Is there any greater time to visit Nashville than in July?
The weather is warm and ripe for outdoor activities in the beautiful natural areas and parks the Nashville area has to offer.
Outdoor music is in full swing, and there are concerts and live performances nearly everywhere you look. Several local sports teams’ seasons have already begun and you can choose from many different exciting games to attend.
Whether you found yourself in Nashville in July by chance, or you’re planning your trip in advance, the guide below will serve as a perfect resource to help you get the most out of your summer Nashville experience, starting with a top five must-see events and activities, followed by an expansive list of over 25 more to chose from.
Our Top 5 Picks
1. See Beyonce on July 15th at Nissan Stadium. Beyonce is coming to Nashville this summer as part of her Renaissance Tour. Get tickets here!
2. Get tickets for Sad Summer Fest. Sad Summer Fest is Nashville’s infamous emo and hardcore music festival featuring artists such as The Maine and Taking Back Sunday.
3. Catch George Strait on July 28th and 29th at Nissan Stadium. Come see one of the most successful artists in country music history at Nissan Stadium on July 28th and 29th.
4. See some fireworks and more at the Nashville 4th of July celebration. The Nashville 4th of July Celebration is more than just a fireworks display, you’ll also get a chance to see Grammy-awarded artists such as the Nashville Symphony and Gramps Morgan.
5. See The Chicks on July 27th at Bridgestone Arena. The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks are coming to Nashville to perform at the Bridgestone Arena on July 27th.
Other Great Acitivities To Do In July In Nashville
Take a trolley tour of the city
What better way to get to know a city than to take a tour, and what better way to take a tour than to hop on a trolley?
The warm weather of July will make for a perfect setting for an afternoon with Old Town Trolley Tours, Nashville’s premier tour guides of the city. You’ll see all of the must-see attractions and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get on and off to go shopping, have a drink, or have a bite to eat!
Get tickets to Ed Sheeran on July 22nd at Nissan Stadium
For those who enjoy the sounds of pop musician, Ed Sheeran, and will be in Nashville on July 22nd, you’re in luck! The British artist with famous hits such as Perfect, Shape of You, and Photograph, will be visiting music city this summer and performing at Nissan Stadium. Get your tickets here today before they sell out.
Go on a hiking expedition
The Nashville area is ripe with fantastic hiking spots and July is the perfect time to go exploring in one of these many unique and beautiful areas.
If you’re looking for a place close to town but still feel isolated enough to feel like you’re in the wilderness, Percy Warner Park is a great place to start. It’s an easy hike even for the most inexperienced hikers and you can view lots of beautiful foliage and wildlife almost directly from downtown.
Check out the local brewery scene
It’s no secret that great beer is made in Nashville, and when the weather is warm, the local breweries, with their shaded patios and refreshing beverages are the place to be!
But why just go to one Nashville brewery when you can visit several or all of them? With Music City Brew Hop, Nashville’s amazing brewery tour service, visiting several breweries in an afternoon isn’t that challenging of a goal.
Take the pressure off of who’s going to be the designated driver, and focus on the thing that matters most — making memories and drinking good beer!
Attend Frida Fest on July 8th at Plaza Mariachi
Frida Kahlo was a beloved Mexican artist, painter, and activist who became popular in the 1930s and 1940s for her influential portraits and landscapes.
Plaza Mariachi, a music venue, art gallery, and event center in Nashville holds an annual festival celebrating Frida Kahlo on July 8th, the weekend of Frida’s birthday. There will be delicious food, games, music, and fun to be had by all attendants young and old.
Get tickets for Herman’s Hermits on July 8th at Franklin Theatre
A lot of fantastic bands make Nashville one of their stops when going on tour, but you weren't expecting Herman’s Hermits, one of England’s most well-known pop bands from the 1960s to be gracing the Franklin Theatre this summer!
You can catch this beloved power group and all of their hits on July 8th. Get tickets here!
Go on a camping excursion
There are a plethora of amazing camping spots around the Nashville area, and you will have many options to make your night in the woods special, whether you’re looking to car camp or backpack.
One great spot that locals will often suggest is Fall Creek Falls State Park. This is technically a backpacking excursion, but it’s only about a two-mile hike from the parking area, so it provides the perfect medium between convenience and isolation that is so coveted amongst campers.
On the hike to your camping spot, you’ll walk past beautiful waterways, and waterfalls, and if you’re lucky, this is a great spot to see wildlife.
See the Sound of Music Live on July 16th
The Sound of Music, one of the world's most well-known and beloved musicals made popular by the film with Julie Andrews, is coming to Nashville at the Soli Deo Center on July 16th. Don’t miss out on your chance to see this fantastic musical! Get your tickets here fast before they sell out!
Visit Fort Negley
Fort Negley is a historic site that memorializes a tragic but important moment in the Civil War.
It was built by the Union Army during one of the turning points in the war and served as protection against their plans and movements. It was the largest fort built by the Union Army in the Civil War.
Today, Fort Negley still stands and you can learn all about the history of this amazing point in the war. Surrounding the fort is a large grassy area where you are welcome to picnic, bring your dog for a walk, or throw the frisbee around. Admission is completely free.
Check out Kindling Arts Fest July 27th-30th
If you’re familiar with Nashville’s monthly Art Crawl, Kindling Arts Fest is in a very similar format, but in a much more explosive and immersive execution.
Like the Art Crawl, the Kindling Arts Fest takes place at multiple Nashville arts institutions over the course of four days (July 27th-30th) and features larger-than-life exhibits and performers that you’ll have to see to believe.
Pre-sale passes start at $75 for the entire event and prices will only continue to rise, so consider getting yours today!
Join the birdwatching community
The opportunities for birdwatching in Nashville should not be underestimated. Central Tennessee provides a prime location for viewing many unique species of birds due to the migratory flight paths of rare and exceptional birds from all over the Western hemisphere.
One amazing location to catch a glimpse of one or many of these special species is at Radnor Lake State Park, which is located about half an hour right outside downtown Nashville.
Go Fishing
When most people think of summer, they think of fishing. What could be better for the month of July than a weekend fishing trip with the family?
Excellent fishing spots are not hard to come by around Nashville, but one spot that’s well-known by locals is Percy Priest Lake. Here you’ll find beautiful, warm, and clean water stocked to the brim with Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish.
See the Monster Truck World Finals at Monster Jam
If you’re a fan of monster trucks, then you might already know that the Monster Truck World Finals are taking place in Nashville this year at Nissan Stadium on July 1st.
Come see all of your favorite trucks do competitive stunts including jumping over and demolishing cars, and racing. Tickets go fast so be sure to get yours soon here!
Go kayaking on the Cumberland River
Many people think of kayaking as great exercise and a good way to get outside and enjoy the summer weather, but kayaking the Cumberland River is also a fantastic way to see the city of Nashville from a distance.
If you’re already an experienced kayaker, there are many places to put in along the bank of the Cumberland River, but if not, there are several river guides that can assist you, including River Queen Voyages, who offer many packages including group voyages and petal boat voyages.
See the Jurassic Park theme music live on July 6th
Fans of the Jurassic Park movies will surely agree that the score for the films is unmatched. But what if you were given the opportunity to see the Jurassic Park score performed live by the Grammy-award winning Nashville Symphony?
Well, you don’t have to wonder! You can catch this special performance on July 6th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. Get tickets here!
See The Dead South on July 7th at the Ryman Auditorium
The Dead South is one of the most well-known bands in the indie-country genre today, and they're playing at possibly the most recognizable country music venue in history — The Ryman Auditorium. Come see a performance by this incredibly popular band at the place where The Opry originated. Get tickets here!
Play a round of frisbee golf
Frisbee golf is a fantastic summer sport that is just as much fun solo as it is with a group of friends. If you’re unfamiliar with frisbee golf, its exactly what it sounds like — instead of clubs and golf balls, you’ll be throwing a frisbee to different checkpoints in the least amount of throws possible.
There are several great frisbee golf courses but a local favorite is frequently Two Rivers Disc Golf Course where you’ll see stunning views and well-maintained facilities.
See Jason Mraz in concert on July 30th at the First Bank Amphitheater
Fans of indie rock singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz will be excited to learn that he will be performing at the First Bank Amphitheater this summer on July 30th. Come see him perform hits such as I’m Yours, Lucky, and Love Someone at one of Nashville’s largest outdoor stages. Get tickets here!
Go for a bike ride
People have been riding bikes for over a hundred years and for a good reason — they require no fuel, little cost, and provide speed and ample exercise all while experiencing the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful weather.
The Nashville area provides several amazing options for cyclists, but one of the most popular bike trails in the area is Nashville’s unique greenway system which expands almost 100 miles all over the city and suburbs.
Get tickets to see Kid Rock on July 8th at Bridgestone Arena
Kid Rock, one of country music’s most infamous performers and Nashville residents is performing at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on July 8th. Whether you love him or hate him, he is known for putting on one heck of a show. Get your tickets today here!
Catch a Nashville Sounds game
The baseball season will be in full swing (no pun intended) in July and that’ll be the perfect time to get tickets to a Nashville Sounds game!
You’ll love the magic of First Horizon Park, Nashville’s own baseball field, and all of the charms that come with it. Get a hot dog, or maybe some peanuts and crackerjacks, and cheer on Nashville’s spectacular baseball team as they hopefully make it to the finals!
