Nashville’s Cornelia Airpark Concert Series Celebrates 10 Years of Tunes!
Celebrate 10 years of music, community, and summertime magic at Nashville’s Cornelia Airpark Concerts, where local bands, good food, and a historic runway come together in Shelby Park. Image: Facebook / Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms
What do you get when you combine live bands, food trucks, craft beer, kids with face paint, and a retired airport runway? Apparently, one of Nashville’s most beloved summer traditions. The Cornelia Airpark Concerts, formerly known as the Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party, are turning ten this year! As you might expect, the celebration promises to be as joyful, music-filled, and community-driven as ever. It’s a musical milestone, to be sure.
Built in 1945 and named for pioneering pilot Cornelia Fort, Nashville’s Cornelia Fort Airpark once served as a small general aviation airport. After its closure, the city transformed it into part of Shelby Park in 2011. Today, the former runway welcomes walkers, bikers, and music lovers alike, serving as the one-of-a-kind venue for the Cornelia Airpark Concerts and a vibrant hub for community connection.
Kicking off May 17 and running through August 23, this year’s series once again transforms the historic Cornelia Fort Airpark into a buzzing hub of music, dancing, and good old-fashioned summer fun. With three local bands performing each night, the concert series spotlights rising Nashville talent while supporting the mission of Friends of Shelby, the nonprofit behind the whole operation.
What began in 2015 as a simple backyard-style jam has grown into a full-scale concert series attracting over 30,000 guests over the years. “The Cornelia Airpark Concerts have become a tradition over the past 10 years,” says Rebecca Ratz, Executive Director of Friends of Shelby. “It’s a special event where our community can come together for magical nights in the park.”
“Magical” might be the right word — especially when the sun starts to dip behind the tree line, the music kicks in, and your kids are distracted by bubbles and hula hoops. Each concert blends laid-back charm with impressive local talent. The 2025 lineup includes 11 newcomers to the series, such as Chloe Kimes, The Watson Twins, Madeleine Kelson, and CJ Field. And of course, longtime favorite JesseLee Jones & Brazilbilly are back to close things out in style on August 23.
But the beauty behind the concert series is that it isn’t just a party; there’s a purpose. Behind the music and beer tickets is a deeper mission: supporting and preserving Shelby Park and Bottoms. Proceeds from the concert series fund a range of initiatives, from restoring native forests to adding Community Center pickleball courts, improving playgrounds, installing new park benches, and running programs like the Park Explorers environmental education program, the Restore the Forest program, Pedal the Park, Shelby Walking Club, and the Volunteer program.
They also support park improvement projects like the Airpark playground, the Community Center pickleball courts, and the installation of new park benches. This isn’t just a feel-good event; it’s a fundraiser disguised as a dance party.
It’s also a pretty impressive launchpad for artists in various genres, from folk to honky tonk. Sierra Ferrell, who played in 2019, just picked up four Grammy Awards. Bluegrass standout Kyle Tuttle and Michigan Rattlers also made early Airpark appearances before gaining national recognition. In other words, come for the music and stay for the bragging rights when these artists hit it big.
What You Need to Know
Each show runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are delightfully aviation-themed:
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Round Trip ($100) gets you into all four shows, plus drinks (two complimentary beer or wine tickets per show if you’re 21+), free parking, food truck and kids’ activities access, a Friends of Shelby metal pint glass, and a snazzy commemorative poster.
- One Way ($20 in advance, $25 the week of) includes admission to one show, a drink ticket, and the same good vibes.
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Kids under 15? Free. Because music should be for everyone, and so should dancing barefoot in the grass.
So, whether you’re a Shelby Park regular, a first-timer to the Airpark, or just someone who likes music with a side of sunshine and local beer, the Cornelia Airpark Concerts are ready to welcome you. Here’s to ten years of melody, memories, and a whole lot of heart!
For details and tickets, visit CorneliaAirparkConcerts.com or follow @CorneliaAirparkConcerts for updates.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.