Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and early voting for the state and federal general election begins next week.
Prepare for the polls with this refresher on how to cast your vote and what’s on the ballot.
Important dates
Early voting | Wednesday, Oct. 16-Thursday, Oct. 31
Deadline to request an absentee ballot | Tuesday, Oct. 29
Election Day | Tuesday, Nov. 5
Registration + how to vote
Davidson County polling places will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Verify your registration status, then find your polling place with this voter information tool. Early voting will be available across 13 locations. Voting absentee? Here’s how to track the date your ballot was issued and received.
Voters must present an ID that includes their name and photograph. This could be a Tennessee driver’s license or another acceptable form of photo ID. A voter registration card is not necessary to vote.
Pro tip: Use this schedule for WeGo bus routes to early voting locations + get a free ride to the polls on Election Day.
What’s on the ballot
In addition to candidates, Nashvillians will vote for or against Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum — dig into the details.
Now, let’s take a look at who will appear on the ballot — tap the button below to see who is running for office.
Note: Those running unopposed are not listed, but you can check the sample ballot (pages 2-3) to see all of the candidates.
Fall Break Friday Night Hoedown | Friday, Oct. 11 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Cheekwood | A lively soirée of fall fun with square dancing, free mechanical bull rides, make-your-own herb popcorn, and seasonal food + libations.
Studio Tenn Presents: “Little Shop of Horrors” | Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Turner Theater, Franklin | $37+ | Catch the sci-fi smash musical about a talking plant bent on world domination.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Kite Fest | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Friends House at Mill Ridge Park | Free | The biannual event returns with free kites and flying tutorials, picnic snacks, and lawn games.
Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | TailGate Brewery Headquarters | Free+ | Expect your favorite autumnal beers, live music from The Tennessee Warblers, Oktoberfest pizza, a pumpkin patch, mug holding contests, and more.
Sunday, Oct. 13
Opry Community Day | Sunday, Oct. 13 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry House | Free | Bring your Tennessee ID for a free guided backstage tour of the Opry House, live music, and food and drinks.
Monday, Oct. 14
The Factory Turns 95 Birthday Tour | Monday, Oct. 14 | 10-11 a.m. | The Factory at Franklin | $9 | This one-of-a-kind tour uncovers the stories that have shaped the Franklin landmark — tour guests will receive a T-shirt to commemorate the milestone.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Nashville Predators vs. Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $48+ | The first 10,000 fans receive a mini vinyl record coaster featuring this year’s Hispanic Heritage jersey design by Valentina Harper.
Costumed kiddos can revel in fan(g)tastic décor, crafts, games + snacks — then settle in for a spine-tingling, ASL-friendly storytime with Nashville Puppet Truck and other local mythmakers.
Bonus: Collect all the spooky stamps for a free book from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation.
Cap off your look when headwear brands Gigi Pip and Two Roads Hat Co., connected via a custom hat bar, open at Nashville Yards in March 2025. The over 2,000-sqft store at the base of The Everett will mark the first flagship location outside of Utah. Swipe through renderings.
Open
Here’s the lowdown on Lowbar. The Basement East, in partnership with Rosemary & Beauty Queen, opens a new space below the venue tonight at 5 p.m. Enter in the alley and find a covered outdoor seating area, food from JaQ Rabbit Slims Chicken Wings, billiards, darts, and karaoke. See inside.
Coming Soon
The Nations space last home to Rock’n Dough Pizza and Brewery will see a new tenant come December. Cocktail bar Perfectly Fine will offer “lighter fare” than what is “typically found” in nearby restaurants + bartenders will provide a similar atmosphere to Mother’s Ruin — think: swinging pendant lights. (Nashville Post)
Sports
The Dallas Stars defeated the Nashville Predators 4-3 on opening night at Bridgestone Arena — get a full game recap. The team returns to home ice again on Tuesday, Oct. 15 for the second of seven home matchups this month.
Biz
The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp launched a new minority business accelerator program as part of its strategic plan released earlier this year. Music City Chart Climbers, an eight-month program, offers small businesses a complimentary NCVC membership + education and networking opportunities. Applications are open now through Friday, Nov. 1.
Concert
Note these music happenings at Bridgestone Arena: Kane Brown brings his “The High Road” tour with Scotty McCreery and Dasha (April 11) + Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke (April 12). Due to demand, Cody Johnson also added a second show date on Valentine’s Day.
Seasonal
If you’re not in town for this year’s “Christmas at Belmont Live from Nashville” concert, you can still catch the show. For the first time, the tradition featuring alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry, and Dwan Hill will stream on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 11 or get tickets to the in-person shows.
Job
Hiring? Our new community job board could help you find that perfect candidate. Bonus: For a limited time, you can post your listing for free. Give it a try.
Finance
During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. Here’s how they work (hint: 18 months with 0% interest, plus 2% cash back) and why experts recommend this specific card.*
Read
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Film
🎥 Your golden ticket to the Nashville Jewish Film Festival
What to see at the Nashville Jewish Film Festival
Keep reading for a glimpse into the festival’s opening night screening + a look at your ticket options. | Photo via Nashville Jewish Film Festival
The Nashville Film Festival and International Black Film Festival have come and gone — but the season isn’t over just yet.
We’re shining the spotlight on the 24th annual Nashville Jewish Film Festival, which showcases eight screenings across three Music City venues beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15. Bonus: This year’s lineup also includes virtual showings of “Shoshana” (Oct. 22-24) and “Home” (Nov. 4-6).
A ticketed dinner at AB kicks off festivities before the opening night screening of “Remembering Gene Wilder” starts at 7 p.m. inside Belcourt Theatre. The documentary looks closely at the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” actor’s life and career, from his Milwaukee roots and marriage to Gilda Radner to early stage work and collaborations.
Review the full schedule, then purchase individual tickets that begin at $12.
Half Baked Harvest’s “Super Simple Cookbook.” Get inspired by this New York Times best seller with over 125 recipes for hassle-free meals — from spinach and artichoke mac and cheese to slow roasted salmon.
Psst! If you’re a fan of East Nashville’s award-winning restaurant Kisser, stay tuned. The owners behind the concept serving Japanese comfort food have a new, yet-to-be-named eatery planned for Germantown’s Neuhoff development — though other details have yet to be shared.
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