Top

The Nashville Mom

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Happenings: June 10-13

Fourth of July Round Up

Explore the Electric Guitar and Johnny Cash

  • Wednesday, June 16th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame Zoom
  • Learn about the electric guitar through the music of Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash’s musical career began in Memphis when he was signed to Sun Records. His first recordings showcased his songwriting and the rockabilly sound of his band, The Tennessee Two, made up of Luther Perkins on guitar and Marshall Grant on bass. In this program led by museum educator Adam Ollendorff, participants will learn “Folsom Prison Blues,” including Perkins’s solo and “boom-chicka-boom” rhythm guitar style. Ollendorff has toured and recorded with Kacey Musgraves and John Oates.  Recommended for ages five and up, but all are welcome. A guardian or adult is required to be present for children under thirteen.   Register here.

Lawn Chair Theater

  • Saturday, June 12th (Movie begins at 8 p.m.)
  • Behind Leiper’s Creek Gallery and Pucketts in Leipers Fork
  • Free event with the showing of Raya and the Last Dragon in this dreamiest setting! Bring a blanket or chair to enjoy! Fork of the South will be selling burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy, chips and vintage candy. This is a fundraiser for Leiper’s Fork Helping Hands.

Movies in the Park

  • Every Thursday in June beginning at 5 p.m. and movies start at sundown around 8 p.m.
  • Elmington Park
  • FREE event with a movie, food truck vendors, games and giveaways. This week’s movie is Little Women.

Nashville Sounds

  • Thursday, June 10th through Sunday, June 13th
  • First Horizon Park
  • Cheer on our hometown team!

Free Fishing Event

  • Saturday, June 12th; Sunday, June 13th; Saturday, June 19th and Sunday, June 20th
  • Bass Pro Fishing (Opry Mills)
  •  Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is challenging families to put down their digital devices and get outside this summer to discover the joys of fishing. The nationwide movement, Gone Fishing, features two weekends of free, family-friendly activities June 12-13 and 19-20 at Bass Pro Shops in Nashville. Free, family-friendly activities include:
  • Free Catch-And-Release Ponds: Kids can experience the excitement of fishing at in-store catch-and-release ponds and earn an FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) “First Fish Certificate” to celebrate the achievement. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. local time)
  • Free Fishing 101 Guide: Free copies of Nibbles & Bites teach the fundamentals of fishing and provide tips on best local fishing spots. The informational guide is available while supplies last.
  • Free Giveaways & Take-Home Crafts: After completing the catch-and-release pond, kids will receive free take-home crafts and giveaways while supplies last.

Musician’s Corner

  • Friday, June 11th; Saturday, June 12th and Sunday, June 13th
  • Centennial Park
  • An annual free concert with live music, food vendors, local artisans, a children’s area and Musicians Corner Pub featuring beer, wine and cocktails. Family-friendly, dog-friendly and open to the public.

Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Made with Lego Bricks

  • Through Sunday, September 5th
  • Cheekwood
  • From acclaimed artist Sean Kenney and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, this exhibition features 38 sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO® Bricks. Inspired by the Pop art movement, Kenney’s work blurs the boundaries between austere and the everyday, drawing from a belief that everything is interconnected. Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Made with LEGO® Bricks explores the beauty of nature through highly stylized, colorful displays that stand in striking contrast with their surroundings. Presenting a playful spin on traditional sculptural art, this exhibition is an accessible experience for all ages designed to inspire visitors to create something wonderful themselves. Reserve your tickets in advance online.

Summer of More

  • May 21st through September 6th
  • Gaylord Opryland
  • Celebrate summer with events for the whole family at Gaylord Opryland! Enjoy SoundWaves water attraction’s thrilling slides, lazy and rapid rivers, adult-only pools, and multi-level play structures that make this water attraction the perfect summer hangout. Throughout the resort you can enjoy other pirate and princess activities and fun seasonal events as you make this Summerfest one to remember.

Thursday Night Out

  • Thursdays through October 28th
  • Cheekwood
  • Live music and programming combining art and nature! Grab a drink from one of the bar stations and stroll through the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail for a relaxing experience after a long day.

/ 4th of July, Holiday

Fourth of July Round Up 2021

Brad Paisley Concert and Fireworks

  • Sunday, July 4th
  • Downtown Nashville
  • Celebrate Independence Day 2021 with headliner Brad Paisley during the FREE Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Downtown Nashville. This 4th of July will feature the largest fireworks show in Nashville history with the pyrotechnics synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony. Kid-friendly scavenger hunt, food trunks and more! Find all the details here.

July 4th Celebration with Tim Akers and the Smoking Section

Hot Chicken Festival

  • Sunday, July 4th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • East Park (700 Woodland Street, Nashville)
  • The FREE annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival brings together the local community and visitors to celebrate the uniquely-Nashville dish, Hot Chicken. It all kicks off at noon with the Fire Truck Parade. Visitors can enjoy Hot Chicken from Nashville’s best Hot Chicken establishments, cold beer from Yazoo, and other delicious edibles from local vendors.  Live music from local bands keeps the “Nashville” vibe going all day long and visitors can look on while five teams try their hand at cooking up their version of Hot Chicken in the Amateur Cooking Competition. All proceeds from the festival benefit the Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms

Franklin on the Fourth

  • Sunday, July 4th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Downtown Franklin
  • This year’s 4th of July Celebration, will focus on family fun including, great music, quality crafts, tasty food, and antique cars. There will also be a children’s parade. Find the schedule here.

Stars, Stripes and Squirtguns

  • Sunday, July 4th from at 3 p.m.
  • Watertown
  • The Watertown Chamber of Commerce is hosting an annual parade in Watertown in honor of Independence Day. Bring your squirt guns because it’s time for “Stars, Stripes and Squirt Guns“! There is also a NO SQUIRT ZONE! Find more details and apply to be in the parade here.

Grace Chapel

Goodlettsville Fourth

  • Sunday, July 4th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Moss-Wright Park (745 Caldwell Drive37072 Goodlettsville , TN)
  • The City of Goodlettsville celebrates Independence Day on the 4th of July in Moss-Wright Park. The event begins at 4:00pm and concludes after the fireworks display, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00pm. A Kids Zone will be provided with inflatables, games, and fireman’s foam. Wristbands can be purchased for the kid’s zone the day of the event for $10.00 each. Bring a picnic blanket and chairs and enjoy food from one of the many vendors before the fireworks display begins. The event concludes with a spectacular fireworks display set to music. Food Vendors – Bob’s Fish Fry, Linda’s Perfect Platters, Kona Ice of North Nashville, and Moose City Ice Cream

*Please email me at contact@thenashvillemom.com to have any other events submitted

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Happenings: June 3-6

Pay What You Can Movies

  • Through June 6th
  • Franklin Theatre
  • To celebrate their 10th Anniversary, Franklin Theatre is offering pay-what-you-can movies including some family friendly flicks! Find the calendar here.

USA Football Summer Blitz

  • Saturday, June 5th from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Lipscomb Academy
  • FREE games and activities including: First Down clinics (learn to play football), coloring and activity guides, 40 yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump, yard games, obstacle course, Titans helmet giveaways, Gatorade Hydration station, DJ and more! There’s fun for kids and parents at Summer Blitz FanFest! Sign up here:

Rock-n-Jock Celebrity Softball

  • Thursday, June 3rd at 6 p.m.
  • First Horizon Park
  • The inaugural event is headlined by several Tennessee Titans players, including A.J. Brown and Taylor Lewan, along with Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Joining Bradshaw on the field will be a slew of high-profile athletes, country music stars and celebrities. Purchase your tickets here.

Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Made with Lego Bricks

  • Through Sunday, September 5th
  • Cheekwood
  • From acclaimed artist Sean Kenney and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, this exhibition features 38 sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO® Bricks. Inspired by the Pop art movement, Kenney’s work blurs the boundaries between austere and the everyday, drawing from a belief that everything is interconnected. Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Made with LEGO® Bricks explores the beauty of nature through highly stylized, colorful displays that stand in striking contrast with their surroundings. Presenting a playful spin on traditional sculptural art, this exhibition is an accessible experience for all ages designed to inspire visitors to create something wonderful themselves. Reserve your tickets in advance online.

Summer of More

  • May 21st through September 6th
  • Gaylord Opryland
  • Celebrate summer with events for the whole family at Gaylord Opryland! Enjoy SoundWaves water attraction’s thrilling slides, lazy and rapid rivers, adult-only pools, and multi-level play structures that make this water attraction the perfect summer hangout. Throughout the resort you can enjoy other pirate and princess activities and fun seasonal events as you make this Summerfest one to remember.

Thursday Night Out

  • Thursdays through October 28th
  • Cheekwood
  • Live music and programming combining art and nature! Grab a drink from one of the bar stations and stroll through the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail for a relaxing experience after a long day.

Concerts at The Caverns Above Ground

  • Through Sunday May 28, 2021
  • The Caverns Above Ground—a new socially-distanced music venue. For healthy and safety precautions, guests will arrive at staggered times, be asked COVID-19 screening questions, receive a temperature check, and enjoy the show from socially distanced pods. Guests are allowed to bring their own chairs (seating will not be provided). Food, beverages, and merchandise can be ordered through an app and be delivered without any contact. Guests can purchase a 2-person, 4-person, or 6-person pod. Ticket prices vary. See the line up here.

Anzie Blue Live Music Series

  • Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Anzie Blue
  • This weekly event will feature live music during dinner, happy hour, and brunch! Admission is free and open to all ages. One-hour free parking is available in the parking garage below Anzie Blue.
  • Thursday – 5:30pm to 7:30pm: Jazz
  • Friday & Saturday – 6:30pm to 8:30pm: Soul, Blues, R&B
  • Saturday & Sunday – 11:00am to 1:00pm: Jazz Brunch

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Memorial Day Weekend Happenings

Community Day at The Ryman

  • Sunday, May 30th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The Ryman
  • Enjoy a free self-guided tour of The Ryman with your Tennessee State I.D. There will be live music and kid’s activities throughout the day on the plaza. Bring a non-perishable item for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Jazz at the Pavilion

  • Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday, May 31st from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Arrington Vineyards
  • Live jazz music at the pavilion and food trucks will be at Arrington Vineyards all weekend!

Summer of More

  • May 21st through September 6th
  • Gaylord Opryland
  • Celebrate summer with events for the whole family at Gaylord Opryland! Enjoy SoundWaves water attraction’s thrilling slides, lazy and rapid rivers, adult-only pools, and multi-level play structures that make this water attraction the perfect summer hangout. Throughout the resort you can enjoy other pirate and princess activities and fun seasonal events as you make this Summerfest one to remember.

Thursday Night Out

  • Thursdays through October 28th
  • Cheekwood
  • Live music and programming combining art and nature! Grab a drink from one of the bar stations and stroll through the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail for a relaxing experience after a long day.

Mulefest

  • Friday, May 28th and Saturday, May 29th
  • Columbia, TN
  • Maury County Mulefest is an annual celebration of all things related to mules held in Columbia, Tennessee, the “Mule Capital” of the world. It began in 1840 as “Breeder’s Day”, a meeting for mule breeders and now attracts over 100,000 people taking place over four days. In addition to mules, traditional Appalachian food, music, dancing and crafts are featured. Maury County Mulefest and will feature a Trace Adkins concert Friday, May 28 with the parade on Saturday, May 29.

/ Downtown Nashville, Things to do

Nashville Bus Tour

Sometimes, you have to be a tourist in your own town! Even though, I’ve been learning all about Nashville for the past 15 years, there’s still so much that I don’t know! I hopped on the Gray Line Nashville City Tour ‘s openair double decker bus to get a new view of the city.

This hour-long tour started downtown at the Riverfront Train Station. We then took off for an hour journey across Nashville seeing some of the most famous landmarks. Throughout the ride, our guide, Corey shared many interesting facts about Music City.

The tour included driving by the Ryman, Country Music Hall of Fame, Tennessee State Capitol, Musician’s Hall of Fame, Bicentennial Park, The Parthenon, Vanderbilt, The Gulch and of course, through Broadway. Corey shared the history and even where Taylor Swift owns a home in Nashville! I also loved seeing the church were Minnie Pearl was married.

Gray Line Tennessee has a wide variety of sightseeing options and has a tour for everyone! This is the perfect way to show your out of town guests the best of Nashville, as well as makes a fun day out for locals. I had so much fun being a tourist in my own town and can’t wait to share this experience with visitors.

/ The Nashville Book Club

Summer Reading 2021

I remember in high school always dreading summer reading but now I look forward to it! This year, The Nashville Book Club has covered some awesome books that would be great while you’re sitting by the pool, on vacation or sitting on your couch! Add these favorites to your list!

The Last Flight is one of the best books I’ve read this year! This story rotates between two ladies with twisted paths that decide to switch plane tickets! This story kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat, while simultaneously rooting for both main characters.

If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, you’ll love One to Watch! One to Watch follows Bea, a plus-sized blogger who against controversy becomes the next Main Squeeze. While this is a fun read, it has addresses deeper issues also.

Another one of my favorite reads this year! Eliza Starts a Rumor focuses on a small town turned upside down when Eliza begins a rumor on their community Facebook page. While this is a fun read, it dives deeper into issues like mental health, infidelity and the power of female friendships.

I absolutely ADORED Sisters First. Jenna Bush Hager and sister Laura Bush share their lives growing up in the White House and family memories. The memories of her grandparents are just so special and made me think about the type of family legacy I want to leave behind! I also loved Everything Beautiful In It’s Time.

The opposite of the sweet sisterhood in Sisters First is The Good Sister. Twin sisters, Fern and Rose have a very dysfunctional bond and rocky past. One of the sisters is very dangerous and manipulative, willing to go to extremes to get her sister under control. I listened to this one on audio and couldn’t wait to see what happened! I loved the characters in this one and was happy with the ending!

The Paris Library is another favorite of the year so far! Rotating betweeing Paris in 1939 and Montana in 1983, The Paris Library follows Odile Souchet who has her dream job at the American Library in Paris. When Nazis march into Paris, Odile faces losing everything she holds dear, including the library. Odile eventually ends up in a small-town in Montana and befriends her young lonley neighbor, Lily. This book is about love, loss and fighting for what you believe it!

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors! I devoured Daisy Jones & The Six. Malibu Rising releases on June 1st and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever. Pre-order your copy here.