Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9 | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free
Spend the second Saturday of each month exploring Cookeville’s historic WestSide district. Get an entry form 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 digital camera or cell phone and be entered in a prize drawing.
Fit Frenzy
Jan. 19 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Cane Creek Recreation Center | Free
Enjoy a free sampling of fitness classes all in one morning at the Cane Creek Recreation Center starting at 9 a.m. Different classes will be offered every half hour during the 2 ½-hour event. Participate or just watch and learn.
Backstage Series
Jan. 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, Feb. 1, 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Cookeville Performing Arts Center
“Tea For Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty” – Productions in CPAC’s award-winning Backstage Series are selected especially for presentation in the intimacy of the backstage theatre setting. Tickets are available at the CPAC Box Office or online.
Father-Daughter Date Night
Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23 | 6 p.m. | Leslie Town Centre
Father-Daughter Date Night, one of Cookeville Leisure Services’ oldest and most beloved annual events, features a formal dinner and dancing for dads and daughters. Online ticket sales begin Jan. 12. For sponsorship information, call 931-520-5297.
Backstage Series
March 1-3, 5, 7-9 | 7:30 p.m. | Cookeville Performing Arts Center
“7 Interviews” – Productions in CPAC’s award-winning Backstage Series are selected especially for presentation in the intimacy of the backstage theatre setting. Tickets are available at the CPAC Box Office or online.
History Hikes
April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12 | 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-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 will have a different theme.
Dogapalooza
April 27 | 1-4 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
The 10th annual Dogapalooza is an event for dogs and the people who love them. It features pet-related vendors, off-leash play area, adoptable pets and kids’ dog show.
World Tai Chi and Quigong Day
April 27 | 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 moto is “One World… One Breath.”
Storyfest in the Park
May 4 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
The sixth annual Storyfest in the Park 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 10, 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Cookeville Performing Arts Center
Leisure Services School of Dance students will show what they’ve learned. 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 the Cane Creek Recreation Center.
Third Thursday in the Park
May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 | 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.
Cookeville Community Band concerts
May 27, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
The Cookeville Community Band performs Monday night concerts at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion Memorial Day through July.
After Dark Movies in the Park
June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 6 | At Dark | Dogwood Park | Free
This series presents family-friendly movies each Friday night in June. A bonus movie will be shown July 6 as part of the City of Cookeville's Red, White & Boom celebration. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Concessions are available.
June 7: "Ralph Breaks the Internet"
June 14: "Mary Poppins Returns"
June 21: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"
June 28: "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World"
July 6: To be announced
Kids Fishing Derby
June 8 | 7:30 a.m.-noon | Cane Creek Park | Free
A day of free fishing awaits anglers ages 15 and under during the 31st annual Kids Fishing Derby presented by the Tennessee Tech University Student Fisheries Association, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Cookeville Leisure Services. The event coincides with Tennessee Free Fishing Day, so no fishing license is required. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Cane Creek Park’s Lakeview Shelter. Fishing will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m., followed by a picnic from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Prizes will be awarded in each age group for most fish caught and largest fish. Participants should bring their own fishing gear and bait. A limited amount of loaner equipment will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Red, White & Boom!
July | Dogwood Park, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Broad Street
City of Cookeville’s fifth annual Independence Day celebration includes free concerts at Dogwood Park, Tennessee’s second largest fireworks display at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, and SlideCKVL, a 1,000-foot waterslide that begins at the Cookeville Courthouse Square on Broad Street.
Summer Cinema at the Depot
July 5, 12, 19, 26 | 8 p.m. | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free
Bring a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy a classic film under the stars Friday nights in July on the west patio of the historic depot. Popcorn and drinks are available to purchase.
July 5: Big Kids’ Night: “The Sandlot” (1993)
July 12: Date Night: “Father of the Bride” (1950) & “Father’s Little Dividend” (1951)
July 19: Christmas in July: “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (1964)
July 26: Superhero Cinema: “Superman: Fleischer Cartoons” (1940s)
School of Dance Open House
July 29 | 4-6 p.m. | Cane Creek Recreation Center | Free
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.
Backstage Series
August 16-18, 20, 22-24 | 7:30 p.m. | Cookeville Performing Arts Center
Productions in CPAC’s award-winning Backstage Series are selected especially for presentation in the intimacy of the backstage theatre setting. Tickets are available at the CPAC Box Office or online.
Big Band Sound Concerts
Aug. 5, Sept. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Enjoy lively Big Band Sound orchestra concerts at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. Dancing is encouraged.
Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert
Sept. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
BSO’s annual outdoor community concert attracts a large crowd with music performed by professional musicians from throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama, 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. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Cookeville Depot and Cookeville History Museum | Free
What happens when the lights go out and the doors are locked at the Cookeville Depot Museum and Cookeville History Museum? The exhibits come to life. Visit them on Broad Street between the museums during this fun and educational event that is held every other year (alternating with the Cookeville Cemetery Walk).
Shakespeare in the Park
Sept. 27-Oct. 5 | 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 three Fridays in October. Lunch is available to purchase on site.
Boo, Y’all Halloween Cinema
Oct. 25 | 7 p.m. | Cookeville Depot Museum | Free
Spooks and popcorn will come together for a Halloween movie under the stars on the west patio. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and blankets. Popcorn and drinks will be available for $1 each.
Christmas in the Park Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Dogwood Park | Free
Start the holiday season with the City of Cookeville’s fifth annual Christmas in the Park Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Celebration Service. Be there, along with Santa, as the lights come on, brightening a nearly 40-foot-tall Christmas tree, followed by a 15-minute lightshow synchronized to music. 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. Numerous activities will take place throughout December, including visits with Santa and his elves in the little red Santa House.