Fridays by the River
Shelby Park
Held at the Riverview Pavilion, festivities include yard games, a food truck, beer garden, and music. Hours: 3pm-8pm.
October 25
Musicians Corner
Centennial Park
They love mixing up genres at this free outdoor concert series, now entering its 15th year. Food trucks, a beer garden, and Kidsville activity area.
Spring: Concluded
Fall: Concluded
Courtyard Concerts
Church Street Park
The Main Library is closed for maintenance but the music lives on across the street. Free concerts are held Tuesdays at 11:45am featuring a kaleidoscope of Nashville’s musical talent. Click the link for the line-up.
Oct. 22
Cheekwood
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
Every week in September, there’s Thursday Night Out with food, beer, cocktails, and live music.
Church Street Concerts
Held in the park directly across the street from the marvelous Downtown Library.
Here’s the weekly schedule:
- Jazz in the Park, Mondays, 5:00-6pm.
- Diverse musical showcase: Fridays, 4:30-5:30pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 5:00-6:00pm.
Bluebird on the Mountain
Dyer Observatory
Vanderbilt’s astronomy facility is located about ten miles south of downtown . The series features some of Nashville’s top songwriters. (Awaiting details.)
Season concluded
Music in the Vines
Arrington Vineyards
Weekly bluegrass and jazz concerts during summer months. Food and of course wine available for purchase. Arrington is about a 30 miles south of downtown. No dates published as of this writing.
Live Music in the Wine Garden
Belle Meade Winery
Adjacent to the historic Belle Meade Mansion, it offers live acoustic music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1:30-3:00pm.
Big Band Dances
Centennial Park
Big fun at these free weekly Saturday night dances open to all June 1-August 31. Free dance lessons at 6:30pm before the band kicks in at 7pm. Even if you’re not “in the mood” to cut a rug, it’s a ton of fun just watching people having a great time.
Season concluded
Jazz on the Cumberland
Cumberland Park
A free concert series with local jazz groups held 5:30-8pm on Sunday evenings. (Photo at top is from one of its events.)
Oct. 20
Jazz in the Park
Presented by Nashville Jazz Workshop, each free concert (5:30-7pm) features a local artist in the Hadley Park Bandshell near Tennessee State University.
Ryman Sidewalk Series
Ryman Auditorium Courtyard
Doesn’t matter if you’re headed to see a show in the fabled auditorium. Walk right up and enjoy a free live concert outside at 6pm.
Season concluded
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Percy Warner Park, 6-10pm.
An annual fundraising series for the park that’s particularly popular with locals. Bring your instrument and circle up with a few pickers.
Season concluded
Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party
Cornelia Fort Airpark, 5:30-9:00pm
Bring a blanket or lawn chair for this downhome pet-friendly monthly festival. Food vendors, beer and wine available, kids’ activities. Under 15 admitted free.
Season concluded
And although it’s not outdoors, it fits the vibe of this post:
Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman
Ryman Auditorium, 7:30pm
An annual six-week celebration spotlighting top names in bluegrass. Just a sample of the headliners: Steep Canyon Rangers, Earls of Leicester, and Ricky Skaggs.
Season concluded
