Best Time To Visit Nashville | Monthly Guide 2025

I’ve been to Nashville four times now—spring, summer, fall, and even braved the winter once. Each visit hit totally different vibes, and I’ve gotta say, timing your trip to Music City can make or break your experience. After my last visit in September 2024, I finally feel qualified to break down the best (and worst) times to visit Nashville based on weather, crowds, events, and how much cash you’ll burn.

Quick Answer: Best Time to Visit Nashville

Overall best time: April-May and September-October for perfect weather, reasonable prices, and awesome festivals

Budget-friendly: January-February (except Valentine’s weekend) when hotel rates drop 30-40%

Best weather: May and October, with temperatures around 70-80°F (21-27°C) and lower humidity

Biggest events: CMA Fest (June), Nashville Film Festival (September), and New Year’s Eve

Worst time: July-August (brutally hot and humid) and major holiday weekends (super crowded and expensive)

I showed up in Nashville last July and literally thought I might melt on Broadway. The humidity was so intense my glasses kept fogging up every time I walked out of an air-conditioned bar. Never. Again.

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Nashville?

January and February are hands-down the most wallet-friendly months to visit Nashville. After the New Year’s crowd heads home, hotel prices take a nosedive—we’re talking 30-40% cheaper than peak season. During my February 2022 visit, I snagged a room at the Hyatt Place Downtown for $139, which would’ve easily been $300+ during summer months.

Here’s what you can expect to pay during low season:

Downtown hotels: $130-200 per night (vs. $250-400 in peak season)
Airbnbs: $80-150 per night in cool neighborhoods like East Nashville
Flight deals: I found roundtrip flights from Chicago for under $150

But there’s a reason it’s cheaper, right? Yeah, it’s colder (think 30-50°F or 0-10°C), some outdoor attractions have limited hours, and there aren’t as many events happening. The upside? Way shorter lines at popular spots like Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. I waited maybe 10 minutes in February compared to an hour in June!

One thing to watch for—random conventions can suddenly make hotel prices spike even in off-season. I learned this the hard way when a healthcare conference filled every downtown room. Check the Nashville convention calendar before booking!

What’s the Best Season to Visit Nashville?

Spring (March-May)

Spring is pretty magical in Nashville. The city starts coming alive again, patios reopen, and there’s this energy in the air that’s hard to beat. Temperatures gradually climb from the 60s in March to the 70s and low 80s by May (that’s about 16-28°C for non-Americans).

Pros of Spring in Nashville:

Cherry blossoms and dogwoods blooming all over Centennial Park
Fewer tourists than summer (except during Spring Break weeks)
Patio season begins! So many restaurants open their outdoor spaces
Nashville Fashion Week (April)
Some of the best live music lineups before summer festival season

Cons of Spring:

Unpredictable rain showers (always pack a light jacket)
Hotel rates start climbing in April
Tennessee allergy season hits HARD (my sinuses were a complete disaster during my April visit)

During my last spring visit, I caught an intimate show at the Bluebird Cafe without fighting massive crowds, which felt impossible during my summer trips. Just make reservations well in advance—even in “slower” seasons, the iconic spots still fill up.

Summer (June-August)

Summer is peak tourist season in Nashville, and it’s… a lot. The city gets packed, especially on weekends. And let me tell you about the HEAT. We’re talking 85-95°F (29-35°C) with humidity that makes it feel like you’re walking through soup.

Pros of Summer:

CMA Fest (June) brings the biggest country stars to town
Rooftop pools at downtown hotels are open
Longer days mean more time for activities
Outdoor concerts everywhere
Nashville’s July 4th celebration is genuinely impressive (the fireworks show lasted 30+ minutes when I was there!)

Cons of Summer:

Brutally hot and humid—I changed shirts twice a day
Highest hotel rates of the year
Hour-long waits at popular restaurants
Broadway is absolute mayhem (fun or nightmare, depending on your personality)
Thunderstorms can pop up suddenly and ruin outdoor plans

I still have flashbacks to standing in line for Biscuit Love for 90 minutes in July heat. Was it worth it? The food—yes. The sweaty wait—debatable.

Fall (September-November)

Fall is my personal favorite time to be in Nashville. The weather cools down to this perfect sweet spot—70s during the day, cooler at night (around 21-26°C dropping to 10-15°C). The summer crowds thin out, and the city hosts some really cool events.

Pros of Fall:

Perfect weather, especially in October
AmericanaFest (September)
Nashville Film Festival (September)
Fall foliage in nearby parks and Natchez Trace Parkway
Oktoberfest in Germantown neighborhood
The Halloween pub crawls are legendary

Cons of Fall:

Still pretty busy, especially on weekends
Football season means game-day crowds and higher hotel rates when the Titans play at home
November can get chilly toward the end of the month

Last September, I hiked at Radnor Lake State Park just 20 minutes from downtown, and the fall colors were starting to pop. Came back to the city for an amazing songwriter’s night at The Listening Room Cafe. Literally perfect day.

Winter (December-February)

Winter is Nashville’s true off-season (except for the holidays), and honestly, it’s underrated. Yes, it’s colder—expect 30-50°F (0-10°C)—but the city doesn’t shut down like some places. There’s still tons to do indoors, and you’ll save serious cash.

Pros of Winter:

Lowest hotel rates (except holidays)
Christmas decorations at the Gaylord Opryland are INSANE (worth the trip alone)
New Year’s Eve celebration with the “Music Note Drop”
Virtually no lines at attractions
The best chance to get reservations at top restaurants

Cons of Winter:

Colder temperatures limit outdoor activities
Some seasonal attractions close
Fewer major events and festivals
Possible ice storms (rare but they do happen)

I spent New Year’s Eve in Nashville once—watched the fireworks and music note drop on Broadway. Incredible experience, though hotel prices tripled and every bar had a cover charge. But January 2nd? Ghost town with bargain prices.

QUICK FACTS: Nashville Seasons

Spring Average Temps: 60-80°F (16-27°C)
Summer Average Temps: 85-95°F (29-35°C)
Fall Average Temps: 55-80°F (13-27°C)
Winter Average Temps: 30-50°F (0-10°C)
Rainiest Months: April and May
Busiest Tourist Season: June through October
Annual Visitors: Around 14.5 million
Most Expensive Month: June (CMA Fest)
Cheapest Month: January (post-holidays)
Nashville’s Airport Code: BNA

What Are the Best Monthly Events in Nashville?

Here’s a quick breakdown of Nashville’s best events month by month:

January

Nashville Boat Show – Smaller event but cool if you’re into boating
Nashville Comedy Festival – Some big names come through!

After New Year’s, January is super quiet. Great time to actually get into normally-packed restaurants without a reservation. I walked straight into Husk on a Friday night in January! Try doing that in June!

February

Antiques & Garden Show – Huge event at Music City Center
Nashville Fashion Week – Unexpected but actually pretty cool
Valentine’s Day – Romantic, but hotel prices spike

March

Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival – Amazing for music lovers
Nashville Whiskey Festival – Incredibly fun if you’re into spirits
St. Patrick’s Day – The parade and bar scene is wild

March starts the city’s energy shift. Weather’s hit-or-miss (pack layers!), but places start getting livelier. I caught an impromptu Keith Urban appearance at a small venue during Tin Pan South in 2023—one of those “only in Nashville” moments.

April

Nashville Film Festival – Growing in popularity each year
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon – Takes over the city, book accommodations early!
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival – Surprisingly beautiful

May

Iroquois Steeplechase – Fancy horse racing event, think Kentucky Derby vibes
Rites of Spring Music Festival – Great lineup usually
Tennessee Renaissance Festival (nearby in Arrington)

May hits the weather sweet spot. When I visited in May 2023, I spent entire days just walking between neighborhoods without melting. Didn’t need AC or heat in our Airbnb. Actual perfection.

June

CMA Fest – THE biggest country music event of the year
Bonnaroo Music Festival (about an hour away in Manchester)
Nashville Pride Festival – Super fun atmosphere

June gets PACKED. If you’re not coming for CMA Fest specifically, maybe avoid that week. I accidentally booked during it once—waited 2 hours for hot chicken and paid double for our hotel. Rookie mistake.

July

July 4th Celebration – Massive fireworks and free concert
Let Freedom Sing! – Music City July 4th event
Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman – For the real music aficionados

August

Tomato Art Fest – East Nashville’s quirky signature event
Wilson County Fair (nearby in Lebanon) – Old-school county fair vibes
Music City Brewer’s Festival – Great craft beer event

August is HOT hot hot. Like, makeup-melting, need-a-shower-every-3-hours hot. I still wake up in cold sweats thinking about waiting in line for a rooftop bar with no shade in August 2021.

September

AmericanaFest – Amazing showcase of roots music
Nashville Film Festival – International films come to town
Tennessee State Fair – Classic fair fun

September might actually be the perfect month? Still warm enough for outdoor activities but not sweaty, and the city hosts some of the coolest events.

October

Oktoberfest in Germantown – Super fun neighborhood festival
Southern Festival of Books – Great for literature lovers
Music City Food + Wine Festival – Worth every penny

The October weather is chef’s kiss. Perfect jeans and light jacket season. I spent mornings on coffee shop patios, afternoons at outdoor breweries, and evenings venue-hopping without ever feeling uncomfortable.

November

Veterans Day Parade – Meaningful event with good turnout
Nashville Christmas Parade – Happens right after Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Weekend – Shopping deals but crowded

December

Gaylord Opryland’s Christmas celebrations – Seriously impressive
Christmas Village – Massive shopping event
New Year’s Eve – The Music Note Drop is pretty cool

How’s the Weather in Nashville Throughout the Year?

Nashville has four distinct seasons, but they play by their own rules sometimes.

Spring Weather (March-May)

Spring is gorgeous but unpredictable. You might get 80°F one day and 50°F the next. Rain showers pop up randomly—during my April visit, I got caught in three sudden downpours in one day. Pack layers and a rain jacket, for sure.

The upside? Flowers everywhere! The entire city looks like it’s showing off in April.

Summer Weather (June-August)

Summer is reliably hot and humid. Think 85-95°F (29-35°C) with humidity that makes it feel like 100°F+. My glasses literally fogged up every time I walked outside from air conditioning. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually pass quickly.

If you’re visiting in summer, plan indoor activities during peak afternoon heat (2-5 PM), stay hydrated, and maybe book a hotel with a pool. I became a master at plotting routes between air-conditioned spots during my summer visits.

Fall Weather (September-November)

Fall starts warm in September and gradually cools through November. Early fall still feels like summer (70s-80s), but by November, you’ll need a jacket, especially at night. The humidity drops significantly—thank goodness.

My September visit had perfect weather—warm, sunny days around 75°F (24°C) and cool evenings around 60°F (15°C). Perfect for patio dining and outdoor concerts.

Winter Weather (December-February)

Winter is mild compared to northern states, but still chilly. Daytime temps hover in the 40s-50s°F (4-10°C), dropping below freezing at night sometimes. Snow is rare but possible—Nashville isn’t great at handling it when it happens.

My February visit included one random 65°F day followed by a 35°F day. Nashville’s weather keeps you guessing!

Is There a Worst Time to Visit Nashville?

If I had to pick the absolute worst times to visit Nashville, I’d say:

Mid-July to mid-August: The heat and humidity are brutal, and everything feels sticky. Plus, hotel prices are high despite the uncomfortable weather.
CMA Fest (June): Unless you’re specifically coming for the festival, this week is insanely crowded and expensive.
Major holiday weekends: Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve bring peak crowds and prices.
Spring Break weeks (varies): Broadway becomes overrun with college students.

I made the mistake of visiting during a July heatwave, and honestly, it limited what we could do. Walking between attractions wasn’t pleasant, outdoor dining was uncomfortable, and we spent more time (and money) ducking into air-conditioned bars than I’d planned.

FAQ About Visiting Nashville

Is Nashville expensive to visit?

It can be, especially downtown. During peak season, expect to pay $250-400 for decent downtown hotels, $15-20 for cocktails, and $20-30 for entrees at mid-range restaurants. Budget-conscious travelers should visit in winter, stay in neighborhoods like Berry Hill or East Nashville, and explore the many free attractions.

Do I need to rent a car in Nashville?

Not necessarily if you’re staying downtown or in popular neighborhoods. Uber/Lyft are plentiful, and there’s a free downtown circulator bus. I’ve done both with and without a car—having one gives you more flexibility for day trips, but parking can cost $30+ per day downtown.

Which is better: Broadway or Music Row?

They’re totally different! Broadway is the touristy honky-tonk area (fun but commercial), while Music Row is more about recording studios and industry businesses (interesting but less happening at night). Most visitors enjoy both for different reasons. I personally prefer the Lower Broadway scene during weekdays when it’s less packed.

What should I pack for Nashville?

Depends on the season, but always bring comfortable walking shoes and something slightly dressy for nicer restaurants. Summer requires light clothing and maybe a hat. Winter needs layers. And if you’re bar-hopping on Broadway, don’t wear your favorite shoes—mine got absolutely trashed by spilled drinks and crowded dance floors.

Bottom Line: When Should You Visit Nashville?

After multiple visits across all seasons, I’d say the sweet spots for visiting Nashville are mid-April to early June and mid-September to late October. You’ll get the best combo of pleasant weather, reasonable crowds (outside major events), and plenty of things to do both indoors and outdoors.

If you’re on a tight budget, January and February offer the best value, and the indoor music scene doesn’t slow down a bit. Just bring layers and check for conventions before booking.

Summer visitors should come prepared for the heat and plan accordingly—morning activities, afternoon breaks, and evening outings. And if you’re visiting during a major event or festival, book accommodations MONTHS in advance and be ready to pay premium prices.

Whenever you visit, Nashville has this incredible energy that’s hard to find elsewhere. The live music scene is unmatched any time of year—I’ve never had a bad time, even when I was sweating through my clothes or bundled up against the cold. There’s always something happening in Music City, regardless of when you show up.