Embrace the Olympic spirit at The Factory at Franklin’s pop-up. | Photo via The Factory at Franklin
You don’t have to board a plane for the 2024 Paris Olympics when there’s plenty of festive fun in Nashville. Here are a few ways to embrace the competitive spirit of the Games, which take place Friday, July 26 through Sunday, Aug. 11.
Watch the action
Witness history in the making as thousands of athletes float down the Seine River during the opening ceremony on July 26. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. CT (it will air again at 6:30 p.m.), and watch parties will be hosted throughout the day at Acme Feed and Seed, Nashville Live!, and Czanns Brewing Company.
Not only can you catch a special IMAX viewing of the opening ceremony at Franklin’s AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20, the theater will screen NBC’s live coverage of select events through Aug. 11.
Choose from a variety of themed cocktails made with Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon champagnes. | Photo via The Factory at Franklin
Get in on the action
The Factory at Franklin’s Skylight Bar has transformed into a Parisian courtyard, taking on the name “The Skylight in Paris.” When you’re not watching the Olympics with themed sips and French-inspired bites in hand, play games or purchase a lock to hang on the Paris gate (proceeds benefit Special Olympics Tennessee).
Drinking or brewing beer isn’t an Olympic sport (yet), but that’s not stopping local breweries and venues from joining in.
Round up the crew for Monday Night Brewing’s Beer Olympics ’24 on Saturday, July 27. Teams will compete in flip cup, beer pong, stein holding, a brewery spelling bee, and more.
Skydeck on Broadway invites teams of five or more people to compete in drinking games for the chance to win gift cards on Sunday, July 28.
The inaugural Wedgewood-Houston Beer Olympics is going down on Sunday, Aug. 11. Competitions take place at New Heights Brewing Company, Tennessee Brew Works, Fait La Force Brewing, Jackalope Brewing Company, and Diskin Cider.
In The Round | Wednesday, July 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar, 1111 Caruthers Ave. | Cost of purchase | Enjoy ice cream, cereal, and other sweet treats while listening to Phil Barton, Lauren McLamb, and Cassidy Daniels.
Circus at The Lab | Wednesday, July 24 | 7:30 p.m. | The Lab at Zanies, 2019 8th Ave. S. | $46 | This intimate variety show at the comedy club’s new venue features acrobatic feats, juggling, and hula hoop artistry.
Thursday, July 25
Block Buster & Chill: “The Sandlot” | Thursday, July 25 | 8 p.m. | Bode Nashville, 401 President Ronald Reagan Way | Free+ | Bring your own blanket to the outdoor movie series — food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Friday, July 26
Ceramics Painting | Friday, July 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Kinda Collected, 1101 Chapel Ave., #115 | $30 | Flex your creativity at this drop-in ceramics painting session — registration is not required.
Saturday, July 27
Ladybird Taco Block Party | Saturday, July 27 | 1-4 p.m. | Ladybird Taco, 2300 Riverside Dr. | Free | Join the taco spot’s East Nashville location for snow cones, face painting, and other activities.
Dash at the Castle 5K Night Run | Saturday, July 27 | 6 p.m. | GEODIS Park, 501 Benton Ave. | $75+ | Registration includes a race T-shirt, a complimentary ticket to a Nashville SC match (Sept. 18), and a finisher medal.
Sunday, July 28
“The Red Balloon” and “The Cameraman” | Sunday, July 28 | 2 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Pl. | $15 | This silent movie double feature will be accompanied by the seat-shaking sounds of the Schermerhorn’s Martin Foundation concert organ.
Columbia, SC is welcoming soccer fans to the sports-loving city with friendly locals, cold drinks, delicious cuisine, and more. | Photo by Forrest Clonts
Election Day will be here before you know it on Thursday, Aug. 1, so here are some friendly reminders. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is tomorrow, July 25. It’s also the last week of early voting. Revisit our guide for a list of locations and more information.
Concert
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Marcus King is taking over The Bluebird Cafe for two special performances on Thursday, Aug. 8. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 26 at 8 a.m. and are expected to sell out quickly.
Sports
The Nashville Sounds announced their 2025 home schedule. Look forward to 75 home games, including 39 weekend dates and 12 homestands. Fun fact: The Friday, March 28 game against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will be the earliest Opening Day in the club’s 47-year history.
History
This month marks the 100-year anniversary of Nashvillian John Hopkins Noel, Sr. winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 1924. See Noel’s gold medal, along with other artifacts related to his Olympic experience and career, at the Tennessee State Museum beginning Tuesday, July 30.
State
Tennessee generated a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending and welcomed 144 million visitors in 2023, according to Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Consider this a sneak peek, as county-level data will be released in August.
Film
This one’s for the feline fanatics. The Belcourt Theatre is once again hosting CatVideoFest, an annual event featuring a 70-minute reel of cat videos “culled from countless hours of unique submissions.” This year’s screenings (Aug. 2-8) will support Nashville Cat Rescue.
Answered
Yesterday, we asked how often you visit local breweries. Here’s the breakdown: 29% visit monthly, 27% check out breweries on occasion, 24% never visit local taprooms, and 20% stop in for a brew once a week.
Calling all pickle lovers and pickleball fans, we dink we’ve found the perfect summer cocktail just in time for Drink Up Week — and it’s ready to sip 10 stories above downtown at Bobby Nashville’s Rooftop Lounge.
A few weeks ago, we shared news of the hotel’s new rooftop pickleball court in partnership with Dinkville Pickleball. Now, competition is heating up with Hot Pickle Nights, a monthly celebrity tournament featuring stars such as Morgan Evans, Eric Decker, and James Neal.
The perfect shoe for the rest of summer: Birkenstock’s waterproof slide sandal, which comes in bright and cute colors like purple fog, coral peach, and popcorn.
In honor of Drink Up Week, I have to share a seasonal drink I’ve been loving lately: The Well Coffeehouse’s “Georgia On My Mind.” It’s a peach and caramel latte, yet the iced version reminds me of a refreshing peach smoothie.
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