Music City Free Summer Concert Roundup!

Music City wouldn’t be upholding its name without a whole roundup of free music to enjoy in these summer months! Below is a long list of musical events coming up both in city and the surrounding towns as well. We’d love for you to comment below with details of any additional events that we won’t want to miss!

Davidson County

• The City of Nashville has a long list of diverse musical events through their Metro Parks Music program. These include
  1. Big Band Dances at Centennial Park on Saturdays from June to August (if you haven’t been to one of these yet, you’re in for a treat. So go get your dance on!)
  2. The Hartman Park Band which plays every Friday at noon at—you guessed it—Hartman Park.
  3. Acoustic Pickin’ Parties at the Centennial Black Box Theater on Tuesday evenings (ages 12 and up).
  4. Free Form Friday, which is for artists with an especially unique sound/style, hosted at Centennial Black Box Theater.

• The Symphony has already conducted all the shows in their free Community Concert series for this summer, but they’ll have a free onstage event on June 29th at 6pm called “It Takes Five to Tango.”
• These are also almost over, but Friday nights and Saturday afternoons in June, you can find fabulous musical acts in Centennial Park for Musician’s Corner. There are fun activities for the kiddies, food trucks, and much more.

• On the third Sunday of every month, Cumberland Park plays host to Jazz on the Cumberland, which is a completely free and entirely family friendly get together. You can check out upcoming dates and photos from past events on their Facebook page.

• The Ryman Auditorium’s Bluegrass Nights will return on June 23 and continue through July 28th. While these events are paid, there is always a free Pickin’ on the Plaza live event before the show. This gives the more budget conscious bluegrass patrons an opportunity to see a well known bluegrass band live and in action!

• Every year Nashville, Tennessee has an incredible 4th of July celebration complete with award winning fireworks and incredible FREE concerts! I’m here to let you know where to be and who to hear on the big day! This year, there is a change to the venue location, as the concert series will extend over into a second stage to include both Ascend Amphitheater and The Green at Riverfront Park. According to visitmusiccity.com, the lineup includes Maddie & Tae, Erin McCarley, Rayland Baxter, Andrew Combs, Ruby Amanfu, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra! Be sure to remember the concerts start on July 3rd, though, with DJ DU, Shelly Colvin, and Jason Eskridge.

• Fridays in July (starting on the 8th) means Tales at Twilight at Cumberland Park! This series is specifically for kids and will be a combination of story-telling and music. Your kids will have a blast while you get a chance to relax nearby for the whole hour they’re busy.

• Live on the Green will be back for its 2016 season in August and September at Public Square Park with the dates already announced for 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/2, and 9/3. The artist lineup is to be released on June 23rd. This is a great concert series put on by Lightning 100. It’s kid-friendly (just be sure to provide ear protection!) and stuffed to the brim with exciting artists. Past lineups have included Passion Pit, Ben Folds, JD McPherson, Lennon & Maisy, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Moon Taxi, Alabama Shakes, and many, many more. Check it out here!

Williamson County 

• Arrington Vineyards hosts Music in the Vines every Saturday (5-9 pm) and Sundays (2-6 pm) from April through December, which means (lucky us!) this is happening all summer long! These are family-friendly events and give everyone a chance to enjoy the beautiful grounds while soaking in the lovely Tennessee landscape. The musical entertainment is completely free, and you can take advantage of the opportunity to buy a bottle of wine from the tasting room to enjoy. They do offer limited snacks onsite for purchase, or you are more than welcome to bring your own. Please note that any wine consumed at Arrington Vineyards needs to be purchased there.

• On July 13th, the City of Franklin will have a Music and Dance Kids show from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Just a few miles and a few days away, Historic Downtown Franklin will bring you a weekend of music on July 22nd and 23rd for Bluegrass Along the Harpeth. Their slogan is “Preservation of Old Time Music and Dance.” Best of all? Admission is free!

Rutherford County

• On the first Friday of every month from June-September, the Friday Night Live concert series can be found at the downtown square in Murfreesboro from 6:30 – 9:30pm. It’s a good idea to take chairs with you so you’ll be sure to have somewhere to sit and enjoy the music.

• Music at the Mill‘s next concert is on August 14th in Smyrna. My July Band will play at Gregory Hill Park at 6:30 pm.

Now get out there and enjoy a free summer concert (or three)! Hope to see you there!