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Record-breaking crowd expected at Music City Midnight; here's what you need to know

Posted at 10:02 PM, Dec 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-31 14:36:35-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A crowd of 200,000 people are expected to ring in the New Year in downtown Nashville for Music City Midnight.

The free New Year's Eve celebration is open to anyone willing to brave the crowds. The show and concert at Bicentennial Mall will, of course, feature the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display to usher in the New Year.

Jack Daniel's Music City Midnight: New Year's Eve in Nashville will feature Keith Urban as the headliner and rock legend Stevie Nicks who's expected to make a guest appearance.

Also joining the lineup: Ashley McBryde, the reigning Academy of Country Music New Female Artist of the Year and CMA New Artist of the Year; Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, English rock band The Struts, Americana award winner Amanda Shire, Bren Joy, country artist Kalie Shorr, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and GRAMMY-winner DJ Dave Audé.

Here's what you need to know:

Full list: New Year's Eve House Rules

Gates at Bicentennial Mall will open at 4 p.m. Tuesday with DJ Case Bloom providing entertainment before the Music Note is raised. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, an ensemble of students from Fisk University, will kick off the live music with a selection of spiritual music.

A VIP experience, which includes exclusive concert viewing area, food and beverage, indoor/outdoor party space, custom party favors and more, is also available. You can learn more here.

Several hundred Metro Nashville Police officers have been assigned to the downtown and Bicentennial Mall areas to increase safety on New Year's Eve, as well as to provide traffic direction for the tens of thousands of people coming into town.

Street closures around the Bicentennial Mall include:

  • Harrison Street, from 4th Avenue to Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
  • 5th, 6th, and 7th Avenues from James Robertson Parkway to Jefferson Street
  • Junior Gilliam Way from 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue

There will be a dedicated drop off/loading zone for cabs, hotel shuttles, personal vehicles, etc., in the northbound right lane of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard from 10th Circle North to Farmers Market Drive. Uber/Lyft drivers will also be permitted to drop off/pick up riders on James Robertson Parkway between 4th & 5th Avenues and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard at James Robertson Parkway adjacent to Capitol Hill.

Officials encouraged everyone to be aware of their surroundings and report anything suspicious to one of the numerous police officers who will be on posts and roving in the downtown/Bicentennial Mall area. The enhanced police presence will be in effect from 4 p.m. New Year’s Eve through well into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.