19 Nashville Events & Happenings: May 2026
Parties, brunches, live music, races, and a little revelry — consider your Nashville May calendar officially booked. Image: Facebook / Iroquois Steeplechase
From garden parties and grand brunches to rodeos, festivals, and can’t-miss cultural moments, Nashville’s May calendar is stacked with reasons to get out — and stay out!
April 30 – May 2, 2026: The Harding Art Show
A Nashville staple since 1975, The Harding Art Show returns with a weekend-long celebration of fine art, featuring 70+ artists, displays, and pieces spanning everything from painting to jewelry — all set on Harding Academy’s campus, with Blaire Wheeler spotlighted as this year’s featured artist. Equal parts gallery and gathering, the free event draws thousands with its mix of collectible works, festive 21+ evenings, and daily family-friendly programming. thehardingartshow.com
May 1, 2026: Taste of Tennessee
An evening of flavor meets feel-good impact at Taste of Tennessee, hosted by the Tennessee Alliance for Kids at The Barn at Sycamore Farms in Arrington, where guests can sip and sample favorites like Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Bearded Iris Brewing, NY Pie, and Kilwins alongside live music. Marking a decade of supporting TAK’s mission to comfort children, empower youth, and offer hope to those affected by foster care across Tennessee. Tickets are $150, and StyleBlueprint readers can use promo code 10YEARS for 10% off. tnallianceforkids.org
May 1, 2026: First Fridays
Well worth a quick road trip just north of Nashville, small-town charm is alive at Springfield’s First Fridays, a free, monthly downtown takeover running May through October with live music, food trucks, and 80+ local vendors lining the square. Stroll, shop, and bring the family for things like a dedicated kids’ zone, cruise-in cars, and more. realspringfieldtn.com
May 1 – 3, 2026: Nashville Ballet’s Sherlock
Mystery meets movement as Nashville Ballet closes its season with Sherlock, the electrifying finale of its Attitude series at Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Blending cinematic choreography, noir-inspired design, and a trio of contemporary works, the production reimagines the legendary detective in a bold, immersive ballet that’s equal parts intrigue and artistry. Tickets start at $47. tpac.org
May 1 – 3, 2026: Tennessee Spring Craft Fair
The 55th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair takes over Centennial Park, bringing together nearly 200 juried artists showcasing everything from ceramics to textiles — all handmade and sold directly by the makers themselves. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top craft fairs, this free event draws tens of thousands for a weekend of one-of-a-kind finds, live demonstrations, and a front-row seat to the artistry behind each piece. tennesseecraft.org
May 2, 2026: VIP Men’s Shopping Night at Maison de Rêve
Style meets a night out at VIP Men’s Shopping Night at Maison de Rêve, with curated menswear, elevated retail, and all-day browsing (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Just a short drive from Nashville, the free event offers a chance to refresh your man’s wardrobe for the summer with intention! styleblueprint.com
May 2 – September 6, 2026: America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail at Cheekwood
Cheekwood’s summer train spectacular rolls into town with a larger-than-ever installation celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday, featuring 10 trains, 850 feet of track, and 25 iconic landmarks! Set in the Bradford Robertson Color Garden, the traveling exhibition — crafted from natural materials — whisks visitors on a miniature journey from the Statue of Liberty to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Golden Gate Bridge, with Cheekwood’s permanent TRAINS! exhibit, adding even more to explore. cheekwood.org
May 4, 2026: Fender Presents: Tele Town
Guitar history takes center stage at the Ryman Auditorium as Fender Presents: Tele Town, a one-night-only celebration of the Telecaster’s 75th anniversary, bringing together a powerhouse lineup including Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Zach Top, and Ricky Skaggs. Equal parts concert and cultural tribute, it’s an evening blending storytelling and serious star power on one of Nashville’s most hallowed stages. ryman.com
May 7, 2026: Warner Parks Spring Luncheon
An al fresco afternoon with purpose, the Warner Parks Spring Luncheon (21+) at the Warner Park Nature Center gathers 300+ guests for patio cocktails and a garden-party lunch in one of Nashville’s most scenic settings. Hosted by Friends of Warner Parks, the annual fundraiser supports the preservation and care of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks — proof that a pretty afternoon can do some real good. Tickets are $250. warnerparks.org
May 9, 2026: 85th Annual Iroquois Steeplechase
Nashville’s “Rite of Spring” returns as the Iroquois Steeplechase takes over Percy Warner Park with a full day of world-class horse racing, Southern style, and time-honored tradition. Blending high-stakes competition with tailgating, fashion, and philanthropy benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, the event is one of the city’s most iconic social scenes. iroquoissteeplechase.org
May 9, 2026: Turnip Truck’s 25th Anniversary Block Party
Nashville’s favorite neighborhood grocer turns 25 — and throws a party to match — with Turnip Truck hosting a free, family-friendly block party at its East Nashville location. It will be a full day of live music, local vendor samples, kids’ activities, and community-driven fun that celebrates a quarter-century of connecting Nashville to fresh, local food. theturniptruck.com
May 10, 2026: Mother’s Day Grand Brunch Buffet
Mother’s Day gets the five-star treatment at The Hermitage Hotel with its Grand Brunch Buffet. Expect chef-attended carving stations, fresh seafood, brunch classics, and decadent desserts — plus live music, complimentary valet, and a warm, polished setting designed to make Mom feel truly celebrated. Starting at $110 per adult, and $55 per child 12 and under. resy.com
May 13, 2026: Spring Outing
A beloved Nashville tradition, the 125th Spring Outing unfolds on the grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, pairing a picturesque garden-party luncheon with a mission-driven fundraiser supporting the preservation of the historic estate. This year’s program is elevated by keynote speakers Norah O’Donnell and Kate Andersen Brower, acclaimed journalists and co-authors of We the Women, who bring a timely, thought-provoking lens to the unsung women who helped shape American history. Individual tickets are $300. thehermitage.com
May 13, 2026: STEM Innovation Awards
Innovation takes center stage at STEM Innovation Awards, an evening at Adventure Science Center that spotlights the people and partnerships shaping the future of STEM in Middle Tennessee. Hosted beneath the Sudekum Planetarium, the cocktail-attire, 21+ event blends honoring trailblazers while championing hands-on science education for the next generation. Tickets start at $50. adventuresci.org
May 14-16, 2026: Brave New Works Lab at OZ Arts Nashville
Boundary-pushing performance takes center stage at Brave New Works Lab, where a lineup of local artists debuts entirely original, short-form works spanning dance, theater, music, and multimedia. Equal parts incubator and showcase, the experimental series invites audiences into a creative laboratory of bold, in-progress ideas — offering a front-row seat to some of Nashville’s most daring new artistic voices. ozartsnashville.org
May 15-16, 22-24, & 29-30, 2026: Musicians Corner
Live music, sunshine, and a solid excuse to linger in the park! Musicians Corner is back at Centennial Park with a stacked lineup of free performances from local standouts and touring acts, running weekends from mid-May through mid-June. Come for the music, stay for the food trucks, artisan vendors, and easygoing, picnic-style energy that makes this one of Nashville’s coolest ways to spend an afternoon. musicianscorner.com
May 16, 2026: Nashville Rosé Festival
Rosé all day — but make it Nashville. The Nashville Rosé Festival returns to East Park with an afternoon of endless pours (think 100+ rosés), craft cocktails, food trucks, DJs, and sunshine-soaked revelry. Beyond the pink-hued fun, proceeds from the 21+ event benefit the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. General admission tickets are $69.83. nashvillerosefestival.com
May 22 – August 30, 2026: International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams
Dream logic takes center stage at the Frist Art Museum with International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams, a sweeping exhibition that traces the movement’s global reach through paintings, photography, sculpture, and archival works drawn from London’s Tate collection. Spanning icons like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte alongside lesser-known voices, the show explores surrealism as both an artistic movement and a mindset. fristartmuseum.org
May 28-30, 2026: Music City Rodeo
Saddle up, Nashville — Music City Rodeo takes over Bridgestone Arena with a high-energy mix of championship rodeo and live country concerts. The city’s only PRCA-sanctioned rodeo brings top-tier talent, seven adrenaline-fueled events, and headline performances from Miranda Lambert, Charley Crockett, and Jon Pardi for three nights that feel equal parts honky-tonk and Wild West. musiccityrodeo.com
Happy May, Nashville!
**********
To see more great Nashville events, visit our Happenings calendar.
Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.