Things to Do in Murfreesboro in November 2026: Veterans, Trots and Markets

November 2026 in Murfreesboro brings MTSU Homecoming, the first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, two turkey trots, the Stones River Mall Holiday Market and Sip, Shop & Stroll. The Christmas season starts the week of Thanksgiving with Smyrna's tree lighting and Lucky Ladd Farms' Festival of Lights.

November 2026 in Murfreesboro opens with MTSU Homecoming and basketball season, honors veterans all month, and ends with turkey trots and the first Christmas lights. Here is OnlyInMurfreesboro's pick of what to do in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville this month, with links to each event's page for times, prices and directions. The full list is always on the events calendar, and the this weekend guide updates every week.

Veterans Day Events

• Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra: Veterans Salute, Friday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m., at First United Methodist Church on W. Thompson Lane. It opens the orchestra's 45th-season Masterworks Series.
• Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., at the Kuss Memorial in Lee Victory Park.
• La Vergne Veterans Day Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., in the City Hall Board Room. Free.
• Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. The first annual parade steps off at MTSU and travels Main Street to the Public Square, with music and awards at 1 p.m. Free. Read the full story.
• Sam Davis Memorial Day at the Sam Davis Home in Smyrna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. Free.

MTSU Homecoming and Sports

• Live at MTSU, Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. at Murphy Center: Bailey Zimmerman headlines the first show in the new concert series, with Waka Flocka Flame, Miller Holler and Dee Jay Silver.
• MTSU Homecoming Parade, Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m., starting on East Main Street at Maney Avenue.
• MTSU Football vs. WKU, the Homecoming game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2:30 p.m. at Floyd Stadium.
• MTSU Football vs. New Mexico State, Senior Day and the home finale, Saturday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. More in the MTSU football guide.
• Basketball season opens Monday, Nov. 2, with both Blue Raider teams at Murphy Center: the men vs. Fisk and the women vs. Saint Louis. The men are also home Nov. 10 against Evansville and Nov. 13 against Southeast Missouri State.

Turkey Trots and Races

• Patterson Park Triathlon, Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. Ages 16 and up; $40 per individual or relay, limited to 24 entries.
• Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot, Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m., at Gateway Island. The first edition benefits Barnabas Vision and Together as One. Registration is $27.50 and closes at noon Nov. 13.
• Borodash, Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, from Murfreesboro City Plaza. The 4-mile run/walk starts at 8 a.m. and a new untimed 2K walk at 8:15 a.m. Prices go up after Oct. 31.

Holiday Shopping and Markets

• Sip, Shop & Stroll Downtown After 5: Holiday Edition, Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 p.m. in downtown Murfreesboro. The same night, The Country Gourmet unveils its new limited-edition Murfreesboro ornament, 5-8 p.m.
• Boro Art Crawl, also Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 p.m. around the Public Square.
• St. Clair's Yard & Craft Sale at the St. Clair Street Senior Center, Nov. 13-14, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Free to attend.
• Smyrna Fall Market, Saturdays through Nov. 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at J.J. McWilliams Old Rock School Park.
• 3rd Annual Murfreesboro Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., inside Stones River Mall. Free admission and parking.

More dates are in the holiday markets and craft fairs guide.

Theater, Music and Art

• The Tragedy of Macbeth at Tucker Theatre, Nov. 5-8.
• The Wizard of Oz at the Center for the Arts, Nov. 6-22.
• Annie at Springhouse Theatre Company in Smyrna, opening Nov. 13.
• "Newsies, Jr." by Perform Murfreesboro at the Washington Theatre at Patterson Park, Nov. 18-22. Tickets are $10.
• MTSU Fall Dance Concert, Nov. 19-21 at Tucker Theatre.
• Free MTSU concerts include Jazz Ensemble I (Nov. 19), the MTSU Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 22) and the Messiah Sing-Along (Nov. 29, 3 p.m.). Forever Abbey Road plays Hop Springs on Nov. 21. See all shows on the concerts page.

Food and Fundraisers

• Cookin' to Build on the Public Square, Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m.: all-you-can-eat chili, soup, stew and gumbo for Habitat for Humanity, with a handmade pottery bowl to keep.
• MTSU International Cultural Food Fair, Friday, Nov. 20, 1-4:30 p.m.
• Firehouse Subs' Thanksgiving Turkey Sub is back through December.

For Kids and Families

• Fall Harvest Hayride from the General Bragg Greenway Trailhead, Friday, Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.: campfire, s'mores and a moonlit hayride. $5 per person or $20 per family.
• Pickle Palooza at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, Saturday, Nov. 14, and Mountain Biking Demo Day at Sharp Springs Park, Saturday, Nov. 21 (free).
• Thanksgiving Break Campology at the Discovery Center, Nov. 23-25, for grades K-5.
• Animal Thanksgiving at the Wilderness Station, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m. $5; registration opens Nov. 1.

Thanksgiving week details are in the Thanksgiving in Murfreesboro guide.

Christmas Season Kickoff

• Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6-8 p.m. in the Depot District. Free.
• Holly Jolly Festival of Lights at Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville opens Friday, Nov. 27, and runs select nights through Dec. 23. Advance tickets are required.

December starts with the county tree lighting on the Square; see Christmas on the Square and the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade guide.

Good to Know

• Clocks: daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1; what to know.
• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See the early voting guide.
• City holidays: the City of Murfreesboro observes Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and the day after (Nov. 27).
• Trash pickup: for Veterans Day, Wednesday service moves to Thursday and Thursday to Friday. For Thanksgiving, Thursday service moves to Friday. Text "borogarbage" to 38276 for alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Murfreesboro in November 2026?

Highlights include MTSU Homecoming on Nov. 7, the first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 14, the Holiday Market at Stones River Mall on Nov. 21, Sip, Shop & Stroll downtown on Nov. 6, and the Borodash turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning.

When is the Veterans Day parade in Murfreesboro?

The first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. It runs down Main Street from MTSU to the Public Square and is free to attend.

Is there a turkey trot in Murfreesboro?

Yes, two. The Thankful Steps 5K is Saturday, Nov. 14, at Gateway Island, and Borodash runs Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, from Murfreesboro City Plaza.

Is Murfreesboro trash pickup delayed in November 2026?

Yes. City of Murfreesboro residential pickup slides one day for Veterans Day (Wednesday and Thursday routes) and for Thanksgiving (Thursday routes move to Friday).

When does Christmas season start in Murfreesboro?

The Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting is Nov. 24 and Lucky Ladd Farms' Holly Jolly Festival of Lights opens Nov. 27. The Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square follows on Dec. 4.

Sources: Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, Town of Smyrna annual events, MTSU News, MTSU Athletics, Borodash on RunSignup, Thankful Steps 5K on RunSignup, Main Street Murfreesboro, Carpe Artista Smyrna Fall Market, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, Lucky Ladd Farms, City of Murfreesboro calendar and 2026 holiday schedules. Event details come from each organizer and can change; check the event page before you go.

*Illustration: AI-generated image; not a real Murfreesboro event.*