Carry only the essentials.
Only clear bags like the one posted on this page (12″x12″x6″ or smaller) are allowed at Nissan Stadium–one per person. They can be backpacks, fanny packs, shopping bags, etc. Travel light but be prepared. Essentials: Photo ID, money/credit card, CMA Fest pass, empty plastic water bottle* (water stations available), sunblock lotion or spray mist (no aerosol cans), sunglasses, lodging key. Recommended: hat, band-aids, safety pins, phone, poncho or rain jacket (no umbrellas allowed), insurance card (in case of emergency), lip balm, contact info if you’re traveling alone. For late-night purchases, see the Corner Market below. *For details on what items are allowed, visit this CMA Fest page.
Do not bring…
In addition to the typical banned items (knives, outside food or beverages, glass, and such), the Nissan Stadium list extends to a few items you might not expect: cameras with detachable lens, GoPros, umbrellas, signs on sticks or poles, helium balloons, e-cigarette refill cartridges, any form of adhesive-backed decals or stickers, aerosol cans, battery-powered lights, or laser pointers.
Plan how to get to and from CMA Fest events.
Visitors with disabilities–please visit the CMA Fest FAQ: ADA Accessibility section. Individuals with mobility issues might also want to check out my blogpost Navigating Nashville with a Wheelchair.
If you’re staying downtown, no sweat–because pretty much everything is within walking distance. If you’re lodging in a nearby hotel, check on the availability of a hotel shuttle; many provide rides to destinations within three miles–but may not run late into the evening. If you catch a WeGo bus, the fare is $2.00 for most rides to and from downtown.
Of course, you can also hail a cab or ride-share but Uber/Lyft will probably be operating at their higher surge rates; still it may prove less costly than paying for downtown parking. But if you are driving…
Know where you’re parked.
Sure, you’re excited to dive into the festivities but STOP. Make a note of where you’re parking or take a picture of signs or landmarks within view. If you’re into apps, use one like Find My Car Smarter, Anchor Pointer or Honk that allow you to record the exact GPS of your vehicle. You’ll find more specific guidance at my post Parking Made Easier.
Need a map?
This link takes you to CMA Fest’s map page so you can get your bearings for the festival area, Nissan seating chart, Ascend Amphitheatre, and more.
Hide your lanyard.
You’ll need it for Fan Fair X, Ascend Amphitheatre, and Nissan but you might want to tuck it away when leaving the festival area. It’s like a billboard telling the unscrupulous “I’m not from around here.”
Take the train on Saturday afternoon.
If you live or are staying along the route of the Music City Star, there’s a special CMA Fest Express running between Lebanon and Riverfront Park with five stops en route (map). Round-trip cost is $15 plus a $2 handling fee. Limited to 400 seats.
Here’s the line-up schedule stage-by-stage.