SB NOTE: These suggestions are all made with social distancing and safety precautions in mind, and each event is subject to change depending on COVID in each location. Please look at websites and social media for updates, and check the most up-to-date CDC guidelines for the latest safety recommendations.
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From live music to art exhibits, craft fairs, fundraisers, and food and drink festivals, May offers plenty of events to keep you busy this spring. Pencil in these dates, reserve your spot (when needed), and get out and enjoy the beauty of Music City. Happy May, Nashville!
Tennessee Craft welcomes back its annual spring craft fair to Centennial Park on May 7-9. Image: Tennessee Craft
26 Nashville Events & Happenings: May 2021
Through May 2, 2021: Virtual Richland Creek Run
The 15th Annual Richland Creek Run has gone virtual this year. The five-mile run/walk event takes place through Sunday, May 2, and can be completed anywhere at any time. Register as an individual, create a team, or even buy a spot as a gift. Once you complete your five miles, submit your time with a photo or screenshot of your tracking device to the results page. The best part? The event also includes daily drawings for prizes. Registration is $40 and includes a t-shirt. richlandcreekrun.raceroster.com
May 1 & 2, 2021: Tennessee Brew Works’ 6th Annual Crawfish Boil
On Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, head to Tennessee Brew Works for its annual crawfish boil. The event features live music, more than 1,800 pounds of fresh Louisiana crawfish, andouille sausage, local corn, and potatoes boiled in Tennessee Brew Works’ Hippies & Cowboys IPA. Reservations can be made online, and walk-ups are also welcomed. The event is free to attend. tnbrew.com
May 1, 2021 – September 5, 2021: Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Made with LEGO® Bricks
Cheekwood’s newest exhibit features over 40 LEGO® sculptures built by acclaimed artist Sean Kenney. Inspired by the pop art movement, Sean’s work explores nature’s beauty through 800,000 colorful LEGO® bricks that stand in contrast with Cheekwood’s surrounding gardens. The event begins Saturday, May 1, and admission is $20 for those who are not members of Cheekwood (members are free). cheekwood.org
May 2, 2021: Whiskey With A Cause
Edgehill Music Publishing and Buffalo Chip Spirits present the first-ever Whiskey With A Cause event on Sunday, May 2. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Edgehill Music Publishing, the fundraiser features performances by Gabrielle Mooney, Will Thomas Reed, Nicole Lewis, and Sydney Sherwood. Tickets are $33, and proceeds benefit Arms Wide Open Children’s Cancer Foundation — a national nonprofit that helps fund pediatric cancer research as well as help the families of sick children. eventbrite.com
May 6, 2021: Alive & The Bluebird
For the past 28 years, The Bluebird Cafe and a host of songwriters have helped raise funds for Alive Hospice. This year’s Alive & The Bluebird series consists of 15 live-streamed shows from The Bluebird. This month’s performance takes place on Thursday, May 6, and includes performances by Rob Crosby, Jake Etheridge, and Matt Crosby. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $20 per person. alivehospice.org
May 6 & 20, 2021: Charcuterie Board Workshop
Head to Yazoo Brewing Company in Madison on Thursday, May 6, or Thursday, May 20, as professional woodworkers walk you through debarking, sanding and oiling your very own charcuterie board. The class also includes a lesson on how to style the perfect charcuterie board. Admission is $100 and includes one custom charcuterie board, a workshop experience, a Yazoo Beer tasting, and a selection of charcuterie meats and cheese. The classes begin at 6:30 p.m. charcuterieboardworkshop.com
RELATED: How to Build the Perfect Charcuterie Board in 4 Easy Steps
May 7 & 8, 2021: Defy Film Festival & Kindling Arts Festival Special Film Screenings
On Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, head to OZ Arts Nashville to see the first screenings of a dozen new short films by Defy Film Festival and Kindling Arts Festival. Based on poems, the collection of films explores 2020, a year that sparked a new appreciation for nature, a renewed surge for racial justice, a changing relationship between the individual self and the broader community, and feelings of love, loss, grief and hope. Participating artists include poets Ciona Rouse, Meg Wade, Dan Hoy and Alora Young, working with filmmakers Drew Maynard, Sophia Gordon, Angell Foster and John Warren, among others. Tickets are $15. ozartsnashville.org
May 7 – 9, 2021: 50th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair
Enjoy the great outdoors as you explore local, handmade art during the Spring Tennessee Craft Fair at Centennial Park. Now in its 50th year, the event features unique treasures and one-of-a-kind art from over 125 artisans across Tennessee and the Southeast. Within the fair, COVID-19 restrictions remain in place; masks are strongly encouraged where social distancing is not feasible and hand sanitizer stations are also available. While this year’s event does not include a demonstration tent or kids’ tent, families are able to pick up a bag containing supplies for at-home art projects from community partners like the Chinese Art Alliance of Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Tennessee State University Department of Art and Design & MSPAR, and Turnip Green Creative Reuse. The event is free to attend and begins at 10 a.m. on May 7. tennesseecraft.org
May 8, 2021: A Day Out with Mom at Historic Travellers Rest Historic House Museum
Celebrate Mom with live music and tea at Historic Travellers Rest Historic House Museum. On Saturday, May 8, the museum hosts a guided house tour, artisan demonstrations and other family-friendly activities. Tickets are $15 for adults (ages 13+), $12 for educators, $10 for children (ages 6-13), and children under 5 are free. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. and noon. (Note: The last call for tickets on the day of the event is 3 p.m.) eventbrite.com
May 8, 2021: Namasté & Rosé
In collaboration with Royal Massage and Yoga Lounge, City Winery invites you to relax your mind, body and spirit as you indulge your senses in this one-of-a-kind yoga and wine pairing class. Tickets are $35 and include admission to the 60-minute yoga class and a complimentary glass of City Winery’s rosé. The class begins promptly at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8. citywinery.com
May 8, 2021: Whiskey & Women: Interactive Tasting Experience
Sip spirits with your best gal pals in Grand Hyatt Nashville’s lobby bar, Aurum, during the monthly Whiskey & Women event. The evening includes an educational session led by Misty Blu Hardwick of Old Forester and a guided interactive whiskey tasting experience. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, and is free to attend. Tasting tickets can be purchased for $25. (Note: This event is 21+). eventbrite.com
May 8 & 10, 2021: Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Head to Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, May 8, and Monday, May 10, for the Nashville Predators’ last home games of the 2021 season. The Music City hockey team is scheduled to play the Carolina Hurricanes, and both games begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s game start at $59, while tickets for Monday’s game start at $40. nhl.com
May 10, 2021: Backfield in Motion 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Join Backfield in Motion on Monday, May 10, for its annual charity golf tournament at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Registration and lunch begin at noon, and the event also features a special appearance by former NFL football player Kevin Dyson. Participants can sign up as individuals or in teams of two or four. Registration starts at $500. backfieldinmotion.org
May 10 – 20, 2021: Hammers and High Heels
Habitat for Humanity’s Hammers and High Heels event returns for another year to raise funds for Searria Peoples and her four children to build a new home in Columbia, TN. The auction takes place virtually this year, and the nonprofit organization plans to raise $70,000 for Searria and her family. The event kicks off on Saturday, May 10, with online auction bidding, “Stock the Cellar” wine drawings sponsored by Arrington Vineyards, and the “Best Hammer or High Heel” social media photo contest. Be sure to also attend the virtual broadcast at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. Tickets begin at $20, and sponsorship packages are also available. hfhwm.org
May 14 & 15, 2021: Nashville Ballet LIVE at Ascend Amphitheater
The Nashville Ballet makes its triumphant return to in-person performances on Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, at Ascend Amphitheater. For the first time since February 2020, Music City’s premier dance company returns to the stage for two carefully curated performances, including Seasons by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling and Posters by award-winning choreographer Jennifer Archibald. Following health and safety guidelines, the events are limited to 30% capacity with socially distanced seating, and masks are also encouraged. Performances begin at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $29. nashvilleballet.com
May 14 & 15, 28 & 29, 2021: Concerts On The Farm
In addition to Bonnaroo’s return, The Bonnaroo Farm hosts a series of concerts throughout May. The lineup includes Jason Aldean (May 14-15), Billy Strings (Friday, May 28), and Jon Pardi with special guest Jameson Rodgers (Saturday, May 29). All events are outdoors and socially distanced, and tickets are sold in four-person pods. Tickets start at $99 for the Jason Aldean and Jon Pardi concerts, and admission for Billy Strings’ performance begins at $225. bonnaroofarm.com
May 15, 2021: Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party
Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party returns on Saturday, May 15. The event takes place at Cornelia Fort Airport in a socially distanced format and includes performances by The Cowpokes and Brazilbilly. In addition to live music, the event also includes craft beer and food vendors. This year’s event has pod-style seating, and tickets begin at $30 per person for a two-person pod ($60 total). All proceeds from the event benefit revitalization projects at Shelby Park & Bottoms and Cornelia Fort Airpark. eventbrite.com
May 15, 2021: 17th Annual Tour de Nash
Tour de Nash presented by LDA Engineering is Nashville’s largest urban bike ride. While this year’s event may look different, there is still plenty of fun to be had. The event offers three rides depending on your skill level: City Tour (9 miles), Local Tour (25 miles), and Grand Tour (45 miles). Each route highlights Nashville neighborhoods, greenways and bikeways, and rest stops are available every 10-15 miles. This year’s event does not have a mass start or finish line celebration, masks are required at rest stops and starting locations, and each rider selects a start time and location. Registration for the City Tour without merchandise is free, and other races begin at $30. eventbrite.com
RELATED: Tennessee’s Best Bike Trails
May 16, 2021: Picnic with the Library
Picnic with the Library is Nashville Public Library Foundation’s annual family-friendly fundraiser that benefits NPL’s early literacy initiatives that help more than 100,000 children every year. With an Alice in Wonderland theme, the virtual event includes an art contest and a chance to win a private performance from NPL’s Puppet Truck. Tickets start at $35. nplf.org
May 19, 2021: 120th Spring Outing
The Andrew Jackson Foundation’s premier fundraising event returns for its 120th year on Wednesday, May 19. This year’s program is held virtually and includes stories, insight and perspective on what it’s like to have a U.S. president in your family. Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of President Harry S. Truman, is this year’s featured speaker. Tickets start at $75, and the event begins at noon. thehermitage.com
May 19, 2021: The Power of the Purse®
After a year’s layoff, the Power of the Purse® gathers virtually on Wednesday, May 19, from the world-renowned Bluebird Café. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., enjoy intimate conversations from Aimee Mayo, RaeLynn, Regina McCrary and host Jennifer Vickery Smith. Tickets begin at $100, and proceeds benefit The Women’s Fund initiative at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee — which has made grants totaling more than $2.07 million to more than 144 nonprofits and organizations supporting women and girls in Middle Tennessee. pop2021.com
May 20 & 21, 2021: May Mercantile at the Nashville Design Collective
The Nashville Design Collective is Nashville’s first and only dedicated interior design center — home to 14 showrooms catering to interior design and decor. On May 20 and 21, the NDC welcomes homeowners and designers alike to its “Spring Fling.” The two-day shopping event is filled with creative pop-up vendors from all over the South and showcases a variety of goods, including furniture, fabric, textiles, home decor, art and more. The event is free to attend and begins at 9 a.m. on both Thursday and Friday. nashvilledesigncollective.com
May 21, 2021: Nolensville Farmers’ Market Food Truck Festival
Celebrate the start of the Nolensville Farmers’ Market 2021 season with a food truck festival on Friday, May 21. The event is free to attend and features delicious food trucks like Chivanada, The Grilled Cheeserie, Padrino’s Pops, and Moosic City Ice Cream & Waffles. The fun begins at 5 p.m. at The Church at Nolensville. facebook.com
May 22, 2021: Goo Goo at Yazoo
As Goo Goo Cluster’s storefront undergoes some renovations, you can find them popping up throughout Nashville this summer. The first pop-up takes place Saturday, May 22, at Yazoo Brewing Company. The event includes two kegs of Goo Goo Cluster’s limited release, Yazoo Goo Goo Ale, as well as family-friendly candy making. Tickets begin at $20, and festivities start at noon. googoo.com
May 22, 2021: Emogene & Co. Pop-up Shop at White’s Mercantile
On Saturday, May 22, head to White’s Mercantile to shop natural skincare products from luxurious, natural skincare brand Emogene & Co. Products include facial cleansing balm, face masks, facial oil, body oil, lip conditioner and more. The pop-up event begins at 11 a.m. and is free to attend. emogeneandco.com
May 22, 2021: Bourbon & Bubbles Fest
Sample bourbon, bubbles, spirits and wine on Saturday, May 22, at Bourbon & Bubbles Fest. At The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, this all-inclusive tasting event includes featured beverages from Four Gate Whiskey Company, Weed Cellars, Old Hickory Bourbon, and 071 Prosecco. In addition to libations, the event also includes live music and food. General admission tickets start at $59, designated driver tickets are $25, and VIP tickets are available for $150. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. (Note: This event is 21+). bourbonandbubblesfest.com
Cheers to another fun-filled month in Music City!
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To see even more great Nashville events, visit our Happenings page.