NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The summer concert calendar is heating up at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, with a vibrant lineup of performers visitors won’t want to miss.
The schedule features popular Thursday Night Out performances, the return of the Under the Stars Concert Series, and a new addition courtesy of a partnership with Nashville’s legendary independent record store, Grimey’s New & Preloved Music.
Performers representing all styles and sounds are gearing up to take the stage surrounded by Cheekwood’s lush gardens. Music at Cheekwood is a celebration that delights and entertains music lovers of all ages. Each year, Cheekwood presents over 100 special musical performances and concerts featuring the region’s finest players, writers, and singers.
“It’s going to be a great summer of music at Cheekwood,” said Mark Mason, Director of Music at Cheekwood. “We’re bringing in so many incredible musicians and performers, and what makes it truly special is how easy and relaxing it is to enjoy a show here. It’s a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere where you can take in unforgettable music surrounded by the beauty of our gardens.”
Thursday Night Out
May 29 – August 28 | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday weekly concerts on Arboretum Lawn offer an adventure through song, food, and drink. Enjoy a diverse mix of musical performances while savoring delicious bites from food trucks and seasonal libations all while exploring Cheekwood’s beautiful gardens and this year’s blockbuster exhibition, Enchanted Castles.
Grimey’s in the Garden
June 5
Cheekwood and Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, Nashville’s legendary independent record store, are teaming up for three special Grimey’s in the Garden events in 2025. Enjoy Grimey's DJs spinning house music before the show and during set breaks. Experience the best local and regional bands, curated by Grimey's, performing live in Cheekwood's beautiful garden setting. Grimey’s will also offer a chance to win tickets for Grimey’s in the Garden through giveaways at the Grimey's location at 1060 E. Trinity Lane.
Upcoming Performers
May 29 | Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra
The Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra is a powerhouse 18-piece jazz ensemble featuring saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a dynamic rhythm section.
June 5 | Grimey’s in the Garden featuring Sunny Dada and his AfrikokoRoot Afrobeat Ensemble
Sunny Dada is a Nigerian American musician and the frontman of AfrikokoRoot, a 12-piece Afrobeat ensemble blending traditional rhythms with modern influences.
June 12 | Take the Highway
Take the Highway invites you on a musical journey through the legendary catalogs of the Marshall Tucker Band, Pure Prairie League, and Loggins and Messina.
June 19 | Wolph
Wolph is a high-energy, Virginia-based jam band known for their fiery picking and electrifying live performances specializing in the music of the Grateful Dead.
June 26 | End of the Line
End of the Line is the premiere Allman Brothers Tribute Band with a sound as classic and heavy as the original Brothers themselves.
July 3 | Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes is a Grammy-nominated fiddler, vocalist, and songwriter known for her dynamic contributions to bluegrass music.
July 10 | Deep Fried Five
Get ready for an evening of electrifying soul and funk as the Deep Fried Five bring their signature grooves that hit just right.
July 17 | Paul Childers
Nashville-based artist Paul Childers merges pop, R&B, and soul, reshaping the landscape of singer-songwriters and guitarists.
July 24 | Big Shoes
Big Shoes is a blues/roots supergroup of legendary players that have toured and recorded with legends like Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Etta James, Levon Helm, and more.
July 31 | St. Owsley
Based in Chattanooga, TN, St. Owsley is the top regional touring tribute band performing classics from the Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead catalogs.
August 7 | Charles “Wigg” Walker
Charles "Wigg" Walker, born in Nashville, has enjoyed a nearly 60-year career as a soul and R&B vocalist. He has shared stages with notable artists and continues to be a prominent figure in Nashville’s music scene.
August 14 | Cristina Vane
Cristina’s sound blends elements of Delta blues, rock, country blues, traditional country, and modern country into luscious sonic potions.
August 21 | Tiger Beats
One of the leanest, meanest blues combos around, the Tiger Beats are relentlessly grooving, taking a deep dive into no-nonsense 1950s and ’60s electric blues and soul.
August 28 | McKinley James
Performing a serious mix of Motown, soul, blues, and rock, McKinley James isn’t just a household name, he’s a household sound.
Thursday Night Out is made possible with generous support from Bose, Fork’s Drum Closet, Goat Turf and Corner Music.
Dog Nights of Summer
August 7, 14, 21 & 28
Bring your pup for an evening of music and dog-friendly fun on Thursdays in August. These special editions of Thursday Night Out will feature great music, dedicated drink stations for those with paws and libations for their families, local vendors offering treats and apparel for the pooches, and more. Bring the whole family, including the dog, to enjoy the perfect evening.
Under the Stars Concert Series
The Under the Stars Concert Series returns, offering the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the sounds of music’s most in-demand performers and players from across the nation, under the night sky at Cheekwood. Over three magical evenings, music fills the air while food trucks prepare mouthwatering bites and vendors offer wines by the bottle, local brews, and craft cocktails.
Under the Stars: An Evening with Rodney Crowell
June 4 | 7 p.m.
As a part of the Inaugural Cheekwood Community Celebration, legendary singer, songwriter, and Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell brings his timeless talent to Cheekwood for an intimate concert on Swan Lawn. Crowell is a legendary singer, songwriter, and performer whose career has spanned over five decades. Born in Houston, Texas, he emerged as a key figure in the outlaw country movement, blending literary storytelling with heartfelt melodies. Crowell first gained recognition as a songwriter, penning hits for Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash before launching his own successful recording career. Over the years, Crowell has continued to evolve, earning Grammy Awards, Americana Music Honors, and widespread critical acclaim. His songwriting, deeply personal and poetic, has influenced generations of artists.
General Admission Tickets: $65 Members | $75 Not-Yet-Members
Premium Package Tickets: $150 Members | $175 Not-Yet-Members
Songwriters Under the Stars
August 22 - 23 | 7 p.m.
Experience top Nashville hitmakers and musicians in a one-of-kind setting. Nestled on gorgeous Swan Lawn, the concert features chart-toppers Brett James, Trannie Anderson, and Tom Douglas, sharing songs and stories, accompanied by the renowned String Light Symphony. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy seasonal beers, wine by the bottle, craft cocktails, and local food trucks.
General Admission Tickets: $65 Members | $75 Not-Yet-Members
Premium Package Tickets: $150 Members | $175 Not-Yet-Members
Songwriters Under the Stars is presented by GSRM Law.
Ticket Information
Visit Cheekwood.org to reserve tickets to all upcoming musical performances. Reserving a timed-entry ticket in advance is required for all guests. During busy seasons and events, Cheekwood may reach parking capacity. If parking capacity is reached, walk-up tickets will only be available for those utilizing rideshare services.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.
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