Now that the solstice has come and gone, summer is officially in full swing! East Nashville is the perfect place to beat the heat and get your fill of eclectic entertainment. Whether you’re looking for activities to occupy the kids or the perfect Saturday night out, there are plenty of exciting events on the horizon. Here are a few of our favorite East Nashville attractions for summer 2022.
Shop the East Nashville Farmers’ Market
Nashville is home to multiple farmers’ markets, and the East Nashville location has new hours! You can shop local businesses every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 in the evening. After 13 years, this farmers’ market has become a staple on the corner of 5th and Woodland. We love the carefully curated selection of local honey, farm-fresh jam, and grass-feed beef that you can only find on these Tuesday shopping sprees.
Fun fact: The East Nashville Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP benefits.
Details: Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 PM
511 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
Enjoy the Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party
Shelby Park is one of the most beloved spots in East. Spanning over 300 acres, the park is home to rare Tennessee wildlife, river views, and manmade amenities like playgrounds and a dog park. Each summer, the airfield transforms into an old-fashioned bluegrass jamboree.
The Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party occurs once a month between May and August. All proceeds benefit revitalization projects at Shelby Park, which means that you can enjoy live music, craft beer, and artisan food trucks all while supporting a good cause. This event is always popular with parents of small children. Be sure to arrive early to get a spot at Turnip Green Creative Reuse’s hands-on activity table!
Details: July 16 and August 27, 5:30 PM
1199 Shadow Ln #1093, Nashville, TN 37206
Rent a Pool in East Nashville
If you’re roasting in Tennessee’s latest wave of record-setting temps, taking a dip probably sounds pretty good right now. That’s where Swimply comes in. Think of it as the Airbnb of swimming pools. That’s right; you can rent your neighbor’s inground oasis by the hour. There are plenty of listings in East Nashville and Madison, so no matter where you’re located, relaxation is just a click away.
Listen to Some Live Music
Summertime is the best season for shows. With venues like The Basement East fully renovated after the 2020 tornado, East Nashville’s music scene is truly something to see. Whether you’re supporting a Tennessee native or an artist on tour, be sure that you catch a concert soon!
Here are a few sets we’re looking forward to:
- Bon Iver | Ascend Amphitheater, June 24th
- Pride Showcase | The Bowrey Vault, June 28th
- Brandi Carlile | Ascend Amphitheater, July 8th
- The Ragcoats | The East Room, July 16th
- The Wrecks | The Basement East, July 16th
- The Dear Hunter | The Basement East, August 9th
- Goo Goo Dolls | Ascend Amphitheater, August 27th
Play with LEGOs at the Library
On Saturdays, the East Branch of the Nashville Public Library is inviting local community members to come play with LEGOs. All bricks are provided. This activity is ideal for kids between the ages of two and 12, and the library hopes that families will take this opportunity to build together.
Details: June 25th, July 9th, and July 23rd, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
206 Gallatin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206
Cheer for the Nashville Soccer Club
Great news: NSC’s stadium is finally finished! With a capacity of 30,000 seats, GEODIS Park is officially the largest soccer-specific arena of its kind (in the U.S. and Canada, that is). Fans will be glad to know that the team has plenty of home games left in the regular season. Here’s a look at their upcoming at-home matchups:
- Portland | July 3rd
- Seattle | July 13th
- LAFC | July 17th
- Vancouver | July 30th
- Toronto | August 6th
- Minnesota | August 14th
- Dallas | August 21st
- Colorado | August 31st
Note: The stadium is in Wedgewood-Houston, just a quick drive from East Nashville. If you don’t feel like crossing the river, 3 Crow Bar, Beyond the Edge, and other Five Points bars will be airing all the games!
Eat on an Outdoor Patio in East Nashville
There’s nothing better than a delicious meal and some striking ambiance. Before it gets too hot to eat dinner outdoors, we hope you’ll prioritize patio dining in East Nashville. Here are a few of our favorite local spots—we’ve starred the kid-friendly ones!
- El Fuego*
- Urban Cowboy Public House
- The Treehouse
- Margot Café and Bar
- Hunters Station*
- Rosemary & Beauty Queen
- The Pharmacy*
- Mas Tacos Por Favor*
- Lou Nashville
- Rosepepper Cantina* (Bonus: this one is right across from Jeni’s Ice Cream.)
Start Preparing for Tomato Fest
It’s no secret that the Webconsuls team loves Tomato Fest. Around this time last year, we shared a handy insider’s guide to East Nashville’s favorite fruit-themed celebration. If you’re hoping to train for the 5k, grow your own tomatoes, or participate in any contests, it’s time to start prepping!
Here are a few events confirmed for this year’s art festival:
- Push, Pull, & Wear Parade
- Bloody Mary Garden (Tickets required!)
- Tomato Art Show
- Home Decorating Contest
- Ice Cream Community Art
- Kids Art Show
- Tomato Costume Contest
- Biggest, Littlest, Ugliest Tomato Contest
- Haiku Contest
- Tomato Art Fest Cornhole Tournament
Brace Yourself for the Hot Chicken Festival
Finally, don’t forget that East Nashville is home to another culinary celebration: the Music City Hot Chicken Festival. This annual event is always on the 4th of July in the heart of East Park. Kick things off by taking in the fire truck parade, then enjoy the event’s signature dish with a side of live music. Admission is free and open to guests of all ages, so bring the whole family! We’ll see you there, rain or shine.
Webconsuls is a digital marketing agency based in East Nashville, TN.