10 Things to Do in Nashville in June

Nashville is one of the most representative cities of the American South and as the capital of Tennessee it is also one of the cradles of the country's most important musical genres, such as country music. Here you can find live music bars, some of the most famous recording studios and numerous festivals.

Among the things to see and do in Nashville in June are charity fairs, jazz, blues and country music concerts, flea markets, Gay Pride celebrations and summer movie nights to make the most of the heat during your visit to the city.

The Predators are the city's ice hockey team and one of the most famous in the NHL, playing between October and April. If you're planning to visit Nashville in June, you can take part in some of the team's post-season activities, one of which is the Craft Beer Solidarity Festival.

This festival combines several of the city's most prominent facets, such as sports, music and food and drink fairs, but the main focus is on craft beer, which is sold from street stalls.

All proceeds from the annual Charity Festival in June are donated to the Nashville Predators Foundation for charitable activities.

These events, as well as Nashville' s food and drink tours, are a great way to beat the summer heat and see a different side of Music City.

Details of interest

• Price... Admission to the event is approximately 8 euros.
• When... Every year in June, the NHL's post-season.
• Where... Bridgestone Arena Stadium, 501 Broadway PL, Nashville.

Second only to country music, jazz and blues are the two most popular musical styles in Nashville, and in June each year the city hosts the Jazz and Blues Festival to kick off the summer. This weekend-long festival includes music concerts, food booths, as well as opening and closing parties.

The Nashville Jazz and Blues Festival is a Tennessee landmark and is not only a musical celebration but also a celebration of the history of the neighbourhood and the city, bringing together top local and international artists and audiences from several southern states.

If you're planning to visit Nashville in June you can buy your tickets in advance online or once you're in town, but as this is a massively popular and traditional event, tickets tend to sell out.

Interesting details

• Price... Entrance to the festival has an initial cost of approximately 45 euros per person.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... 1215 9th Ave, Nashville, Nashville.

The Nissan Taste Festival is Nashville's largest food and drink event and also one of the city's most traditional, as it pays homage to the local culinary arts as well as the flavours of each neighbourhood in Tennessee's capital city. As with all Nashville festivals, it also includes live music concerts.

The festival also consists of cooking demonstrations and tastings of local products and has a very special format, with a one-time admission fee and free drinks afterwards. Local restaurants, bars and food stalls are the main attractions at the Nissan Taste Festival, making it one of Nashville's best attractions.

This event is held every year in June and coincides with the city's hottest time of year, making it an ideal alternative if you plan to visit Nashville in the summer and want to take shelter from the sun and high temperatures, as the festival is held indoors.

Interesting details

• Price... Entry to the event costs approximately 59 euros per person and includes free access to all tastings.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... 350 Deaderick St., Nashville.

With over 50 years of tradition, the CMA Music Festival is one of Nashville's most popular music events and offers a non-stop 4-day, non-stop schedule of country music shows and dual stages at various locations throughout the city.

The festival, which has changed venues several times, is now held every June in downtown Nashville, so you can not only enjoy the event, but also visit the honky tonks, the typical southern bars where you can listen to local music.

The CMA Music Festival reaches its climax on the final day with the evening concert at Nissan Stadium, which hosts more than 50,000 people who come to see the world's best country music artists live.

Details of interest

• Price... Entry to the event has an initial cost of approximately 90 euros per person.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... At various locations around the city.

Flea Markets are very popular in the United States and the Porter Flea Market is considered one of the top 10 in the country. During the weekend in June it is open with over 1000 traders and stallholders offering their wares to the public and is also the ideal place if you want to sell an antique.

The Porter Flea Market is also open in December, although this time it's mainly Christmas themed, so you'll only be able to discover it in all its glory if you're planning to visit Nashville in June. This iconic flea market is Tennessee's most famous flea market and has been open for more than 50 years.

Located on the outskirts of the city, access to Porter's Flea Market is sensible because you can get there on several bus lines on the Nashville Sightseeing Bus, which includes a stop near the flea market entrance.

Details of interest

• Price... Admission to the flea market is free.
• When... Every year during the third weekend in June.
• Where... 401 Wingrove St, Nashville.

Nashville is one of the largest cities in the United States but it still upholds traditions typical of Southern folklore, so during June you can experience the popular summer movie nights in different parts of the city, where cult films are screened and you can watch them from your car or in the seats in front of the big screen.

Food and drink trucks are usually set up at these film series, and after the film is over there are often outdoor music shows and other activities, making the city's summer movie nights a family-friendly spectacle and an ideal alternative if you plan to visit Nashville with children.

You can buy tickets for each film or for a group of films, as there are screenings every day except when it rains, as the weather in Nashville during the summer is very hot but also humid.

Interesting details

• Price... The initial cost of tickets for each film is 10 euros per person.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... Different locations around the city.

Nashville Pride is Tennessee's largest and one of the most colourful, with its massive parade of floats and costumes through the streets of the city and a packed schedule of music, dancing and activities for all the visitors who come to experience the traditional event.

In June during the Pride weekend, bars and clubs open their doors on Church Street, a place that stands out for its drag shows and karaoke.

You can also experience an alternative gay pride festival if you plan to visit Nashville in September, Nashville in September, although the official global event is in June, which coincides with the city's summer.

Details of interest

• Price... Depends on the activity chosen during the festival. Parades and street activities are free to attend.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where.... In different locations around the city.

Centennial Park is one of Nashville's most famous green lungs, the site of the American and Southern Parthenon and also the fixed venue for many of Nashville's events, including the American Craft Fair.

This fair is held each year in June and is highlighted by the participation of local artisans who represent their areas of expertise using materials such as ceramics, fabric, paint, leather and overlapping glass to produce original, handmade furniture, instruments, jewellery and other items.

As you would expect in the city, this fair also includes live music performances, food and drink trucks and children's activities.

The tour of the fair will take you approximately 2 to 3 hours so it's an activity you can do even during a short stay in the city. If that's your case, here's a list of things to do in Nashville in 3 days.

Interesting details

• Price... Admission to the fair is free.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... Centennial Park, Nashville.

Nashville's Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the city's most eclectic events, and for one weekend in June you can experience a hot air balloon ride over the Tennessee countryside, watch a polo match and enjoy a food and beverage tasting.

This family-friendly experience is weather-dependent, which is why it's held every year in June. You can attend by reserving your spot in advance and paying an entrance fee, which is usually inexpensive, but you'll need to purchase hot air ballooning services separately afterwards.

You can also take a hot air balloon ride if you plan to visit Nashville in July, although in that case you won't be flying at the festival but on your own or as part of a tour of the city's outskirts.

Interesting details

• Price... Entrance to the fair costs approximately 25 euros per person initially, although services for the hot air balloon experience cost extra.
• When... Every year in June.
• Where... Just outside Nashville.

The Gulch Night Market is an outdoor entertainment fair that opens in June to usher in summer and brings together arts and crafts vendors, artists, food and drink stalls, street performers and shops. Located in The Gulch, Nashville's flirty neighbourhood, this disruptive market lights up the city's nightlife.

During your walk through The Gulch you can also enjoy some of the city's street art, which is why the neighbourhood is often included on city tours with local guides. It's also one of the best things to do in Nashville at night.

You can get to The Gulch from downtown Nashville by public transportation or on the city's tour buses.

Details of interest

• Price... The Gulch Night Market is open air and admission is free.
• When... The market opens in June.
• Where... The Gulch, Nashville.

June is the month of early summer in Nashville so temperatures can reach highs of 30° and lows of 19°, although the average temperature is 25°, making the weather very pleasant throughout the month.

However, the city also has a humid climate and it tends to rain a lot, even during the summer, so I recommend that you always be prepared with light rain gear. If you plan to visit Nashville in August, you'll find that the rains are more sporadic and the weather is drier.

May to September is the peak season in Nashville and June is when the weather is at its hottest and the city offers many activities, so this is also when there is the largest influx of tourists.

If you want to visit the city with fewer tourists you should visit Nashville in October or during the winter months.

June in Nashville is summer and part of the peak season, so prices are the highest of the year, especially for accommodation and some tours which change in price. If you want to avoid extra costs you can organise an itinerary and book excursions in advance.

The best prices are available if you visit Nashville in winter, although the cold is often bitterly cold and can affect some experiences in the city.

Nashville is hot and humid during the summer so I recommend packing the following in your suitcase:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
• Sun hat
• Lightweight T-shirt
• Lightweight coat
• Lightweight trousers
• Rain jacket
• Waterproof footwear