Touchdown, Music City. | Photo via Music City Bowl
The stage is set for the 28th annual Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. Tennessee will take on Illinois in an SEC vs. Big Ten matchup expected to bring thousands of football fans — especially Vols fans — to Nashville on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The game kicks off at Nissan Stadium at 4:30 p.m., and tickets are on sale via SeatGeek starting at $60. If you can’t make it in person, the game will air on ESPN.
By the numbers
2024 result: Missouri defeated Iowa 27-24.
2024 attendance: Last year’s game drew 43,375 fans, though Tennessee’s past Music City Bowl appearances have pulled much larger crowds, averaging 68,043 fans.
Economic impact: The bowl has generated more than $400 million in direct economic impact since its inception.
Pro tip: Tennessee fans will be seated on the east side of the stadium and Illinois will be on the west, according to the FAQ page.
Prince Street Pizza’s first Tennessee location is under construction at Fifth + Broadway. The restaurant specializes in Neapolitan-style pies and Spicy Spring slices — the latter is so beloved you can have it shipped to your door. (Nashville Post)
Closing
After nearly 30 years serving Middle Tennessee, Barbara’s Home Cooking will permanently close in Franklin on Wednesday, Dec. 31. That leaves a couple of weeks to stop in for poppyseed chicken casserole, pork chops, yeast rolls, and more. (WSMV)
Traffic
“Smart traffic signals” are now active at 36 intersections along Lebanon Pike. The system adjusts light times based on congestion and traffic patterns along the corridor from the Wilson County line to downtown. (WKRN)
Drink
Surefire Coffee Co. is officially brewing downtown near Bridgestone Arena. Learn more about free parking via this Instagram post + stay tuned for another new location coming to the East Bank. (What Now Nashville)
Plan Ahead
If you love hearing the stories behind songs, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum just revealed its 2026 Poets and Prophets and Nashville Cats lineups featuring talks with Jerry Douglas, Wendy Moten, and more. (Music Row)
Fun Fact
Nashville Zoo hit a conservation milestone this year by sending a record 6,681 endangered Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to native ponds in Puerto Rico. Since 2012, the zoo has helped release more than 33,600 tadpoles into the wild.
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🗺️ The 411 on maps
We’re all about putting Nashville on the map. | Photo via Pixabay
Ever wish you had a map that highlighted all the parks in Davidson County? Or maybe you want to visually see all the active sidewalk closures.
Look no further, Nashville. Meet GIS mapping — a resource used by Metro to organize data about places in our community.
What is GIS?
GIS (geographic information system) is a tool for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. GIS software like Google Earth analyzes physical locations and organizes layers of info into 3D scenes. Simply put, they’re really cool virtually-layered maps.
Our picks
Ready to explore? Here are few GIS maps we think you’ll enjoy:
Development Tracker Map | Watch applications filed with the Metro Planning Department as they move through the approval process.
NDOT Active Street, Lane, and Sidewalk Closures | Track active and planned street, lane, and sidewalk closures. The map is updated every two hours, making it a handy check before heading out.
Add some fun and laughter to holiday gatherings with a few of our favorite card and board games. We love these five:
🎲 Put your drawing skills to the test in Telestrations — perfect for 4-8 players.
🎲 The award-winning game Flip 7 is self proclaimed “the greatest card game of all time.”
🎲 Shut the Box is an easy-to-play dice game for up to six players.
🎲 Perfect for parties, Ransom Notes will have your entire crew belly laughing.
🎲 Connect words with colors in an engaging game of Hues and Cues.
After the holiday season wraps up, Cheekwood will turn its attention to orchids, art, and a fresh batch of adult education classes. See what’s in store for Orchids at Cheekwood + learn more about a new art exhibition opening in late January.
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