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CMA Fest 2025
June 6 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
$85.70 – $466.50
CMA Fest is Thursday through Sunday, June 5 – 8 in Downtown Nashville. There will be free concerts and activities each day at Riverfront, behind Ascend Amphitheater, at Bridgestone Plaza and Walk of Fame Park. The shows at Nissan Stadium and at Ascend Amphitheater each night are ticketed. The annual festival’s slew of country music superstars who will be hitting the Nissan Stadium stage include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and more.
- READ MORE: 2025 CMA Fest Lineup Revealed
CMA Fest: A Newbie’s Guide
If you’re attending CMA Fest in Nashville for the first time, the days leading up to the festival can be exciting and a bit overwhelming. Where exactly are the stages and which shows are free? What will the weather be like? Did I buy enough sunscreen? What happens if my phone dies?
WHAT TO PACK
Leave backpacks, camera bags, and fanny packs at home. To keep the safety of fans, artists, and staff a top priority, all official festival locations will follow the “Clear Bag Policy” previously adopted by Nissan Stadium. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and must not be larger than 12″x12″x6″. In addition to a clear bag, a small clutch bag or wallet no larger than 5.5″x8.5″ is allowed.
No Spray Sunscreen. One of the things on the list of prohibited items is aerosol cans, which includes aerosol sunscreen. If you are planning to re-apply sunblock throughout the day, you’ll need to toss some lotion sunscreen into your clear bag.
*Pro Tip: Forget your sunscreen? Visit the First Aid tents at Riverfront Park and Walk of Fame Park
Hat + Sunglasses + Layers. Did you know your eyeballs can get sunburned? Shield them from the sun with a good pair of sunglasses and/or a hat. If you aren’t going to sport a hat, don’t forget to put sunscreen on your head and the tips of your ears!
Poncho. Make sure you come prepared, avoid scrambling around in the rain and pack a poncho.
Power Bank. A full day of taking photos and videos, checking the schedule, and studying the map will surely drain your phone battery. Pack an extra power bank to charge your phone. You can even buy solar powered chargers.
Cool Down + Bathroom Breaks. The Music City Center (MCC) will become your best friend during the week. Not only is the large center the home of Fan Fair X, it has public restrooms and air conditioning! There is also a Fresh Pick market inside the MCC at the corner of 8th and Demonbreun where you can stock up on water, sodas, and snacks. On the opposite end of the MCC is a Dunkin’ Donuts and Al Taglio pizzeria at the corner of 5th and Korean Vets Blvd.
*Pro Tip: Download the Music City Center Wayfinding App to pinpoint your location inside the building and receive precise, turn-by-turn directions to get you to where you need to go!
