The 4th of July is a great time to be in Nashville. The downtown fireworks show consistently ranks as one of the best in the country, and the concerts before and during (shout out, Nashville Symphony!) help Music City live up to its name and reputation for fun!
But if the idea of celebrating with nearly 250K of your closest friends gives you some anxiety (as does the traffic afterwards…), here are some other last minute ways to celebrate our great nation’s birth!
July 3
Baseball – as American as apple pie. Maybe even more American as far as folklore goes, but either way, it’s one of my favorite Independence Day past times. The weather is shaping up to be a great night, and the game ends with a very good fireworks show!
A little extra: If you want to see the fireworks (and the game), but feel like a more adult atmosphere, both Tailgate Brewery and Third and Home have great outdoor patios with views of the field.
A little extra extra: the Nashville Soccer Club also has a game that night, if you prefer futbol as your outdoor sport. But, no fireworks.
Independence Day Fireworks Display
Grab the kids (or some friends) and make a day of it out at Nashville Shores. The waterpark is open until 8, and the fireworks over Percy Priest will start shortly after that.
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Edgehill is hosting their annual pool party on July 3rd! With baby pools and more seltzers than “you ever could have imagined!”, it’s guaranteed to be a good time! While not specifically a 4th of July party, they do suggest wearing your most “America, F yeah!” clothes.
If you don’t mind a short drive out to the burbs, Hendersonville offers food trucks and vendors, live music, activities for the kids (including princess photo ops!!), and a fireworks show! The fun kicks off at 5 pm and fireworks are scheduled around 9.
July 4
Music City Hot Chicken Festival
This annual free festival brings the heat – literally and figuratively. If you’ve ever wanted to try all of the best hot chicken Nashville has to offer, this is your chance! There are also several other vendors, including local favorite Yazoo beer, and my personal favorite – Retro Sno. It’s also the only place in Nashville proper to find a parade on the 4th – so get there early!
A little extra: If you want to keep the party going, head on over to Barrique Brewing where the DJs will be spinning right up until the fireworks show – which you can see right from the brewery! You still may have a little traffic getting out from downtown, but not as much.
For a much more chill 4th, head south to Arrington Vineyards. There you’ll fine great wine, beautiful scenery, and some jazz – an American-born genre of music. (A similar event is also available on the 3rd).
With plenty of activities for the kids, a great view of the downtown fireworks, and easy parking (!!), the Adventure Science Center’s Red, White, and BOOM event is well worth the price of admission! Go early to take advantage of both the museum entry and the special activities.
A Fourth of July Celebration at the Pool Club
If you’d still like the rooftop fireworks-viewing experience but not the masses and traffic, this might be the event for you. At $50, it’s easily one of the most reasonably priced rooftop experiences around – and that $50 includes a glass of rosé and light bites, as well as a Top Gun themed party, complete with 80s tunes (hey, Gen Xers!!)
Right on Music Row, the Pool Club at the Virgin Hotel should be pretty easy to escape without getting too stuck in everyone else leaving downtown.
Tennessee Brew Works July 4th Celebration
Tennessee Brew Works kicks off their party at 3 pm with live music, good food, and a couple of new beers. Then, they offer free(!!) shuttles to Barrique Brewing where the party will continue until the end of the fireworks show (scroll up for more details on Barrique). After the show, the shuttles will bring you back to TN Brew Works if you wish.
Again – can’t promise no traffic with this one, but can promise distance from the huge crowds. And, it sounds like a great time!
Miscellaneous
In addition to all the events listed above, lots of places around town offer holiday specials. Of note is M.L. Rose which is offering a free slider with every purchase of a craft beer at all locations. And Game Terminal in South Nashville is promoting their happy hour all day – a great way to take a break from the heat!
Did I miss any? Which event are you most excited about? And if you attend any, please drop some tips for next year below or via email! Happy 4th, y’all!
