4th of July in Nashville
Music City hits all the right notes when it celebrates the Fourth of July holiday.
Nashville hosts great family activities, an impressive array of musical entertainment & one of the best fireworks extravaganzas in the country. During this popular multi-day celebration of food, family, fireworks & America’s independence, events take place in various locations throughout the city.
OLD TOWN TROLLEY OF NASHVILLE WISHES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A SAFE AND EVENTFUL 4TH OF JULY.
On the 4th of July in Nashville, Old Town Trolley will be closed. We will be operating our standard tours on July 3rd and July 5th.
Open July 3rd and 5th
Old Town Trolley
To see the best of Nashville in a fun and safe environment, hop aboard the Old Town Trolley. Children will enjoy riding the trolley as it makes its circuit around Music City. They will hear an entertaining and educational narrative while traveling past many of Nashville’s most popular and well-known landmarks. The Old Town Trolley is also a great way to reach many of these attractions. This convenient form of transportation saves time by eliminating the need to navigate city traffic and find a place to park. The hop-on and hop-off privileges will help you create a personalized itinerary that allows your children to explore the places that interest them the most at their own pace. And for the adults, all you have to do is sit back and relax while you create lasting memories with your family. Also, kids under the age of 4 ride totally free!
The Soul Of Music City Tour
Nashville’s Soul of Music City Tour: From the city’s rhythm & blues heritage and honky tonks, to its famous music venues, uncover insider stories and intriguing facts about the people, places, and events responsible for the city’s iconic reputation. It’s an evening filled with music, history and fun and a close-up view of some of the most legendary spots in town.
Restaurants and Places to Eat
Chauhan Ale & Masala House
Located in an old brick garage and managed by Chopped judge and Iron Chef competitor Maneet Chauhan, this creative Indian restaurant serves vibrant dishes and craft cocktails that will change any traditional thoughts you had about Indian food.
Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant
Tracing its origins back to a little country store situated in the village of Leiper’s Fork, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant began serving customers in the 1950s. This down-home, local eatery founded by the Puckett family features authentic barbecue slow-smoked over cherry wood and live musical performances in a laid-back atmosphere. The downtown Nashville location offers supplies and groceries for city residents as well as a large stage for upcoming and established local acts.
Insider tips on the best things to do during 4th of July
Celebrate America and Stay Healthy
Public Square Park serves as the start and finish lines for the early-morning Music City July 4th 5K/10K road races. Beat your best time or join family and friends for an invigorating jog through downtown Nashville past several of the city’s famous landmarks like the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Music City Convention Center. The event is open to all ages and fitness levels as well as leashed dogs. Runners receive a complimentary t-shirt and a participant’s medal. Plus, that extra slice of apple pie won’t make you feel as guilty.
Hot Chicken and More
The Hot Chicken Festival is held rain or shine in East Park on July 4th. The festivities start out with a bang with a fire truck parade. Guests enjoy spicy, crisp chicken along with cool beverages and an amateur cooking contest. Local bands provide music throughout the day to keep the festive atmosphere going. Swing by and sample the unique Nashville chicken recipe along with other mouth-watering treats. Open to the public, free samples are provided to the first 500 people in line.
Get in the Zone
Downtown Nashville is the setting for the Family Fun Zone. Set up on July 4th, the festivities include slides and other inflatable play structures for children as well as games, food and live music for the entire family. The fun starts at noon on top of the hill located at the southern end of The Lawn at Riverfront Park. Cool off with water fountains, misting stations and free smoothie samples.
Experience Good Vibrations
Beat the heat and enjoy the Nashville Symphony Celebrates America program, an evening performance of everyone’s favorite patriotic tunes as well as a variety of all-American classics. Scheduled on July 3 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the event is topped off by a stirring rendition of Tchaikovsky’s explosive 1812 Overture.
Let Freedom Sing
Let Freedom Sing, a series of concerts featuring top performers across two Riverfront Park stages, draws one of the largest Independence Day crowds in the Southeast. The entertainment starts at 1 pm. and runs up to the fireworks display later in the evening. The Ascend Amphitheater and The Green at Riverfront Park serve as the backdrop for the alfresco concerts. There is no better way to celebrate the holiday than with free concerts in a city built on music.
Red, White and Boom Fireworks
Nashville is the setting for one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays. It is also the only one set to live music. Choreographed to original music provided by the city’s Grammy Award-winning symphony, 1.5 tons of pyrotechnics are launched into the air over the Cumberland River during the show that lasts over 30 minutes. The best vantage points include a boat on the Cumberland River, the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, Adventure Science Center and East Park. Be sure to stake out your spot early as these locations fill up fast.
