Events

Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Nashville

Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.

March 24, 2026 • 
STAFF
A dod sitting and staring at the camera on a pathway on the Cheekwood grounds.

Even Fido can have a doggone good time in Music City this spring. | Photo by WJ Photography via Cheekwood

Table of Contents
Outdoors
For the fam
Festivals
Food and drink
Markets and plant sales

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 baseball to plant sales to dog-friendly outings and egg hunts, these events will keep you busy in April.

Bonus: Check out our full events calendar for more happenings.

Outdoors

Fridays by the River | Fridays, April 3-May 8 | 3-8 p.m. | Riverview Pavilion at Shelby Park | Free entry | Unwind at this pop-up beer garden with local food trucks, live music, and classic yard games.

Nashville Outdoor Recreation Festival | Saturday, April 11 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bells Bend Park | Free | Check out the latest outdoor equipment, attend a workshop, and participate in archery and rock climbing.

Kite Fest | Saturdays, April 11-25 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Mill Ridge Park | Free | The biannual event returns with flying tutorials, picnic snacks, and lawn games.

Dogs & Dogwoods | Saturday, April 18-Sunday, April 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | Celebrate the blooming of Cheekwood’s dogwood collection with your pup.

St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series | Saturday, April 25-Sunday, April 26 | Times vary | Downtown Nashville | $36+ | Participants will be serenaded by 25+ bands along the course, followed by a post-race entertainment at the finish line.

A photo of blurred fans' hands in the air and a blurred player in the background. The up-close and clear view is of Booster, who is also throwing his hands in the air.

Don’t miss these daily promotions throughout the 2026 season. | Photo via Nashville Sounds

For the fam

Nashville Sounds vs. Charlotte Knights | Tuesday, March 31-Sunday, April 5 | Times vary | First Horizon Park | $10+ | The first 1,000 fans at Tuesday’s home opener will score a free T-shirt.

Great Spring Art Hop | Friday, April 3-Saturday, April 4 | Times vary | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | Around 36,000 eggs filled with treats are waiting to be found in the gardens during timed hunts by age group.

Eggstravaganzoo | Saturday, April 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Nashville Zoo | $25+ | Activities include egg hunts, face painting, keeper talks, and themed animal enrichment.

Nashville Earth Day | Saturday, April 18 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Centennial Park | Free entry | 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.

More to explore:

  • Pinewood Backyard | Mondays-Thursdays | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Pinewood | Free+
  • Monster Jam | Saturday, April 18 | 3 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $41+
  • DinoTrek | Wednesday, April 1-Sunday, July 26 | Nashville Zoo | $5 + zoo admission
Zanies Comedy Club at sunset, with a glowing marquee announcing a fundraiser event. The sky is painted in shades of orange and pink.

Catch a show at Zanies + The Lab at Zanies, the comedy club’s 100-seat theater connected to the main venue. | Photo by @victorialeuang.jpg

Festivals

Nashville Comedy Festival | Thursday, April 9-Sunday, April 19 | Times vary | Locations vary | Cost of show varies | Kevin James, Lil Rel Howery, David Spade, and Heather McMahan are just a few of the 25+ acts scheduled to perform.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival | Saturday, April 11 | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Public Square Park | Free entry | Festival highlights include music and dance performances, a group cherry blossom walk, children’s activities, vendors, and a pup parade.

More to explore:

  • Nash Yarn Fest | Friday, April 17-Saturday, April 18 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $27+
  • Bourbon & Bubbles Fest | Saturday, April 18 | 3-7 p.m. | Iroquois Steeplechase Grandstands | $71+
A patron of the East Nashville Beer Fest pours a draft at a vendor at a previous year's festival.

Will you be attending the East Nashville Beer Fest this year?

Photo by @eastnashvillebeerfest

Food and drink

East Nashville Beer Fest | Saturday, April 12 | 12-5 p.m. | East Park | $70 | Pick up your tasting glass for unlimited samples from 45+ beer, cider, and mead vendors — designated driver tickets are $27.

Music City Food & Wine Festival | Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26 | Times vary | Locations vary | $99+ | Snag weekend passes or purchase tickets to individual events such as the Southern Fried Hootenanny, Grand Tasting, and Gospel Brunch.

Sips for Species | Friday, April 24 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Nashville Zoo | $85 | Sample a variety of cocktails, beer, cider, and wine from 40+ beverage purveyors with food truck eats available for purchase — designated driver tickets are $45.

More to explore:

MKT Butterfly Milkweed

Plant some of this, and you may find yourself playing host to monarchs.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Markets and plant sales

Perennial Plant Sale | Saturday, April 11 | 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Woodmont Hills Church | Cost of purchase | Shop hundreds of locally grown native and hybrid perennials and shrubs.

Herb & Plant Sale | Saturday, April 11 | 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | Cost of purchase | This annual sale hosted by the Herb Society of Nashville boasts a variety of herbs, fruit trees, and shrubs.

Markets for Makers Nashville Spring Market | Saturday, April 18-Sunday, April 19 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $8+ | A one-day GA pass gets you a free tote + access to over 100 vendors and a DIY station.

More to explore:

Note: Parking is $10 at The Fairgrounds Nashville.