Best Things to Do in Nashville in April (Updated for 2025)
April is one of my favorite months in Nashville. It’s not super hot yet, and generally, the crowds are still lighter than they are in the summer.
The events in Nashville also start picking up this month. There’s everything from the East Nashville Beer Festival to Independent Record Store Day.
If you’re looking for even more to do, make sure to read my full guide to Nashville as well!
April Events in Nashville
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 12, 2025
Japan Week events will take place throughout the week leading up to the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival in Public Square Park includes entertainment, vendors, and cultural lectures as well as a cosplay contest.
Activities at the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival include the Cherry Blossom Walk, a children’s area, sumo suit wrestling, and the Pups in Pink Parade.
Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
East Nashville Beer Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 12, 2025
The East Nashville Beer Festival combines appreciating craft beer along with supporting local causes. The festival takes place at East Park. Entrance to the festival includes a tasting glass and as many samples as you want. There is also an area dedicated specifically for Designated Drivers and those who do not want to drink where you can have snacks and NA beers instead.
Tickets are $69.57 for General Admission and $27.37 for Designated Driver Admission. All attendees must be 21+.
East Nashville Beer Festival Website
Rites of Spring Music Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 5, 2025
Rites of Spring Music Festival is hosted by Vanderbilt University. The lineup this year has not been announced (as of March 1).
Tickets go on sale March 6. Prices range from $20-40 depending on when you buy them and whether you’re a student, faculty/staff, or general public.
Rites of Spring Festival Website
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
2025 Event Dates: April 26-27, 2025
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon benefits St. Jude. There are different runs you can participate in including a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 mile, kid’s run, and the Doggie Dash. The routes take you by several of the landmarks in Nashville.
Entry fees range from $30 for the 1 mile run to $179 for the full marathon.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Website
Nashville Comedy Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 3-13, 2025
If you are a fan of comedy, then you’ll want to check out the lineup of comedians at the Nashville Comedy Festival. Multiple shows are taking place each night at venues throughout Nashville during the event.
Nashville Comedy Festival Website
Record Store Day
2025 Event Dates: April 12, 2025
Independent Record Store Day happens each year in April. Record stores in Nashville that are participating include Grimey’s, Dead End Records, The Groove, Vinyl Tap, The Great Escape, Swaggie Records, Third Man Records, analog your life, Boulevard Record Shop, Alison’s Record Shop, and McKay’s.
Stores order special releases and promotions that are only available for independent record stores. Many stores also have special events going on. Check social media for each store to see what their plan is for the day.
Earth Day Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 19, 2025
Nashville’s Earth Day Festival takes place at the Centennial Park Bandshell. There will be a free tree giveaway from the Nashville Tree Foundation. More than 75 vendors will showcase recycled, reused, organic, and natural products.
The event also includes live music, food & drink vendors, an EV car show, speakers, and yoga. Kids can make a sketchbook, watch a puppet show, and take part in the afternoon parade.
Independent Bookstore Day
2025 Event Dates: April 26
Independent Bookstore Day takes place on the last Saturday of April every year. Bookstores will have special events as well as exclusive releases and merch. Some of the bookstores in Nashville include The Bookshop, Parnassus Books, Novelette Books, McKay’s, and Fairytales Bookstore. You can see my list of the best bookstores in Nashville here.
Check social media for your favorite bookstores to see what they have planned for the day.
Music City Food & Wine Festival
2025 Event Dates: April 24-27 2025
The Music City Food & Wine Festival hosted by the Nashville Scene showcases the best of Nashville’s culinary scene.
On Friday night, there is an outdoor supper in Centennial Park. On Saturday, there are several events including the Grand Tasting where you can sample food and beverages from over 80 establishments and brands–plus the Iron Fork Chef Competition, and wine seminars. Sunday is the Food Faire, where you can eat and shop your way through the local gourmet market, watch the local chef demonstrations, attend seminars, listen to music, and more.
The Culinary Connoisseur Pass that includes basically everything is $399. The Weekend VIP Pass is $199. The Grand Tasting General Admission starts at $89. The Sunday Food Faire is open to the public.
Music City Food & Wine Festival Website
Nashville Makers Market
2025 Event Dates: April 5-6, 2025
The spring Nashville Makers Market will take place at the Nashville Fairgrounds. This is the event to go to if you want to find handmade items, boutique shopping, and one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition to shopping, the market also has DIY stations along with food and drinks.
VIP tickets are $15. Regular tickets are $8 if you buy them in advance. Parking is free with advance tickets.
Shows & Live Music
There is always music going on somewhere in the city. You can listen to live music at most of the bars in Downtown and other parts of Nashville.
I also recommend checking the lineup at different music venues around town including Nissan Stadium, Ascend Amphitheater, 5 Spot, Basement East, the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and Bridgestone Arena.
A few bigger names that might be of interest (I’m very uncool and am just picking some artists I’ve heard of) are Zac Brown Band at the Pinnacle on April 2, Jack White at the Pinnacle on April 18-19, and Santana at the Pinnacle on April 29.
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Thanks for reading my suggestions for things to do in Nashville in April! Hopefully, you found something to enjoy in Music City during this month!
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