17 Nashville Events & Happenings: May 2026

From garden parties and grand brunches to rodeos, festivals, and can’t-miss cultural celebrations, Nashville’s May calendar is stacked with plenty of good reasons to get out — and stay out. Here are the highlights!

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. The event features 70+ artists, displays, and pieces spanning from paintings 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

It’s an evening of flavor meets feel-good impact at Taste of Tennessee, hosted by the Tennessee Alliance for Kids. Taking place at The Barn at Sycamore Farms in Arrington, guests can sip and sample favorites from Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Bearded Iris Brewing, NY Pie, and Kilwins while listening to live music. This year marks a decade of supporting TAK’s mission to comfort children, empower youth, and offer hope to those affected by foster care across Tennessee. General admission tickets are $150. tnallianceforkids.org

May 1, 2026: First Fridays

Just a quick trip north of Nashville, small-town charm is alive at Springfield’s First Fridays. The free, monthly downtown takeover runs from May through October and features live music, food trucks, and 80+ local vendors lining the square. Stroll and shop this family-friendly event that includes 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 performance. To see the complete schedule and purchase tickets, visit tpac.org.

May 2, 2026: VIP Men’s Shopping Night at Maison de Rêve

Style meets guys’ night out at Maison de Rêve’s VIP Men’s Shopping Night, complete 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 fun way for your guy to refresh his wardrobe for the summer (or for you to do it for him!). For additional details, click HERE.

May 2 – September 6, 2026: America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail at Cheekwood

Cheekwood’s summer train spectacular is 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 — takes 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 Tele Town, a one-night-only celebration of the Telecaster’s 75th anniversary, brings together a powerhouse lineup including Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Zach Top, and Ricky Skaggs. It’s an evening that blends 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 idyllic settings. Hosted by Friends of Warner Parks, the annual fundraiser supports the preservation and care of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks. Tickets are $250. warnerparks.org

May 9, 2026: 85th Annual Iroquois Steeplechase

Nashville’s “Rite of Spring” returns as 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, marking the milestone with a celebration! Turnip Truck hosts a free, family-friendly block party at its East Nashville location, with a full day of live music, local vendor samples, kids’ activities, and community-driven fun. theturniptruck.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 honors 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 performances take 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. 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 returns to 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

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 the Tate collection in London. 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!

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To see more great Nashville events, visit our Happenings calendar.