While the summer doesn’t technically arrive until June, the days are getting longer, hotter and buggier. (And the Brood XIX cicadas certainly aren’t helping on the bug front.) Spiritually speaking, the summer has already arrived.
In this week’s Summer Guide, we’ll introduce you to a handful of the Nashville folks who are keeping the city cool, from venue and gallery owners to the Lady Kats and The Kentucky Gentlemen. Plus, see our extensive summer events calendar, compiled in part by outgoing editorial intern Sol Ayala. (We’ll miss you Sol!)
Read on, and stay cool.
May
May 16
Dive Hard Comedy at The Dive Motel: free weekly stand-up comedy, every Thursday
May 17
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Sunny War, Anthony da Costa, Danielle Durack and more
Special Olympics Tennessee Summer Games at Lipscomb University and Centennial Sportsplex (also May 18)
Bill Burr Live at Bridgestone Arena
Bill Burr
Ashley Layendecker and Katie Shaw on creating a name for Nashville in an international market
May 18
To Till a Seed: Keith Jackson and Desmond Lewis opening reception at Red Arrow; exhibit through June 29
Walk Bike Nashville’s 20th Annual Tour de Nash: all routes start on 51st Avenue North in the Nations
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Lissie, Nordista Freeze, special guest Vince Gill and more
Cornelia Airpark Concerts feat. Brett Sheroky, Roadie, and Zachariah Malachi and the Nashville Counts at Cornelia Fort Airpark
Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United FC at Geodis Park
Tennessee Renaissance Festival at Castle Park in Arrington (also May 19, 25-27)
May 19
Sunday Swing in the Courtyard at Williamson County Performing Arts Center feat. 5 Points Swing Band, complimentary dance lessons, food trucks and more
May 20
Todd Rundgren at the Ryman
May 21
Nashville Sounds vs. Charlotte Knights at First Horizon Park (through May 26)
The Happy Froggers Knitting and Crochet Social Club at Nashville Public Library Edmondson Pike Branch: every Tuesday
May 22
Regi Wooten and Friends at Rudy's Jazz Room
May 23
Summer Teas at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens’ Café 29, every Tuesday and Thursday through June 27
Summer Teas at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens’ Café 29
May 24
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. corook, Morgxn, Jarren Blair and more
May 25
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Rayland Baxter, Max McNown, Chrome Pony and more
BrickUniverse Lego Fan Event at the Farm Bureau Exposition Center in Lebanon (also May 26)
May 26
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Courtney Marie Andrews, Caitlin Rose, Boo Ray and more
Rooftop Yoga Buzz at Acme Feed & Seed: select Sundays
May 27
The Time Jumpers at 3rd and Lindsley, every Monday
May 28
12 South Farmers Market in Sevier Park, every Tuesday, May through October
The man behind the psychedelic East Side event space is full of ideas
May 29
Annie Williams album release at Soft Junk
Miercoles de Lotería at Plaza Mariachi, traditional Mexican game night, every Wednesday
May 30
Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous opens at the Frist Art Museum: through Aug. 25
Choreographer Oona Doherty’s Navy Blue at OZ Arts (also May 31 and June 1)
Country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen gear up for a big summer
May 31
Lainey Wilson at Ascend Amphitheater (also June 1)
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Peter One, Them Vibes, The Kentucky Gentlemen and more
Full Moon Pickin’ Party bluegrass music series at Percy Warner Park
Jim Gaffigan at the Ryman (also June 1)
Lainey Wilson
June
June 1
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Strand of Oaks, Vlad Holiday, The Sewing Club and more
Nashville Comicon at The Fairgrounds Nashville (also June 2)
Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution at Geodis Park
Arena football has returned — and the new First Ladies of Music City are a dozen more reasons to attend
June 2
Pixies and Modest Mouse w/Cat Power at Ascend Amphitheater
Nashville Kats vs. Albany Firebirds at Municipal Auditorium
June 3
YEAH! Rocks Summer Camp at Wright Middle School (through June 7)
June 4
Stars for Second Harvest at the Ryman feat. Ernest and friends
Nashville Sounds vs. Louisville Bats at First Horizon Park (through June 9)
June 5
Watercolor Wednesdays with the Nashville Public Library at Church Street Park, every Wednesday
June 6
CMA Fest at multiple venues, feat. Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett and many more (through June 9)
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Jeremy Lister, Gustavo Moradel, the Nashville Symphony and more
Nashville Scene presents Movies in the Park at Elmington Park: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
June 7
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Seratones, Bathe Alone, Jess Nolan and more
June 8
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. The Watson Twins, Jo Schornikow, Airpark and more
Solid Pink Disco at Cannery Hall feat. DJ Trixie Mattel and DJ Mateo Segade
YEAH! Rocks Summer Camp Showcase at The East Room
June 9
Sunday Mornin’ Country at the Opry House, hosted by Brenda Lee
June 10
Visit the National Museum of African American Music
National Museum of African American Music
June 11
Broadway at TPAC presents Hairspray at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall (through June 16)
June 12
An Evening With James Taylor at Bridgestone Arena
June 13
Bonnaroo at Manchester’s Great Stage Park feat. Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fred Again.., Pretty Lights and many more (through June 16)
Nashville Scene presents Movies in the Park at Elmington Park: 13 Going on 30
At Bonnaroo 2023
June 14
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Cedric Burnside, AJ and the Jiggawatts, Charlie Whitten and more
Porter Flea Preview Market at The Fairgrounds Nashville
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Happy Gilmore
June 15
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park feat. Phosphorescent, Arts Fishing Club, She Returns From War and more
Porter Flea Main Market at The Fairgrounds Nashville
Peach Jam Festival at the Nashville Farmers’ Market
June 16
Nashville Kats vs. Oregon Blackbears at Municipal Auditorium
June 17
New Material Monday feat. a surprise lineup at Zanies
June 18
See TROLLS: Save the Humans at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (through Sept. 1)
Nashville Sounds vs. Durham Bulls at First Horizon Park (through June 23)
June 19
Brian Regan at the Ryman
June 20
Nashville Scene presents Movies in the Park at Elmington Park: Barbie
Small World Yoga’s Yoga in the Courtyard at the Frist Art Museum
June 21
Red Clay Strays at The Caverns in Pelham (also June 22-23)
Full Moon Pickin’ Party bluegrass music series at Percy Warner Park
June 22
Nashville SC vs. New York City FC at Geodis Park
Nashville Pride Festival and Parade at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park feat. Tinashe, Billy Porter, Icona Pop, Slayyyter and many more (also June 23)
Nashville Pride Parade 2023
June 23
Alanis Morissette w/Joan Jett and the Blackhearts & Morgan Wade at Bridgestone Arena
June 24
Rent a stand-up paddle board or kayak on Percy Priest Lake via Nashville Paddle Company
June 25
East Nashville Farmers Market, every Tuesday through December
June 26
String City: Nashville's Tradition of Music and Puppetry at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (June 24-29)
June 27
Nashville Scene presents Movies in the Park at Elmington Park: Shrek
June 28
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Miss Congeniality
June 29
Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF at Geodis Park
Nashville Kats vs. Southwest Kansas Storm at Municipal Auditorium
INTERVENTIONS: Ann Carrington at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (June 29-Oct. 27)
June 30
Music in the Vines: The Josh Karas Trio & Alex Genova and Friends at Arrington Vineyards
Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair at OneC1ty (also June 29)
Crafty Bastards
July
July 1
Visit Nashville Shores water park in Hermitage
July 2
Natalie Merchant feat. the Nashville Symphony as the Schermerhorn
July 3
Bingo! Bingo! with the Lady in Red at Jackalope Brewing Company’s The Ranch, first Wednesday of every month
July 4
Let Freedom Sing! Music City Fourth of July in downtown Nashville feat. Chris Young, Yola and much more
Music City Hot Chicken Festival in East Park
Nashville Sounds vs. Memphis Redbirds at First Horizon Park (through July 6)
Hot Chicken Festival
July 5
Food Truck Friday at Arrington Vineyards, every Friday
July 6
Ben Platt with Brandy Clark at the Ryman (also July 7)
July 7
Hiatus Kaiyote at Brooklyn Bowl
July 8
Pedro the Lion w/Flock of Dimes at The Basement East
July 9
Nashville Sounds vs. Iowa Cubs at First Horizon Park (through July 13)
July 10
Watercolor Wednesdays with the Nashville Public Library at Church Street Park, every Wednesday
July 11
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Top Gun
Joe Pera at Zanies (through July 13)
He’s one of the Nashville bicycle couriers who ride hundreds of miles a week making deliveries
July 12
Check out Goat Yoga Nashville at Capitol View
July 13
Lake Street Dive at Ascend Amphitheater
Tomat-O-Rama Festival at the Nashville Farmers’ Market
July 14
Visit the Tennessee State Museum
July 15
Visit the Lane Motor Museum
July 16
New Kids on the Block w/Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff at FirstBank Amphitheater (also July 17)
July 17
Nashville SC vs. Orlando City SC at Geodis Park
July 18
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Men in Black
July 19
Nashville Dance Festival at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Jazz Under the Stars at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Owner Austin Bauman on creating his ‘family corner’ on the East Side
July 20
Cornelia Airpark Concerts feat. People on the Porch, Mason Marcus Turner and South for the Winter at Cornelia Fort Airpark
Def Leppard, Journey & Steve Miller Band at Nissan Stadium
Paradise Road Show Classic Car and Motorcycle Show at The Dive Motel
July 21
Sebastian Maniscalco at Bridgestone Arena
Garth and Dolly: A Tribute to Two Country Music Icons at The Caverns in Pelham
July 22
Mates of State at The Basement East
July 23
Midweek Adult Skate Night at the Rivergate Skate Center
Nashville Sounds vs. Charlotte Knights at First Horizon Park (through July 28)
Rivergate Skate Center
July 24
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert at the Schermerhorn
July 25
Sleater-Kinney at Brooklyn Bowl
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder at the Ryman
July 26
Charley Crockett at the Ryman (also July 27)
July 27
Be Your Own Pet at Eastside Bowl
Be Your Own Pet at The Blue Room, 9/16/2023
July 28
Silent Movie Classics: The Red Balloon and The Cameraman feat. organist Peter Krasinski at the Schermerhorn
Fruit Bats w/Carriers at The Caverns in Pelham
July 29
Motown Mondays at The 5 Spot, every Monday
July 30
Peso Pluma Éxodo Tour at Bridgestone Arena
July 31
Leagues Cup Group Stage: Nashville SC vs. Mazatlan FC at Geodis Park
August
Aug. 1
An Evening with Vince Gill at the Ryman (through Aug. 4)
Drop-In Drawing at the Frist Art Museum, first Thursday of every month
Aug. 2
Williamson County Fair at the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Park (through Aug. 10)
James Austin Johnson at Zanies (also Aug. 3-4)
Williamson County Fair
Aug. 3
Kenny Chesney: Sun Goes Down Tour feat. Zac Brown Band at Nissan Stadium
Aug. 4
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party at Bridgestone Arena (also Aug. 3)
Aug. 5
Anime Club for Teens at the Nashville Public Library Edmondson Pike Branch, first Monday of every month
Aug. 6
Nashville Sounds vs. Indianapolis Indians at First Horizon Park (through Aug. 11)
Tate McRae at Ascend Amphitheater
Aug. 7
Barbie: The Movie in Concert at Ascend Amphitheater
Margot Robbie in Barbie
Aug. 8
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Crazy, Stupid, Love
Aug. 9
Chris Stapleton at Bridgestone Arena (also Aug. 10)
Aug. 10
Tomato Art Fest at Five Points (also Aug. 9)
Tomato Art Fest 2023
Aug. 11
Visit the Anderson Road Day Use site on Percy Priest Lake
Aug. 12
Puzzle Challenge at Hi-Wire Brewing, every Monday
Aug. 13
Dusty Slay’s Grand Ole Comedy Show at Zanies
Aug. 14
Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell tour at the Schermerhorn
Aug. 15
Tennessee State Fair/Wilson County Fair at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon (through Aug. 24)
Aug. 16
Defy Film Festival at Studio 615 (also Aug. 17)
Deep Tropics feat. Kaskade, Sofi Tukker and more at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (also Aug. 17)
Aug. 17
Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival at The Caverns in Pelham
The Nashville Scene’s Fashion for a Fraction at The Factory at Franklin's Liberty Hall
Aug. 18
Professional Bull Riders: Nashville Stampede Days at Bridgestone Arena (also Aug. 16 and 17)
Aug. 19
See a Live Science Show at the Adventure Science Center
Aug. 20
Nashville Sounds vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at First Horizon Park (through Aug. 25)
Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago at Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 21
The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA at the Schermerhorn
Aug. 22
NightLight 615’s 21-and-up outdoor movie series at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: School of Rock
Aug. 23
Live! Telescope Night at Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
Aug. 24
Nashville SC vs. Austin FC at Geodis Park
Iron and Wine w/Sunny War at the Ryman
Watermelon Festival at the Nashville Farmers’ Market
Cornelia Airpark Concerts feat. Brazilbilly, Josh Riley and The Young Fables at Cornelia Fort Airpark
Aug. 25
Songwriters Under the Stars at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Also Aug. 23-24)
Aug. 26
PJ Morton w/The Cavemen at the Ryman
Aug. 27
Glass Animals w/Kevin Abstract at Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 28
Steve Earle at the Ryman
Aug. 29
Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents As You Like It at OneC1ty (through Sept. 22)
Aug. 30
Musicians Corner in Centennial Park (also Aug. 31, lineup TBA)
Aug. 31
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Ascend Amphitheater
The Kentucky Gentlemen
