July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! concert and fireworks

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July 4th in Nashville

Your comprehsnsive guide to making the most of America’s 250th anniversary

Let Freedom Sing!, one of our biggest parties of the year, has expanded to become a two-day celebration. Lots of live music, activities for all ages, and a gasp-inspiring 1,000-drone show and one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays.

Read on for tips on what to do, closest essential services, and a ton more.

July 3 ramp-up

Three of the five performance stages will be in high gear.

  • Southwest Airlines stage at the Amazon Fun Zone
  • The Green at Riverfront Park
  • Ascend Amphitheater

The Amazon Family Fun Zone will be open for your enjoyment.

Amazon Family Fun Zone

Located between the Downtown Hilton and the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Amazon Family Fun Zone offers a ton of activities for your little people and live music for all. It opens at noon.

Hungry? Right next door next to Bridgestone Arena, look for a food truck zone.

Live music

In addition to the stage at the Amazon Family Fun Zone, live music will be nonstop at all the honky tonks and music venues in the Lower Broadway area. Here’s a rundown of our featured performers on the two main stages:

BROADWAY STAGE

Performers include headliner Chris Young with others to be announced,

ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE

Nashville Symphony with fireworks synchronized to the music 9:30-10:00pm. All stages will present the program on their video screens.

TIP: WTVF-TV is livecasting the symphony performance so you could stream it to get the soundtrack to accompany the fireworks: newschannel5.com.

Fire up your day early…

Hot Chicken Festival

Held annually in East Park, 11 am-3pm, it’s your chance to sample some of our hottest commodities from nine purveyors of pyrotechnic poultry. Festivities kick off with a fire truck parade at 10:30am followed by kids’ activities, a beer garden, and an amateur chef competition.

Hot chicken

What’s more American than baseball?

To get you in a red, white, and blue mood, catch this four-day series. Good food and great fun. Next door to the Bicentennial Mall State Park, Nashville Farmers Market, and Tennessee State Museum.

Nashville Sounds vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Nashville Sounds stadium

Red Frogs USA

Offering free water, free cellphone recharging, and assistance for those who have overindulged, Red Frogs is staffed with caring volunteers who want to make sure you stay safe.

Tents are located in the Amazon Family Fun Zone, at The Green, on 2nd Avenue N., and at Public Square Park.

Also, many downtown businesses are designated as SafeBar participants with employees trained to help protect patrons.

A few tips

  • ADA platforms will be set up at these stage areas: Broadway, Ascend, and Riverfront.
  • If driving, take note of where you parked. Maybe even take a photo or ping the GPS location.
  • Looking for downtown parking? Consult this guide.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink more water than you think you need.
  • Bottled water will be available at event stands for $1 until 4pm.
  • Three water stations will be onsite for free refills.
  • Beer is not a substitute for water–no matter what country songs say.
  • Determine a rendezvous point in case you get separated from others in your party.
  • Don’t take anything you don’t think you’ll need.
  • KultureCity will provide a Sensory Room and Sensory Bags.

Where to watch the fireworks and drone show for free

Thousands will gather along Broadway and 1st Avenue–but other primo locations include Ascend Amphitheatre, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Metro Courthouse lawn, Woodland Street Bridge, and Rutledge Hill. If you opt for the downtown area, make life less of a hassle by reading through these lists;

You can bring:

  • Collapsible chairs (except at Ascend Amphitheatre)
  • Umbrellas up to 36″ in diameter
  • Blankets and tarps up to 6’x8′
  • Bags up 16″x10″x4″
  • Personal cameras

Don’t bring:

  • Backpacks or luggage
  • Coolers
  • Wagons or pull-carts
  • Outside alcoholic beverages
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Aerosol cans of any kind
  • Sealed containers
  • Fireworks
  • Laser pointers
  • Pets (except service animals)
  • Audio recorders or video camera
  • Camera stands, tripods, selfie sticks, etc.
  • Signs, flags on sticks or poles
  • Collapsible chairs (applies only to Ascend Amphitheater)

REMINDER: live streaming or recording of concerts with phones is illegal.

July 4th in Nashville

East Nashville Option

You don’t have to be downtown to have a great view of the fireworks. Because there’s less development on the East Bank, the panoramic view from a distance is wider, so you have more options. My friend Melinda took this shot from East Nashville a few years ago. Aside from not hearing the live music, the experience is pretty amazing. Because there will be slightly less traffic congestion, travel will likely be a little easier.

Let Freedom Sing fireworks over Nashville

Rooftop viewing parties

Every downtown hotel, honky tonk, and restaurant with a public rooftop is offering something special–at a price. Admission ranges from $15 which simply gives you rooftop access to full-on catered celebrations and excellent sight lines for up to $300 per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lockers are available for $10/item at three locations: 1st Ave. N. near Union Street, near the entrance to the Pedestrian Bridge and on Broadway at 6th Avenue, S.

  • Riverfront Park
  • The Green at Riverfront Park
  • Public Square Park
  • Music City Walk of Fame Park
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge
  • Gay Street Connector
  • Nissan Stadium Lots A-D

Two sources of information: the tourist commission’s link and my link at the end of this post.

Depends entirely on what you want to see and do. I would recommend arriving at least an hour before a performance and as much as two hours before the fireworks to find a good viewing area but keep in mind: there’s something going on all day.

Downtown essentials

When you need more than a Honky Tonk

Closest Grocery/Convenience Stores
  • Corner Market at 300 Church St. crams a ton of merchandise in a slender space. If you need a cup of non-designer coffee, a toothbrush, Red Bull or Pepto-Bismol, these folks can hook you up. Note: they’re open later than the others. Hours: Sun-Thurs, 7am-9pm; Fr-Sat, 7am-midnight.
  • M&M Market at 203 2nd Ave., N. is tiny but if you only need snacks, beverages, or Pepto-Bismol, this may be your salvation. Note it’s extended weekend hours. Hours: Sun-Wed., 7am-11pm; Thurs, 7am-midnight; Fri-Sat., 7am-3am.
  • Southernaire is in SoBro, south of Broadway at 150 3rd Ave, S.. You won’t find Cheerios or Gatorade here; it’s an upscale market with artisanal products, locally grown produce, a selection of bottled craft beers, a butcher’s counter and a prepared food spot for paninis and daily specials.
  • Dollar General Store (DGX), 206 3rd Avenue, S. This location caters to the tourist population with items you won’t find in the typical Dollar General. Basically an urban convenience store.
  • Turnip Truck, located in The Gulch at 321 12th Ave. S., advertises itself as “your natural grocery.” Translation: fresh, locally sourced, whole foods along with a juice bar, salad bar and hot food bar. Hours: M-Sat 7:00am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm.
  • Whole Foods at 1202 Broadway includes a hot bar, in-house bakery and a dining area. Open 7am-10pm daily.
  • Publix-Capitol View is a smaller-than-average store but still has a butcher shop, bakery and deli. Open 7am-10pm daily.
  • Nashville Fresh Market at 531 4th Ave. A healthier version of a convenience store. Beverages, fruit, snacks, over-the-counter meds, and to-go meals.
Closest Medical Attention

For after-hours care, the closest ER facilities are St. Thomas Midtown and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Another option is GetWell Health, a mobile medical practice that comes to you for basic care, IV infusions, and such.

Read what downtown police officers recommend to stay safe and be smart downtown.