May is one of my favorite months of the year in Nashville. Whether you’re looking for ways to celebrate the moms in your life or local festivals, here are some of the best things to do this month.
🤱 Celebrate Mom
Mother’s Day is May 10. My biggest suggestion every Mother’s Day is to know your mom! Not every mom wants cut flowers and a fancy brunch. Bookish moms like me might like to check out Brentwood’s newest indie, The Raven, which is a cozy bookstore and bar. I like to pick out gifts and plants with my mom at Wonder Gift & Garden and then grab a bite at The Yorkshire Deli, both part of The Land in Kingston Springs. Here are some more ideas:
- Cheekwood is hosting a plant sale on May 9 and 10.
- Moms climb free on Mother’s Day at The Adventure Park! Tickets can be pricey here, so that’s a great deal.
- Set sail on the General Jackson Showboat for a Mother's Day brunch cruise.
- Go square dancing with your mama and shop at a vintage market at Skinny Dennis.
🏰 Small-Town Festivals
- Don your finest doublets (or shorts) and travel forthwith to Arrington for the Tennessee Renaissance Festival, every weekend in May, and Memorial Day. Make sure to bring cash to tip performers.
- Just outside Franklin, the Historic Nolensville Buttercup Festival on May 2 will have live music, vendors, art, food, and more.
- The 85th Annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival runs May 8 and 9 in Portland. Check out the fireworks on May 8, and on May 9, watch a parade, attend magic shows, listen to live music, and, of course, eat plenty of strawberries.
- Breeden’s Orchard in Mt. Juliet is hosting a Half-toberfest party on May 16 and 17. RSVP now if you want to attend; tickets will sell out!
🌏 Asian American Heritage Month
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Here are some ways to celebrate our AANHPI community.
- API Heritage Night with the Nashville Sounds is on May 1.
- The Nashville Spring Festival at our new Chinatown in Antioch runs May 9 and 10.
- The APIHM Festival is at the Frist Art Museum on May 16.
- Also check out Pakistani American artist Anila Quayyum Agha’s work at the Frist starting May 22.
- Nashville Soccer Club’s API Night is May 23.
🚲 Brush Off Your Bike
Every month is a good month for biking, but if it’s been a while since you’ve gone for a ride, this month’s beautiful weather makes it great for biking. Our greenways are always open for bikers, but here are some biking events happening this month.
- May 6 is Bike to School Day. Keep an eye out for biking kiddos on your commute that morning!
- May 16 is the Tour de Nash and the first Open Streets Downtown of the summer.
- May 22 is Bike to Work Day. There will be snacks and swag at Riverfront Station that morning.
🎵 Free Live Music
Musicians Corner at Centennial Park starts Friday, May 15, and runs every weekend through mid June! This is one of the best free music events in Nashville. The lineup includes Amanda Shires, Madi Diaz, the Nashville Symphony, and many more. The City Cast Nashville team will be there on May 24, so come say hi!
And you have two more chances to see us at Fridays by the River tonight and May 8, where there will also be live music and food trucks!
