MAY EVENT LIST 🌸
there is truly something for almost every day in may. save this and come back when you need plans.
✦ week of may 1 – may 4
friday, may 1
olala café grand opening — 818 palmer pl, the gulch: all day! nashville just got a real French bakery! fresh croissants, organic coffee, antique french furnishings. go say bonjour
the roundup — main event copperline ranch: noon–4:00 pm | free | nashville's answer to round top is here. curated vendors, live music, food trucks, mahjong lessons, and a full bar at a gorgeous working farm
nashville ballet: sherlock — polk theater, tpac: may 1–3 — noir-inspired choreography meets the iconic detective.
the great junk hunt — the fairgrounds nashville: 4:00–9:00 pm | vintage goods, home décor, food trucks, and music. kids 12 & under free
spring tennessee craft fair — centennial park: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free | 55th annual craft fair with award-winning artists, live demos, and local food
shopbop nashville pop-up — hart, 12 south: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free | shopbop's curated online edit IRL. best-selling brands and seasonal standouts all weekend
hip donelson farmers market — opening day — donelson station: 4:00–7:00 pm | free | all vendors come from within 150 miles of donelson. opening day of the season
fridays by the river — shelby park: 3:00–8:00 pm | free | outdoor beer garden with live music, food trucks, and yard games by the cumberland river
nashville fairgrounds speedway — local racing ¼ mile special: 6:30 pm | fast cars on a historic track in its 122nd year of racing
ani difranco + valerie june — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm | two iconic women on one iconic stage
taste of tennessee — barn at sycamore farms, arrington: 6:30–9:30 pm | 21+ | $150 | sip and sample from leiper's fork distillery, bearded iris, and more while supporting kids in foster care across tennessee. a decade of impact
wray day — white limozeen pool opening — white limozeen: noon–4:00 pm | free rsvp | pool season is officially open. reggae + dancehall, wray & nephew drink specials, and a patio popup
shiners — woolworth theatre: 7:00 pm | 18+
crazy gnome comedy show — crazy gnome brewery: 8:00–10:00 pm
saturday, may 2
the roundup — copperline ranch: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free | day two adds a petting zoo, kids art with little art house, and even more vendors. do not miss this one
nashville ballet: sherlock — polk theater, tpac
the great junk hunt — the fairgrounds nashville: 9:00 am–4:00 pm | kids 12 & under free
spring tennessee craft fair — centennial park: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free
shopbop nashville pop-up — hart, 12 south: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin: 8:00 am–noon | free
germantown spring block party — 7th + monroe: 10:30 am–5:00 pm | free | art, music, food, and drinks in one of nashville's best neighborhoods
franklin makers market — the lake at westhaven, franklin: 11:00 am–4:00 pm | free | 100+ craft and artisan vendors plus a pup pop-up by pups & pints
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | 40th anniversary season. step into a 16th-century english village every weekend through may 31
vintage night market — rosemary & beauty queen, east nashville: 7:00 pm–1:00 am
rubiks groove (80s/90s/00s live band) — jackalope brewing: 7:30 pm | 21+ | $30 | character-driven live music experience with costumes, videos, and cold beer
nashville fairgrounds speedway — arca music city 150: 5:00 pm
free pure barre class in the park — noble park, the gulch: 8:30 am | free | start your saturday strong with a full-body workout outside
mix 92.9 yappy hour — edwin warner dog park: 2:00–4:00 pm | free | free dog toys, pup cups, and your chance to win a $150 stanley steemer gift card
speedway 5k — nashville superspeedway, lebanon: 9:00 am | $40+| run a 5k or one lap around the track
nashville sounds — space jam night — first horizon park: 6:35 pm | first 1,000 fans get a tune squad jersey
bailey zimmerman — night 2 — ascend amphitheater: 7:00 pm
florence + the machine — bridgestone arena: 7:30 pm | everybody scream tour. this one is going to be a full moment
an evening with josh ritter — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
devil wears prada afternoon tea — blue aster, conrad nashville: 1:00–3:00 pm | $85 | elevated sweet and savory bites, rare teas, and pastries. come dressed to impress
vip men's shopping night — maison de rêve: 10:00 am–9:00 pm | free | curated menswear and elevated retail just outside nashville
free karaoke — teddy's tavern — 8:00 pm — free
shiners — woolworth theatre — 7:00 pm — 18+
sunday, may 3
nashville ballet: sherlock — polk theater, tpac | final performance
spring tennessee craft fair — centennial park: 10:00 am–5:00 pm | free
shopbop nashville pop-up — hart, 12 south: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | free | last day
kirkland block party — crazy gnome brewery: noon–5:00 pm
skinny dennis vintage market — skinny dennis: noon–5:00 pm | vintage vendors, bloody marys, brunch popups, and good vibes every sunday
milk market — donut distillery, east nashville: 11:00 am–5:00 pm | 10+ rotating vintage clothing, vinyl vendors, and grill out sessions.
family brunch — house of cards: 10:00 am–3:00 pm | all ages | brunch buffet with live magic. one of the best sunday plans in the city
hobby horse derby — tiger bar: 4:00 pm | 2nd annual hobby horse derby madness. qualifying races at 4pm, grand final around 7pm. teams of 4. yes this is real and yes it is amazing
sunday salsa series — acme: 7:00 pm | free | live salsa band and drink specials. first sunday of every month
judge judy karaoke — tin roof: 8:00–11:00 pm | free | judge judy does not mess around. first sunday of every month
tracy lawrence — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm | classic country hits on the mother church stage
monday, may 4
star wars night — chopper tiki: 5:00–10:00 pm | walk-ins only | tattoos, star wars cocktails, mug giveaways, and balloons. may the 4th be with you
fender presents: tele town — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm | one-night-only celebration of the telecaster's 75th anniversary with brad paisley, brothers osborne, ricky skaggs, zach top + more
✦ week of may 5 – may 11
tuesday, may 5 (cinco de mayo newsletter coming soon)
cinco de mayo pub crawl — downtown nashville / broadway | themed games, exclusive drink specials, and a festive crowd on broadway
courtney barnett with truman sinclair — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
lego night: revenge of the 5th — monday night nash: 6:00 pm | $35 includes your own star wars lego set to take home. stream the films all night with themed drinks
wednesday, may 6
wedgewood-houston farmers market — opening day — under the giant guitar: 4:00 pm | free | opening day of the season. every wednesday through october
ryman sidewalk sessions with matt mann & the shine runners — pnc plaza: 5:30 pm | free | outdoor live music right outside the ryman
a night with david lee roth — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
bruno mars + dj pee wee + leon thomas — nissan stadium: 7:00 pm | gates open 5:30 pm | the romantic tour. one of the biggest shows of the year in nashville
thursday, may 7
satchvai band ft joe satriani & steve vai — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
bring me the horizon with motionless in white — bridgestone arena
herhealth360 — ascension saint thomas | free | an evening designed for women's wellness. meet with physicians, get screenings, attend a candid panel, and enjoy two complimentary cocktails. register online
warner parks spring luncheon — warner park nature center: 21+ | $250 | al fresco garden party lunch benefiting percy and edwin warner parks
friday, may 8
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free | kicks off this weekend. fridays + saturdays through june 14. free live music, food trucks, and vendors in centennial park
fridays by the river — shelby park: 3:00–8:00 pm | free | featuring runner of the woods this week
amy grant with special guests — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
doggie drag show — play dance bar: 7:00 pm | $20 cash | local drag, pups on the runway, and all proceeds go to vet care and supplies for pets in foster care. one of the best events of the month
saturday, may 9
iroquois steeplechase — percy warner park | nashville's rite of spring. world-class horse racing, southern style, and philanthropy benefiting monroe carell jr. children's hospital at vanderbilt
strawberry fest — nashville farmers' market: 10:00 am–2:00 pm | free | live music, pony rides, petting zoo, aztec dance performances, cooking demos, and fresh strawberries. bring the whole family
nashville spring festival / chinatown festival — nashville chinatown, antioch: 11:00 am–8:00 pm | international food, cultural performances, kite flying, lantern evenings, and live music. may 9–10
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
music city hoedown — skinny dennis: dj disko cowboy mixing country classics all night + live band at 9:00 pm
vintage at the factory — liberty hall, the factory at franklin: 11:00 am–5:00 pm | $5 | 40 vendors with vintage and handmade clothing and jewelry. mother's day weekend edition. kids 12 & under free
mom's sip & social — belle meade winery: 10:30 am–1:30 pm | 21+ | $140 | mimosa station, bloody mary bar, floral bouquet crafting, and a full southern brunch. one of the best mother's day plans in the city
turnip truck's 25th birthday block party — east nashville: 11:00 am–4:00 pm | free | live music, vendor samples, kids activities, and community love from nashville's favorite neighborhood grocery
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin: 8:00 am–noon | free
nashville sc vs d.c. united — geodis park: 8:00 pm
sunday, may 10 — mother's day
nashville spring festival / chinatown festival — nashville chinatown, antioch: 11:00 am–7:00 pm | day two
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
general jackson mother's day brunch cruise — general jackson showboat | chef-curated brunch buffet + nashville live stage production while cruising the cumberland river. all ages
mother's day grand brunch buffet — the hermitage hotel: from 10:30 am | $110/adult, $55/kids 12 & under | grand buffet with carving stations, fresh seafood, live music, and complimentary valet. reservations required
mother mia: boozy disco brunch — stateside kitchen: 10:00 am–3:00 pm | for the mom who wants to dance. full abba and disco soundtrack, spinning dj, and disco ball punch specials
mother's day at the adventure park: 10:00 am–5:00 pm | buy one 3-hour ticket, get mom's free. ages 7+
✦ week of may 12 – may 18
tuesday, may 12
germantown social runners — morgan park: 6:00 pm | new casual run club in germantown. 2-mile and 4-mile routes, ends at sonny's nashville for drinks
nashville sounds vs iowa cubs — first horizon park: 6:35 pm
mac demarco with tex crick + mock media — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
earth, wind & fire — firstbank amphitheater, franklin: 7:00 pm | iconic funk and soul. a bucket list show
thursday, may 14
nashville sounds vs iowa cubs — first horizon park: 6:35 pm | final game of the series
createher collective market — wanna spoon cereal bar, 12 south: 4:00–8:00 pm | $20 includes a candle-making voucher and a treat from a vendor. live music, female entrepreneurs, makers and bakers. benefiting the aloe family
friday, may 15
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
goodguys legends of hot rodding — the fairgrounds nashville: may 15–16 | 500+ pre-1965 hot rods, customs, and trucks. live music and autograph sessions
drew & ellie holcomb — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm | heartfelt folk-pop harmony. one of nashville's own on the mother church stage
mahjong in the mansion — cheekwood: may 15–16 | light bites, sips, and friendly competition in the prettiest setting. supporting storm recovery efforts
sunset suppers with chef johnny haffner | intimate 5-course seasonal dinner series benefiting the heimerdinger foundation's meals for health and healing program
saturday, may 16
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
goodguys legends of hot rodding — the fairgrounds nashville
bro-chella 2: tribute to divorced dad rock — marathon music works: $20 ga, $40 vip | benefiting childhelp tennessee
buzz & brew fest — game terminal | inaugural event | kick off summer at nashville's biggest arcade
encore comedy show — crazy gnome brewery: noon–5:00 pm
crow's nest annual crawfish boil — crow's nest, green hills: all you can eat | $35 | 4th annual. gets bigger every year
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin: 8:00 am–noon | free
drew & ellie holcomb — night 2 — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
treaty oak revival — bridgestone arena: 7:00 pm
nashville sc vs lafc — geodis park: 7:00 pm
mahjong in the mansion — cheekwood | multiple sessions
brave new works lab — oz arts nashville: may 14–16 | original short-form performances spanning dance, theater, music, and multimedia
sunday, may 17
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
treaty oak revival — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
skinny dennis vintage market — skinny dennis: noon–5:00 pm
family brunch — house of cards: 10:00 am–3:00 pm | all ages
nashville sc vs lafc — geodis park: 7:00 pm
✦ week of may 19 – may 25
monday, may 19
reading club — fait la force brewing: 6:00–9:00 pm | free | bring your own book. 30 minutes of reading, 15-minute breather to chat, then hang and grab a drink
skip the small talk — crazy gnome brewery: 6:00–8:00 pm
wednesday, may 20
plant bingo — crazy gnome brewery: 7:00–9:00 pm
diljit dosanjh: aura world tour — bridgestone arena | one of the hottest tours of the year
thursday, may 21
concert for a cause — national museum of african american music: 6:00–9:00 pm | celebrating the oher foundation's 10th anniversary with performances by wendy moten, angie k + more. ga $25, vip $50
the black crowes & whiskey myers: southern hospitality tour — bridgestone arena
friday, may 22
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
trace adkins — 30th anniversary tour — night 1 — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
saturday, may 23
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
tempted by fiction: book lovers festival — hutton hotel: 9:00 am–2:00 pm | a one-day festival for romance readers. authors, vendors, and book lovers all in one place
nashville zoo: spring zzzoofari slumber — overnight | kids ages 4–12 | members $45, non-members $65 | sleep under the stars next to the animals. evening activities, zip line, carousel, and breakfast in the morning
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin: 8:00 am–noon | free
chris stapleton + allen stone + lainey wilson — nissan stadium: 6:00 pm | one of the best lineups of the year. do not sleep on this one
trace adkins — 30th anniversary tour — night 2 — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
nashville sc vs nycfc — geodis park: 7:30 pm
sunday, may 24
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm
sunday salsa series — acme: 7:00 pm | free | live salsa band and drink specials. first sunday of every month
spring sweat series — friends bar, 411 broadway: 10:00 am | strength pilates to a live dj then straight into a rooftop day party. vip giveaways, brunch menu, premium swag. rsvp required
skinny dennis vintage market — skinny dennis: noon–5:00 pm
k-love fan awards — opry house: 7:00 pm
monday, may 25 — memorial day
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | special memorial day opening. final chance before the season wraps
alex warren: finding family on the road — bridgestone arena: 7:30 pm
✦ week of may 26 – may 31
thursday, may 28
music city rodeo — night 1: miranda lambert — bridgestone arena: 7:00 pm | prca rodeo + concert. miranda lambert closes out the night
america: the happy trails tour 2026 — ryman auditorium: 7:00 pm
nashville fairgrounds speedway — rackley roofing battle of broadway 150: 7:00 pm
friday, may 29
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
music city rodeo — night 2: charley crockett — bridgestone arena | prca rodeo + charley crockett live
boot scootin' boogie nights — the basement east: 7:00 pm | garth, shania, george strait, billy ray, and more. 90s country line dancing and sing-alongs hosted by neon rainbow
cinderella's tom keifer band with buckcherry + john corabi & friends — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
saturday, may 30
musicians corner spring series — centennial park | free
music city rodeo — night 3: jon pardi — bridgestone arena | final night of the rodeo. jon pardi closes it out
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin: 8:00 am–noon | free
chris d'elia — ryman auditorium: 8:00 pm
sunday, may 31
tennessee renaissance festival — final weekend — castle park, arrington: 10:00 am–6:00 pm | last day of the season
summer fest — belle meade historic site: 2:00–7:00 pm | $15, kids 12 & under free | mansion tours, live music, wine tastings, bourbon cocktails, food vendors, face painting, and therapy dogs. a beautiful way to close out the month at one of nashville's most iconic estates
steve earle — ryman auditorium: 7:30 pm
✦ every week in may
factory farmers market — the factory at franklin — every saturday 8:00 am–noon — free
skinny dennis vintage market — every sunday noon–5:00 pm
family brunch — house of cards — every sunday 10:00 am–3:00 pm — all ages
free karaoke — teddy's tavern — every thursday, friday + saturday 8:00 pm — free
wine down wednesday — frothy monkey — every wednesday 4:00–8:00 pm — $17
whiskey & wine wednesday — gray & dudley — every wednesday — $20 whiskey flights + half-off wine
wedgewood-houston farmers market — every wednesday 4:00 pm — free
shiners — woolworth theatre — every thursday, friday + saturday 7:00 pm — 18+
crazy gnome happy hour — crazy gnome brewery — wednesday–friday 4:00–7:00 pm — $5 pints
america the beautiful exhibition — cheekwood — may 2–september 6 — 10 trains, 850 feet of track, 25 iconic landmarks
tennessee renaissance festival — castle park, arrington — every saturday + sunday through may 31 + memorial day — 40th anniversary season
thank you for your continued support!
i appreciate all of you!
love, the nashville times newsletter team!
p.s.
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