Music City invites visitors to celebrate a year of historic milestones, highly anticipated openings and the expansion of vibrant neighborhoods.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the calendar turns to 2026, Music City invites visitors to celebrate a year of historic milestones, highly anticipated openings and the expansion of vibrant neighborhoods. From exciting new restaurants and hotels to the two-day celebration of America 250, Nashville blends its rich heritage with fresh energy, promising unforgettable moments for all.
Hotels
Coming in 2026, the Songteller Hotel will celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton through a full-service, themed hotel experience in downtown Nashville. Developed by The Dollywood Company and Herschend Entertainment Studios, the hotel will include a museum, rooftop bar, live entertainment, and immersive storytelling elements inspired by Dolly's songs and journey.
The Chloe, from LeBLANC+SMITH, opens in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village neighborhood, paying homage to the city’s musical roots. The boutique hotel transforms the former home of Asylum Records, having worked with artists Bob Dylan, Chris Stapleton, Joni Mitchell, and George Jones, into 19 rooms, three bars, and a Creole-meets-Southern restaurant from Chef Matt Regan.
Restaurants
Nashville’s dining scene is expanding in 2026 with several highly anticipated restaurant openings. The award-winning team behind Nashville’s Noko and Kase x Noko, celebrated for their inventive Asian-inspired menus and led by James Beard semifinalist Dung “Junior” Vo, will open their third restaurant, Kuya, in 2026 in the West End neighborhood. Prime + Proper, a modern steakhouse from Detroit, will open its second location at Nashville Yards, featuring meticulously sourced meats, an extensive wine cellar, and the city’s largest restaurant dry-aging facility. In Germantown, Indaco will bring housemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Additionally, Ocean Prime, a nationally recognized upscale seafood and steakhouse, is set to debut at Nashville Yards.
Expansions to Downtown
Following a period of extensive renovations over the past two years, The Nashville Arcade, a historic treasure that opened in 1902 as the city’s first shopping center, re-opened to the public in early 2025 and will continue to develop throughout 2026. An authentic, urban-scale destination bringing over 30 unique restaurant, bar, and retail concepts to the heart of Music City's downtown, The Arcade will add Bar Roze, a concept from the mind behind Nashville’s locally loved Cafe Roze and Roze Pony, as well as the Michelin-acclaimed omakase, Sushi by Scratch.
And, on Broadway, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, a historic landmark and longtime gathering place for musicians and music fans since 1947, will reopen its doors following a major renovation.
Nashville and the state of Tennessee Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
In celebration of America's 250th birthday, Nashville will host Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th, a FREE two-day celebration featuring global headliners alongside the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony and one of the nation’s largest fireworks shows. Additionally, many Nashville attractions will be participating in Tennessee America 250, including Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Fort Nashborough, Tennessee State Museum, Historic Travelers Rest, and more.
Opry 100 Continues
The Grand Ole Opry will continue its celebration of 100 years as the world’s longest-running radio program. The Grand Ole Opry, which has become a global phenomenon, has played host legendary performers such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Hank Willams, and today’s top artists such as Luke Combs, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker. In celebration of this iconic anniversary, the Grand Ole Opry will have more shows on their calendar than ever before, giving visitors more opportunities to see a performance live and in person through Fall 2026.
Additional Anniversaries
Fisk Jubilee Singers will celebrate 155 years of musical excellence. Formed in 1871, following the Civil War, to raise funds for Fisk University, the group performed for audiences around the world—including Queen Victoria—and helped shape Nashville’s identity as Music City. Also celebrating a milestone, the National Museum of African American Music marks its 5th anniversary and continues to showcase the deep influence of African American music across all genres—highlighting Nashville’s place at the heart of music’s legacy.
Frist Art Museum will celebrate 25 years. Housed in a beautifully preserved Art Deco former post office, the museum is unique as a non-collecting institution that brings world-class rotating exhibitions from around the globe to Nashville. This milestone highlights the Frist’s ongoing commitment to enriching Nashville’s vibrant and dynamic arts scene.
Loveless Cafe will celebrate 75 years as a beloved Nashville institution known for its Southern comfort food and legendary biscuits. Founded in 1951, the cafe began as a roadside stop and has since become a cherished part of the city’s culinary heritage. Throughout the year, Loveless will host special celebrations and activations around Nashville to honor this milestone anniversary.
Nashville Ballet celebrates its 40th anniversary with the Ruby Season, a landmark year honoring decades of innovative dance and artistry. In 2026, audiences will see major productions of the timeless classic Swan Lake (February 27-March 1, 2026), featuring breathtaking choreography, stunning visuals, and live accompaniment by the Nashville Symphony, and Sherlock (May 1-3, 2026), a bold genre-blending reimagination of the iconic literary detective.
3rd & Lindsley celebrates 35 years as a cornerstone of Music City’s independent music scene in February 2026. To mark this milestone, the iconic venue will host a series of special anniversary shows honoring its rich history and enduring legacy, while also expanding its daytime and family-friendly programming.
Other notable celebrations in 2026 include The Union Station Nashville Yards marking its 40th anniversary as a luxury boutique hotel and premier event destination, and The Catbird Seat celebrating 15 years as a nationally recognized launching pad for some of the country’s most celebrated chefs.
Return of 615 Indie Live
After a successful inaugural event in 2025, 615 Indie Live returns February 7, 2026, for a day of celebrating Music City’s independent venues and artists. Visitors can expect a lineup of artists and musicians performing across locally loved venues throughout the city. The one-day music event will shine a spotlight on Nashville’s vibrant local music scene, while raising money to support its treasured independent music venues. Proceeds from ticket sales contribute to the Music Venue Alliance Nashville’s Emergency Relief Fund and operating budget.
Global Acts
Nashville is set to host some of the world’s biggest musical acts in 2026. Ed Sheeran will bring his Loop Tour to Nissan Stadium on June 20. My Chemical Romance celebrates the 20th anniversary of their iconic album The Black Parade at Nissan Stadium on August 13. Country legend Alan Jackson will conclude his storied career with his highly anticipated Farewell Tour, closing with a big finale in Nashville.
To stay up to date on all the latest news and information regarding Nashville, be sure to follow @VisitMusicCity on social media platforms, or head over to visitmusiccity.com.
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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