Nashville is known for many things, like our down-home Southern cooking and hot chicken; beautiful, larger-than-life murals created by artists from around the globe; and most importantly to many, our beloved Nashville Predators.  But before we were Smashville or The It City, we were Music City.  When it comes to gifted vocalists and skillful musicians at literally every turn, from large amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums to listening rooms, honky tonks and even street corners, you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else that packs as much musical talent into one town as we have here in Nashville.

The biggest acts in the world play to sold-out crowds at Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater, and occasionally Nissan Stadium and Vanderbilt Stadium.  World-renowned artists perform with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the most legendary artists in country music and other genres perform at our Mother Church – the Ryman Auditorium.

Stephanie‘s Mastiff, Louie, at his 1st music festival

During the week of June 7-10, the Country Music Festival will draw tens of thousands of fans a day to Nashville, and Bonnaroo, which takes place in nearby Manchester, will draw between 65,000 and 70,000 fans if attendance is similar to last year.  We also have many other annual music festivals, such as the Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival which is scheduled for June 15-16 this year, and the popular Live On The Green series in late summer (more information about that in future Living Local Nashville newsletters ⬅️click to subscribe!).

But perhaps the live music performances most anticipated by your family every year are the smaller concerts in the park, where families can show up with folding chairs or a quilt, a cooler or picnic basket or both, and even Fido (or in our family’s case, Louie and Petey).  These are times when we take a break from our hectic schedules and laze the afternoon away, listening to some super talented artists while the kids play and run off some energy nearby, and bonus: most of these summer concerts are FREE!  If family-friendly, outdoor concerts sound like your ideal way to spend a weekend afternoon or evening, we’ve compiled this handy list to get you started.

Nashville, TN Summer Music Concerts

• Musicians Corner in Centennial Park, each Friday evening and Saturday afternoon through June – FREE
• Full Moon Pickin’ Party at Warner Park Equestrian Center, on the Friday of the month closest to the full moon (the 29^th this month) through October – Buy tickets in advance as they often sell out
• Jazz On The Cumberland at Cumberland Park, one Sunday each month through November (the 17^th this month) – FREE
• Friday Night Live on Murfreesboro’s Historic Public Square, first Friday night of the month through September – FREE
• Dragon Music Sundays in Fannie Mae Dees Park (the 3^rd and 10^th this month) – FREE
• Sunset Concert Series at Carnton Plantation in Franklin on the last Sunday evening of the month through July – Tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the gate for adults, $5 for children ages 6-15
• Red Caboose Park Concert Series in Bellevue, Friday nights through June – FREE
• Music in the Park at Veterans Memorial Park in LaVergne on June 29^th – FREE
• Live From the Back Porch at Fontanel in Whites Creek, Thursday evenings through June 21^st – FREE
• Summer Concert Series at Crockett Park in Brentwood on Sunday evenings – FREE
• First Friday Market Night on Historic Downtown Springfield Square, first Friday night of the month through September – FREE
• 3^rd Thursdays on Main on Gallatin’s Downtown Square, third Thursday of each month through September – FREE
• Music In The Vines at Arrington Vineyards, every Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon through October – FREE
• Jazz On The Lawn at Beachaven Vineyards in Clarksville, two Saturdays each month through October (the 9^th and 23^rd this month) – FREE
• Music for Seniors Daytime Concert Series – monthly (the 22^nd this month at Centennial Park Event Shelter) – FREE
• Nashville Symphony Community Concerts – June 7^th at Centennial Park, June 8^th at Cumberland University in Lebanon, June 9^th at Rock Castle in Hendersonville, June 12^th at Southeast Greenspace in Antioch, June 26^th at Two Rivers Mansion in Donelson – FREE

**Be sure to check specific venue websites for further event details, schedule changes, rules, etc.**

Hope to run into you guys at some of these fun outdoor concerts this summer!

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