Annual Events & Festivals - Nashville, Tennessee



Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events

Want to have some fun? Learn something new? Mingle with a crowd? Maybe just get out of the house? Then check out some of Nashville’s annual events. Music City’s calendar is full of festivals, celebrations, sporting events, seminars, shows, and other fun and interesting happenings—enough to keep you busy year-round. Just about any weekend—January through December—you can find at least one special event taking place in or around Nashville. What’s your pleasure? From art to antiques, gardening to golf, and mules to Moon Pies, there’s something for everyone.

Below are some of Nashville’s favorite events, listed by month (roughly in the order they occur). Schedules are subject to change, so before making plans, it’s a good idea to check the local newspapers for up-to-date information on events, dates, and admission prices. Most annual events have a gate charge, but you’ll find a few that offer free admission. Children’s admission is usually a few dollars less than adult admission. Most events also offer discounts for senior citizens and groups. Some have special rates during designated days or hours, and some offer discounts if you bring a coupon. Keep your Insiders’ Guide to Nashville handy all year. The next time you’re looking for something to do, check our listing of annual events, then go out and have some fun!

1. Heart Of Country Antiques Show

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 2800 Opryland Dr.


2. Spring Into The Arts

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 862-5800

Description: This annual 6-week celebration of arts and culture in Nashville offers musical and dance performances, puppet shows, craft workshops, story hours, movies, and entertainment by local performers. All events are family friendly, free, and open to the public.

3. Tin Pan South

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 256-3354, (800) 321-6008
Insider Pick:

Description: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) sponsors this annual music festival that celebrates songwriters and songwriting. Concerts, awards, and a golf tournament are held during the week.

4. Gospel Music Week

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 242-0303

Description: This industry event attracts artists, record company personnel, radio representatives, concert promoters, and others who work in the gospel music industry.

5. Nashville Earth Day Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 242-5600
Address: 2500 West End Ave.

Description: Nashville celebrates Earth Day with a free, family-oriented festival on the weekend closest to the April 22 holiday. The event is usually held at Centennial Park and features live alternative-country, folk, blues, and bluegrass music; food and drink booths; and speakers from the mayor’s office and Tennessee Environmental Council.

6. Main Street Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals

7. Iroquois Steeplechase

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals

8. Cma Music Festival/Fan Fair

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Insider Pick:

Description: Tens of thousands of hard-core country-music fans, more than 70 hours of concerts, and long lines of autograph seekers: That’s this event in a nutshell. This mid-June festival attracts fans from around the world.

9. Nashville Independent Film Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 742-2500

Description: This early- to mid-June event features several days of film and video screenings from renowned and up-and-coming filmmakers from around the world, including Tennessee. As many as 200 films are featured, along with 15 to 20 workshops, film analyses, forums, and other events, some of which are led by well-known entertainment industry figures. Admission ranges from $5 to $8 for a single film; an all-festival pass is available for $250 to $350. Other ticket packages are available. Call for a schedule of daily and evening shows, or watch for a listing in local publications. NIFF members receive discount tickets as well as special benefits throughout the year, such as free admission to monthly screenings and discounts on tickets at Regal Green Hills 16.

10. Rc Cola And Moon Pie Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals

11. Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 726-5867

Description: Historic Jefferson Street, once known for its jazz, blues, and R&B music, is the location of this family-oriented music festival, which usually takes place on the third Saturday in June.

12. Miss Martha’S Old Fashioned Ice Cream Crankin’

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 4815 Franklin Rd.

13. African Street Festival

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals

14. Belle Meade Fall Fest

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 356-0501, (800) 270-3991
Address: 5025 Harding Rd.

Description: Around this time of year, leaves have begun changing from green to red, orange, and gold, and the unmistakable feeling of fall is in the air—a perfect time to celebrate the changing of the seasons at a fun outdoor event. This mid-Sept festival features antiques, crafts by noted artisans, local retail merchandise, food by local restaurants, a children’s festival, and music. Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12. The price includes a tour of the Greek Revival mansion.

15. Taca Fall Crafts Fair

City: Nashville, TN
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (615) 385-1904

Description: Nearly 200 crafters from around the country, selected for the quality of their work, exhibit at this juried market of fine crafts, held the last weekend in Sept. The fair is loaded with pottery, art jewelry, blown glass, photography, sculpture, and more. Crafts demonstrations and live music round out the activities. A food court with picnic tables is the perfect place to recharge or do some people-watching. Admission is free. The fair is presented by the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, which also presents the Tennessee Crafts Fair here the first weekend in May.
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