A new year, a new month of shows, activities, and ideas for ways to enjoy our city. Whether you’re more of a winter homebody, love finding the latest shows, or are looking to get more fit in the new year, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to having the best January possible in Nashville.
Art at the Tennessee State Museum. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
🖼️ Check Out a Museum
- The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is “pay what you want” for locals in January, with $10 parking. Learn about American history through the lens of country music. There are kid activities, too.
- The Tennessee State Museum is always free. Study exhibits about Tennessee’s first peoples, admire art by famous Tennessee artists, and imagine yourself living in the past with furniture and fashion displays. Afterward, have lunch at the Nashville Farmer’s Market, and listen to the 95-bell carillon on the hour at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
- You can find me this month at the Frist Art Museum’s current exhibition — Journey Through Japan: Myths to Manga. Kids are always free (and will have a blast at the interactive Martin ArtQuest), and college students get in free on Thursday nights.
- The National Museum of African American Music is the only museum of its kind dedicated to African American music. Explore the evolution of African American music and how Black artists contributed to many genres.
- Bring your kids to the Adventure Science Center, with endless interactive science exhibits and activities, an indoor playground, and a planetarium.
Novelette makes my heart happy. (Deezy Youngdahl / Novelette Booksellers)
📚 Stockpile Books
Restock your bedside table with a towering bookstack (just me?) for the days when it’s just too cold to go outside. Check out books from your local Nashville Public Library branch, or go to one of our many independent bookstores, like Parnassus Books, The Bookshop, or Novelette Booksellers.
🏋️ Ways To Get Fit
- Take advantage of our community centers, which often have free or inexpensive public fitness centers and exercise classes.
- The YMCA is also a great option. There’s childcare available if you’re a parent, and income-based membership plans. Most have indoor pools.
🎵 January Shows
- The Grand Ole Opry kicks off its 100th birthday celebrations with shows every Friday and Saturday this month at the Ryman!
- The Lab at Zanies is hosting really fun themed drag brunches this month: Wicked, Chappell Roan, Spongebob Squarepants, and Golden Girls!
- Ringo Starr performs at the Ryman Jan. 14-15.
- The Nashville Symphony celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 19) and the Lunar New Year (Jan. 31) with special performances at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
- The circus is coming to town Jan. 24-26 with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s reimagined edition of “The Greatest Show On Earth.”
- Cheekwood’s Winter Concert Series starts Jan. 25 with a performance from the Music City Latin Orchestra.
- “Chicago” is at TPAC for five days only at the end of the month.
📅 Even more January activity ideas!
