Lucky you. You just found NASHtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Nashville each month.
From bacon tastings and pizza deals to monster trucks, art installations, and a Broadway show, September is stacked with reasons to mark your calendar. Bookmark this guide and check back often — it’s updated monthly with new festivals, markets, and can’t-miss events.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Festivals and fairs
Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 7 | Times vary | Sanders Ferry Park, Hendersonville | $25+ | The annual event features live Celtic bands, athletic events, a bagpipe competition, kid’s activities, and food and scotch tastings.
AmericanaFest | Tuesday, Sept. 9-Saturday, Sept. 13 | Locations vary | $125+ | The 25th annual festival unites fans and industry professions for nightly showcases and panels.
Grassroots & Nudie Suits Festival | Saturday, Sept. 13 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Madison Station Boulevard + Harken Hall | Free+ | Celebrate Madison’s music and creative community with live performances, local art, vendors, and a Nudie Suit contest, plus an evening concert with The Time Jumpers and The Farmer & Adele.
Artville | Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Walk of Fame Park | Free | The annual festival returns with immersive, large-scale art, food, music, and the American Artisan Festival.
Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival | Saturday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 28 | The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Franklin | $183+ | John Mayer, Kings of Leon, Turnpike Troubadours, and Young the Giant headline the annual Franklin festival.
Food and drink
Music City Bacon & Barrel Festival | Friday, Sept. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | The Factory at Franklin | $59+ | Tickets include unlimited samples of bacon-themed dishes and 10 whiskey samples.
Nashville Pizza Week | Monday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Locations vary | Enjoy $12 specialty pizzas at restaurants across Middle Tennessee.
Wine on the River | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 3-7 p.m. | Riverfront Park | $71+ | Take in downtown riverfront views while sampling a variety of wines, beers, and spirits.
Nashville Greek Festival | Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | $5+ | Enjoy traditional music and dancing, guided tours, and a wide selection of Greek food and desserts.
Nashville Brew Fest | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7-11 p.m. | First Horizon Park | $55+ | The evening will feature over 50 breweries, 150 beers, food trucks, music, and lawn games — early admission at 7 p.m. is $70
Sports
Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Rams | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 12 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $53+ | Celebrate the return of Titans football at the first regular season home game.
Lamar Hunt US Open Cup | Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | GEODIS Park | $21+ | The Boys in Gold play in their first-ever US Open Cup semifinal, with a win securing a trip to the Oct. 1 final.
Nashville Predators vs. Florida Panthers | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 2 + 6 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | A preseason doubleheader brings the reigning Stanley Cup champions to Music City.
On the stage
Matthew McConaughey | Thursday, Sept. 18 | 7 p.m. | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $50 | The evening promises a mix of music, spoken word, and a conversation with a special guest who is TBA.
Opening Weekend with David Robertson | Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21 | Times vary | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | $29+ | Celebrate the Nashville Symphony’s 2025/26 season kickoff with David Robertson leading works by Debussy and Dvořák alongside his new concerto for pianist Orli Shaham.
“The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes” | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $37+ | Join Cary Elwes (Westley) for a movie screening followed by a moderated discussion with behind-the-scenes stories from the film.
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | $66+ | Experience Delta Blues fused with a symphony orchestra with narration by Morgan Freeman and performances from Ground Zero Blues Club artists.
“The Wiz” | Tuesday, Sept. 23-Sunday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $58+ | The production returns to the stage for its first national tour in 40 years with Dorothy’s journey set to the sounds of soul, gospel, rock, and ’70s funk.
“Dateline” Live | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | The Pinnacle | $89+ | Hosts Lester Holt, Keith Morrison, and the team bring panels, audience Q+As, and interactive demos to the stage for the first time.
For the family
Disney Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour | Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $40+ | Stars from Disney’s “Descendants” and “Zombies” franchises come together for a live show.
Legends of Monster Trucks | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $30+ | Monster trucks roar into The Nashville Fair for two nights of racing, wheelie contests, freestyle stunts, and a pre-show pit party with the drivers.
Disney On Ice | Thursday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Bridgestone Arena | $42+ | Mickey and Minnie guide audiences through the worlds of “Frozen” and “Encanto.”
Outdoor gatherings
Fridays By the River | Fridays in September | 3-8 p.m. | Riverview Pavilion Shelby Park | Free+ | The pop-up beer garden is back for the fall season with live music, yard games, and food trucks.
Full Moon Pickin’ Party | Friday, Sept. 5 | 6-10 p.m. | Percy Warner Equestrian Barn | $28 | Pick your spot under the stars and enjoy food truck fare, cold drinks, and plenty of live bluegrass.
Green Hills Park Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 5-9 p.m. | Green Hills Park | Free+ | Come for the local vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly fun + stay for a screening of “A Minecraft Movie.”
Pear Jam | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 4 p.m. | Mill Ridge Park | Free+ | Enjoy a fall evening in the park with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and family-friendly games.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.