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.

More from NASHtoday
Airbnb’s travel predictions for the year + how you can take part starting in Music City.
We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.
These local picks offer ways to save money, stay active, and spend more time with the people who matter most.
We’re asking our readers to submit their top questions about Nashville. We’ll do our best to answer them in 2026.
These city gifts are way better than a Jelly of the Month Club membership.
Whether you’re looking forward to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas, here are some ways you can celebrate around town this year.
It may not change for you, but if it does, expect a new pickup day starting in early February.
Billy Strings? Check. Rascal Flatts? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
From plows to color-coded routes, Nashville has outlined how it will handle whatever winter brings.
A grassroots effort is helping Middle Tennessee properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.