Best Parties 2025

Throughout the year, Nfocus steps inside the events that matter most across the city, celebrating those who give their time, talent and treasure to uplift local nonprofits. We then ask our readers to vote for their favorites — and wow, did you show up this year. From day one, voting proved fierce and prolific, and we were here for it. The Nfocus community cast votes across 26 categories to name the best parties of 2025 and award one standout soirée the coveted Best Event title.

Best Event of 2025

Nashville Bourbon Auction (Team Chad, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Ramsey Foundation)

Originally fueled by bourbon and a healthy urge to do good, founder Daniel Weisman — a self-described hater of charity events — created the Nashville Bourbon Auction to uplift the local community. The event supports different organizations each year, with Team Chad, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Ramsey Foundation as 2025’s beneficiaries. Guests mingled and tasted extremely rare bourbons before partaking in the main event: a rousing live auction. Packages included private dinners, a Four Roses barrel selection experience, and a weekend at the Masters Tournament. Matthew Ramsey, Old Dominion frontman and Ramsey Foundation founder, took the stage to close the evening, playing country music that invited guests to dance the night away.

Second Place: River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy)

Third Place: Harding Art Show (Harding Academy)

Most Fun Party

River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy)

Once again, Harpeth Conservancy’s River Swing earned its spot as one of Nashville’s most lively and beloved events — and it’s no wonder why. It’s both fun and fitting to support conservation efforts by celebrating with friends, taking in bucolic views, enjoying Martin’s Bar-B-Que and ending the night with dancing. This past year, guests gathered at River Circle Farm for an evening complete with cozy outdoor seating, a lamp-lit atmosphere, park rangers (and their animal companions), and a toe-tapping performance by St. Paul and The Broken Bones. In its 22nd year, River Swing stayed fresh, ignited curiosity and raised crucial funds for Tennessee’s river ecosystem — all while bringing the party. 

Second Place: Broadway Brunch (Nashville Repertory Theatre)

Third Place: Bright Soles Bash (Jonathan’s Path)

Best New or Reimagined Event

Somm Showdown (Nashville Wine Auction)

Always evolving, the Nashville Wine Auction continues to set the standard. Founded in 1980 as a friendly (and philanthropic) backyard gathering, the event has grown into a fundraising powerhouse, generating more than $43 million for the fight against cancer. In 2024, the organization introduced the Somm Showdown, a now-annual competition featuring six local sommeliers competing for the title of Nashville’s top somm. The multi-round contest includes a wine-and-food-pairing challenge, a trivia quiz and a blind tasting. This year, LeeAnne Arnold of Harvest Wine Market claimed the top honor and received a $2,000 cash prize to further her wine education.

Second Place: American Brain Foundation Gala (American Brain Foundation)

Third Place: Swan Ball (Friends of Warner Parks)

Best Luncheon

Reclaiming Lives Luncheon (Centerstone)

On a picture-perfect spring morning, Centerstone’s 10th annual Reclaiming Lives Luncheon filled the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville’s Grand Ballroom with energy, compassion and a record-breaking crowd, all gathered in support of mental health and recovery.

Guests enjoyed a beautifully curated three-course lunch before hearing from Centerstone leaders and longtime champions who shared powerful stories of hope and impact. The afternoon’s most unforgettable moment came from keynote speaker Zak Williams, global mental health advocate and son of Robin Williams, who spoke about grief and anxiety with candor, humor and heart. The event blended purpose with polish, raised critical funds, and reminded everyone in attendance that community, compassion and hope truly change lives.

Second Place (tie): Sparkling Settings (Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee), Sunday in the Park (Friends of Warner Parks), Wine Women & Shoes (YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee)

Third Place: Cause for Paws (Nashville Humane Association)

Best Arts Event

Harding Art Show (Harding Academy)

It’s not every day that a beloved staple celebrates its golden anniversary — but this year, the Harding Art Show raised a glass to 50 triumphant years. The weekend featured work by 101 artists across 18 different states, representing the show’s wide reach and impact. The event typically attracts about 5,000 guests, and passionate Nashvillians once again showed up for the cause. 

Co-chairs Mimi Beaver and Carey McDonald worked to ensure every aspect of the weekend went smoothly. Abstract floral pieces by artist Laura McCarty grabbed revelers’ attention, with Laura dubbing the show “the highest high” of her career. And the event was a clear success, raising generous donations to fuel Harding Academy’s robust art education programs. 

Second Place: Broadway Brunch (Nashville Repertory Theatre)

Third Place: TPAC Gala (Tennessee Performing Arts Center)

Best Women’s Event

Wine Women & Shoes (YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee)

Temptations abounded at the Wine Women & Shoes luncheon at the Omni Nashville Hotel, starting with a sip of Champagne upon arrival. Co-chairs Roxianne Bethune and Meredith Risner welcomed friends of the YWCA, as guests snapped up bottles from the wall of wine, snagged chances to win “key to the closet” prizes, and visited the glitter bar or the fairy hair booth. Quite a few were in the running for most fun feet, including Cameron Simmons, who embellished white pumps with hot pink ribbons and butterflies and won Best in Shoe for the fifth year. Emmy-nominated public historian and emcee Torri Yates-Orr charmed the crowd as she kicked off the program and announced the winners.

Second Place: Sparkling Settings (Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee)

Third Place: The Next Door Recovery Luncheon (The Next Door Recovery)

Most Fashionable Event

Iroquois Steeplechase (Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital)

Though 30,000 spectators keep their eyes on the track during the running of the Iroquois Steeplechase, between races, their attention turns just as sharply to fashion. The pageantry of colorful dresses, seersucker suits and — of course — hats, is a spectacle everyone should behold at least once. This year, well-dressed guests visited the Nfocus Portrait Studio to memorialize the moment through photos and enter the Nfocus Steeplechase Style Contest. Winners — including Suzanne Smothers, Rahel Klapheke Sloan, and Bob Deal and Jason Bradshaw — gathered on the field to enjoy the spotlight of having triumphed in 1 of 5 sartorial categories.

Second Place: Symphony Fashion Show (Nashville Symphony)

Third Place: Mad Hatter (Sexual Assault Center)

Best Outdoor Event

River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy)

If there’s one party that knows how to bring the fun year after year, it’s Harpeth Conservancy’s River Swing. Hundreds of boot-wearing guests descended on River Circle Farm for the 22nd annual bash, raising funds for river conservation while proving philanthropy can also be a downright hootenanny. 

Cozy lounge vignettes dotted the fields, cocktails flowed and bidding wars sparked at the auction before everyone tucked into the can’t-miss Martin’s Bar-B-Que buffet. The event is al fresco — a fitting tribute to its cause of preserving Tennessee waterways. When St. Paul and The Broken Bones lit up the night with a soulful, high-energy set, the dance floor erupted — and even the lead singer jumped into the crowd. Equal parts heart, boots and boogie, River Swing once again showed why it’s the party Nashville can’t get enough of.

 Second Place: Iroquois Steeplechase (Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital)

Third Place: Sunday in the Park (Friends of Warner Parks)

Best Animal-Centric Event

Boo at the Zoo (Nashville Zoo)

Boo at the Zoo once again delivered festive fun, costumes and just the right amount of spooky charm. The annual evening event transformed the Nashville Zoo into a glowing autumn playground filled with trick-or-treating, pumpkin patches, themed animal shows and playful fall scenes around every corner.

This year brought extra excitement with a special one-night appearance by Ernie the Elf (thanks to a partnership with Keebler), plus a crowd-favorite scavenger hunt celebrating striped animals throughout the zoo. Families also enjoyed carousel rides, carnival games, dance parties, costumed characters, and appearances by Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin. A meaningful highlight came with a special Día de Muertos celebration, honoring loved ones through cultural activities and entertainment. 

Second Place: Iroquois Steeplechase (Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital)

Third Place: Sunset Safari (Nashville Zoo)

Best Children’s Or Family Event

Nutcracker Tea (Nashville Ballet)

Nashville’s Nutcracker is a time-tested chestnut for a reason — and, in only its third year with the Nashville Ballet, so is the Nutcracker Tea. This unique reinterpretation of Clara’s classic dreamscape celebrates community, creativity and the enduring magic of the holidays as only Nashville can, attracting all ages to Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. 

Co-chaired by Ashley Herring, Kayla Clayborne Counts and Blair Steakley Lund, the event popped with red and green iced cookies and a pointe-shoe-decorating station. An exemplar of artistry that draws generations together through magic and imagination, Tchaikovsky’s mysterious holiday masterpiece turns every little girl into a dreamer.

Second Place: Zoolumination (Nashville Zoo)

Third Place: Community Days at Glen Leven Farm (The Land Trust For Tennessee)

Best Dressed Party Guests

Adam Sansiveri and Kendall Brown at the TPAC Gala (Tennessee Performing Arts Center)

Adam Sansiveri and Kendall Brown paired classic with whimsical for the TPAC Gala. Adam’s crisp time-honored tux and Kendall’s loose and lovely floral high-low gown created an ideal fashion counterpoint. This pair’s dramatic flair earns appreciation from hosts and hostesses for honoring a special evening and making the most of a moment others have worked to create. No matter what event they’re attending, they are known for striking designs that make the most of their natural gifts — presence and panache.

Second Place: Katie Crumbo at the Symphony Fashion Show (Nashville Symphony)

Third Place: Marci Houff at Chic Awearness (Vanderbilt University Medical Center ovarian cancer research)

Best Co-Chairs

Adam Sansiveri and Sean Sansiveri (American Brain Foundation)

Twins Adam and Sean Sansiveri have been collaborating from the beginning. This year, that spirit of cooperation culminated in them co-chairing a new-to-Nashville event — the American Brain Foundation Gala. The brothers worked with their extensive networks to bring the right people to the room to raise stratospheric funds for the American Brain Foundation, which promotes and supports research across a spectrum of brain and nervous system diseases. Special guests award-winning actress Selma Blair and motivational speaker Justine Fedak — both living with multiple sclerosis — emphasized the importance of brain health at the gala, putting a fine point on the organization’s mantra: “Cure one, cure many.”

Second Place: Christian Currey for River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy)

Third Place: Kristen and Brian Junghans and Lisa Maki and David Osborn for l’Eté du Vin (Nashville Wine Auction)

Best Emcee

Christopher Hanke at the American Brain Foundation Gala (American Brain Foundation)

Actor, director and theater aficionado are all titles Christopher Hanke can claim. His resume includes Broadway roles in In My Life, Rent, Cry-Baby and Hair, as well as off-Broadway roles in Fame on 42nd Street and The Full Monty national tour. Most recently, though, he has become the go-to emcee for Nashville events — bringing life to important gatherings, including the American Brain Foundation Gala. 

As any great emcee should, Christopher engaged the crowd at the new-to-Nashville gala, building community in the room and enthusiastically introducing keynote speakers. He also deftly handled the night’s auction, encouraging guests to be generous in their support of the American Brain Foundation.

Second Place: Tom Riles at the Bright Soles Bash (Jonathan’s Path)

Third Place: Hugh Howser at the Swan Ball Auction Party (Friends of Warner Parks)

Best Special Guest

Margie Quin at the Bright Soles Bash (Jonathan’s Path)

Jonathan’s Path helps teenagers in foster care break repetitive trauma cycles — and provides essential services that bridge the gap between youth and adulthood. The organization is working to launch Tennessee’s first long-term placement program for teens aging out of the system, ensuring they have access to stable homes as they prepare to transition into the next phase of life. 

The 2025 Bright Soles Bash raised over $223,000 for the nonprofit. Honored guest Margie Quin — commissioner of the Department of Children’s Services — largely made this possible by providing a surprise grant of $100,000, further encouraging generosity from other guests. This donation will help fund housing placements, mentorship programs and gap services for teens across Middle Tennessee. 

Second Place: Philippe and Cherie Melka at L’Eté du Vin (Nashville Wine Auction)

Third Place: Jenn Colella at Broadway Brunch (Nashville Repertory Theatre)

Best Menu

Centennial Circle Dinner (Centennial Park Conservancy)

The mark of a great dinner party is the perfect alchemy of witty conversation, enchanting entertainment and elevated cuisine. For three years, the Centennial Park Conservancy has mastered the blend of elements needed to create such a gathering. 

The Centennial Circle Dinner is a thank-you for an intimate donor group, the Centennial Circle. This year, Four Seasons Nashville chef Derek Simcik took guests of the exclusive dinner on a Greek Odyssey. The evening included five-star dining and a surprise appearance by vocalists Analise Scarpaci and Mamie Parris, who performed songs from the Broadway-bound musical Mythic.

Second Place: Swan Ball (Friends of Warner Parks)

Third Place (tie): River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy), Swan Ball Patrons Party (Friends of Warner Parks)

Best Decorations

Swan Ball (Friends of Warner Parks)

The Swan Ball is the best kind of evergreen, continually remaking itself. This year’s transformation called for creativity, as the ball had a different location and a new beneficiary, Friends of Warner Parks. Facing a metamorphic opportunity, the Swan Ball didn’t just think outside the box —it dispensed with the box altogether. This ball was all romance, recasting Edwin Warner Park’s natural ambience into a fairyland of enchantment.

Proving it’s possible for décor to appeal to all senses, the scent of honeysuckle reminded guests of the park’s natural gifts. Music wafted over the fields from an impressive glass-and-steel structure, which felt like the outpost of an elegant, medieval castle. Knestrick by Design florals topped long tables, and a massive blossoming tree reigned in the ballroom’s center — its canopy dazzling the guests dining below.

Second Place: Sparkling Settings (Horticultural Society of

Middle Tennessee)

Third Place: l’Eté du Vin (Nashville Wine Auction)

Best Photographer

Chad Driver (Driver Productions)

Photographer and videographer Chad Driver knows just how to capture the stirring movement and poignant emotion of everyday moments, whether it’s children sharing a joke or a ballerina mid-grand jeté. His diverse client portfolio includes the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, OZ Arts Nashville, Vanderbilt University and the Nashville Ballet. Since 2010, his company Driver Productions has offered high-quality video and photography, suitable for television, web, print and internal communications. 

Second Place: Eric England

Third Place: Peyton Hoge

Best Entertainment

Old Dominion at the Nashville Bourbon Auction (Team Chad, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Ramsey Foundation) 

Since entering the country music scene in 2014, Old Dominion has grown a devoted fan base. The quintet is the reigning Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year and has twice earned the title of Group of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The band’s frontman, Matthew Ramsey, founded the Ramsey Foundation, which supports organizations in rural communities and highlights the need for cultural arts resources and opportunities in these areas. 

This year’s ever-popular Nashville Bourbon Auction featured the Ramsey Foundation as a beneficiary, along with Team Chad and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Fittingly, Old Dominion closed out the event with an engaging performance. 

Second Place: Nashville Rep performers at Broadway Brunch (Nashville Repertory Theatre)

Third Place: Patti LaBelle at the Swan Ball (Friends of Warner Parks)

Best Florist

Larson Floral

When it comes to throwing unforgettable parties — especially weddings — Larson Floral knows how to set the scene. The Middle Tennessee favorite has been turning celebrations into works of art since 2011. 

Founded by Natasha Larson, Larson Floral specializes in timeless, fine-art floral designs for weddings, corporate events and milestone moments across the region. What truly sets it apart? Connection. The team focuses on relationships over volume, working closely with clients — and fellow vendors — to bring each event to life. Known for its intuitive design approach, Larson Floral is also embracing the trend toward lush, flower-forward arrangements. Add in floral preservation and rentals, and it’s easy to see why couples trust the company with life’s best parties.

Second Place: Rose Hill Flowers

Third Place: The Tulip Tree

Best Venue for a Fundraising Event

The Bell Tower isn’t merely set apart by its high ceilings, wood beams and expansive rafters. It’s also one of the few remaining structures of Nashville’s historic Black Bottom neighborhood, a once-vibrant hub for the city’s African American community. Built in 1874 as Saint Paul AME Church, the building has housed many establishments over the years, including nightclubs, warehouses and more. 

The late singer-songwriter Brett James reimagined the space in 2014, with the help of Infinity Hospitality Group. Now, The Bell Tower — Nashville’s largest freestanding historic event venue — blends storied history and modern elegance, with space to host seated dinners for up to 400 guests or cocktail receptions for 700.  

Second Place: Omni Nashville Hotel

Third Place: Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Best Auction Item

The Judgment of Paris: 50 Years Later reenactment at Union Station (Nashville Wine Auction)

As the legend goes, on May 24, 1976, a David-and-Goliath showdown took place pitting European wineries against dark-horse American producers. In a shocking result, French judges (unaware of what they were drinking) gave California’s Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Chateau Montelena their highest marks — putting American winemaking on the map. 

On April 11, 2026, 42 lucky oenophiles — including bidders at the Nashville Wine Auction’s l’Eté du Vin — will experience a reenactment of this fateful day. The event includes a blind tasting of 19 wines featured at the original Judgment of Paris (with updated vintages), the opportunity to judge the wines, and a multi-course dinner crafted by guest chef David Breeden. What a perfect way to celebrate half a century.

Second Place: Two tickets to Saturday Night Live at the Nashville Bourbon Auction (Team Chad, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Ramsey Foundation)

Third Place: New York weekend at the Red Door Bash (Gilda’s Club)

Best Caterer

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

While there’s always a place for traditional catering, sometimes a charity event presents the perfect opportunity to be a bit more relaxed. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint offers just that — refined yet casual West Tennessee-style barbecue that’s ideal for gatherings both large and intimate. Take this year’s River Swing, for example, where lines of barbecue enthusiasts branched far beyond the Martin’s catering tents, snaking through River Circle Farm. 

Martin’s offers options for events of all shapes and sizes, from deliveries to full-service catering. The staff’s devotion and impeccable service invite clients to sit back, breathe and let Martin’s take care of the details. 

Second Place: Dream Events & Catering

Third Place: Cater615

Best Event Planner

Bruce Pittman

Nashville native Bruce Pittman’s event planning career has spanned over two decades. In that time, he has orchestrated more than 1,300 weddings and events, styled numerous Nfocus fashion shoots, and worked with top nonprofits to plan milestone celebrations like the Symphony Ball, Ballet Ball and Symphony Fashion Show. Bruce guides his clients through every step of the planning process with a calm demeanor that helps bring their vision to life. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and trusted relationships throughout the city, Bruce’s signature approach blends creativity, organization and grace, ensuring each event feels both effortless and unforgettable.

Second Place: Dori Thornton Waller (The Social Office)

Third Place: Amos Gott (Amos Events)

Best Rentals Company

Curated Events Nashville

“Service. Selection. Style. Delivered.” This tagline captures Curated Events Nashville’s commitment to enhancing special occasions and creating memorable environments. The Curated Events team works closely with clients, helping them dream up and execute spectacular events. The company provides every detail, from the place settings to the tent to the dance floor. And it boasts over 65 china collections, thousands of linens, and a wide assortment of catering equipment to ensure every detail is just right. To make your gatherings even more lavish, Curated Events has an in-house carpentry department that offers custom bars, backdrops, escort walls and displays. 

Second Place: Southern Events Party Rental Company

Third Place: EventWorks Rentals

Best Event Production Company

Rhizome Productions

Rhizome Productions provides many services — among them, a range of food and beverage management — for the Nashville social set. But the company particularly shone in event consulting and strategy this past year, evidenced by the range of services it added to its list of outstanding events. If the familiar caution about failing to plan reminds event planners to not overlook any detail, Rhizome offers solid back-up on concept development, vendor coordination, marketing strategy and more.

Second Place: Infinity Hospitality

Third Place: Gary Musick Productions

Best Party Band (TIE)

The Downtown Band, St. Paul and The Broken Bones at River Swing (Harpeth Conservancy)

Unforgettable parties start with unforgettable sound — and these two acts know how to deliver magic. The Downtown Band has become the gold standard for elite celebrations, trusted by top event planners to turn elegant evenings into all-out dance floor explosions. With a flexible seven- to 15-piece lineup, the musicians read the room flawlessly, gliding from smooth cocktail jazz to high-energy hits — uniting generations and garnering that coveted “How did you find them?” reaction.

Then there’s St. Paul and The Broken Bones, the eight-piece soul sensation that brought the house down at Harpeth Conservancy’s River Swing. The band’s funk-filled grooves — and frontman Paul Janeway’s crowd-hopping charisma — sent spirits soaring and guests dancing late into the night. 

Second Place: The Atlanta Allstars

Third Place: Bizz and Everyday People