12 Summer Bucket List Ideas in Nashville and Beyond

Nashville has SO much to do and various events to attend. I’m sure you know that if you live here or if you are visiting. Below is a list of several events that occur annually in Nashville! The dates for this year, 2023, are included. It is sure to keep your summer exciting.

If you live here, make it a point to try something new this year, or if you are visiting, you can plan to come for one of these or plan around it if you want a typical weekend! Many of these things occur in Nashville, but some are in the surrounding areas and around Tennessee.

1. Brew at the Zoo (June 2, 2023)

The zoo hosts these fundraising, adults-only events every few months. They include after hours admission with tons of vendors. These usually include food trucks, 60+ craft brewery, wine, and cider samples, AND live music. Admission costs $85 but includes everything and supports the local zoo. To escape the kids and get a cool event, definitely try checking this out. Plus, you get to have this special time to see all the animals!

To get tickets or see more information about this event, click here: Brew at the Zoo.

2. CMA Fest (June 8-11th, 2023)

If you’re a country music fan, you have to attend CMA Fest at least once in your life. It is 4 straight days of country music and events. I went probably 10 years ago, but me and my friends regularly reminisce on the fun. Pretty much all of the big country artists play during the weekend, and the tailgating is one of the best parts. It can get super hot, so definitely make sure to stay hydrated! While there are shows mostly at night, other smaller shows happen downtown during the day. It is a good way to be a tourist during the day and go to all the shows at night!

To see the lineup or get tickets, click here: CMA Fest.

3. Bonnaroo (June 15-18th, 2023)

I know everyone has heard of Bonnaroo. It is a huge festival about an hour south of Nashville on “the farm”. People camp out for 4 days seeing live music and going to different stations all day long. It is definitely more rugged than other festivals, because people stay there instead of commute in each day. Pretty much everyone I know who has attended has told me how carefree, friendly, and loving everyone is. It is definitely a community down there, and the lineup is almost always perfect.

To get tickets or see the lineup, click here: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

4. NightLight 615 (June 16-October 27th, 2023)

Another fun casual event to attend is NightLight 615. This is an outdoor, adults-only movie night. It happens most Thursdays and some Fridays. I got to go last year, and I think they do it so well. The event is packed with amazing food trucks and beer/wine options. They are on a rotating schedule, so each week is completely different. You can easily look up each night to see what to expect, but the options are always so good! Before the show, you can wander around, get food and drinks, and just hang out and get a seat. This is great to go to with friends or on a date!

To see the schedule, vendors, or ticket options, click here: NightLight 615.

5. Music City Hot Chicken Festival (July 4, 2023)

Every year on the Fourth of July, you can start your celebration by eating tons of different hot chicken. I mean, I cannot physically eat that much hot chicken. But, this would be a great way to taste the different flavors and styles of many local hot chicken restaurants. On top of hot chicken stands, you can also check out other vendors and stop at the beer tent! This is typically in East Nashville, and you can see the information for this year closer to time.

For more information about location and vendors, click here: Music City Hot Chicken Festival.

6. Let Freedom Sing! (July 4th)

Hailed as one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, Nashville really does it big for this holiday. This year, Brad Paisley is headlining, because no Nashville event is complete without live music. All weekend around the holiday, you can find tons of things to do around the city. When it comes to the firework show, you have to get there early if you want a spot. It gets SO crowded on the bridge and downtown. Make sure you have everything you need and you can park it on a blanket there until it starts. It can also be a little overwhelming, so if you aren’t a fan of huge crowds, maybe watch from another spot!

For more information about this year’s event, click here: Let Freedom Sing!

7. Music City Grand Prix (August 4-6th, 2023)

I’m planning to go this year! As usual, Nashville just loves a big event that takes over downtown. They somehow create a track right in the heart of downtown Nashville. The whole event, of course, has live music and tons of different food trucks. The whole area becomes an INDYCAR racing venue. Similar to NASCAR, INDYCAR is essentially just a different type of car. I didn’t know this, so it’s always good to learn. Also, I’m going to the Indy 500 this year, so I’m excited to see how fun racing events can be.

To check out the schedule, get tickets, or just check out the magnitude of this event, click here: Music City Grand Prix.

8. Tomato Art Fest (August 11-12, 2023)

In one of the best areas of the city, Five Points in East Nashville, Tomato Art Fest takes over for a weekend. Surprisingly, this event brings in tons of visitors every year. Packed full of tomato-themed art, entertainment, costumes, and contests, there is really something for everyone. They of course have music, food, local vendors, and so much more. Again, costumes are definitely encouraged! And on the plus side, it is free to attend! This is definitely one of the more unique events in Nashville, so you should if you like unique plans.

For more information about contests, entertainment, and vendors, click here: Tomato Art Fest.

9. Live on the Green (Labor Day Weekend)

Live on the Green is easily one of the best free concert series that Nashville has. It is located in Public Square Park, and right in front of the courthouse. They always have great artists, and it is effortlessly a fun time. It used to be week to week and less popular, so I will say I used to go a lot more back in the day.

But, now it’s easier for people to visit and see so much more at once. And it gives us locals a cool event to pop in for to see artists we like! They have food trucks and drinks available. And, if you want to make it a whole night, head right down a few blocks and you’ll hit Broadway to keep the celebrating going.

To see the schedule, lineup, or just the multiple vendors, click here: Live on the Green.

10. Nashville Soccer Club Game or Nashville Sounds Game

Outdoor sporting events are just the best in the summer. Nashville Sounds have games very frequently all through the summer, and they have such a fun space in Germantown. You can walk around, hang out at the bar and social area, watch the game, play games, and definitely get the popcorn. Nashville Soccer Club has the new Geodis Park stadium.

This stadium is so new and very nice, with the best food and drinks. Make sure to get a hot dog from Daddy’s Dogs! They absolutely can’t be beat. Maybe I’m biased because my brother-in-law got us free tickets to the section with the unlimited food and drink already included!

Sounds Games (all summer through September 24, 2023) – to get tickets, click here: Nashville Sounds Tickets.

NSC Games (all summer through October 21, 2023) – to see the schedule or get tickets, click here: Nashville Soccer Club.

11. Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Something that is definitely on my Tennessee bucket list is the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. I’ve only been to maybe 3 or 4! I have this on the summer bucket list, because there are distilleries all across the state. What better time to go on a road trip or plan a few trips to try them all out? To keep track, you can get yourself a passport to be stamped whenever you visit one! They also have an event in Nashville every year where it is basically a big whiskey festival and you can try many of the distilleries from the list.

This is a great way to see the state and support local. You can do tastings or just see the different ways they are made. Probably the most famous is Jack Daniels closely followed by Ole Smoky, a mostly-moonshine distillery and well-known in Nashville and Gatlinburg.

To check out all the participating distilleries or to get your own passport, click here: Tennessee Whiskey Trail

12. Take a Weekend Trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Another way to see one of the most beautiful parts of the state is to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rent a cabin or go camping, but definitely make it a point to hike around in different areas! Great Smoky Mountains is a pretty unique from other parks I’ve visited. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, this national park doesn’t really have an “entrance” or a noticeable starting point to drive around the park.

You can go to the Visitor Center in Gatlinburg to get a map, and from there you can look up where you want to go. Two of the most popular areas are Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome. There are also hikes all around the park, so make sure you plan well ahead of time – but, definitely don’t miss this national park.

For more information about this park, click here: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.