Nashville Events, Live Music & Things to Do 2025

From Ryman pews to riverboat nights, Lower Broadway honky-tonks to studio backstories—use this guide to compare tickets, book must-do tours, and stitch together a Nashville trip you’ll actually brag about.

Top Deals in Nashville

Jump to: Live Music & Honky-Tonks · Concerts & Venues · Sports · Museums, Studios & River Cruises · Food & Distillery Tours · Festivals & Big Weekends · By Month · FAQ

Live Music & Honky-Tonks

Music City means music nightly—multi-level stages on Lower Broadway, songwriter rounds, and classic rooms where legends started out.

Fan Favorites

• Robert’s Western World · Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
• Lower Broadway multi-level bars (rotating bands)
• The Bluebird Café (intimate songwriter rounds—book early!)

Concerts & Venues

Headliners, residencies, and summer amphitheater nights—prime weekends go first, so grab tickets early.

Major Venues

• Ryman Auditorium
• Grand Ole Opry House
• Bridgestone Arena
• Ascend Amphitheater
• Nissan Stadium (select concerts & events)
• Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

Sports

Hockey nights, football Sundays, and MLS matchdays—compare seats and sections across marketplaces for best pricing.

Home Teams & Venues

• Tennessee Titans (NFL) — Nissan Stadium
• Nashville Predators (NHL) — Bridgestone Arena
• Nashville SC (MLS) — GEODIS Park
• College & special events — Vanderbilt · Municipal Auditorium

Museums, Studios & River Cruises

Trace country music’s story from Hatch show posters to Studio B pianos, then roll the Cumberland River on a dinner cruise.

Don’t Miss

• Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum + Hatch Show Print
• RCA Studio B Tour (combo with the Hall of Fame)
• Johnny Cash Museum
• General Jackson Showboat (dinner cruise)
• Hop-on Hop-off trolley loops

Food & Distillery Tours

Hot chicken, barbecue, biscuits, and Tennessee whiskey—guided tastings beat the lines and include transport.

Easy Wins

• Hot Chicken & BBQ tasting tour
• Goo Goo Cluster class & sweets walk
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery day trip (Lynchburg)
• Local brewery & distillery crawls (DD included)

Festivals & Big Weekends

Citywide music weeks and holiday blowouts fill fast—book early.

• CMA Fest (Jun): stadium shows & free stages
• Let Freedom Sing! (Jul 4): downtown fireworks & concerts
• Live On The Green (late summer): free outdoor series
• New Year’s Eve (Big Bash): downtown stages & fireworks
• AmericanaFest (Sep): showcases & industry events
• Tin Pan South (spring): songwriter festival

Nashville by Month

Spring and fall are perfect for patios and shows; summers are hot but lively; winters bring great midweek deals.

• Jan–Mar: Theater, comedy, and winter deals
• Apr–Jun: Patio season; CMA Fest in June
• Jul–Sep: Amphitheater shows, fireworks & festivals
• Oct–Dec: Preds/Titans in season; holiday & NYE blowouts

Nashville FAQ

Do I need a car?

Base near Downtown, SoBro, or The Gulch and use rideshare or trolley loops—tours cover farther-out stops.

Where should I stay?

Downtown/SoBro for arenas & honky-tonks; The Gulch for dining; East Nashville for indie nights.

How early should I book Opry/Ryman?

As soon as you know your dates—small rooms and prime weekends sell first.

How do I save?

Bundle tours, target midweek shows, and compare prices across marketplaces.