FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE 2019: WHAT'S HAPPENING & WHAT'S OPENING

Franklin's marquee events and openings to plan for in 2019

FRANKLIN, Tenn. –  There are some incredible new reasons to visit Franklin, Tennessee in 2019. On top of the legendary whiskey and history that Mic.com noted when it named Franklin one of the '27 Best Places to Travel in 2019,' a number of new hotels and attractions will be opening across Franklin, as well as the return of some of the southeast's largest and most popular festivals.

Seven New Hotels

Seven new hotels, totaling over 1,000 additional rooms, will open in Franklin in 2019 including The Harpeth, a Curio Collection by Hilton property along Franklin's iconic Main Street. The Harpeth will be a four-diamond, 119-room luxury hotel with a gourmet chef-led restaurant, spa, whiskey-focused bar, and walkability to Main Street.

Carter House Visitor Center

The Carter House, one of three historic museums on the battlefield of the Civil War's Battle of Franklin, will open a new visitor center in 2019. Similar to its sister property, Carnton, the Carter House visitor center will feature a museum and orientation center.

Leiper's Fork Winery

Leiper's Fork Winery comes from the minds of Eric and Samantha Coghlan, who began their winemaking in California at the Coghlan Vineyard in 2008 and now have brought their award-winning wines and minimalist farming approach to Leiper's Fork.

231 Public Square & Ruby Sunshine

Newly renovated 231 Public Square is a mixed-use development on the square along downtown Franklin's iconic Main Street. 231 Public Square will feature the first location of the restaurant Ruby Sunshine - a new concept from New Orlean's famed The Ruby Slipper Cafe, along with locally owned boutique shops and a rooftop restaurant and bar.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Returns

The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival will return to Franklin for a fifth year, taking over the scenic 220-plus acre Park at Harlinsdale Farm in downtown Franklin, September 21-22, 2019. Co-founded by Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin and co-produced by Justin Timberlake, the festival that Rolling Stone called the best curated in the nation mixes a family-friendly atmosphere with a New Orleans Jazz Festival-inspired cultural bazaar with southern food and of course incredible music over five stages. The lineup for the fifth Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is expected in late March 2019.

Franklin's Iconic Main Street Festivals

America's Favorite Main Street, which runs through the heart of downtown Franklin, is the site of three annual festivals each year. The springtime Main Street Festival returns April 27-28, while you can celebrate fall at Pumpkinfest, October 26, before the streets of Franklin convert to a Charles Dikens novel come to life at Dickens of a Christmas, December 8-9. Each of the iconic festivals has been going on for over 30 years and have grown to be some of the largest in the southeast, attracting over 150,000 patrons annually to experience their unique offerings of music, southern charm, and a breath of fresh air and community spirit only found in Franklin.

Studio Tenn Season Continues

Franklin's professional theatre company Studio Tenn continues its 18-19 season with performances of an original production Always… Patsy Cline, a legacy series performance The Sinatra Series: A Tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes, and the season finale of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

For more event listings and up-to-date additions and changes to events in Franklin, Tennessee, visit the Visit Frankin Events Calendar.

ABOUT VISIT FRANKLIN
 Visit Franklin is the public brand name of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Franklin is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County, Tennessee. Visit Franklin stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets such as history, music, attractions, entertainment, the arts, and events to visitors from around the world. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit us on the web at VisitFranklin.com.

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