What Not to Miss This June in Nashville

It’s time to dust off those lawn chairs, stock up on sunscreen and get your calendars ready because we’re about to dive into some serious Nashville happenings. June might as well be one long festival here in Middle Tennessee because if you’re up for the challenge (and ready for the best weekends of your life), you can have some serious non-stop entertainment. No list can contain everything June brings to the area, but we’ve attempted to give you the down-low on some of the major happenings!

Brew at the Zoo
June 2nd

Voted best beer event for the past two years by Nashville scene, this “wild” Brew at the Zoo is back for the sixth year in a row. With admission, event-goers receive a tasting glass for unlimited samples of the 100+ beers on tap, as well as free reign of the zoo after hours. (Hint: This may be the only time of year that you don’t have to worry about blocking little kids while seeing all your favorite animals!). On top of beer sampling and zoo exploring, enjoy a full lineup of live music and visit the impressive lineup of food trucks.

CMA Fest
June 8 – 11

CMA Fest, otherwise known as the time the entire Country Music world comes together right here in Music City, take place over four days with around-the-clock concerts, autograph signings and celebrity events. Normally for music festival write-ups, the big name artists are mentioned – but for this one, trust us, EVERY country musician you want to see will be there. While there are multiple levels and packages of tickets, the best part about being a local is that there are free events daily!

Bonnaroo
June 8 – 11

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Fest; same weekend as CMA Fest – but oh so different. Held in Manchester, TN, a sleepy town about an hour southeast of Nashville welcomes 80,000 music and arts fans every June. It’s an immersive experience that you honestly have to see to understand. True Bonnaroovians camp while taking in the 150 musical performances along with comedy shows, film screenings, sustainability workshops and yoga classes over the four days, but there are options for those not ready to take the plunge. Another perk of living locally? You can easily join in on the festivities for the full four days or opt in for a day pass with a shuttle included.

Porter Flea
June 16-17

This semi-annual pop-up event for independent artists, designers and artisans is truly the holy grail for those who love good design and modern handmade goods. The event is filled with overwhelming talent, connecting hundreds of local and regional makers with tens of thousands of shoppers. While most people can’t pull themselves away from the never-ending vendor booths, there are always Nashville’s favorite food trucks to supplement any foodie needs. The Porter Flea has been featured in Southern Living, Forbes Travel Guide, and StyleBlueprint to name a few. Tickets are required for the preview day on June 16th, but the event is free and open to all on June 17th!

Taste of Music City
June 17th

Music City has no shortage of good food and on June 17th the major culinary forces unite at Taste of Music City. With admission, you get an all-inclusive tasting experience with samples from many of Nashville’s best restaurants in addition to demonstrations from some of the area’s top chefs. Not only an awesome way to spend a Saturday, but a pretty cost effective way to try that mile-long list of Nashville restaurants you’ve been wanting to try!

Westhaven Porchfest
June 17th

For those that love porches on hot summer days, beautiful neighborhoods and family friendly fun, Porchfest is honestly dream come true. Picture musicians playing on the porches of exquisite-looking Southern houses throughout the day, and then everyone convening in Westhaven’s town center for a family-friendly concert that takes you through to the evening. This is one of those “kids running around catching lightning bugs” while parents lounge in their lawn chair type of atmosphere. It’s free and it’s not to miss.

Musician’s Corner
Saturdays and select Fridays May – September

Musician’s Corner is a summer concert series that takes place in Centennial Park on the southwest lawn of at the corner of West End Avenue and 27th North Avenue. Presented by  The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park, this concert series has showcased over 1,000 artists since it began in 2010. Starting with small audiences, this local favorite has grown to now not only host impressively large audiences, but also now includes the Lightning 100 Acoustic Stage, local artisans, food trucks, a Kidsville area, and the Musicians Corner Pub. Best of all? No tickets necessary!