A fun summer doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag, but sometimes it sure seems that way! Nashville is a mecca for bachelorette parties and fun down on Broadway’s Honkytonk Highway, but we’re here to tell you that you can have ALL sorts of fun without ever opening your wallet. These ten free summer events take place all over the greater Nashville area this season, and we’re a fan of every single one of them.
- Live on the Green Music Festival
Live on the Green Music Festival - Facebook Nashville’s Live On The Green is the city’s favorite free outdoor music festival that takes place every August and draws over 100,000 people each year. Every Thursday night, Public Square Park transforms in to a concert venue, featuring acts like Sheryl Crow, Passion Pit, and Ben Folds.
- Music City Hot Chicken Festival
Music City Hot Chicken Festival - Facebook Every July 4th, East Nashville throws quite the party with their Music City Hot Chicken Festival. The festival is free, with free hot chicken samples being given out to the first 500 guests to show up.
- Shakespeare In The Park
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival - Facebook Nashville’s Shakespeare Festival celebrates every August through September with free Shakespeare performances at their dedicated outdoor stage in the One City development, just north of their old home in Centennial Park. The 2019 performances are currently scheduled to be The Tempest and Pericles. The shows are free, but donations are always appreciated.
- Nashville Symphony Community Concerts
Nashville Symphony - Facebook Continuing with the theme of free music in parks, the Nashville Symphony performs in free community concerts every summer all around the city. Concerts take place in different parks throughout June typically. You can find their full schedule for this here at their website.
- Centennial Park Big Band Dances
Centennial Park Big Band Dance - Facebook Love to go dancing but don’t want to pay the cover charge for a club? Check out the Big Band Dances in Centennial Park. The dances take place weekly on Saturday nights during the summer at the Event Center Pavillion near the northwest corner of the park, but be sure to check their Facebook page for any event updates.
- Nashville Scene’s Movies in the Park
Nashville Scene’s Movies in the Park - Facebook Have you caught the theme of free things in parks, yet? What can we say, we Nashvillians love the beautiful outdoor spaces in our city! The Nashville Scene obliges by providing free movies in Elmington Park on Thursdays in June, starting at sundown. For exact dates, times, and movie titles, visit their Facebook page.
- Tomato Art Fest
Tomato Art Fest - Facebook Every August, East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood transforms in to a giant block party dedicated to the humble tomato. That’s right, you can get tomato art, tomato food treats, and listen to live music (presumably also tomato themed…?) for free!
- Musicians Corner
Musicians Corner - Facebook Musician’s Corner is another free concert series that takes place in Centennial Park every Saturday afternoon in the summer. They always run in May/June, take a break for the hottest months, and pick back up in late August to run through September. The whole city shows up for this free concert series, and there are plenty of food trucks to feed the masses.
- Porter Flea
Porter Flea - Facebook Porter Flea is one of the most popular flea markets in Nashville, taking place only twice a year – once in the summer and once in December. This year’s summer flea market is June 28-29 at the Fairgrounds, and while the items on sale aren’t free, it’s always a great time to visit and see what local Nashville craftspeople are making!
- Nashville Cumberland Park Splash Pad
Nashville Cumberland Park - Facebook Located just across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville, Cumberland Park is the definition of a hidden gem. The park has its own splash pad play area that’s perfect for kids of all ages to cool off during the hot Tennessee summer.
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, this swinging bridge hike outside of Nashville provides all the adrenaline with none of the price.
Live on the Green Music Festival - Facebook
Nashville’s Live On The Green is the city’s favorite free outdoor music festival that takes place every August and draws over 100,000 people each year. Every Thursday night, Public Square Park transforms in to a concert venue, featuring acts like Sheryl Crow, Passion Pit, and Ben Folds.
Music City Hot Chicken Festival - Facebook
Every July 4th, East Nashville throws quite the party with their Music City Hot Chicken Festival. The festival is free, with free hot chicken samples being given out to the first 500 guests to show up.
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival - Facebook
Nashville’s Shakespeare Festival celebrates every August through September with free Shakespeare performances at their dedicated outdoor stage in the One City development, just north of their old home in Centennial Park. The 2019 performances are currently scheduled to be The Tempest and Pericles. The shows are free, but donations are always appreciated.
Nashville Symphony - Facebook
Continuing with the theme of free music in parks, the Nashville Symphony performs in free community concerts every summer all around the city. Concerts take place in different parks throughout June typically. You can find their full schedule for this here at their website.
Centennial Park Big Band Dance - Facebook
Love to go dancing but don’t want to pay the cover charge for a club? Check out the Big Band Dances in Centennial Park. The dances take place weekly on Saturday nights during the summer at the Event Center Pavillion near the northwest corner of the park, but be sure to check their Facebook page for any event updates.
Nashville Scene’s Movies in the Park - Facebook
Have you caught the theme of free things in parks, yet? What can we say, we Nashvillians love the beautiful outdoor spaces in our city! The Nashville Scene obliges by providing free movies in Elmington Park on Thursdays in June, starting at sundown. For exact dates, times, and movie titles, visit their Facebook page.
Tomato Art Fest - Facebook
Every August, East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood transforms in to a giant block party dedicated to the humble tomato. That’s right, you can get tomato art, tomato food treats, and listen to live music (presumably also tomato themed…?) for free!
Musicians Corner - Facebook
Musician’s Corner is another free concert series that takes place in Centennial Park every Saturday afternoon in the summer. They always run in May/June, take a break for the hottest months, and pick back up in late August to run through September. The whole city shows up for this free concert series, and there are plenty of food trucks to feed the masses.
Porter Flea - Facebook
Porter Flea is one of the most popular flea markets in Nashville, taking place only twice a year – once in the summer and once in December. This year’s summer flea market is June 28-29 at the Fairgrounds, and while the items on sale aren’t free, it’s always a great time to visit and see what local Nashville craftspeople are making!
Nashville Cumberland Park - Facebook
Located just across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville, Cumberland Park is the definition of a hidden gem. The park has its own splash pad play area that’s perfect for kids of all ages to cool off during the hot Tennessee summer.
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