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City Cast Nashville

Find the best that Nashville has to offer.

Margaret Kingsbury

Marie Cecile Anderson

  Rachel Iacovone

It’s hard to believe there’s only two months left of 2026. Close out the year with a bang with 

 wants Nashville to look up this month, with heaps of 

 at their newly renovated space. Take in views from their telescopes on select nights, or attend a public star party. Dyer is also hosting live music from the 

 about how astronomy can change the way we see the world. Events vary in cost from free to $30+, and spots tend to fill up fast.

 festival will feature music, local Latine food vendors, and craft-making. While Cheekwood’s on-site parking is full during the event, they’re 

. The Nashville City Cemetery is also hosting 

its inaugural Día de los Muertos celebration

 on Nov. 1 with “bright marigolds, beautiful altars, and heartfelt remembrance.” Mexican and Latin American eateries like 

 can help your food-based commemorations over the weekend. Remember: The holiday is much more than so-called “candy skulls,” a fact particularly exemplified at 

 that will be honoring All Souls and All Saints Days.

🦃 Where To Gobble Down Dinner, Without the Dishes

If you’re not thawing your own turkey for days this year, plenty of Nashville eateries are open on Thanksgiving. If you still want to feel like you’re eating in someone’s home, 

 are all open, too. Lots of Italian spots are also working Turkey Day — from 

. Wherever you go, tip your servers well!

There’s plenty of foodie fun in Nashville this month beyond Thanksgiving.

 game with Outdoor Nashville on Nov. 6 at Bells Bend Park.

Watch a heated battle between some of Nashville’s top chefs at 

 on Nov. 12 (with unlimited bites from 20 local restaurants).

James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: Nashville

 event on Nov. 19, with heaps of food stations celebrating our culinary community. We’re a sponsor, so come say hi!

Give back by volunteering at local food banks, prepping meals, and delivering food boxes. Search the 

 for volunteer opportunities and sort by “Food Insecurity.”

🥾 Hiking Trails Perfect for Digesting Turkey

Need a reason to get outside before the turkey hits the table? Middle Tennessee has hiking trails for all ages, from a short nature walk with kiddos to a full day adventure.

: The lake trail is perfect for the whole family, because you can turn around at any time. This scenic loop is about 3 miles with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, especially wild turkeys!

: With your dog on a leash, the 2-mile Henry Hollow Loop Trail may be the best hike to go solo with your best furry friend.

: The Mossy Ridge Trail is great for gossip … meaning you won’t be huffing and puffing too much on this moderate 4.5 mile loop, so get out there and share a few family secrets.

: The free museum explores the ancient Native American earthworks, and short trails along the Duck and Little Duck rivers offer a chance to stretch your legs and reflect on what you're thankful for. It’s great for the whole family!

More November Activities

There's only two more months in the year! Here are the best things to do this November in Nashville

The Best Things To Do in Nashville in November 2026

Your Guide to Nashville in November 2026

Find the best of everything that Nashville has to offer.

Nashville’s Best

Nashville's Best

This weekend, Oct 24-25, 3rd and Lindsley is 

hosting the 2nd Annual Nashville Jazz Festival

 presented by the Nashville Jazz Workshop, featuring local musicians alongside national acts. But if you can’t make it this weekend, Nashville has plenty of places where folks can listen to live jazz. Here are some of our favorites.

Rudy’s is the place to go for nightly jazz. Its 

 includes a regular lineup of locals — like Regi Wooten and Giovanni Rodriguez — and touring musicians alike. Feast on New Orleans-style meals and cocktails (including nonalcoholic and vegan options). It’s closed on Tuesdays, but open nightly the rest of the week.

This nonprofit is the community hub of jazz in Nashville. Check its 

 for live performances, and feel free to join one of its 

 if you’re a musician or attend one of its 

This speakeasy lounge has been around since 1948, and famous performers include Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash — though it might be best known for the 

. It’s open every day of the week and hosts nightly live jazz performances and burlesque on the weekends. It has a full food and drink menu.

This family-owned meat-and-three hosts live jazz weekly 

 from 5-10 p.m., with local musician Fredrick Weathersby. Make sure to grab dessert while you’re there!

 lobby every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. for live jazz hosted by Sweet Megg. It’s an open jam, so feel free to bring your instruments! Martinis and drink specials will be available.

 have weekly performances every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. at East Nashville’s Urban Cowboy. Each week features a different band leader and jazz style.

Live Jazz

🎶 Where’s your favorite place to listen to live jazz?

Here are some of our favorite places to listen to live jazz in Nashville.

Where To Listen to Live Jazz in Nashville

6 of the Best Places To Listen to Live Jazz in Nashville

Halloween is just around the corner, and several of Nashville’s bars are conjuring the spooky spirit all month long. Here are five of our favorite eerily good Halloween pop-ups.

 has transformed into an homage to the Halloween classic, with witchy vibes, themed cocktails, and a special menu that includes Winifred’s Pie!

East Nashville’s outdoor gathering spot 

 has an out-of-this-world alien pop-up. Their cocktail bar, Fortunate Sun, will be serving themed cocktails like Ted the Alien and Mars Marg in 

 has a haunting pop-up with flickering portraits and eerie encounters. Summon your future at tarot card readings every Saturday, and sip from spooky cocktails like The Covenant and The Great Pumpkin.

For a more cozy vibe, head to Noelle’s Hidden Bar with your coven for themed cocktails by candlelight. Snack on Midnight Grapes while sipping Love Potion No. 9 or the zero-proof Witch’s Kiss.

Find this dark metal Halloween pop-up at Germantown’s 

, featuring cocktails like Abyssa’s Obsession and Bone Temple. Renowned bartenders Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage are bringing this cinematic pop-up to 34 bars across the U.S.

🎃 Halloween Fun for Kids

Halloween is just around the corner, and several of Nashville’s bars are conjuring the spooky spirit all month long with these pop-ups.

Check Out These Halloween Pop-Ups in Nashville

5 of the Best Halloween Pop-Ups in Nashville

Whitney Pastorek

, our brutal summer heat has now cooled down, and Halloween season is upon us. Here are the City Cast Nashville team’s picks for the 

Nashville loves scary movies, or at least we do this month! Catch a free movie and popcorn at 

 on the patio at Honeytree Meadery, or head to Franklin for 

, running all month featuring movies like “The Shining,” “Misery,” “Psycho,” and more. The Belcourt’s 

 brings horror classics back to the big screen, while 

 hosts outdoor movie nights for ages 21 and up Oct. 22-24, featuring “Obsession,” “Hocus Pocus,” and “Scream.” Catch the free 

 on Oct. 3-4 at Regal in Green Hills. Creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson’s short film “Manifested” screens in block 3 on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.!

🧶 Get Hooked on the Tennessee Craft Fair

Or maybe crafting is more your scene. The 

 runs Oct. 9 through 11 at Centennial Park. It’s a great place to support local artists, get a head start on holiday shopping, and stock up on all your crafting needs. It’s considered one of the best craft fairs in the nation. There will be around 200 vendors, lots of food trucks, and a children’s crafting tent. It also has free admission!

. If you’ve never been to Bridgestone Arena for a Preds game, we promise it’s worth the trip — even if you know nothing about hockey. Grab a sweater and give it a try! And 

 continues its record-breaking season with a playoff spot already clinched. They’ve got two home games this month, and remember: 

Chow down at cultural food fests like the 

 at Bearded Iris a couple weeks later. We’re also excited to check out 

 in Wedgewood-Houston. (Check out our recent 

 not too far from there in Berry Hill, but this will be more of a market for picking up dry goods in addition to baked treats.

👻 More October Activities

October is here, which means it's time for fall fests, scary movies, and festivals. Here's our Nashville October guide.

The Best Things To Do in Nashville in October 2026

Your Guide to Nashville in October 2026

Fall is here, which means it’s pumpkin patch time! My family and I go to a different one every year. Some are pretty basic, while others are like Halloween-themed amusement parks. Here are my picks for the best pumpkin patches and fall festivals in the Nashville area.

 This fall festival has a ton of activities, especially for kids: playgrounds, a corn maze, wagon ride tours, tire swings, farm animals, and more. Don’t miss the delicious pumpkin bread. If you only want pumpkins, no need to buy a ticket. The corn maze can get dusty, so avoid wearing open-toed shoes or really nice clothes. This is the best bang-for-your-buck fall festival, since most activities are included in the ticket price.

 With 40+ activities for kids, Lucky Ladd Farms is the amusement park of pumpkin patches. Visit zoo animals, ride a pony, milk cows, go down a giant slide, and mine gems. They have activities all year round, so if you live close enough, it’s probably worth springing for a season pass. It can get crowded, and some activities cost extra.

 If you only want a pumpkin (or three), mums, and a fall-themed selfie, this farm stand is the place for you. It’s right across from the White Bridge Road Target. I purchase my pumpkins here every year. They also have a few games for kids (pumpkin bowling, anyone?), but it’s mostly just a quick stop.

This fall festival has all the classic activities like corn mazes, tractor rides, and kid activities, but unlike other festivals, it also has live music, a sunflower field, and for extra cost, hot-air balloon and pony rides (not at the same time). It’s a lovely location, right on the Harpeth River and surrounded by forest.

 With fair swings, a carousel, and a bungee trampoline, this pumpkin patch also has an amusement park feel. It’s a bit quirkier than the other fall festivals, with singing chickens, pumpkin cannons, pig races, and mechanical bulls. Plus, they have fireworks some nights! Kids will have a blast, but it does get loud, as a warning. A lot of activities cost extra.

🎃 Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating

From corn mazes to sunflower fields and hot-air balloon rides, here are the best pumpkin patches and fall festivals in Nashville. 

5 of the Best Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals Near Nashville

The Best Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals in Nashville

September is here! The fall festival season is in full swing in Nashville, and it seems like there’s something to do every day of the week. Here are our top picks for September activities, from comedy nights to celebrating Dolly. Make sure to 

City Cast Nashville is hitting the stage for our first-ever live show! Hosted by Marie Cecile Anderson, 

 will feature local comedians taking aim at the city that we love to hate. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at The Lab at Zanies. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. 

Nashville leaders have declared September 

 in honor of Dolly Parton, and there’s a push to name Sept. 25 as 

. Here are some ways you can celebrate our beloved queen and her legacy in Nashville this month:

 on Sept. 5. Proceeds benefit the Imagination Library.

Not a runner? Spend local and support the Imagination Library by grabbing the 

 cup of ambition at Madtown Coffee, munching on Dolly Parton cookies at 

 at The Pancake Pantry, rolling into Sept. 25 at the Brentwood Skate Center’s 

 for $9.25 a ticket at participating Regal theaters.

Learn more about her musical legacy at the 

 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

While Nashville seems to have some kind of festival every weekend, we don’t have any centering local folklore that I know of, until now. The inaugural 

 about a goblin that plays tricks on people around Todd’s Knob in Donelson. The fun starts Sept. 4 and runs all month long with the 

, where 18+ businesses across Donelson offer special tributes to the local lore, like stitching a scrappy goblin at Smart Art, sipping a knoblin drink at Nectar Urban Cantina, or spotting hidden knoblins for discounts at JVI Secret Gardens. The month-long tribute to the trickster culminates in a free art and music festival on Oct. 3.

 on Sept. 26 with a daytime fall festival including pumpkins, hay rides, and a corn maze. Then, at 6 p.m., the kids’ square dance begins, before it becomes an all-ages affair at 7 p.m. You don’t have to have any square dance experience to join in on the fun. In fact, this is the spot that finally broke our host Rachel Iacovone’s streak of never participating in any kind of boot scootin’. Now, she never misses a barn dance during season. She warns it does get packed though, so make sure to grab 

 in advance for $18 per person. Oh, and bring some bug spray along with your comfiest dancing shoes!

🎉 More September Activities

 From celebrating Dolly's legacy to roasting Nashville, here are the best things to do around town in September.

The Best Events & Activities in Nashville for September 2026

Your Guide to Nashville in September 2026

August is coming in hot here in Nashville, with epic '90s parties, some of our favorite local festivals, and even romance. Here are some must-see events to check out this month, brought to you by the entire City Cast Nashville team.

This month, Brooklyn Bowl is hosting two nostalgic events: 

Club '90s Presents: Michael Jackson Night

 are also combining forces at FirstBank Amphitheater. Cannery Hall is throwing it back on Aug. 22 for 

, a '90s and early 2000s dance rave. That same night, you don’t want to miss 

 at The Basement East. Not in the mood(ring) to dance? Check out this 

 at Sonny’s in Germantown. Grab your slap bracelet and windbreaker and head out on the town!

, East Nashville’s celebration of the most vegetable fruit, takes over Five Points on Aug. 7-8 with vendors, bands, and Bloody Marys. Don’t miss the 

, who just made their Bonnaroo debut. And there’s still time to enter the 

! Meanwhile, there may be a few tix remaining for “

East Nashville Facebook Page: The Musical

,” a now-annual tradition playing at Eastside Bowl on Aug. 6-7. Check out 

 with director Emma Supica to learn more.

“Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind,” or both, if you find yourself seated at the Centennial Park Bandshell later this month. The annual 

 kicks off its rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Aug. 20, and runs every weekend until Sept. 20. The pay-what-you-will performances include related lectures and a concert beforehand. Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chair, and while you’re welcome to bring a picnic, there will be plenty of food trucks. We’re a proud media sponsor of this year’s festival.

Raise a glass to two of our best local breweries this month: 

 are both celebrating anniversaries! ENBW kicks things off on Aug. 1 with 

, live music, Beer Olympics, and five new beer releases. On Aug. 29, Fat Bottom turns 14, and they’re throwing 

 at their taproom in The Nations. They’ll have adoptable dogs, flash tattoos, and even a limited-edition bottomless beer cup, while supplies last.

 on Aug. 15! The Bookshop will have stickers, totes, and deals, while Parnassus is planning bracelet stations, bouquet bars, and blind dates with a book. If you’re looking for a date that’s a little more tangible than a book, Birdie’s at Lost & Found is hosting a 

 where your friends pitch you to a room full of singles. Or audition for “Love Is Blind,” which is 

More August Activities

Here are some must-see events to check out this August in Nashville, from partying like its 1999 to our fave festivals.

The Best Events & Activities in Nashville for August 2026

Your Guide to Nashville in August 2026

It’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s a Tennessee summer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a great July! Here are some of the best happenings this month, from indoor board game fun to exploring Nashville’s history.

🎆 Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

Nashville is going all out for America’s 250th birthday, with two full days of fireworks, activities, and live music. It’s going to be the 

largest fireworks and drone show in Nashville history

. The lineup includes Boyz II Men, The All-American Rejects, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, and Sublime, which makes for some interesting musical combos.

If you’d like to watch the downtown fireworks without fighting crowds, 

 is serving up BBQ with live music and lawn games, the 

 is a great place to bring the kids, and check out these rooftop celebrations that still have tickets: 

For free options, try St. Thomas Midtown garage rooftops, Skyline Medical Center or the Walmart across the street, East Park, and Douglas Park.

Or you can stay home and watch the fireworks on ABC, or stream it on Hulu or Disney+. For Fourth of July fireworks in surrounding areas, 

While we’re celebrating America’s birthday, why not learn more about Nashville’s history? Here are some fun (and fascinating) tours of our city that locals will enjoy.

 has partnered with local historians to create a variety of themed walking, driving, and virtual tours. Learn more about Nashville’s 

Jefferson Street Historical Society’s Summer Strolls

 take folks on a two-mile walk to explore this iconic street’s cultural history. Keep an eye on the society’s event page for upcoming tours.

Learn more about Nashville’s music history with a 

It’s hot! To escape the summer heat, why not head inside and play some board games with friends? 

 at Bongo East is the place to go, with heaps of games to choose from. 

 (also in East) has lots of games, plus a massive craft station with friendship bracelet supplies. Game among greenery at 

Kids are back to school in August. Here are some ideas for enjoying the last full month of summer break:

, which closes on July 26. If you go on a Saturday, kids can get some water play in at the zoo’s 

 is stomping into The Fairgrounds Nashville on July 11-12, and the Adventure Science Center just 

 to complete its Fossils Frontier exhibit. Here are some 

 on July 25 centers “The Wizard of Oz,” with live performances, snacks, and activities. And check out these theater camps and classes that still have openings in July: 

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire

 is coming to Bridgestone Arena for three nights this month. And don’t sleep on the 

 at Parnassus Books on July 17, and always keep an eye on the 

☀️ More July Activities

From Fourth of July parties to board game cafes, here are the best things to do this month in Nashville.

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