This post includes free activities, family-friendly things to do, and evening entertainment in Nashville in September.
It's been updated for 2025.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
This top 10 list has concerts, events, attractions, and festivals to check out during September.
For even more ideas, check out our master post on things to do any time of year.
Don't forget to check out our popular Nashville posts:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
- Tourist Attraction Concession Passes
- Country Music Hall of Fame Deals
- Madame Tussauds Nashville
- Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Deals
1. See a Major Concert
If you’re looking for a concert, Music City is the place to find it.
In Nashville, concerts are happening every night of the week.
Concerts
- Childish Gambino | September 1
- Avril Lavigne | September 4
- Maxwell | September 29
Check out all of the Nashville concerts here, or read our post What to do at Night in Nashville.
Music Festivals
Don't miss one of the outdoor music festivals in September.
- Full Moon Pinkin' Parties | Percy Warner Park | September 13
- Goodlettsville Arts, Antiques and Music Festival | Goodlettsville | September 14
- Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Fest | The Park at Harlinsdale, Franklin | September 28 & 29
Music Award Shows
- Nashville Songwriter Awards | Ryman Auditorium | September 24
Venues
There are several Nashville concert venues, just a few of which are listed below.
2. Go to a Sporting Event
Nashville is a competitive city that loves its sports! And September is a great time to catch a game since there are several teams playing during the month.
It is also an excellent way to spend the day with the family.
Baseball
Football
Soccer
Hockey
Check out even more sporting events taking place in September here.
For other family-friendly activities, check out our post: What to Do with Kids in Nashville.
3. Enjoy the Other Shows on the Stage
Music City isn’t just about concerts. You can usually find other stage productions in the city.
Musicals
- Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | throughout September
- Clue the Musical | September 13-15
Comedy
- Steve Martin and Martin Short | September 19
Family-Friendly
- Disney on Ice | September 20
Check here for other shows on the stage in Nashville in September.
4. Go on a Sightseeing Tour
One of the most popular ways to see Nashville is with a hop-on-hop-off trolley tour.
Trolley Tours have 15 stops throughout the city.
If you’re looking for a more exciting mode of transportation, September is the perfect time for a pleasant horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown.
Of course, this is the perfect time of year for a walking tour, now that the weather is beginning to cool off.
There are walking tours for every traveler, including food tours and spooky ghost tours.
5. Check out a Free Museum
You can find multiple interesting museums in Nashville that have no admission fee or some free days to take advantage of.
The Tennessee State Museum has a comprehensive timeline of Nashville’s history, beginning with the First Peoples.
Kids will also be entertained with the interactive Children’s Gallery and twice-weekly storytimes.
Fans of The Dukes of Hazzard can also see show memorabilia, costumes, and props at Cooter’s Place for free.
For more free things to do, check out our post What to do for Free in Nashville.
6. Head to Music in the Vines
Arrington Vineyards hosts Music in the Vines, a free event taking place every Saturday and Sunday from April through October.
September is the perfect month to come out and enjoy the music, the wine, and the whole atmosphere!
There will also be food trucks selling food and drink, or you can take a picnic along.
Best of all, this entire concert series is free to the public! All you have to do is show up and enjoy the tunes.
Check the Music in the Vines calendar for more details.
7. Nashville Brew Festival
Food trucks, lawn games, 50 breweries, 150 beers, and live music? Yes, please!
All of this can be found The Nashville Brew Festival on September 20, 2025 at First Horizon Park.
General Admission tickets are $69, and Early Admission/VIP tickets, which give you an extra hour and access to special beers, are $86.
8. Nashville Drinking Festivals
The annual Nashville Cocktail Festival takes place in East Park.
Tickets include things such as access to food trucks, live cooking experiences, gift bags, and private tastings.
The event takes place on September 7, 2025, and tickets can be purchased on the Nashville Cocktail Festival website.
The Whiskey, Wine, and Cider Festival is taking place at The Bedford Nashville Event Venue on September 26, 2025.
Your general admission ticket gets you access to complimentary tastings as well as appetizers.
9. AmericanaFest
If you're a music fan, this would be the festival for you.
It's "the must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana's influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music".
There are panel discussions during the days, night-time concerts, an award ceremony, and many other special events.
All of this takes place between September 17-21, 2025.
Visit the AmericanaFest website for more details and ticket information.
If you’re looking for other evening activities, read our post What to do at Night in Nashville.
10. Attend A Film Festival
2025 brings the 56th annual Nashville Film Festival to Nashville from September 19-24, 2025.
In addition to a celebration of all things film, there will be more than 125 screenings, panel discussions, Q&A music, and more.
Events take place at the Belcourt Theater and the Andrew Johnson Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
For tickets and additional information, visit the website
Save Money with a Nashville Tourist Attraction Concession 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% off 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 complete tourist attraction concession pass comparison here.
Fill up at a Food Festival
What better place to fill up on delicious southern foods than in Nashville.
Check out the many food festivals taking place in September below.
Old School BBQ Festival with Master P | September 1
Tunes, grub, and good vibes at Riverfront Park.
Cheese Festival | September 8
Greys Fine Cheese puts on a festival with "cheese.meat.beer.music" at Southern Frist Brewing Company.
Nashville Taco and Margarita Festival | September 28
Local food trucks and restaurants supply the tacos. There's also music, ax throwing, wrestling, a Kid's Zone, and local arts and crafts.
Sumner Food and Wine 2025 | Sanders Ferry Park, Hendersonville | September 20-21
An Italian themes chef's dinner with wine pairings, or a Grand tasting with unlimited wine, spirit, and cocktail samples.
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
The Hermitage is the former mansion and estate of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States.
The mansion has been restored with original artifacts and you can tour it as well as the grounds.
September, when the weather is beginning to cool off, is the perfect time to take a tour of the grounds and learn about the plantation and lives of the people who lived there - including the approximately 150 enslaved people working there at the time of Jackson's death.
