Summer is making its presence known in Nashville, bringing scorching temperatures. Despite the heat, the season allows for more time spent in the glow of the evening sun.
As the city warms up, Nashville is overtaken with a wide array of indoor and outdoor music festivals and events.
Want to dance the night away to the sounds of EDM? There’s a festival for that. Or would you rather sip cocktails in the park while enjoying live bluegrass? There’s a festival for that, too.
Whatever your vibe, Music City has something for everyone.
From pop to rock to country, here are six Nashville-area music festivals to check out in summer 2025 — whether you’re a local or just passing through.
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
When: May 23-Sept. 5, 2025
Where: 50 Vaughn Road, Nashville
For decades, the Full Moon Pickin’ Party bluegrass music series has been uniting bluegrass music lovers under the stars at Nashville’s Percy Warner Park. All summer long, guests can enjoy live bluegrass, local food trucks and cold brews.
Guests are welcome to bring their own food, snacks, blankets, lawn chairs, and non-alcoholic beverages. Water, soft drinks and up to three beers are included with admission as a thank you.
Proceeds from the Full Moon Pickin’ Parties support Friends of Warner Parks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Percy and Edwin Warner Parks.
Bluegrass Nights at Ryman Auditorium
When: June 17-July 22
Where: 116 Fifth Ave. N., Nashville
Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman is a summer concert series celebrating the vibrant and eclectic genre of bluegrass, held at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. In 2025, attendees can expect a six-show series featuring performances by some of the biggest names in bluegrass, including Rhonda Vincent, Mighty Poplar and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
People can purchase single tickets or season passes.
Nashville Pride Festival and Parade
People march in the 2024 Pride parade downtown on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 22, 2024.
When: June 27-29, 2025
Where: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, 600 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville
Nashville’s annual pride celebration is the largest LGBTQ+ event in Tennessee, drawing thousands of attendees each year. The festival includes hundreds of vendors, food trucks, art installations, a kids and family area, and multiple stages of live entertainment.
Headliners for the 2025 event include Kim Petras, 4 Non Blondes, and Big Freedia, with more than 135 performers scheduled across three stages in Downtown Nashville. Other artists set to perform include Estelle, singer-songwriter Empress Of, and Kylie Love, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6.
The parade kicks off on Broadway between Eighth and Second Avenue at 10 a.m. on June 28 and is free to attend.
Deep Tropics
Zingara performs at Deep Tropics Music Festival in Nashville in 2024.
When: Aug. 15-16
Where: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, 600 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville
Heralded as one of the greenest music festivals in the scene, Deep Tropics is Nashville’s eco-friendly EDM celebration. In 2025, the climate-positive and zero-waste event will include a DJ set from Aluna, a sunset performance by Lane 8, and appearances from Alison Wonderland, CLOONEE and Subtronics.
Dusky, Chris Lorenzo and bass-music artist Maddy O’Neal will also take the stage, alongside many other performers throughout the weekend.
In addition to the music festival, Deep Tropics will also host a sustainability summit for their second year in a row.
AmericanaFest
When: Sept. 9-13
Where: Nashville
AmericanaFest aims to bring together performers, fans and industry professionals to celebrate the best of Americana, from blues and folk to singer-songwriters and beyond. Presented by the Americana Music Association, the five-day festival showcases hundreds of artists and bands across venues throughout the city.
In 2025, the lineup includes performances by Amanda Shires, Joe Henry & Mike Reid, Rosie Flores, William Prince, and The Wood Brothers.
Pilgrimage Fest
The Brooks and The Bluff perform on the Midnight Stage at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm during the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. The 2024 Pilgrimage was delayed due to the rain from the fallout of Hurricane Helene.
When: Sept. 27-28
Where: The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, 239 Franklin Road, Franklin
Pilgrimage Festival offers a rich and eclectic lineup spanning rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, and gospel, blending national headliners with emerging local and regional talent. Beyond the music, the family friendly festival has deepened its cultural footprint by spotlighting hundreds of local artisans, restaurants and food trucks.
John Mayer and Kings of Leon are set to headline the 2025 event, joined by a stacked lineup that includes Turnpike Troubadours, Young the Giant, Father John Misty, Sam Barber, Sam Fender, and Grace Potter.
Contributing: Audrey Gibbs, Melonee Hurts
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville summer festivals: There’s still time to enjoy these events
