Five of Nashville’s Favorite Outdoor Events That Support Local Nonprofits

After a long spring and an even longer two years of canceled events, Nashvillians are excited to get outdoors and back to our usual summer traditions, many of which include supporting nonprofits. The creativity of our local organizations is a point of pride for the city, and some of the events they’ve created have found their way into our hearts. We’ve got late nights at the zoo and plenty of outdoor concerts (this is Music City, after all), from opera to bluegrass and Americana, to add to your summer plans.

Thursday Night Out, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Thursday evenings are the new Saturday nights at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Every week through October, the Belle Meade landmark celebrates summer with a night of music, food trucks, family-friendly activities and more. Nashville’s newest music radio station, WNXP, cohosts the first Thursday of each month, with live music from some of the station’s favorite artists. See Nashville’s most fun brass band, Brassville — and be prepared to dance! — on June 2, and don’t miss celestial pop singer Haiva Ru on July 7. Want to wind down the week with a drink? Every third Thursday of the month is Thirsty Third Thursday, where four bar stations are set up throughout the property so you can sip on specialty cocktails as you stroll through the beautiful botanical gardens, including the azalea-filled Howe Garden and the Bradford Robertson Color Garden, which features a series of bloom-covered archways that are the perfect backdrop for summertime #selfies. While some events are free for Cheekwood members, tickets are still required by all attendees, so visit cheekwood.org to see the full lineup of events and snag your spot.

Night Visions, Nashville Zoo

If you’ve ever wondered what happens at the zoo at night, the Nashville Zoo’s Night Visions is a great way to find out. The event, which runs through July 17, offers visitors an experience like no other. Night Visions features brilliant and mesmerizing animal-themed light displays synced to music along a path through the grounds; access to other popular attractions, such as DinoTrek After Dark and the Soaring Eagle zip line; and concessions with beer, margaritas and more. You’ll probably even bump into the flock of flamingos, who will be out on a stroll of their own until 10 p.m. For a single night, adult and teen tickets are $23, and children’s tickets (ages 2-12) are $19. If you want to visit more than once, you can opt for the Platinum Pass, which grants you unlimited visits, for $35 for adults and $29 for children. The starting and ending hours vary throughout the summer as the sun sets later, so be sure to check the dates and times before you go. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nashvillezoo.org/night-visions.

Opera on Wheels, Nashville Opera

When the pandemic hit, hundreds of local arts and culture events, from theater performances to ballet concerts, had to be canceled. But Nashville Opera wouldn’t be stopped. Proving that the show must go on, they partnered with Aero Build to create a customized mobile stage and sound system, and they’ve been taking their show on the road, literally, ever since. This summer, the talented ensemble — featuring Clementina Moreira, Jordan Holland and Tamica Nicole, who you may have heard singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Nashville Predators games — will be popping up at outdoor spaces all over town. Catch them throughout the day at Franklin’s Pride festival on Saturday, June 4, at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm (the whole event is free!), and the next day at 3 p.m. at Centennial Park in front of the Parthenon. The ensemble will also be performing at Nashville Scene’s Movies in the Park nights at Elmington Park. See them June 9, 16 and 23 ahead of screenings of The Princess Diaries, Black Widow and Encanto, respectively. The best part is that the performances are always free. Bravo! For more information, visit nashvilleopera.org/wheels. 

Musicians Corner, Centennial Park Conservancy

One of Nashville’s most anticipated and beloved events in the heart of Music City is Musicians Corner at Centennial Park. Each summer, the Centennial Park Conservancy welcomes a phenomenal lineup of artists, both new and legendary. Concerts in the past have included Emmylou Harris, Chris Stapleton, The Blind Boys of Alabama and so many more. This year’s lineup features John Paul White, Adia Victoria, Tré Burt, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and other familiar acts. While the shows are a celebration of Nashville’s music culture and are free, they’re also a fantastic way to help the Conservancy raise funds to continue its incredible improvements throughout the park by encouraging donations and auctioning memorabilia and experiences from the stars who also support Musicians Corner. Every concert is family-friendly and offers activities and more at Kidsville. And The MC Pub serves up beer, wine and cocktails for enjoying while listening to the music. Musicians Corner takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays and from 12-6 p.m. on Saturdays in June. For more information and to see the upcoming lineups, visit musicianscornernashville.com.

Full Moon Pickin’ Parties, Friends of Warner Parks

On the weekend around every full moon each summer, the Friends of Warner Parks hosts the beloved bluegrass concerts at Percy Warner Park. From 6-10 p.m., each party offers a chance to hear from fantastic local musicians, such as Kristy Cox and Grasstime, the Trevor Clark Trio, Colin O’Brien, and more; enjoy food trucks and craft beers from Zander’s Pizza, Hoss Burgers, Nashville Chicken and Waffles, and Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream; and spend time outdoors with friends and family. But the stage isn’t the only place you’ll find great music; the Friends encourage anyone to bring their bluegrass instruments and join in any of the many pickin’ circles that form all across the grounds. You can also feel free to bring along your pups! This year’s parties are on June 17, July 15, August 12 and September 16-17. Adult tickets are $25, and youth (ages 7-17) tickets are $10. To see all of the musician lineups and food truck vendors for each of the parties this summer and to buy tickets, visit warnerparks.org.