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Things to Do in Nashville in August

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This post covers the top things to do in August in Nashville (updated for 2023), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do in Nashville for even more ideas.

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST

This top 10 list has concerts, events, attractions, and festivals to check out during August.

Don't miss our popular Nashville posts: 

1. Attend a Concert

If you’re looking for a concert, Music City is the place to find it.

Of course, in Nashville, you can find concerts happening every night of the week.

Concerts

Music Festivals & Tours

Venues

Check out other events happening in August, or read our post about other nightlife you can find.

2. Go to a Sporting Event

Nashville is a competitive city that loves its sports! August is a great time to catch a game, especially baseball.

It is also an excellent way to spend the day with the family.

Baseball

Football

Bull Riding

Motorcross

You can find a list of other events happening in August here.  

And for more family-friendly activities, check out our full post here.

3. Enjoy A Comedy Show

It's not just music you'll find in Nashville. You'll find some funny comedy shows in Music City in August.

Take a look at other events happening in August here.  

4. Take in the Tomato Art Fest

Taking place in Five Points in East Nashville is the free Tomato Art Fest.

This popular festival, now in its 20th year, features different mediums of art, all of which must include tomatoes or other fruits and vegetables.

Past activities have included a Bloody Mary garden party, a home decorating contest, a 5K race, a Cornhole tournament, a haiku contest, and 3 stages with pop-up performances with local musicians.

They've also had family-friendly activities like a kid's art show, a Tomato Story Time, and a "push, pull, and wear" parade.

Each year they have a vendor marketplace with items including jewelry, pottery, blown glass, and much, much more.

Events take place on August 11th and 12th.

To find a schedule of activities, visit the Tomato Art Fest website.

5. Go to the Williamson County Fair

From August 4th - 12th, the Williamson County Fair will be held just a short drive from Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee.

This is not only one of the best family activities in the area this month, but it's also a great idea for nighttime fun.

In addition to all the great fair food and rides, there will also be plenty of live music, games, and even a Children's Barnyard.

For more information on dates and hours, check the Williamson County Fair website.

6. Attend a Shakespeare Festival

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival takes place April-May

This festival, in its 35th year, is free, although you can opt to purchase "royal" tickets for better seating.

Arrive early to grab a good spot and some food (or bring your own picnic).

This is a great way to spend the evening whether you're a longtime fan of Shakespeare or a newcomer to theatre.

Learn more here. 

7. Deep Tropics Music Art & Style Festival

The Deep Tropics Festival features a variety of musical artists at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

In addition to all the good tunes, you can also expect laser shows, choreographed LED lights, and more interesting visuals.

Fans of electronic, house, and hip-hop will find plenty to enjoy about this festival. Tickets are available now, and the event is 21+.

Events take place August 18th-19th, 2023.

Find out more about the Deep Tropics Music Art & Style Festival.

Note, for a similar event, you might try the Cornelia Fort Pickin' Party which takes place August 26th at Cornelia Fort Airpark.

8. Food Truck Fridays at Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards has been around since 2007 and has already established itself as an award-winning vineyard.

They have a number of events throughout the year, and their Food Truck Fridays are a great way to enjoy the summer day with live music and some great food!

You'll find shows taking place on August 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2023.

For more free things to do in Nashville this August, check out our free section below. 

9. Attend a Full Moon Pickin' Party

This is one of Nashville's most popular outdoor events, bringing Bluegrass music to folks of all ages.

Local musicians gather to play under the moon in Percy Warner Park on select days from May - September.

Gates open at 5:30 on August 11th, and music plays from 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

You're even welcome to bring your own bluegrass instrument (in addition to a blanket or chair) and play along.

There will be food trucks and craft beer on tap.

Tickets can be purchased here.

10. Save Money with a Nashville Tourist Attraction Discount Pass

With all the exciting things there are to do in Music City, we suggest getting a tourist city pass for Nashville.

All-inclusive passes are available, and others can include up to 55% discounts on retail prices for select attraction admission, gift shops, and restaurants. 

Featured on Various Passes: 

See our tourist attraction discount pass comparison here.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN AUGUST

August can bring some hot days; sometimes the best time to go out on a muggy summer day is once the sun goes down.

Some of our top ten items for things to do in August are great for the evening.

Here are a few more nighttime activities for the month of August.

For more nighttime activities, visit our post on things to do at night in Nashville. 

Find Live Music

There is live music everywhere at almost every time of day, but Music City lights up with even more options when the sun goes down.

The Honky Tonk Highway and its close-by SoBro neighborhood are the two most walkable areas to sample the largest variety of music.

Honky Tonk Highway: Walk down the famous Upper and Lower Broadway streets to find street performers, free music venues, saloons, and restaurants with their own live music.

SoBro Neighborhood: Turn off from Broadway to find the SoBro neighborhood. There is plenty of history with converted industrial buildings, some of which are now bars with music.

Bluebird Cafe: Thanks to the Nashville TV show, Bluebird is now one of the most famous places to find up-and-coming singers in the Nashville area.

Tickets go on sale one week in advance, but you better be quick. Shows sell out year-round. 

Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar: If you’re looking for an interactive and improvisational show, go to the Big Bang Bar.

Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 pm until 2:00 am, two piano players will be dueling it out to your requests. You’ll hear every genre, from country to pop to 90s alternative.

The Douglas Corner Cafe is one of the more well-known establishments for those wanting to start their music career.

Starting Tuesdays at 8:00 pm, singers perform two songs each. The night doesn’t end until every registered singer has sung. 

Listen to Songwriters Under the Stars

On August 25th and 27th, you'll find an evening of song and symphony at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

Each year hitmakers in the country and pop music arenas will be performing.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Enjoy craft cocktails and food truck offerings.

For more information, check here.

Catch a Free Fireworks Show After a Baseball Game

When the Nashville Sounds face off against the Gwinnett Stripers on Friday, August 12th, they plan to end the game with a bang.

There will be a free postgame fireworks show!

This is a great opportunity to not only see future major leaguers as they work their way to the big time, it's nice to close out the evening with a stunning fireworks display.

Tickets start around $15 and can be purchased here.

Visit Light

A stunning light installation by British artist Brune Munro returns to Nashville.

This takes place at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, dotted throughout the outdoor garden and indoor galleries.

The art exhibit can be viewed from May 4th-October 27th, 2023.

For more information, visit the Cheekwood website.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

Nashville has a bunch of free stuff to do year-round. We've mentioned some in our other sections.

Here are a few more free things to do in Nashville in August.

For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in Nashville. 

First Saturday Art Crawl

Across the city center, art galleries open their doors to host people on the first Saturday of every month. This year, that's August 5th.

You can pick and choose which shops and vendors to check out. Most offer refreshments, including wine.

Many of the galleries are at the Nashville Arcade Mall.

The participating galleries for the First Saturday Art Crawl swap out and are easily accessible by walking and using the Gray Line Trolley. 

This event is free and for art lovers of all ages!

Music in the Vines

Arrington Vineyards hosts Music in the Vines, a free event taking place every Saturday and Sunday from April through October.

August is the perfect month to come out and enjoy the music, the wine, and the whole atmosphere!

You can bring your own picnic or order a gourmet one there so you don't have to prep.

There's something different happening every weekend, so we encourage you to check out their calendar to plan your visit. 

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST

Nashville is super family-friendly!

There are also so many activity options available, there is sure to be something to fit everyone's tastes.

A few activities we've listed above like fireworks at a baseball game listed in our nighttime section above are perfect for the whole family! 

Here are a few more kid-friendly things to do in August.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do with kids in Nashville for even more ideas.

Get Creative at the Country Music Museum

The Country Music Museum offers activities for kids and teens.

You can find everything from hat making, bandana and braid making, songwriting workshops, a musical petting zoo, dancing, and more.

Check their calendar for a schedule of activities.

Attend Storytime at the Tennessee State Museum

The Tennessee State Museum is a free museum and has the most comprehensive display of the state's history.

While great for all ages, they also host a storytime for children every Thursday and Saturday.

This event is geared towards children ages 3 to 6, and a staff member will read to the children. Free crafts are also supplied!

Visit the Adventure Science Center

The science center "offers engaging learning experiences and science fun through hands-on, interactive exhibits, innovative programs, and full-dome productions in the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium"

You'll find live demonstrations, permanent exhibits, seasonal events... and a 63-foot dome theatre in the planetarium. It's not possible for kids to be bored here!

To plan your adventure, click here.

Visit the Frist Art Museum

Head to the Frist Art Museum where kids 18 and younger get in for free!

They offer free family programs throughout the year. It also has Martin Art-Quest, a hands-on art experience for kids offering ways to draw, animate, printmake, and paint.

To learn more and plan your visit, see the museum's website.

Get Creative at the Country Music Museum

The Country Music Museum offers activities for kids and teens.

You can find everything from hat making, bandana and braid making, songwriting workshops, a musical petting zoo, dancing, and more.

Check their calendar for a schedule of activities.

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About The Author

Boglarka Bordas

Boglarka is a tour guide and content writer. While obtaining her degree in Professional Writing from The University of Texas at San Antonio, she visited DC and went on her very first Free Tours by Foot. She loved it so much that she has been part of FTBF since 2015. Working as a guide has given her the freedom to travel, including trips to the Bunny Island off Japan, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, eating her way around Italy, hunting for the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, and finally seeing her first Broadway show in New York. Her family is from Hungary - Boglarka means Buttercup.
Updated: June 18th, 2023
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