All events are subject to change or cancellation in accordance with social gathering guidelines.
WestSide Scavenger Hunts
Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13 | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | 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 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Follow the clues, duplicate images in and around participating businesses with your cell phone or camera and be entered in a prize drawing.
CPAC's Backstage Series: Dads
Feb. 5, 6 | On-Demand Video Performance
Dads is an on-demand video project produced by Cookeville Performing Arts Center as part of its award-winning Backstage Series. Patrons may view two productions, The Hug by Marshall Foltz and Imaginary Conversations with My Daughter by Darren V. Michael, on CPAC's Vimeo account with a pre-purchased access code. Tickets are available by calling 931-528-1313.
Although we cannot gather together as in previous years, we encourage fathers and daughters to continue the treasured tradition of Father-Daughter Date Night through virtual alternative activities. Watch the Cookeville Leisure Services Department's Facebook page for posts with contests and ideas on fun ways fathers and daughters can celebrate their time together. Participants will have through Feb. 27 to enter each activity. (Details will be posted on the dates below.) Winners will be announced March 1. Feb. 16: Scavenger Hunt Feb. 18: Dance-Off Videos: Show us your moves! Feb. 21: Post a past Father Daughter Date Night picture. Feb. 23: Post a current father-daughter picture: What does this year's date night look like? Feb. 25: Share your favorite father-daughter tradition or memory.
CPAC'S Backstage Series
March 5-6 | On-Demand Video Performance
Cookeville Performing Arts Center’s award-winning Backstage Series presents an on-demand video performance: Alone, Together. This pandemic lifestyle-related compilation consists of six plays: The Most Human Human, Pandemic Therapy, The Art of Coping, Do Not Go My Love, All the Cranes in the World and Dynamite Sales.
April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9 | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | 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 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Complete this activity to be entered in a prize drawing. Each month has a different theme.
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
April 24 | 10 a.m. | Cane Creek Recreation Center | Free
Tai Chi and Qigong demonstrations begin at 10 a.m. People around the world will join together to celebrate this annual event and learn more about these Chinese martial art forms that are practiced both for defense training and health benefits. The event motto is “One World… One Breath.”
Storyfest in the Park
May 1 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
“Lend us your ears” for the seventh annual Storyfest in the Park. This is an all-day, family-friendly event that features professional storytellers from across the region. Come listen for a while under the big tent.
School of Dance performances
May 7, 8 | 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.
Third Thursday in the Park concerts
May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Enjoy concerts the third Thursday of each month, May through August, at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. A different band is featured each month, covering a variety of music genres.
Big Band Sound Concerts
May 31, June 14, Aug. 16, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Enjoy lively Big Band Sound orchestra concerts at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. Dancing is encouraged.
After Dark Movies in the Park
June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2 | Begins at Dark | 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 and one Friday in July. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Concessions are available.
Free Fishing Day Scavenger Hunt
June 12 | Cane Creek Park | 8 a.m.-noon | Free
A day of free fishing and a fishing scavenger hunt awaits anglers of all ages. This family event, presented by Tennessee Tech University's Student Fisheries Association, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Cookeville Leisure Services, coincides with Tennessee's Free Fishing Day, so no fishing license is required. Participants should bring their own fishing gear and bait.
Red, White & Boom
July 4
Better Cookeville’s seventh annual Independence Day celebration includes Tennessee’s second largest fireworks display.
Cookeville Community Band concerts
July 5, July 19, Aug. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Cookeville Community Band performs Monday night concerts every other week at Dogwood Performance Pavilion Memorial Day through July.
School of Dance Open House
Aug. 2 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Cane Creek Recreation Center
Learn about the Leisure Services School of Dance and meet the instructors. Classes are designed for ages 3 and up in the classical disciplines of ballet, jazz and modern dance.
CPAC'S Backstage Series: Almost, Maine
Aug. 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21 (7:30 p.m.) and Aug. 15 (3 p.m.) | Cookeville Performing Arts Center
CPAC’s award-winning Backstage Series presents Almost, Maine by John Cariani. This show is being directed by Kimberly Frick-Welker. Productions are selected especially for presentation in the intimacy of the backstage theatre setting.
Aug. 27-29 | Cookeville Performing Arts Center, Dogwood Performance Pavilion
Cookeville Performing Arts Center, in partnership with WCTE, will present the second annual WCTE Downtown Film Festival in downtown Cookeville.
Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert
Sept. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
An orchestra under the stars awaits music lovers at Dogwood Park. BSO’s annual outdoor community concert attracts a large crowd with music performed by professional musicians from throughout the region, as well as faculty and select students from Tennessee Tech University. The event begins with children’s activities at 6:30 p.m.
Night at the Museums
Sept. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Cookeville History Museum and Cookeville Depot Museum | Free
What happens when the lights go out and the doors are locked at the Cookeville Depot Museum and Cookeville History Museum? Find out during this free, fun and education event that is held on odd-numbered years (alternating with the Cookeville Cemetery Walk).
Dogapalooza
Sept. 25 | 1-4 p.m. | Cane Creek Park
Dogapalooza is an event for dogs and the people who love them. It features pet-related booths, off-leash play area, adoptable pets and kids’ dog show.
Shakespeare in the Park
Oct. 1-9 | 7 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Experience a William Shakespeare play under the stars at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Concessions are available.
Kick off fall with outdoor music and lunch. This concert series, sponsored by Cookeville Arts Council, brings a variety of music to the museum patio the first four Fridays in October. Lunch is available to purchase on site.
Join us on Friday nights in October as we enjoy a free, full-length movie out on the west patio under the stars at the Cookeville Depot. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and we'll pop the popcorn and chill the water and sodas ($1 each).
Cookeville Community Band Holiday Concert
Nov. 28 (tentative) | 3 p.m. | Cookeville Performing Arts Center | Free
Cookeville Community Band will put audience members in the Christmas spirit with its annual free holiday concert.
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. (He takes a cookie break 12-1 p.m.)
Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Start the holiday season with Cookeville’s seventh annual Christmas Tree-Lighting and Celebration Service. Be there, along with Santa, as the lights brighten a 40-foot-tall tree. A 15-minute lightshow synchronized to holiday music will follow. The lightshow will continue nightly throughout the holiday season every hour on the hour from 5-9 p.m. Adding to the festive atmosphere will be holiday displays throughout the park.
Cocoa with Claus
Dec. 11 | Cane Creek Recreation Center
This sweet event is a “claus” for celebration. Children can have hot cocoa and share their Christmas wishes with Santa.
Christmas Forest Exhibit
To Be Announced | Cookeville History Museum | Free
Browse through a festive display of Christmas trees during the sixth annual Christmas Forest exhibit. See it any time the museum is open, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also, enjoy learning about the community clubs and organizations that decorate each tree.