Annual Events
http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/events/annualevents
Awesome April
April
There are simply so many events scheduled in April that the month can only be described as “awesome!” Each weekend promises a major event where music and the performing arts take center stage. Awesome April happens all over town throughout the month.
Music City July 4th
July 4
If there’s one thing Nashville knows how to do, it’s throw a party. Head to downtown Nashville for a day filled with entertainment and family fun and an evening of incredible fireworks performing with the Nashville Symphony.
Holiday Harmony
Thanksgiving-New Year’s Eve
All the beauty, joy and magic of the season are wrapped up in an incredible array of events ranging from concerts to theatrical performances. Come home for the holidays to Music City and end the year on a high note. Holiday Harmony runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway: New Year’s Eve in Music City
December 31
Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration brings thousands of party-goers to downtown Nashville each year. The free event offers live music, fireworks and a Music Drop at midnight for party-goers.
Music City Connection: Heroes Behind the Hits
“Music City Connection: Heroes Behind the Hits” is a radio show recorded and produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp right here in Music City, and broadcast exclusively by Sirius XM Radio. The series presents songwriters of all genres during an informal “in-the-round” showcase.
Music City Walk of Fame
The Music City Walk of Fame, an official project of the Nashville CVC Foundation (Music City, Inc.), is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration with connection to Music City. Inductees are announced and honored at a special ceremony.
The Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
February
The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville brings together horticultural dealers, magnificent gardens, and world-renowned lecturers. The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is the largest show in the country combining spectacular garden spaces, fine antiques, and horticultural items into one outstanding three-day show.
Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Last Saturday in April
Fifty bands play live on 27 entertainment stages throughout the course while hundreds of high school cheerleaders cheer on participants. More music awaits at the post-race concert in downtown’s Bridgestone Arena. The marathon begins at 7am on the last Saturday of April at Centennial Park and finishes at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.
Iroquois Steeplechase
Second Saturday in May
The Iroquois Steeplechase is the premier spring race meet in American steeplechasing and Music City’s traditional rite of spring. Seven races are held throughout the day and the event typically attracts more than 25,000 spectators.
CMA Music Festival
First Weekend in June
“Country Music’s Biggest Party” takes place over 4 days and features more than 70 hours of musical performances, autograph signings, celebrity sports competitions, and other events with more than 400 artists and celebrities participating.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June
Bonnaroo is a large music and arts festival taking place just down the street from Nashville in Manchester, TN. The annual festival takes up 4 days of music, stand-up comedy, arts, and community.
l’Ete du Vin
August
The Nashville Wine Auction hosts a series of events throughout the year, raising money to fight cancer. The big event of the year, l’Ete du Vin celebrates a particular wine and winemaker during an evening of wine tastings, a gourmet dinner, auction, and more.
Music City Festival & BBQ Championship
August
The annual event is a 2-day festival of live music, bbq tastings, and bbq competitions, sanctioned by the Memphis BBQ Network and Kansas City Barbeque Society.
Home Decorating & Remodeling Show
September
This is the largest home show in Nashville. With everything for the home and outdoors, all under one roof, the Nashville Home Decorating & Remodeling Show offers a weekend where you can talk to experts, see what’s new for your home, and shop for supplies and ideas.
Music City Food + Wine Festival
September
The annual Music City Food + Wine Festival brings together star chefs from around the country, local Nashville culinary talent, winemakers, and beverage crafters for a weekend of panels, demos, samplings, and more.
CMA Music Awards
November
“Country Music’s Biggest Night” represents the pinnacle of achievement for country music artists, musicians, producers, publishers, songwriters, video directors and industry executives who work in America’s most popular music genre. The CMA Awards Show takes place in November each year.
CMA Country Christmas
November
Enjoy the magic of the holidays with your favorite country stars, as they perform classic Christmas songs and share their treasured holiday memories. CMA Country Christmas is taped at Bridgestone Arena each year just days after the CMA Awards and aired later in the holiday season on ABC.
A Country Christmas
November-January
Gaylord Opryland’s annual holiday events compose A Country Christmas. Families can visit Santa, see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, play in ICE!, enjoy concerts, dinner shows, crafts, shopping, and more.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
December
An SEC football team meets an ACC team in a post-season matchup at Nashville’s LP Field. The game is preceded by MusicFest and Battle of the Bands the night before, along with mixers, parties, lunches, and more.