Come on back to Nashville for music, food and more this summer season
There’s no better time than summer to visit Music City.
All summer long, Nashville will be back in action. There’s arguably no better time to visit Music City than during the warmer months, when the weather is ideal, and the city is home to a variety of seasonal and 4th of July festivities for visitors of all ages. From live music (spanning locally- and nationally-renowned headliners alike) to food festivals and even a racing trifecta, there’s plenty to do in the cultural capital of Tennessee. Whether you plan on visiting for a day, long weekend or a week-long trip, come on back to Nashville for the ultimate summer in Music City.
Ahead of your stay, we’ve put together a handy list with the best events, hotel packages and more to help you prepare for your upcoming visit. The world may have paused, but Nashville has been busy creating its most exciting summer yet - and here’s how you can experience it.
What’s new in Nashville this year
While you’ve been away, Nashville has been adding plenty of new attractions ahead of the summer season. For adults over the age of 21, Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is now offering a selection of new tours that include wine and food pairings, or bourbon and food pairings. The new L&L Market is open for business as well, featuring a one-stop destination for shopping, eating and wellness.
The world-renowned Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has also opened new exhibits, including American Currents and The Station Inn: Bluegrass Beacon.
And adding to the list of world-renowned museums now open for visitors is the National Museum of African American Music. Open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, NMAAM is dedicated to preserving and honoring the pivotal role African Americans played in shaping the history of American music. The institution’s permanent collection features an acquisition of artifacts, sheet music, photographs, recording equipment and memorabilia that will give visitors a glimpse into the past.
For more new offerings, check out Visit Music City’s official website.
A three-event Music City Racing Trifecta
Not one, but three big racing events will make their way to Nashville this summer. Beginning as early as June and continuing through August, the city will host the NASCAR Cup Series June 18-20, the SRX Championship Race on July 17 and the Music City Grand Prix August 6-8. In case you needed a reason to visit Nashville early, or come on back for another visit after the 4th of July Weekend, these family-friendly events are perfect for race car fans of all ages.
Other summer events to experience
In addition to racing, Nashville will be home to a myriad of fun events all summer long. For music fans, American folk rock band The Avett Brothers will be playing a three-night stand in Music City from July 2-4. Just a few weeks later, on July 20th and June 21st, The Black Crowes present the 30th anniversary of their “Shake Your Money Maker” album. This will surely thrill fans and fill up the Ascend Amphitheater with their unique and classic sounds.
For a full list of upcoming concerts and tickets, check out Visit Music City’s official website. Aside from concerts, Nashville’s many venues offer free live music 365 days a year. Simply pop on into any location to catch both established and up-and-coming local talent performing live.
However, it’s not just music that will shine in Nashville this summer. Food events celebrating the best of Nashville’s diverse cuisines (and, of course, southern comfort food) will occur throughout the summer months. From a watermelon festival on June 26 to a hot chicken festival on July 4, to even a week-long celebration of all things burgers from July 13-19, there’s plenty of delicious events for foodies to visit before hitting any or all of the 100 restaurants and cafes that have sprung up in Nashville this past year.
From a grassfed prime rib at Chef Sean Brock’s The Continental to a strawberry milkshake at the legendary Elliston Place Soda Shop to a dozen (or two) oysters on a half shell at The Optimist to the classic Italian fare at Yolan, Nashville restaurants can quell any discerning palette.
For more flavors of Nashville, go to Visit Music City’s Food Scene page.
4th of July extravaganza
One of the city’s biggest summer highlights is its 4th of July extravaganza. Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th, a free event presented by Dr Pepper, will be taking place in downtown Nashville. Staying true to its roots as Music City, Nashville will host top national talent, including a headlining performance by country icon Brad Paisley. As one of the genre’s most lauded male solo artists, Paisley has a whopping three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 14 CMA Awards and more under his belt. Fireworks are the hallmark celebration of the holiday, and Nashville is taking that annual tradition one step further with its largest fireworks show in history. Featuring pyrotechnics synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY award-winning Nashville Symphony, this Instagram-worthy event promises to be a sight to remember. Just be sure to arrive early, since parking and spaces to watch can fill up quickly.
Special 4th of July hotel packages
To make your 4th of July stay a little easier, Nashville is offering a special hotel package. The July 4th Music City Package includes a minimum of a one-night stay at a participating hotel, a discount on a Total Access Pass (which allows visitors to choose tickets for four attractions, while receiving two more attractions free) and a July 4th Music City Fun Pack filled with snacks, accessories and other goodies. The package includes a selection of other discounts as well.
More than 150 hotels (including Hilton, Loews, Marriott and Four Points locations) are participating in this special deal. You’ll be able to select a participating hotel of your choice, giving you plenty of variety to choose from during your upcoming Nashville visit.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is presented by Dr Pepper, Kroger, Budweiser, Jack Daniel’s, Advance Financial, Tennessee Highway Safety Office: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk, and more. This #NashvilleJuly4 weekend is gearing up to be the city’s biggest celebration yet. As you get ready to come on back to Music City, check out visitmusiccity.com/july4th for a list of events and hotel packages.