Your 2025 Nashville summer bucket list

Here are 10 must-do activities for your Nashville summer bucket list that are unique to the Middle Tennessee area and the summer season.

A hand holding up a waffle ice cream cone with two scoops of ice cream, one bright green (pistachio) and the other bright pink (watermelon).

Visit The Bee Ice Cream & Mini Donuts off Nolensville Pike for ice cream and other treats. | Photo by NASHtoday

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy.” And it just got even easier to plan the perfect summer in Music City.

With Nashville’s abundant warm weather activities, you’ll want to put on some sunglasses and start crossing things off this summer bucket list.

  1. Make it a two-scoop kind of summer at Nashville’s ice cream shops.
  2. Watch an outdoor movie at NightLight 615 and Stardust Drive-In Theatre.
  3. Two words: patio season.
  4. Enjoy the unofficial dish of summer at these hot dog joints.
  5. Cruise down the Cumberland River in a water taxi.
  6. Cheer on the Nashville Sounds at a Friday Fireworks game.
  7. Feed giraffes at the Nashville Zoo.
  8. Get loud in Nashville SC’s Supporters Section.
  9. Catch a concert under the stars.
  10. Sign up for a Family Firefly Hike.

Tag us in your summer adventures, and tell us what’s on your summer bucket list.

Pro tip: Bookmark our Plan Ahead, updated monthly with must-do events + explore our City Guide for even more summer fun.

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