Music’s a great way to connect with others, including your own kids!  Lots of great music will fill the air during these outdoor summer concerts.

So, gather those blankets, chairs (and maybe even a picnic!) and mark your calendars to unwind at one of these fun musical outings for Middle Tennessee families.

2026 SUMMER OUTDOOR CONCERTS:

 

FULL MOON PICKIN’ PARTIES

This unique bluegrass music series has been a beloved Nashville tradition for over 25 years, attracting families and friends from all over to hear bluegrass under the stars in Percy Warner Park from 6 – 10 p.m. With events running thru September, you can enjoy live bluegrass, local food trucks, cold brews and more, all summer long!

2026 dates include:

• July 24
• August 14
• September 25

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BIG BAND DANCES

Big Band Dances take place every Saturday, through August 15 in Centennial Park, 2500 West End Avenue. A live big band provides the music while you and your kids learn a different dance style. Food trucks are on site, or you can bring a cooler. If you’re new to the swing-era dance steps or just need to knock the dust off your dancing shoes, there’s always a free lesson for everyone at 7 p.m. and the evening’s big band takes over at 7:30.

The 2026 schedule and lineup includes:

• July 11: at the Parthenon Ellipse
• July 18: at the Centennial Art Center Parking Lot
• July 25: Parthenon Ellipse
• August 1: Centennial Art Center Parking Lot
• August 8: Parthenon Ellipse
• August 15: Parthenon Ellipse

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BLUEBIRD ON THE MOUNTAIN

The concert series — presented with the world famous Bluebird Cafe — happens monthly through October at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. Much sought-after tickets-by-the-carload are released on specific dates one month prior to each event. They sell out quickly and are currently showing approximately $206 on Eventbrite for a carload of eight. To score tickets, keep refreshing the page when attempting to purchase. Tickets are not officially sold out until the words “sold out” appear.

Upcoming 2026 monthly dates are:

• Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, August 1 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, August 15 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m.

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JAZZ ON THE CUMBERLAND 

The popular — and FREE — Jazz On The Cumberland concert series is held on the third Sunday of the month through October from 5:30 – 8 p.m. The venue’s located at Wasioto Park (formerly Cumberland Park) at 592 S. First St., Nashville. Bring your favorite blanket or lawn chair to enjoy some of the best local, regional and national jazz artists performing live at this family- and pet-friendly event. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, concessions, vendors and even a “Kid’s Fun Play Zone.” (No alcohol, tents, umbrellas, or soliciting allowed).

Upcoming dates include:

• July 19
• August 16
• September TBA
• October TBA  

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE CONCERT SERIES

Main Street Murfreesboro throws a musical party on the courthouse square from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. There’s always room in front of the stage to cut a rug or bring a chair and enjoy the music sitting down. Come early to have dinner at one of the locally owned downtown restaurants and do a little shopping around the square before the music begins.

The 2026 dates are:

• July 3 Entice
• August 7 Third Party Thieves
• Sept. 25 Mixtape 80’s Band

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THIRD THURSDAYS ON MAIN

Get your boogie on in downtown Gallatin with free concerts held on the third Thursday of each month from June through September from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The 2026 dates are:

• July 16: Rock Night featuring Dre Hilton
• Aug. 20: Caroline Owens headlining Country Night on the Square
• Sept. 17: Gypsy Outfit

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SUMNER CREST WINERY OUTDOOR CONCERTS 

Sumner Crest Winery in Portland hosts free, family-friendly summer concerts. Bring a picnic and blanket!

The 2026 dates include:

 

 

• 07-03 Friday Night Flights and Live Music by Katelyn with Highway Wildflowers 4-7pm
• 07-05 Sunday Funday with Mattie Taylor 1-4pm
• 07-10 Friday Night Flights and Live Music by Tyler 4-7pm
• 07-11 Summer Concert Series: Soul Soup 6pm
• 07-12 Sunday Funday on the patio with Gary Weilage 1-4pm
• 07-17 Friday Night Flights and Live Music by Andrea Guess 4-7pm
• 07-19 Sunday Funday on the patio with Mattie Taylor 1-4pm
• 07-24 Friday Night Flights and Live Music by Heidi 4-7pm
• 07-26 Sunday Funday with Gary Weilage 1-4pm
• 07-31 Friday Night Flights and live music by Megan Wardeberg 4-7pm

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THURSDAY NIGHT OUT

Kick off the weekend at Cheekwood’s Thursday Night Out, happening every Thursday evening from 5:30 – 9 p.m., May through October. In addition, the evenings feature regionally-sourced food and spirits, lawn games, wellness classes and more. Tickets are $10 for members and $22 for non members. Advanced reservation required.

The 2026 lineup includes:

• July 2: Charles “Wigg” Walker
• July 9: Paul Childers
• July 16: The Shirt Tuckers
• July 23: Big Shoes
• July 30: Cliff Richmond & the CliffNotes
• August 6: Justyna Kelley
• August 13: Eliza Thorn
• August 20: Kyshona
• August 27: Satin Dolls

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PICKIN’ IN THE PARK

The 14th annual Pickin’ in the Park concert series at Harvey Park (4001 Miles Johnson Parkway, Spring Hill) is a family-friendly event features local musicians and songwriters. Bring chairs and blankets, and enjoy an evening of music! Food trucks will be on site.

The dates and lineups for the 2026 season are:

• July 18:TBA
• Aug. 15:TBA
• Sept. 19: TBA
• Oct. 10:TBA

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BRENTWOOD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

It’s the 37th Annual Summer Concert Series at Crockett Park (1500 Volunteer Way, Brentwood). Head out with chairs, blankets and picnics for evening music in the community. Food trucks will be available.

The 2026 schedule includes:

• The Downtown Band in the Contemporary Era
• Saturday, July 4, 5-10 pm
  • 5-9 pm: Food trucks open
  • 5-7 pm: America 250 activities
    • Face painting
    • Balloon artists
    • Cirque performers
    • Drum and fife performers (at the BrentVale Pavilion)
    • Musket salute at concert kickoff (7 pm)
  • 7-10 pm: The Downtown Band performs
  • 9-9:15 pm: Fireworks show

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CORNELIA AIRPARK CONCERTS

Cornelia Airpark Concerts are back at Nashville’s Shelby Park (1199 Shadow Lane, Nashville). The unique concert experience features live music, dancing, craft beers, wine, local food trucks, activities and “Instaworthy” moments (including photos with a vintage plane!). Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy an evening at the historic venue. Doors open at 5:30 p.m for each event with music starting at 5:45 p.m. Cost is $20 and includes beer/wine ticket for ages 21 and older. Ages 15 and younger are admitted free.

The 2026 dates include:

• July 25
• Aug. 22

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ARRINGTON VINEYARDS

Come out to Arrington Vineyards (6211 Patton Road, Arrington) for free live jazz and bluegrass bands Saturdays and Sundays on the Hillside stage from 3 – 7 p.m. Food will be available. No reservations required.

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HENDERSONVILLE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Bring lawn chairs, blankets or enjoy ample seating throughout the plaza for this summer concert series live under the stars on Thursdays, June 5 – Sept. 4, at the Streets of Indian Lake (300 Indian Lake Blvd., Hendersonville).

The 2026 dates include:

• July 2
• July 9
• Jul 16
• July 23
• July 30
• Aug. 6
• Aug. 13
• Aug. 20
• Aug. 27

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ROCK CASTLE SUMMER SONGWRITER SERIES

The Summer Songwriter Series at Rock Castle (39 Rockcastle Lane, Hendersonville) features food trucks, inflatables, yard games and original music from Nashville’s brightest rising stars! The series features four single-day mini-festivals from 5 – 9 p.m. spread out over the summer months of May through August. Adults are $10 and children are free.

2026 dates include:

• July 18: ZG Smith, Andrew Leahey & The Homestead
• Aug. 15: Harper O’Neill, J & The Causeways

 

 

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