Nashville, renowned as the ‘Music City,’ offers a rich tapestry of arts and cultural events that celebrate its diverse heritage. From music festivals to art exhibitions, the city provides numerous opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with its vibrant creative community.
Artville: A Celebration of Visual Arts
Artville is Nashville’s premier annual public arts festival dedicated to highlighting the city’s creative culture through site-specific art installations, immersive experiences, and art collecting opportunities—all free to the public. The festival takes place at Walk of Fame Park in Downtown Nashville, with art-focused evening events in Wedgewood Houston and The Neuhoff District in Germantown. Artville features public art installations, contemporary art, and the American Artisan Festival, showcasing over 75 local and national contemporary craft and fine artists. Attendees can also enjoy live music, a wide selection of food trucks, and various family-friendly activities. For more information, visit the official Artville website.
Tomato Art Fest: A Quirky Community Celebration
Since its inception in 2003, the Tomato Art Fest has been uniting fruits and vegetables in a fun-filled community event. Held annually in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, the festival features tomato-themed art, local music, delicious food, costumes, wacky contests, shopping, and kids’ activities. The two-day festival is free to attend and encourages attendees to dress up in tomato-inspired attire. For more details, visit the Tomato Art Fest website.
Make Music Nashville: A Citywide Musical Extravaganza
Make Music Nashville is an all-day, free non-profit festival that takes place on June 21st each year, celebrating the summer solstice with music performed by anyone and free for everyone. The festival spans neighborhoods across Nashville, encouraging participation from all ages, genres, and abilities—from indie rock to bluegrass to a cappella. The primary goals are to provide an equal platform for musicians of all skill levels and to inspire the next generation of musicians through innovative outreach programming. For more information, visit the Make Music Nashville website.
These events, among others, showcase Nashville’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive arts and culture scene. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to experience in Music City.