Summer in Nashville: Outdoor Activities, Festivals, and More!

Summer in Music City is when the whole place turns up. The festivals get bigger, the lake days run longer, and there’s live music spilling out of basically every doorway. It’s jam-packed with outdoor activities, festivals, and events that leave you with endless options for fun every single day.

We’ve spent years pedaling groups down Broadway and sending crews off to the lake, so we know the city’s best things to do during the summer. We’ve got recommendations on activities and places to get you off the crowded honky-tonk strip and into the cooler, quieter corners most visitors never find. Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, we promise you won’t waste a precious day of your Nashville summer. Here’s how to make every one of them count!

• Nashville Pedal Tavern
• Nashville Toons
• Outdoor Movies
• CMA Fest 
• Cheekwood Summer Concert Series
• Nashville Sounds Baseball Game
• Bevē Boutiques Shopping Tour
• Photowalk
• River Queen Voyages
• Arrington Vineyard
• Nashville Shores
• Centennial Park
• Musicians Corner
• Tailgate Brewery

Pedal Down Broadway on the Ultimate BYOB Bar Crawl on Wheels

Let’s start with the obvious one and the reason you probably found us! Pedaling a 15-person party bike down Broadway with a drink in your hand and the windows of every honky-tonk wide open is about as Nashville-summer as it gets. Consistently rated as one of the top 10 things to do in Nashville by TripAdvisor, the Nashville Pedal Tavern combines sightseeing, celebrations, and a built-in soundtrack into one rolling party.

It’s BYOB (21+ to ride), so you bring the drinks and we handle the route, the pedal-assist, and the good time. Whether it’s a bachelorette crew, a corporate group, or just you and a few pals, this is the easiest way to see the heart of downtown without anyone playing designated driver.

Pro Tip for Summer: book a morning or late-evening ride to dodge the peak afternoon heat!

Plan the Perfect Lake Day at Percy Priest with a Pontoon Cruise

When the city heat gets to be too much, locals head 20 minutes east to Percy Priest Lake. The smartest (and most fun) way to get out on the water is on an oversized double-decker pontoon. With Nashville Toons, you skip the entire headache of sourcing a boat, figuring out a trailer, and arguing over who has to stay sober to drive (or be a licensed boat operator).

This isn’t just a boat day, it’s a full-on party on the water. Picture two decks of space to spread out, a slide launching you straight into the lake, floaties to lounge on, a sound system to set the vibe, and built-in coolers and a wood bar to keep the food and drinks flowing. You’re swimming, cruising, celebrating, and soaking up the sun all at once. Nashville Toons makes the whole thing hassle-free, too, with a dedicated boat operator to drive and keep guests safe, so you can show up, climb aboard, and let someone else captain.

Got a smaller or more laid-back crew? They’ve also got single-level pontoon options for groups that just want to cruise, swim a bit, and take it easy on the water. Either way, it’s the lake day you’d plan for yourself if you had all the gear and a pro driver on speed dial!

Catch an Outdoor Movie Under the Nashville Skyline

Few things beat a warm Tennessee night, a big screen, and the skyline behind it.

• For Families:
  • Movies in the Park is hosted by Amazon at Elmington Park on Thursdays. Free to the public, there are games and giveaways hosted before the movie and food trucks to grab snacks and dinner
  • Dive-in Movies: Watch a movie at the wave pool at the Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort.
• For the 21+ Movie Crowd:
  • NightLight 615 hosts an outdoor movie series that includes craft beer, food trucks and a pre-movie DJ against the Nashville skyline.

Visit for CMA Fest, It’s Worth Going!

If you’re visiting in June, you’ve basically stumbled into the Super Bowl of country music. CMA Fest is a four-day-and-night festival hosted in Nashville each June that brings in the biggest names in country music. It’s the longest-running music festival in the world, with live performances at Nissan Stadium, meet-and-greets, and exclusive artist experiences.

Hundreds of musicians perform for free, and ticket revenue goes toward charities through the CMA Foundation and the advancement of country music. Worth going to the CMA Fest? If you love country music even a little, absolutely worth it! Just book your stay and activities early, because the whole city fills up.

Live Music Under the Stars at Cheekwood – A Summer Concert Series

Not every Nashville show has to mean a packed bar. Cheekwood hosts a series of concerts under the stars in their lush gardens, set against the backdrop of the historic mansion. Food trucks serve up bites while local vendors pour wine and craft beer, and past concerts have spanned bluegrass, jazz, and a songwriters showcase. It’s the kind of relaxed, golden-hour evening that reminds you Nashville’s music scene runs way deeper than Broadway.

Catch a Nashville Sounds Baseball Game

For a classic, low-key summer afternoon or evening, you can’t beat a ballgame. The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play about 75 home games at First Horizon Park. Come for the baseball and stay for the home runs, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks — it’s a budget-friendly, all-ages way to pass a summer day in the city.

Shop Nashville’s Best Boutiques Without Melting in the Heat

Here’s where we let you in on a local secret! Instead of sweating through the crowds trying to find parking near every boutique, you can hit all of Nashville’s best shops from the cool comfort of a private, air-conditioned luxury bus with Bevē Curated.
Bevē is Nashville’s local connoisseur. They cut through the city’s overwhelming choices and offer unparalleled access to its most coveted destinations, from chic boutiques to world-class galleries and hidden cocktail lounges. They’ll curate a shopping itinerary to reflect your group’s personality, interests, and budget. They also have exclusive discounts and perks at the boutiques to offer for your party. A private driver, a hostess who takes your group photos, and zero parking stress? That’s the smart way to shop in Music City in July!

What Are Some Other Unique Things to Do in Nashville Besides Broadway?

This is the question we get most from repeat visitors, and Bevē Curated is our favorite answer. They take you beyond the average things to do in Nashville and build an experience tailored entirely to you! Like the kind of stuff you’d never find scrolling a generic top-10 list.

A few of the curated experiences they can build into your day include:

A private cocktail-making class in a speakeasy, where world-famous mixologist Rob Floyd leads a 2+ hour interactive experience with up to four tastings, stories, and hands-on fun. An art gallery and lunch experience featuring an exclusive visit to Chauvet Arts Gallery downtown with lunch from The Pink Hermit, an Italian-inspired café by Chef Jean-Georges. Or a superstar mural tour that explores multiple Nashville neighborhoods with muralist Anthony Billups, stopping at the city’s most iconic walls and local bars with exclusive drink discounts.

You book your date, fill out a questionnaire, and they handle the itinerary building and all the day-of logistics. All air-conditioned, all off the beaten path, all yours. It’s the easiest way to experience a side of Nashville the Broadway crowds never see.

Take Iconic Nashville Photos with Nashville Photowalk Tours

Want the kind of vacation photos that make your group chat jealous? A local photographer will take you to the most photogenic spots around Nashville and pose your crew to capture iconic shots, getting all the right angles for killer social media pics. Packages cover bachelorette parties, couples, individuals, and groups of friends, so everyone leaves with insta-worthy memories from the city’s most insta-worthy backdrops.

Get on the Water Right Downtown with River Queen Voyages

You don’t have to drive to the lake to get on the water. River Queen Voyages offers a slew of water-based adventures right by Nissan Stadium, giving you a whole new viewpoint of the Nashville skyline. This female-owned company offers kayak rentals, a river scavenger hunt with a certified guide, a four-person pedal kayak, and Nashville’s only pedal pontoon. It’s a fun, active way to see downtown from the river without leaving the city.

Escape to Wine Country in the Tennessee Hills

If you’re a wine-o then you’re going to love this Nashville wine country experience! Arrington Vineyards is a Nashville wine country experience set among the rolling hills of middle Tennessee. It’s a lovely day-trip getaway from the bustle of downtown. Pack a blanket, grab a bottle, and settle in for a summer afternoon.

Visit The Best Water Park Near Nashville for Families

When you’ve got kids (or just love a good waterslide), Nashville Shores is a family fun park that’s a summer destination for all ages. Cool off in the water park’s enormous wave pool, thrilling waterslides, water treehouse, and spraygrounds. Or soar above it all on a zipline through the treetops. It’s a full day of watery fun for the whole family!

Picnic in the Park at the Nashville Parthenon

Looking for free, easygoing, and central? Centennial Park is a great place to spend a summer day! Pack a picnic, enjoy the grounds, and check out the Nashville Parthenon. The park hosts a variety of cultural festivals throughout the year, and nearby you’ll find Vanderbilt University and Union Station.

Take In A Free Weekend Concert at Musicians Corner

It’s one of the best deals in town! Centennial Park’s Musicians Corner is a free concert series running weekends in May, June, August, and September. Since 2010, over 1,500 musicians have played this picturesque permanent outdoor venue, with past artists including Emmylou Harris, Chris Stapleton, and Vince Gill. Spread out on a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, or grab food and drinks from the gourmet food trucks on site.

Cool Off with Craft Cider on Music Row

To cap off a Music Row afternoon, swing by Tailgate Brewery, Nashville’s first craft cidery. Tastings include three to five of their small-batch ciders exclusive to Music Row, plus a draft wall with over 30 house beers, ciders, and seltzers. A cold, crisp pour is exactly what a hot Nashville afternoon calls for.

Everything You Need to Know About Summer in Nashville

Is Nashville a Good Place to Visit in the Summer? Is It Busy?

Summer is peak tourist season in Nashville due to its warm weather and abundance of outdoor events and activities. In general, expect larger crowds at popular attractions and higher prices for accommodations and activities.

While Nashville offers plenty of outdoor activities during the summer, such as outdoor tours, rooftops and patios, and exploring parks, it’s also home to many indoor attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic sites. These indoor options can provide a welcome break from the heat if you visit during the summer months.

How Hot Does Nashville Get in the Summer?

Nashville summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching into the 90s. There’s also a chance of afternoon thunderstorms that bring heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds, but they’re usually short-lived.​

What Should You Pack for a Nashville Summer Trip?​

• Lightweight Clothing: Pack breathable and lightweight clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. Cotton and linen materials are excellent choices as they allow for airflow and moisture-wicking.
• Shorts and T-shirts: Bring a variety of shorts and T-shirts to stay cool during the day. Opt for light colors to reflect sunlight and minimize heat absorption.
• Sundresses or Casual Dresses: Sundresses or casual dresses are perfect for staying cool while exploring the city during the day. They are versatile and can easily transition from daytime sightseeing to evening dining.
• Comfortable Shoes: Nashville is a walkable city, so comfortable shoes are essential. Consider packing sneakers, sandals, or breathable walking shoes for exploring the city’s attractions and neighborhoods.
• Sun Protection: Don’t forget to pack sun protection essentials such as sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen with a high SPF to shield yourself from the sun’s rays.
• Swimwear: If your accommodations have a pool or if you plan to visit nearby lakes or water parks, pack swimwear to cool off and enjoy aquatic activities.
• Rain Gear: Summer in Nashville can bring occasional thunderstorms or showers. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket or umbrella to stay dry if you encounter rain.

What’s the Best Way to Get Around Nashville?​

You’ve got plenty of options. Nashville has an air-conditioned and affordable city bus system, easily accessible rideshares like Uber and Lyft, the B-Cycle bike-sharing program with stations across the city, and electric scooters from companies like Bird and Lime. And if you’d rather skip the logistics entirely, a curated outing with a private driver and shuttle from downtown takes the planning off your plate completely. ​

Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, or a history buff, there’s always an outdoor event, festival or activity happening in Nashville during the summer months. Good thing the days are the longest of the year–plenty of time to check off all the exciting things to do!