Nashville’s Best Yearly Events: Music, Food, Festivals & More!

Nashville is always buzzing with events, offering something for every interest year-round. From legendary music festivals like CMA Fest and AmericanaFest to high-energy celebrations like the Hot Chicken Festival and Music City Brewer’s Fest, the city keeps the party going. Meanwhile, cultural favorites like the Cherry Blossom Festival add a touch of tradition and charm. Plus, with sporting events, craft fairs, and seasonal holiday extravaganzas, Nashville’s calendar is packed with excitement. No matter the season, there’s always something unforgettable waiting to be discovered in Music City.

Want to explore upcoming events? Check out this guide! 🎭🍗🎸

This content is taken from the upcoming book Nashville Local’s Guide for Visitors and Newbies, which you can support on Kickstarter by clicking the link above. This article may contain affiliate links, which compensate me a bit for my time at no extra cost to you.

Music Events

Country/Americana Events

Nashville’s music scene thrives year-round, from cozy songwriter rounds to massive festivals with global appeal. For example, CMA Fest, AmericanaFest, and Live on the Green keep stages glowing with nonstop talent. Meanwhile, new artists and surprise pop-ups add fresh energy to the mix every season. Additionally, countless bars, rooftops, and hidden gems showcase live performances every night, making sure the city’s rhythm never stops. If you’re eager to discover what’s next, check out upcoming events! Check out this guide! 🎸

Below are the biggest Country Music Events.

CMA Fest

CMA Fest is Nashville’s biggest country music celebration, held every June with four days of nonstop performances and fan experiences. For starters, it features hundreds of artists and thousands of fans gathering for concerts, meet-and-greets, and unforgettable moments. Meanwhile, free daytime shows on Lower Broadway complement star-studded stadium concerts at Nissan Stadium. Additionally, the lineup blends emerging talent with country legends, offering something for every fan. Whether you’re chasing chart-toppers, exploring Fan Fair X, or soaking in Music City’s energy, CMA Fest delivers the ultimate experience.

For a full guide on events, tips, and must-see performances, check out my page on the CMA Fest! 🎶

CMA Awards

The CMA Awards is country music’s biggest night, celebrating the genre’s top artists, songwriters, and industry professionals. Held annually in November at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, the event features star-studded performances, emotional wins, and unforgettable collaborations. Since its inception in 1967, the CMA Awards has honored country music’s brightest talents. It has also evolved into one of the most prestigious awards shows in the industry. The ceremony is broadcast live on ABC, allowing fans worldwide to experience the magic of country music’s biggest moments. For details on this year’s event, including nominees and performances, visit the official CMA Awards website. 🎶

Americana Music Festival

The Americana Music Festival & Conference (AMERICANAFEST) is a five-day celebration of roots, folk, and Americana music. Held every September in Nashville, it draws legendary artists, rising stars, and industry pros for a dynamic mix of events. For example, live showcases, panels, and networking sessions fill the schedule with energy and insight. Meanwhile, the prestigious Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium highlight the genre’s finest. Plus, with performances across multiple venues, fans enjoy an immersive dive into authentic storytelling and soulful sounds. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to Americana, this festival is a must-attend Music City experience.

For more details, check out AMERICANAFEST’s official site! 🔥🎻

Best Yearly Food & Drink Events

Music CityHot Chicken Festival

What screams America more than fireworks, freedom, and ridiculously spicy fried chicken? 🔥
Every July 4th, Nashville turns up the heat with the Music City Hot Chicken Festival. To start, this fiery celebration kicks off at 10:30 AM with the Fire Truck Parade at East Park. After that, the heat rises—literally—with spicy chicken that could light its own fireworks.
Meanwhile, local legends like Prince’s, Hattie B’s, Bolton’s, and 400 Degrees serve up sweat-inducing signature dishes. If your taste buds surrender, Yazoo Brewing offers ice-cold craft beer to cool things down. Beyond the food, there’s live music from local bands and an Amateur Cooking Competition for brave home chefs. Plus, there’s plenty of space to sit back, sweat, and rethink that extra-spicy order.

So whether you’re a hot chicken fanatic or just curious, this festival delivers heat, flavor, and patriotic fun.

For more details, visit the official festival website! 🔥🍗🎶

Other Food Festivals

Nashville has a vibrant culinary scene, and throughout the year, several events highlight the talents of local and celebrity chefs. Here’s a yearly calendar of food events that center around chefs:

• January – Nashville Scene’s Hot Chicken Week A week-long celebration of Nashville’s signature dish, featuring $8 hot chicken specials at top restaurants across the city.
• April – Nashville Wine & Food Festival A chef-driven event featuring wine pairings, gourmet tastings, and live cooking demonstrations.
• July – Nashville Scene’s Burger Week A week-long event where participating restaurants offer discounted gourmet burgers, letting diners vote for the best in town.
• July – Nourish A fundraising dinner hosted by The Nashville Food Project, bringing together Nashville’s most innovative chefs for a multi-course meal with wine pairings.
• October – Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival While focused on beverages, this event includes chef-led food pairings and tastings.

These events showcase Nashville’s best chefs, offering exclusive dining experiences, competitions, and tastings throughout the year.

Beer Festivals

Nashville’s beer scene is thriving year-round, offering festivals that celebrate craft brews, local breweries, and beer lovers alike. 🍻 For example, whether you’re looking to sip lagers while watching hockey, enjoy a fall-themed beer bash, or dive into rare and experimental brews, Music City has a beer festival for every kind of enthusiast. Moreover, from big community events to intimate tastings, these festivals highlight the best brews from Nashville and beyond, giving fans a chance to explore new flavors, meet local brewers, and enjoy great music along the way. To help you plan, here’s a yearly calendar of Nashville’s top beer festivals, so you never miss a chance to raise a glass! 🍺

• February – Science of Beer Held at Adventure Science Center, blending craft beer with science exhibits for a unique experience.
• April – East Nashville Beer Festival Hosted at East Park, featuring local and regional breweries, live music, and food trucks.
• June – Brew at the Zoo Enjoy craft beer and animal encounters at the Nashville Zoo during this fun evening event.
• June – Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival Held at Bridgestone Arena, combining hockey fandom with craft beer tastings.
• August – Music City Brewer’s Fest One of Nashville’s biggest beer festivals, hosted at Walk of Fame Park, featuring live music and unlimited tastings.
• September – Nashville Brew Festival Held at First Horizon Park, offering a wide selection of craft beers with a baseball stadium backdrop.
• October – Touch of Brews A fall-themed beer festival at Sevier Park, featuring local breweries and live entertainment.
• October – Nashville Oktoberfest A massive German beer festival in Germantown, with traditional food, music, and steins of beer. Local’s Tip: This festival has become less attractive since moving over to Bicentennial Park and allowing in all sorts of merchants, introducing carnival food, and becoming less authentic.
• October – Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival Hosted at Two Rivers Mansion, offering craft beer, wine tastings, and artisan vendors.

Nashville’s beer scene is thriving, with festivals happening almost year-round! Let me know if you’d like more details on any of these. 🍻🔥

Sports

Nashville hosts a variety of yearly sports events, ranging from marathons and endurance races to professional team competitions. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest annual sporting events:

🏅 Annual Races & Sporting Events

• April – 🏃‍♂️ St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon One of the city’s largest races, featuring a marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, with live music along the course.
• June – 🏊‍♂️ Music City Triathlon: A swim-bike-run event that attracts athletes from across the country. Held in downtown Nashville.
• September – 🥃 Whiskey Run Nashville A 5K, 10K, and half marathon celebrating Tennessee’s whiskey heritage with post-race festivities.
• October – 🏅 Nashville 1/2 Marathon & 5K A scenic race through the city, offering half marathon and 5K distances.
• November – 🏔️ Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon A challenging, hilly marathon through Percy Warner Park, known for its tough terrain and cult-like following.
• November – 🦃 Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1 Mile: A Thanksgiving Day tradition, bringing runners together for a festive holiday race.

⚽🏈🏒⚾ Professional Sports Teams & Seasons

• 🏈 Tennessee Titans (NFL) – Play at Nissan Stadium, with games from September to January.
• 🏒 Nashville Predators (NHL) – Play at Bridgestone Arena, with games running from October to April.
• ⚽ Nashville SC (MLS) – Play at GEODIS Park, with matches from February to October.
• ⚾ Nashville Sounds (MiLB) – Play at First Horizon Park, with games from April to September.

Whether you’re a runner, sports fan, or competitor, Nashville offers year-round action across multiple disciplines.

Pop Culture and Gaming Events

🎭 Comic Con & Pop Culture Events in Nashville

Nashville has several comic con-style events throughout the year, celebrating comics, pop culture, gaming, and cosplay. Here are some of the biggest ones:

• 🎭 Nashville Comicon – June. Held at The Fairgrounds Nashville, featuring special guests, artist alley, vendor market, and cosplay competitions.
• 🎮 IC Collectors Convention – May. A toy and collectibles convention at Sheraton Music City, with a focus on Star Wars, comics, and vintage memorabilia.

Others in State:

• 🦸 Volunteer Valley Comic Con – June. Hosted in Morristown, TN, featuring comic artists, vendors, and pop culture panels.
• 🎬 Fanboy Expo Knoxville – July. A pop culture convention in Knoxville, bringing together celebrities, artists, and fans.
• 🏰 Chattanooga Comic Con – September. A comic and gaming convention in Chattanooga, featuring cosplay, panels, and collectibles.

🎲 Board Game Conventions & Gaming Events in Nashville

For tabletop and board game enthusiasts, Nashville offers gaming conventions and community events throughout the year:

• 🎲 TN Game Days – March & October. A three-day board gaming event hosted twice a year, bringing together tabletop gamers for open play, tournaments, and charity fundraising.
• 🎲 Music City Multi Con – November. Nashville’s premier gaming, anime, and pop culture convention, featuring tabletop gaming, RPGs, and board games.
• 🎲 Nashville Tabletop Day – April. A one-day board gaming event celebrating tabletop games, strategy, and community play, hosted by Meeple Mountain.

Beyond conventions, Nashville has several great gaming spaces for board game fans to gather, play, and compete. Game Terminal, Game Cave, and Game Point Board Game Café offer casual and competitive gaming, along with food, drinks, and community events.

🎌 Anime Conventions in Nashville

Anime fans can enjoy yearly conventions dedicated to Japanese pop culture, cosplay, and gaming:

• 🎌 Middle Tennessee Anime Convention (MTAC) – April. Nashville’s largest anime convention, featuring cosplay contests, gaming, panels, and Japanese fashion shows.
• 🎭 AkaiCon Senshi 7 – June. A fan-driven anime convention in Lebanon, TN, featuring cosplay, panels, and anime screenings.

Whether you’re into comics, board games, or anime, Nashville has plenty of conventions to explore! Let me know if you need more details. 🎨🔥

Final Thoughts

With so many incredible yearly events, Nashville truly offers something for everyone—from music lovers and foodies to festival-goers and sports fans. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or looking for hidden gems, these annual celebrations keep Music City buzzing all year long! 🎶✨

🔥 What’s your favorite Nashville event? Drop a comment below or visit my Contact Page to share your must-attend festivals. Or recommend topics for future articles! Let’s keep discovering the best of Nashville, together! 🤠🍻

Peace and Grace,