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MUSIC CITY FESTIVALS
Throughout the year, Music City is highlighted with various festivals celebrating songwriters, music, authors, arts and crafts, food and wine, dance and holidays. Many of these festivals have received national media attention and attract large and diverse audiences. With so many options, there's something for everyone in Music City. Check out the most up-to-date event listings online at www.visitmusiccity.com and click on "Events Calendar."
JANUARY
Nashville Auto Fest
This event features a swap meet, car show and car corral. Trophies and prizes are awarded to car show entries.
Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Now in its 26th year, the Stellar Awards has become the premier gospel event that recognizes and honors gospel and continues to showcase top gospel artists.
FEBRUARY
Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville brings together nationally and internationally renowned experts and exhibitors in the fields of antiques, decorative arts and landscape design. The Antiques and Garden Show features 150 antique and horticultural booths and 10 innovative landscaped gardens. In addition, experts on the cutting edge of home and garden style offer special lectures.
Heart of Country Antiques Show
Located at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, the Heart of Country Antiques Show has over 200 dealers. See American master furniture, art, porcelain, quilts, wood and glass. Seminars, book signings and free personal appraisals are offered throughout the event.
Music City Soul Series
Scheduled in conjunction with Black History Month, the Music City Soul Series brings out some of Nashville's best musicians to rock the month of February. The series takes place at B.B. King's Blues Club and Restaurant every Thursday night in February.
Music Valley Antiques Market
The Music Valley Antiques Market is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and features over 150 of America's finest antique dealers displaying a wide range of merchandise.
Tailgate Antiques Show
Located at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, the bi-annual Tailgate Antiques Show offers an "early bird" viewing of period furniture, quilts, folk art, jewelry and pottery. Merchants, from 35 states representing 180 dealers, set up their goods for all to peruse.
MARCH
Nashville Lawn & Garden Show
Find an acre of live gardens, 250 exhibit booths, series of free lectures and a floral gallery. The Lawn & Garden Show is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
APRIL
Awesome April
Music City celebrates the month of April with Awesome April, a musical tribute to the city that promises a major event each weekend. Throughout the month visitors have the opportunity to be in the audience, attend one of the country's longest-running film festivals, run a marathon or relax to the sounds of acoustic guitars.
Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
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. Past performers include Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina and Diamond Rio. A two-day expo precedes race day with over 60 exhibits featuring free samples, the latest running shoes, sports apparel and health and nutrition products.
Nashville Film Festival
Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country. Each year, the Film Festival receives submissions of nearly 1,500 features, documentaries, shorts, animated works, children's and experimental films from all over the world. After pre-screening and deliberating, over 200 top entries from all genres are selected for the competition.
Rites of Spring
Sponsored by Vanderbilt University, Rites of Spring is a two-day festival that continually provides a lineup of the freshest artists in modern music to the Nashville community.
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
Presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Tin Pan South is a weeklong celebration, spotlighting Nashville as the world capital of songwriting, through the variety of songwriters who live and work here today. Club show performances are the highlight of Tin Pan South with over 80 shows at venues all over Music City throughout the week. Night after night, fans find the best songwriters in the world performing "in-the-round" in small intimate clubs. Past Tin Pan South performers include Art Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, Donna Summer, Loretta Lynn, Carole King, Garth Brooks, Janis Ian, Kenny Loggins, Peter Frampton and many more.
MAY
Running of the Iroquois Steeplechase
Bring a picnic or tailgate to the nation's oldest, continuously-run, weight-for-age steeplechase. The stylish event, a seven-race card with the featured Iroquois Memorial, benefits Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
TACA Spring Crafts Fair
The Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) is best known for its free, juried craft fairs. The May annual crafts fair in Centennial Park has served not only as a market for fine crafts, but as a conduit for demonstration programs, hands-on opportunities and the chance to meet and talk with professional craft artists. The three-day crafts festival attracts over 45,000 people to view the craftsmanship of over 200 exhibitors.
Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society's Concerts on the Lawn
Every Sunday evening from June through August, the Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society performs on the lawn of the Belle Meade Plantation. Guests are encouraged to enjoy hot blues and cool jazz with picnic baskets and blankets.
Tennessee Renaissance Festival
Travel back to a time when the music of harps and lyres filled the air. Open every weekend in May, the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival relives a time when jousting and jesters ruled the castle. The Tennessee Renaissance Festival is the only festival in the country that is held on the grounds of a castle residence. Castle Gwynn, a full-size replica of a 12thcentury border castle, is the centerpiece of the festivities. Tours of the castle and its displays of medieval weaponry are included in admission.
JUNE
American Artisan Festival
Some 160 artists from around the country are carefully selected to represent their areas of expertise which include wood, blown glass, photography, metal, quilts, stained glass, jewelry and more.
Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman
Every Thursday night from June through July, the Ryman Auditorium celebrates the sounds of Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs with the ever-popular Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman. Each week a different bluegrass artist or group takes center stage for two hours of banjos, mandolins, fiddles and guitars. Past performers include Vince Gill, Alison Krauss & Union Station and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.
CMA Music Festival
The CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, is a four-day musical event in downtown Nashville. Throughout the week over 160,000 fans converge in Music City to hear approximately 200 artists perform over 40 hours of live music. Daytime concerts are held on the Riverfront Park stage while evening concerts are held across the river at LP Field. Daytime events include autograph signings, fishing and archery tournaments and artists' Q&A sessions.
CMT Music Awards
As country music's first fan-voted awards show, the CMT Music Awards honors the best country music videos of the year. The awards show continues to gain in popularity among fans and in prominence among critics. The awards show airs live from Music City each year.
Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival
Jefferson Street comes alive when local jazz and blues musicians take over for a twoday block party celebrating the impact jazz and blues has had on Music City.
Taste of Music City
Located on the beautiful Public Square, Taste of Music City provides an opportunity to enjoy food and wine from some of the area's best restaurants. Taste of Music City also features live jazz music from local musicians.
JULY
Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!
Each year, the city of Nashville opens its downtown Riverfront Park on the 4th of July to spectators wanting to enjoy free entertainment and fireworks for Nashville's biggest one-day event (drawing crowds in excess of 100,000). Country music artists perform accompanied by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.
Music City Hot Chicken Festival
The annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival celebrates an original Nashville culinary tradition- hot chicken! This free event takes place on July 4th at the Music City Walk of Fame Park and features food from local restaurants, an amateur cooking competition, inflatable jumpys for the kids, the Yazoo Brewery beer garden, and of course, legendary Nashville music. The event runs from noon until 4pm.
Music City Brewer's Festival
Sample beers from Nashville, the region, the country and the world. The annual festival takes place at Walk of Fame Park every July.
AUGUST
Music City BBQ Festival
This event has finger-licking barbecue from all over the region. There's plenty to see and do with live music, cooking demos, entertainment and kid's activities. Held at Riverfront Park, the festival is sanctioned by both the Memphis BBQ Network and the Kansas BBQ Society.
SEPTEMBER
Tennessee State Fair
Music, agriculture, demolition derby, rides, eats, games and so much more make up this weeklong state fair at the Tennessee State Fair every September.
African Street Festival
This three-day annual event embraces the culture of Africa. The festival features exotic food and daily stage shows showcasing poetry, rap, reggae, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B and drama.
Americana Music Association Festival & Conference
The AMA Festival & Conference brings over 1,000 executives, professionals and artists together from all over the world, representing all facets of the industry. The festival features over 50 showcases and performances from both established and emerging artists.
Fall Fest
This favorite family event has been a tradition at historic Belle Meade Plantation for years. Fall Fest features fine antiques, art, crafts, live music, food and children's activities.
Greek Festival
Experience Greek dance, music, food and culture at the annual Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Tours of the cathedral are included in the admission cost.
John Merritt Classic
The John Merritt Classic, an annual Labor Day weekend event, sees over 20,000 fans gather for football and fun. Weekendlong festivities include Tennessee State University's season opening football game, a charity golf tournament, concerts and special activities. The Classic is named in honor of legendary former TSU collegiate Hall of Fame coach John Ayers Merritt.
TACA Fall Crafts Fair
The Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) is best known for its free, juried craft fairs. The annual crafts fair in Centennial Park has served not only as a market for fine crafts, but as a conduit for demonstration programs, hands-on opportunities and the chance to meet and talk with professional craft artists. The three-day crafts festival attracts over 45,000 people to view the craftsmanship of 200 exhibitors.
Wine on the River
Wine on the River is an outdoor wine festival with live jazz music. Located on the downtown Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge overlooking the Cumberland River, the festival features more than 300 domestic and international wine selections for tasting.
OCTOBER
Celebration of Cultures
Each year the grounds of Scarritt- Bennett Center are filled with food, art and fun, from representatives of more than 50 cultures. Activities include music, dance, crafts and ethnic art.
Grand Ole Opry Birthday Bash
Thousands of Grand Ole Opry fans help celebrate the Opry's birthday each October. The signature event of the Opry features autograph and picture sessions with Opry members, Grand Ole Opry Birthday Bash shows, tours of the Opry House and more.
Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue
Each year over 50 domestic and 18 international championship cook-off teams vie for the Jack Daniel's title of Grand Champion, and more than 25,000 people descend upon Lynchburg to bask in the aroma of award-winning barbecue and celebrate one of America's favorite pastimes.
Music Valley Antiques Market
The Music Valley Antiques Market is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and features over 150 of America's finest antique dealers displaying a wide range of merchandise. The event is held twice a year in October and February.
Native American Indian Association Pow Wow
The NAIA Pow Wow brings together Native Americans from across the nation and Canada. Highlights of the festival include competitive dancing, storytelling, demonstrations, fine art displays and food booths with traditional dishes from different tribes.
Next Big Nashville + Leadership Music Digital Summit
Next Big Nashville (NBN) showcases the best of the thriving Nashville music scene and artistic community with this five-day music festival featuring over 100 bands performing at several venues throughout the city. The conference and festival focuses on today's music and digital media.
Tailgate Antiques Show
Located at the Tennessee ST, the bi-annual Tailgate Antiques Show offers an "early bird" viewing of period furniture, quilts, folk art, jewelry and pottery. Merchants, from 35 states representing 180 dealers, set up their goods in hotel rooms and in adjoining parking spaces outside the hotel. The event is held twice a year in October and February.
Oktoberfest, Nashville's Original German Festival
Live German music, authentic polka dancing, strolling accordion players and authentic German food and beverages bring the historic Germantown neighborhood to life.
World of Bluegrass: Bluegrass Fan Fest and IBMA Music Awards
The Bluegrass Fan Fest is the indoor music festival of the year featuring performances by the industry's top performers on four stages over the course of six days. The festival also includes a 100 + booth Exposition Hall, scores of jam sessions and more! The week ends with the International Bluegrass Music Awards which salutes the year's outstanding achievements during a fast-paced evening of fabulous performances and the music's major awards.
NOVEMBER
Christmas at Belmont
November through December, Belmont Mansion decorates for the holidays with yards of garland, fruit, dried flowers and traditional tussie-mussies. It's a beautiful time of year to take a tour!
Christmas Village
The annual event at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds showcases holiday arts and crafts from over 260 merchants and benefits the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center.
A Country Christmas
Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas is proud to present the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes such as the "Living Nativity" and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." There's Louise Mandrell's Christmas Dinner & Show; ICE! and SNOW!; Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; the General Jackson Showboat; Santa's E-mail; Carriage Rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights.
Holiday Harmony
There's something for everyone during the holiday season. From costumed docents reenacting holiday life in the 1800s to stage performances bringing out the holiday spirit. Celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Posada Navidad and more. Enjoy history, arts, crafts, theatre, dance and song in Music City during the holidays.
Plantation Christmas
Each November through January, Travellers Rest Plantation decorates the plantation home in the style and tradition of an 1830's Christmas.
Season of Celebration
From November through December, guests enjoy the traditions of many cultures during Season of Celebration at Cheekwood. Share the magic of the season with fabulous holiday decorations, Christmas trees and multicultural exhibits.
Victorian Holiday Tours
See the 1853 Belle Meade Plantation lavishly adorned in Victorian splendor and learn about the family's traditions. Featured on "Southern Living Presents" on Turner South cable network in 2005.
DECEMBER
Annual Tribute to African Americans in the Battle of Nashville
Tour the significant battle sites where the Civil War Battle of Nashville occured on December 15 and 16, 1864, including Fort Negley and Shy's Hill. Pay tribute to the African Americans who fought in battle with a wreath-laying at the National Cemetery.
Franklin American Mortgage Company Music City Bowl
Be a part of the excitement for the annual post-season college football game at LP Field. The bowl pits an SEC school against an ACC rival in a game broadcast nationwide on ESPN.
Music City New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway
The biggest party of the year takes place on Lower Broad in downtown Music City. Live music, fireworks and thousands of your closest friends.
Additional Music City Festivals & Annual Events:
Tennessee State Fair Flea Market (4th weekend each month) • Live! @ Cheekwood (June-October) • Musicians Corner (July-October) • 12th South Concert Series (August-September) • Nashville Shakespeare Festival (August-September) • Home Decorating & Remodeling Show (September) • Buzzfest (September) • Live on the Green concert series (September-October) • Southern Festival of Books (October) • Tennessee Beer Festival (October) • Inspirational Country Music Week (October) • Music & Molasses Arts & Crafts Festival (October) • Nashville Jewish Film Festival (November) • CMA Awards (November) • Artrageous (November)
Click on any of the linked Press Kit pieces below to view.
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