United States, North America
The best time to visit Nashville
Music City plays every night of the year, but spring and fall are when it is best to hear it.
- Best months
- Apr to May and Sep to Oct
- Think twice
- No month is a write-off
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Nashville is April through May or September through October: warm days, cool evenings for rooftop and patio shows, and none of the humid midsummer heat.
Go in April and May, or in September and October. Those months bring highs from the 70s to low 80s F (22 to 28C), the dogwoods or fall color on the hills around town, and outdoor music on patios and rooftops without summer's sticky heat. You get the full calendar: the Opry, the Ryman, writers' rounds, and live bands on Broadway from late morning to 2am.
Nashville is busy almost every weekend now. Bachelorette parties, conventions, football, and big concerts mean Friday and Saturday nights on Broadway are crowded year-round, and weekend hotel rates are among the highest in the South. Early June's CMA Fest is the single busiest stretch of the year.
Summer is hot and humid, with highs around 90F (32C) and thunderstorms, but the music does not stop. Winter is the value season, with highs around 50F (10C), occasional snow or ice, and the lowest prices of the year. The shows are indoors, so a January trip works well.
Nashville, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCold, highs near 48F (9C), occasional ice or snowThe cheapest month. Ice storms can snarl the city for a day or two. Shows run as usual.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueCool, highs near 53F (12C)Quiet and cheap. A good month for the Hall of Fame and writers' rounds.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchGoodMild, highs near 62F (17C), rainSpring break crowds and St. Patrick's weekend pick up. Severe storms possible.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilBestWarm, highs near 71F (22C), stormy daysDogwoods and redbuds bloom, patios reopen. Watch for severe spring storms.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestWarm, highs near 79F (26C)Excellent outdoor music weather and a lively calendar. Book weekends early.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneTradeoffsHot, highs near 87F (31C), humidCMA Fest takes over downtown early in the month with peak prices. The rest of June is hot and busy.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 90F (32C)The July 4 fireworks and free concert downtown are among the biggest in the country. Otherwise, sticky heat.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 89F (32C)The quietest summer month and cheaper, but the heat is heavy. Plan indoor afternoons.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestWarm, highs near 83F (28C)Heat breaks through the month, football returns, and patio season peaks.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestPleasant, highs near 72F (22C), fall colorPerhaps the best month. Crisp nights, fall color in the hills, and busy weekends.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberGoodCool, highs near 61F (16C)Quieter, cheaper, and Christmas at the Opryland resort starts. Early month is lovely.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberGoodCold, highs near 51F (11C)Holiday shows and lights. New Year's Eve downtown is a huge free party with high hotel rates.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Nashville for April.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in NashvilleOpens a hotel search for Nashville in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in NashvilleWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in NashvilleTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Nashville for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Nashville
Live music everywhere, all day
Broadway's honky-tonks have live bands from late morning to closing, with no cover. Writers' rounds, the Ryman, and the Opry add depth.
Country music's history in one place
The Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman, RCA Studio B, and the Opry tell the story in the rooms where it happened.
Hot chicken and a strong food scene
Nashville hot chicken is the signature, and the restaurant scene has grown fast in East Nashville, Germantown, and the Gulch.
An easy base for Tennessee
The Natchez Trace Parkway, Franklin's Civil War sites, and Lynchburg are all easy day trips.
Things to do, and when to do them
Ryman Auditorium
The Mother Church of Country Music. Daytime tours plus evening shows; seeing a concert here is the best way in.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Go at opening to beat the crowds. Add the RCA Studio B tour.
Grand Ole Opry
The long-running live radio show at the Opry House, with some winter shows at the Ryman. Book ahead on weekends.
Broadway honky-tonks
Go on a weekday afternoon for the music without the weekend crush.
The Parthenon in Centennial Park
A full-scale Parthenon replica with a giant Athena statue inside. An easy, quirky stop.
The Hermitage
Andrew Jackson's home and plantation, with frank interpretation of slavery there.
Frist Art Museum
Rotating exhibitions in a grand Art Deco former post office.
Events and seasons worth planning around
CMA Fest
Four days in early June
Country's biggest fan festival, with stadium shows at night and free stages downtown. Hotels book a year out.
Independence Day celebration
July 4 every year
Free concert and a big fireworks show on the riverfront. Huge crowds.
Nashville New Year's Eve
December 31 every year
A free concert and music note drop downtown.
Beat the crowds
- Visit Sunday through Thursday. Weekend hotel rates can be twice midweek rates, and Broadway is far calmer.
- Do Broadway in the afternoon. The bands are just as good and you can get a seat.
- Book writers' rounds at the Bluebird Cafe as soon as reservations open; seats go fast.
- Stay in East Nashville, Germantown, or near Music Row for quieter nights and better food.
Open or closed
- Almost everything runs year-round. The Opry moves some winter shows to the Ryman, so check the venue on your ticket.
- Spring brings severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes. Watch weather alerts in March through May.
- Winter ice storms, while rare, can close roads and businesses for a day or more.
With kids in tow
- Nashville's downtown is heavy on bars, but kids are allowed in honky-tonks during the day at many venues. Check each venue's age policy.
- The Adventure Science Center, the Nashville Zoo, and the Parthenon are good kid stops.
- For homeschool families: the Hall of Fame, the Hermitage, and the Tennessee State Museum make a strong music and history trip.
Getting there
- Nashville International (BNA) has nonstops from most US hubs, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
- From Austin it is about a 13-hour drive; from Atlanta or Memphis, about 3 to 4 hours.
- Downtown and the Gulch are walkable; rideshare or a car helps for East Nashville and day trips.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Nashville for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Nashville makes our ranked list.
Nashville timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Nashville?
October. Crisp evenings, fall color, and highs near 72F (22C). April and May are close behind.
What is the cheapest time to visit Nashville?
January and February, especially midweek. Hotels drop sharply, and indoor shows run as usual.
When is CMA Fest?
Four days in early June. It is the busiest time of year downtown, so book hotels far ahead.
When is Nashville most crowded?
CMA Fest in June, July 4, New Year's Eve, and most Friday and Saturday nights year-round, when bachelorette parties and conventions fill downtown.
Is Nashville hot in summer?
Yes. Highs near 90F (32C) with humidity in July and August. Plan outdoor time for mornings and evenings.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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