18 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN NASHVILLE IN JANUARY (2024)

This post covers the top things to do in January in Nashville (updated for 2024).

We include nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

As local tour guides, we have drawn upon our extensive experience to come up with this list of January activities and events.

Outside of its first week, January is probably the cheapest time of year to visit Nashville, certainly for both flights and accommodation.

Of course, the main reason for this is the weather.

Nashville experiences significant temperature changes from moderate to quite cold in January, but there are still plenty of bright days to spend outside.

High temperatures tend to be in the mid to upper 40s F (8-9 C) with a few of the warmer afternoons getting up into the low to mid-60s F (17-18C).

Low temperatures average in the upper 20s F (-2 to -1 C) with a few colder mornings dipping down into the mid-teens F (-8 to -9 C).

However, it's a great time for indoor attractions, such as museums, as crowds should be approximately half as large as during the peak season.

Be sure to check out our post on the weather in Nashville in January.

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

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY

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

Don't forget to check out our popular Nashville posts:

1. See a Concert

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

Although January is a bit of a slow month, there are still some great musicians in town.

2. Go to a Museum

Indoor activities are preferred on a chilly January day!

There are a number of good museums in Nashville, ones that sometimes stay open into the evening hours.

Music Related

Other Museums

3. Nashville MLK Day

Celebrate MLK Day in Nashville this January with a number of great activities hosted by the city.

In 2024, MLK Day falls on January 15th, although some activities take place around that date.

Nashville hosts one of the oldest Martin Luther King Day commemorative marches in the country, going on 33 years.

There will be some panels and a symposium at The Legacy Continues: Lifting the Next Generation of Dreamers event on January 11th.

Before or after the 15th, you might like to visit the Civil Rights Collection at the Nashville Public Library.

And, on the 15th itself, the MLK Day Annual March to Gentry starts at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church.

4. Go on a Free Sightseeing Tour

Take one of the great walking tours available in Nashville.

The tours last 90 minutes and are led by local Nashvillians.

You'll get a nice welcome to the city with many recommendations for other things to do and places to eat/drink/dance, but it is light on history.

There is a lot of history in downtown Nashville to cover in 90 minutes.

If you’re interested in some of the hidden stories, check out our self-guided tour of downtown Nashville.

5. See the Harlem Globetrotters

The amazing and entertaining Harlem Globetrotters make an appearance at Bridgestone Arena.

For almost 100 years, they have shown their basketball skills while keeping audiences entertained and happy.

The fun takes place on January 20th with shows at 2:00 pm at Bridgestone Arena.

Tickets can be purchased here.

6. Attend Monster Jam

Who doesn't love monster trucks?

If you're a fan of motorsports, you'll be happy to hear that Monster Jam is coming to the Bridgestone Arena on January 6th and 7th.

This event features some of the biggest monster trucks in the world performing a variety of incredible stunts and competing in contests to see which driver is the most impressive.

Some of the competitions are voted on by the audience, which means you'll have the opportunity to take part in deciding who wins!

Purchase Monster Jam tickets or learn more.

7. Go to a Sporting Event

Nashville is a competitive city that loves sports, and January is a great time to catch a game.

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

Ice Hockey

Nashville Predators

Football

Tennessee Titans

Basketball

Vanderbilt Commodores

Take a look at even more sporting events happening in January here.

For more family-friendly activities, check out our full post.

8. Enjoy a Stage Performance

January is a quiet month in Nashville, but there are still a few shows that could keep you entertained.

Musicals/Theatre

Funny Girl | January 3rd–7th
The Cher Show | January 19th, 20th
Girl From the North Country | January 30th

Comedy

JP Sears | January 11-13th
Pete Lee | January 18th-20th

Family Friendly

A Prarie Home Companion | January 11th
Jurassic World Live Tour | January 26th-28th

TIP: Check out this list of the best Nashville comedy clubs if you can’t make it to one of the shows we’ve listed.

Check here for even more shows on the stage in January in Nashville.

9. Marshmallow Hikes

Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary is hosting family-friendly hikes through the woods this January.

The hikes conclude with hot chocolate and marshmallows, which we think is the perfect reward for a chilly activity!

Hikes take place at 9:30 am, 11 am, and 1 pm and go out on January 6th, 13th, and 20th.

Click here to learn more and grab tickets for the hike.

For more family-friendly activities, see below.

10. Save Money with a 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:

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Musician’s Hall of Fame
Madame Tussauds
Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours
Hard Rock Cafe

See our full tourist attraction discount pass comparison here.

If you've already planned on getting a pass, you can purchase it here: Nashville Sightseeing Pass

Honorable Mention: Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville

The Antiques & Garden Show Nashville returns in 2024 with the theme of Welcome is Beautiful.

Along with some incredible speakers, there will be over 150 exhibitors, experts on homes and gardens, and an antique show.

This year's keynote speaker is none other than Ina Garten.

There will also be plenty of other speakers on hand to talk about a variety of different subjects related to gardening and home design.

The event takes place from January 12th to 14th. Tickets can be purchased here.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN JANUARY

Nashville has some incredible things to do after dark in January, including the concerts at the venues we've listed in our top ten section above.

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

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

Find a Film at Belcourt Theatre

Escape the January cold at the Belcourt Theatre.

This is a nonprofit, historic movie theatre and film center that has been in operation since the 1920s.

You can find showings for big Hollywood movies, small screenings from independent filmmakers, or special re-releases of classics.

Visit a Comedy Club

While most big cities have comedy clubs, each is unique in its location.

It's a great way to meet locals and get a sense of a city.

In Nashville, Zanies has been around for over 30 years and it is a great place to catch a stand-up routine.

Professional comedians from across the country pass through its doors, and you can catch a show almost every night of the week.

There's also food and drink available to turn it into dinner and a show.

Enjoy Singo

Come out every Tuesday to Fat Bottom Brewing for a night of beer, music, and bingo.

Along with a great show, there will be plenty of prizes to win as you bingo the night away.

It's free to attend and there's no registration necessary!

Learn more about Singo here.

For more free things to do in Nashville, check out our master post here.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY

Nashville has a bunch of free stuff to do year-round.

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

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

Do a Free Art Walk

A Wedgewood-Houston free art walk takes place on the first Saturday of each month and is a great way to get out and peruse the pop-ups, studios, and art galleries in Nashville.

To see the lineup and plan your visit, click here.

The Franklin Art Crawl takes place on the first Friday of each month in downtown Franklin.

Hatch Show Print

A fun and unique thing to do in Nashville is visit the Hatch Show Print, which has been in business since the late 19th century.

It's one of the leading printmaking shops in Nashville, and its posters can be found throughout the city.

Visiting the shop is free, and you can also go on a tour for $20 if you're interested.

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

Visit Honkey Tonk Highway

With honkey tonks that line both sides of Broadway, a stroll down the street can give you access to loads of music.

The stretch starts at Legends Corner, at Fifth and Broadway, and lasts for four blocks.

If you want to stop in to particular bars, you of course can, though just absorbing live music from the street is truly an experience in and of itself.

Visit a Free Park

There are a few parks that you can visit for free, each of which is special in its own right.

Music City Walk of Fame is a public park located near the Hilton Nashville Down. Here you'll find granite stars honoring legendary music figures.
Centennial Park features gardens, volleyball courts, exercise and walking trails, and historical monuments, and is home to the stunning Parthenon.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park provides 11 acres in which to experience Tennesee history, including a 200-foot granite map of the state.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN JANUARY

Nashville is super family-friendly! Here are a few more kid-friendly things to do in January.

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

Visit the Tennessee State Capitol

Visiting the Tennessee State Capitol is a great educational way to spend the day, plus it's free!

Built in 1859, it's one of the oldest state capitol buildings in the country.

You can even go on a free guided tour of the historic State Capitol and the grounds surrounding the building offered by the staff of the Tennessee State Museum.

Tours take place Monday-Friday on the hour from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (skipping 12:00 pm).

For more free things to do in Nashville in January, check out our free section above.

Zoolumination

Visiting the zoo is a great family activity, but this January you can also enjoy over 500 silk lanterns in fun animal-shaped displays at night.

At Zoolumination you'll find custom Chinese lanterns on display until January 7th

Tickets can be purchased here.

It's truly an experience you won't want to miss.

Adventure Science Center Star Gazing

Adventure Science Center is a great way to spend a day exploring science!

They have the incredible Sudekum Planetarium, which is a giant 63-foot dome where you can see the stars and enjoy activities like laser shows, concerts, and even Yoga Under the Stars!

Be sure to check out their website for special events. Their website also offers star charts if you want to explore the real stars on your own.

RELATED POSTS:

Things to Do in Nashville in January

1. See a Concert

Rock/Pop Concerts

Opera/Classical Concerts

Concert Venues