Ready to see Nashville in bloom? From flower displays and craft fairs to beer festivals and dog-friendly events, spring is where Music City thrives.
Get ready to experience the natural beauty of the region and all spring has to offer with this guide featuring 44 spring events happening between March and early June.
Festivals and fairs
Full Moon Tattoo and Horror Festival | Friday, March 29-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel, 600 Marriott Dr. | $25+ | Get tattooed, meet horror film celebrities, and watch films at Full Moon Cineplex.
Nashville Comedy Festival | Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Locations vary | Prices vary | Leanne Morgan, Tom Segura, and Bert Kreischer are just a few of the 25+ acts scheduled to perform.
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival | Saturday, April 13 | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Public Square Park | Free | Festival highlights include Japanese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, a group cherry blossom walk, children’s activities, a pup parade, and more.
Viva Spring Festival | Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | Cost of purchase | Conexion Americas and El Jefe co-host a day of food trucks, craft beer, music, and lawn games.
Buttercup Festival | Sunday, April 14 | 12-6 p.m. | Nolensville Historic District | Cost of purchase | Buttercups are in bloom for this annual festival boasting over 100 vendors, food trucks, pageants, and live entertainment.
Nashville Earth Day | Saturday, April 20 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | Free | Celebrate the planet we call home with educational activities from a variety of exhibitors and vendors, including local growers and makers, nonprofits, and sustainable small businesses.
Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd. | Cost of purchase | Over 80 artisan craft vendors showcase handmade jewelry, clothing, home decor, and other goods. Bonus: There will be live music, food trucks, and craft beer and cocktails.
Spring Tennessee Craft Fair | Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | Cost of purchase | Shop finely crafted artwork made from clay, leather, wood, glass, and other materials at the 53rd annual event.
Live music
Rites of Spring | Saturday, April 20 | Doors open at 5 p.m. | Vanderbilt University’s Alumni Lawn | $35+ | Vanderbilt’s annual spring music festival features performances by Young Nudy, Smino, and Orion Sun.
Fridays by the River | April-May | 3-8 p.m. | Shelby Park’s Riverview Pavilion | Free+ | The pop-up beer garden presented by East Nashville Beer Works offers live music and food trucks on six Fridays in April and May.
Musicians Corner | May-June | Times vary | Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | Free | Get in the groove as local and national musical acts take the stage. Plus, don’t forget to order food truck eats before finding a spot on the lawn.
Cornelia Airpark Concerts | May-August | 5:30-9 p.m. | Cornelia Fort Airpark, 1199 Shadow Ln. | Cost of admission | Tickets include access to the show, one beer/wine ticket for attendees age 21 and older, kids activities, and access to food trucks.
Full Moon Pickin’ Parties | May-September | 6-10 p.m. | Percy Warner Equestrian Barn, 2500 Old Hickory Blvd. | $25 | This Nashville tradition of over 25 years is known for lively bluegrass performances, local eats, and cold brews during spring and summer months.
Read up on the history Iroquois Steeplechase. | Photo by Wade Payne Photo via Iroquois Steeplechase
Photo by Wade Payne Photo via Iroquois Steeplechase
Seasonal happenings
Cheekwood in Bloom: Belles Fleurs | Saturday, March 9-Sunday, April 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr. | Cost of admission | Witness 250,000 blooming bulbs, weekend music performances, adult workshops, and “TOTS!” programs for the little ones.
Tennessee Tulip Festival | Saturday, March 16-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Lucky Ladd Farms, 4374 Rocky Glade Rd., Eagleville | $12+ | Frolic through 700,000 blooms in 100+ varieties at the you-pick tulip farm south of Nashville.
Hike-a-Thon | April | Times vary | Locations vary | Free | This month-long fundraising event raises awareness for parks and natural areas — attend local hiking events at Mill Ridge Park (April 4) and Beaman Park (April 6 + 11).
St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series | Saturday, April 27-Sunday, April 28 | Start times vary | Routes vary | $25+ | Participants will be serenaded by bands along the course, followed by a post-race concert at Nissan Stadium.
Iroquois Steeplechase | Saturday, May 11 | 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Percy Warner Park, 2500 Old Hickory Blvd. | $75+ | The annual event attracts thousands for a day of horse racing and tailgating in support of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Strawberry Jubilee | Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nashville Farmers Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Cost of purchase | Enjoy live music, family activities, and strawberry-themed specials in the Market House and farm shed.
20th Annual Tour de Nash | Saturday, May 18 | 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Routes vary | $34+ | Take on the City Tour (9 miles), Local Tour (25 miles), or Grand Tour (45 miles) to suit your riding style.
Nashville Comicon | Saturday, June 1-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | $18+ | The Fairgrounds Nashville, 401 Wingrove St. | Meet celebrities, comic creators, coplayers, and others at the two-day pop culture convention.
Nashville Comicon takes place the first weekend in June. | Photo via Nashville Comicon
Only for ages 21+
Swig Cocktail Competition | Thursday, March 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Margaritaville Hotel Nashville, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | $35+ | Music City’s top bartenders will compete for the best craft cocktails — you’ll get to sample them and then cast your vote.
Sip of History | Saturday, April 6 | 2-5 p.m. | Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, 4580 Rachels Ln. | $85 | The festival celebrating regional spirits, wine, and local brews also boasts live music, lawn games, and access to the grounds. Bonus: The event is dog friendly.
2024 Wine Festival & Tasting | Thursday, April 11 | 6 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $39 designated driver and $99+ GA | Sip on wine, beer, and spirits, enjoy food samplings, and participate in a silent auction at the 17th annual event.
East Nashville Beer Festival | Saturday, April 13 | 12-5 p.m. | East Park, 700 Woodland St. | $27 designated driver and $70 GA | Pick up your complimentary tasting glass for unlimited samples from ~50 beer, cider, and mead vendors.
Bourbon and Bubbles | Saturday, April 13 | 4:30 p.m. | GEODIS Park, 501 Benton Ave.| $69 | Not only will there be champagne, beer, processo, and other sips, this year’s event features an Iroquois Steeplechase Fashion Show.
Sips for Species | Friday, April 26 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Pk. | $40+ designated driver and $80+ GA | A ticket gets you samples from 30+ alcoholic beverage vendors, animal encounters, a special amphitheater show, and carousel rides.
Nashville Margarita Festival | Friday, May 10 | 6-9 p.m. | oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd. | $25 designated driver and $63+ GA | When you’re not sipping on 12 margarita samples, partake in dancing, photo booth fun, and other activities.
Nashville Rosé Festival | Saturday, May 18 | 3-7 p.m. | East Park, 700 Woodland St. | $65+ | Tickets include a tasting glass for wine, beer, and cocktail samples, as well as access to live performance art, craft vendors, and food trucks.
Family-friendly fun
Nashville Children’s Theatre | March-June | Times vary | Nashville Children’s Theatre, 25 Middleton St. | Catch productions of “The Flopsy Bunny: A Peter Rabbit Adventure” (March 9-June 30) and “Finding Nemo” (April 6-May 19).
Solar Eclipse | Monday, April 8 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd. | Cost of admission | Visit the science center for solar eclipse-themed indoor and outdoor activities, as well as a partial eclipse viewing.
Nashville Outdoor Recreation Festival & Expo | Saturday, April 13 | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Bells Bend Park, 4187 Old Hickory Blvd. | Free | Check out the latest outdoor equipment, attend a workshop, or try out archery and rock climbing.
Kidsville Family Walk | Saturday, April 27 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | Free | Interact with nature, play games, and participate in arts and crafts activities along the walking path.
Spring Zzzoofari Slumber | Saturday, May 25 | Overnight | Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Pk. | Price TBA | Join the zoo for a unique camping experience that includes activities during the evening and breakfast the next morning.
BrickUniverse | Saturday May 25-Sunday, May 26 | Times vary | Farm Bureau Exposition Center, 945 East Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon | $16+ | Immerse yourself in the world of LEGO with creations built by professional artists.
Dog-friendly dates
Pups and Pints | Saturday, May 18 | 12-4 p.m. | oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd. | Cost of purchase | Bring your canine companions for an afternoon of dog-centric activities, local pet vendors, beer tastings, and food trucks.
Dogs and Dogwoods | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cost of admission | Celebrate the blooming of Cheekwood’s dogwood collection with your pup — check the schedule for daily activities and pup-friendly vendors.
Doggie Dash | Sunday, April 28 | 12 p.m. | Nissan Stadium, 1 Titans Way | $25 | The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series hosts this special race for pups and their owners.
Mutt Strutt 5K | Sunday, May 19 | 7:45 a.m. | Shelby Bottoms Greenway, 1900 Davidson St. | $25+ | This pup-friendly race (1 mile and 5K) supports the Nashville Humane Association.
Spring markets and plant sales
Spring Market | Saturday, March 23 | 1 p.m. | The Blue Room, 623 7th Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | Shop local vendors and enjoy some drinks on the record store’s patio.
Nashville Vintage Market | Saturday, March 30 | 12-6 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville, 401 Wingrove St. | Cost of purchase | Shop vintage clothing, accessories, and sneakers from 90+ vendors. Bonus: Pets are welcome.
Perennial Plant Sale | Saturday, April 6 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville, 401 Wingrove St. | Cost of purchase | Pro tip: Check out the list of available plants and shrubs before you go.
Nashville’s Annual Plant Sale | Saturday, April 13 | 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville, 401 Wingrove St. | Cost of purchase | Last year, the Herb Society of Nashville sold over 10,000 plants during the sale.
Green Door Gourmet | Saturday, April 27-Sunday, April 28 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Green Door Gourmet, 7007 River Road Pk. | Visit this 350-acre farm in southeast Davidson County for a weekend of shopping.
