing. Each month has a different theme.

image of downtown cookeville

Shakespeare in the Park

Oct 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10| Dogwood Park | Free

Experience Shakespeare at The Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion. "Shakespeare in the Park" offers a unique opportunity to witness this classic play brought to life in a beautiful outdoor setting. Bring your blankets and chairs for an unforgettable evening of theatre.

Troilus and Cressida poster final new font

Brown Bag Lunch Concerts

Oct 2, 9, 16, 23| 11:30 AM -1 PM | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free

Music and lunch are coming together for four Fridays in October! The Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series is setting up at the Cookeville Depot Museum from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Lunch can be purchased onsite  More info coming soon.
someone playing music at the depot museum while people watch

Cookeville Treat Trail

Oct 31 | 4-6 PM | Dogwood Park | Free

Put on a costume and join the spooky fun while collecting lots of sweet treats along the Cookeville Treat Trail. This is a free family event in partnership with Hip Cookeville. Participants must be in line by 5:30 PM.

family in halloween costumes

Art Prowl


TBD | Downtown Cookeville

Explore original works of art, meet local artists, and watch live demonstrations. ART Prowl features 70+ local artists, free kids’ art activities, shopping, and great food throughout the weekend.

map for art prowl

Cookeville Community Band Holiday Concert

Nov 29 |  Cookeville Performing Arts Center  |  Free

Cookeville Community Band will put audience members in the Christmas spirit with its annual free holiday concert.




Community Band Christmas Concert group photo

Cookeville Depot Christmas: Depot Open House

Dec 5 | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free

Join us for caroling, games, model trains and other holiday fun at the Cookeville Depot's annual Christmas Open House. Santa will be there too.



depot museum side view

Christmas Tree Lighting

Dec 6 | Dogwood Park | Free

Start the holiday season with the annual Christmas Tree-Lighting and Celebration Service. See the lights brighten Dogwood Park's nearly 40-foot-tall tree and enjoy a Christmas concert and other activities. A 15-minute lightshow synchronized to holiday music will follow. The lightshow will continue nightly throughout the holiday season at the top of every hour from 5-9 p.m. Adding to the festive atmosphere will be holiday displays throughout the park.

large christmas tree at dogwood park lit up at night



Visits with Santa

TBD | Dogwood Park

Enjoy a FREE visit with Santa and his elves at the Performance Pavilion in Dogwood Park! 

child sitting in santas lap

Christmas Forest Exhibit

TBD | Cookeville History Museum | Free

Browse through a festive display of over 30 Christmas trees during the seventh annual Christmas Forest exhibit. Learn about the community clubs and organizations that decorate each tree. Visit any time the museum is open, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM

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