2025 Music Festivals in and Around Williamson County, Tennessee
Many people love music festivals, and for good reason! Standing outdoors, surrounded by strangers and friends, you have the opportunity to hear the first note of a song that has echoed continually through your car during your morning commute, or sing along to a lyric that makes you feel everything all at once. You might look around and notice other people with similar, wistful looks on their faces. Suddenly, the chaos of the day is worth it.
Music offers us a powerful, shared experience. Festivals are a wonderful way to participate in this universal love for art, and there is no lack of opportunities to attend them in and around Williamson County, Tennessee. Being located a short drive away from Nashville, the beating musical heart of the South, certainly has its perks. We are lucky enough to have some of the best musical talent in the world, practically in our backyards. In 2025, take advantage of this by attending one of the many music festivals being hosted in and near our beautiful Tennessee home!
Nashville Elvis Festival
Dates: March 13-16, 2025
The 9th annual Nashville Elvis Festival will be hosted at The Factory at Franklin. The event features special guests alongside top Elvis Tribute Artists from around the world. This is a musical event unlike any other, honoring the talent and career of Elvis Presley. The weekend is full of live performances, some celebrity appearances, and an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition, among other happenings. Headliners and special guests include world-champion Elvis Tribute Artists, and more. Individual shows are scattered throughout the weekend, and are $49 per daytime event, and $69-$79 for evenings. All-encompassing festival passes (general admission) are $399 per guest. This allows admission to all 10 shows throughout the weekend. For exclusive access and reserved front-row seating, there are VIP passes available for purchase. Alongside access to vendors, shows, and late-night parties, guests also have the opportunity to snap a photo with Madame Tussauds Nashville’s Elvis wax figure. Find out more through the event website.
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
Dates: March 25-29, 2025
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2025. Hosted by Regions and The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the event spans across 11 Nashville venues. The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is, above all else, a celebration of songs and the artists who write them. All genres of music are represented, with this year’s headliners including Trisha Yearwood, Chayce Beckham, Chrissy Metz, Cooper Alan, Louis York, Matthew West, Melissa Etheridge, and more. Over the course of 5 days, participating Nashville venues will host over 400 songwriters, with 2 shows per venue, per night. Some well known venues contributing to the festival include The Listening Room Cafe, The Bluebird Cafe, City Winery Nashville, Station Inn, and 3rd and Lindsley. Festival ticket sales will begin on March 4th, staggered by date and venue.
CMA Fest
Dates: June 5-8, 2025
One of the most recognizable events in Music City, the CMA Fest is the longest-running country music festival in the world, beginning in 1972. This annual event, which takes place from June 5-8, 2025 includes stadium shows and artist meet-and-greets, along with a riverside retreat package and fitness classes for the comfort and convivence of those attending the 4-day event. Additionally, there are a variety of free shows and activities hosted in downtown Nashville throughout the festival, featuring over 200 artists. Music City is known for its country music, and the CMA Fest is the premier celebration of the genre, attracting tens of thousands of country music fans from all over. Nightly shows with some of the biggest names in the industry take place throughout the week, at well-known venues such as The Pinnacle, Nissan Stadium, and Ascend Amphitheater. Ticket prices vary, and can be found on the festival’s website.
Bonnaroo
Dates: June 12-15, 2025
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, one of the most famous music festivals in the country, is held in Manchester, Tennessee, only about an hour from Williamson County. This 4 day event is huge, and features shows from some of the biggest musicians of all time. In 2025, headliners include Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler the Creator, Hozier, Vampire Weekend, and Avril Lavigne, along with over 150 other iconic performers from every genre of music. Single-day general admission tickets start at $169, while 4-day passes start at $435. Alongside the performances, the festival features all sorts of activities that span the 700-acre Bonnaroo farm, including a huge inflatable waterslide, magical parades, a vendor market, a Ferris wheel, community spaces, and wellness stops. For guests who are in it for the long-haul, there are camping options available for additional purchase.
Outlaw Music Festival
Date: June 25, 2025
The world-famous Outlaw Music Festival, featuring Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, and Tami Neilson, is coming to Franklin’s Firstbank Amphitheater on June 25, 2025. The Americana music festival tour began in 2016, led by legendary musician Willie Nelson. The 2025, 10th anniversary tour is the biggest to date, making 35 stops across 22 states, from May to September. Due to the length of the tour, the line-up changes per date and location. The experience of the festival includes a full day of great music, local food and drink, as well as opportunities to shop in vendor villages for tour merchandise or other unique, artisanal goods. If June 25th doesn’t suit your schedule, there is a 2nd Tennessee show in Memphis on June 27th with the same line-up. You can find additional info and tickets on the tour’s website.
Blackberry Jam Music Festival
Date: June 28th, 2025
The Blackberry Jam Music Festival is a grassroots music festival that supports the Hard Bargain Association. While the 2025 festival is yet to be announced, the event is always hosted on the 4th Saturday of June; this year, that will be Saturday, June 28th for the 22nd annual music festival. The event takes place in Franklin, at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. Tickets are usually $15 in advance, and $20 at the gate, first-come-first-serve. Every year, the festival hosts a variety of talented and diverse musicians in order to bring the community together in support of Hard Bargain Association, a non-profit organization actively working to preserve Hard Bargain, a historic African American neighborhood 2 blocks away from downtown Franklin. This neighborhood was founded over 130 years ago, and is made up of more than 130 homes. The goal is to restore the current community, provide affordable housing, and prevent gentrification. Proceeds from The Blackberry Jam help the organization toward these goals. Stay tuned for the 2025 event through their social media.
Bluegrass Along the Harpeth
Dates: July 25-26, 2025
Bluegrass Along the Harpeth Fiddlers Jamboree has been a Franklin summer tradition since 1991. The event has recently made its way to the Downtown Historic Square, hosting 2 days full of bluegrass music in honor of Franklin’s Grand Ole Opry stars, Sam and Kirk McGee. The goal of the event is to preserve the spirit of the festival and the love of bluegrass music it provokes. The festivities begin on Friday night, with a relaxing evening of music on the square. On Saturday, the music takes on a competitive twist, as incredible musicians perform in individual instrumental and band contests. In conjunction with the amazing bluegrass tunes, the streets are filled with food and craft vendors ready to serve festival-goers all weekend long. The 2025 event kicks off on Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. with music until 10 p.m. The July 26th bluegrass contests stretch from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is a ticket-free event, thanks to sponsors. You’re encouraged to come out, bring a lawn chair, and experience great music in Downtown Franklin, free of charge!
Broken Wheel Music & Arts Festival
Date: September 6, 2025
Nolensville’s annual Broken Wheel Music & Arts Festival is hosted by Round Up for Nolensville, an 100% local and volunteer organization focused on improving the quality of life for those in need in Nolensville. The premier music and arts festival in the area, Broken Wheel is a day filled with live music, food trucks, games, and even princesses! Two cover bands are on the current lineup for September 2025: 8 Track, The Ultimate cover band playing 70s and 80s hits, and Lost in Paradise, the South’s favorite Jimmy Buffet tribute band. The festival also includes a variety of food and drink vendors, as well as artisans selling and displaying their work. All proceeds from the festival go toward the mission of meeting the needs of Nolensville residents experiencing poverty or disability. There is still time to apply to be a vendor, performer, volunteer, or sponsor of the 2025 festival; inquiries can be made through the Round Up for Nolensville website.
Americana Fest
Dates: September 9-13, 2025
Nashville’s Americana Fest, hosted by the Americana Music Association, is a celebration of American Roots music. The 5 day event includes performances, industry conferences, panels, seminars, and parties. The 25th annual festival will take place from September 9-13, 2025 across Nashville venues. Kicked off by the annual Americana Honors & Awards, the 2024 ceremony featured well known voices such as the Red Clay Strays, Larkin Poe, Grace Bowers, Brandy Clark, and Sierra Ferrell, who was named last year’s artist of the year. The Americana Music Association strives to keep the rich roots of Americana alive by providing a platform for and education on the genre, through events like Americana Fest, which hosts fans, industry professionals, and artists each year. Passes are available for purchase, with nightly showcase access passes starting at $125. Performances are yet to be announced; however, the event hosts artists ranging from up-and-comers to industry legends.
Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival
Dates: To Be Determined
Pilgrimage Music Festival is held at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm every September, and hosts some of the biggest names in music. Although the 2025 roster has yet to be announced, past line-ups have included The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, and more. The festival is a 2-day event and has been extremely successful since its start in 2015. The festival hosts musicians from almost every genre. Alongside household names, local and up-and-coming musicians are also part of the festival, so guests can experience fresh voices on the cusp of the industry. The festival has 3 stages: “Midnight Sun,” “Gold Record Road Amphitheater,” and “the Americana Music Triangle,” all offering a unique concert-going experience. The festival also hosts local artisans and food and drink vendors. For family-friendly purposes, there are fun, additional activities available for kids attending the festival. Keep an eye out for 2025 updates through social media.
Fork Fest
Date: To Be Determined
Hosted at Leiper’s Fork Lawnchair Theater, the annual Fork Fest is a beloved autumn event in Leiper’s Fork. The free concert has featured some huge names in music, including Wynonna Judd and Ernest. The rustic Lawnchair Theater is located in the backyard of the Leiper’s Creek Art Gallery. The outdoor venue is known for its live music and movie nights. Since 2003, the theater has been hosting family-friendly movies on Friday nights in the summertime, beginning at dusk. During these free events, the venue provides a concession stand, selling burgers and hotdogs topped with fresh vegetables from the local farmers stand, located right on the Harpeth River. Although they are not allowed during the busier Fork Fest, dogs are normally permitted at the venue, as long as they’re leashed. The 2025 Fork Fest date and line-up have yet to be announced; however, you can keep up to date through the event’s social media page. Don’t forget your lawn chairs!
Even More Music
Abundant access to live music is one of the most exciting perks of Williamson County, and live music is even better when enjoyed outside. Whether you’re looking to attend one of these incredible festivals or are just looking to hear some great tunes on a night out, there are opportunities all-year-round. In the true spirit of our region, many restaurants, bars, and events in the area host live music regularly, just like our neighbors over in Nashville. Annually, our county hosts festivals and events of all kinds, many of which are accompanied by fantastic musical talent!
Music is one of the greatest ways we shape and preserve our culture, and experiencing it is one of the most extraordinary joys of life. This is especially true when we get to enjoy it together. Festivals are a fun and convenient way to gather around art, providing attendees the chance to see several of their favorite artists all in one place. As you plan out your 2025, you have the opportunity to witness some of the best performers of our current cultural moment, right here in Middle Tennessee!
