Your Ultimate Guide to the CMA Fest in Nashville

Coronavirus Update: CMA Fest 2020 is canceled to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you purchased four-day passes for the event, you can still use them for next year’s festival, CMA Fest 2021.


Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you’re getting ready to attend one of the biggest events in Nashville. CMA Fest happens every year in early June when the weather is just right, and the summer fun is just beginning in Nashville. The CMA Fest lineup is always chock full of the most popular names in country music! Have the experience of a lifetime when you enjoy a long weekend of country music, delicious local eats, and great company!

Before you grab your favorite cowboy boots and cowboy hat, make sure to use our free Vacation Guide to Nashville to plan your trip! We’ve created a useful tool to help you scope out all of the best places in town to eat, drink, and two-step between concert performances! 

Start Planning My CMA Vacation!

What You Need to Know About CMA Fest

Where Is the CMA Fest?

The country music festival spans throughout three indoor and outdoor venues across Nashville. Scope out all of the booths and vendors at Music City Center, or head to the Riverfront Park stage for some outdoor fun! The party continues into the night at the Nissan Stadium, one of the biggest concert venues in town.

How long is CMA Fest?

CMA Fest lasts for four days from Thursday to Sunday, so that you can enjoy an extra-long weekend in Nashville. Plus, you can sing, dance, play, eat, and explore starting in the morning and into the night!

CMA Fest Tickets

Enjoy all of your favorite country music stars when you get a Four Day Pass! You’ll have access to some of the biggest country music artists in the industry with performances at the Nissan Stadium, XFinity Fan Fair X, and Riverfront Park. 

If you don’t want to buy tickets, you can always attend some of the outdoor events for free!

Explore Nashville

Where to Eat in Nashville

If you plan to eat outside of the festival, be prepared for a wide variety of amazing options for any foodie! How does bottomless brunch sound? Music City, USA, has a great selection of breakfast spots. We highly recommend The Loveless Cafe, where you can indulge in the most legendary biscuits in Nashville.

For lunch, why not explore some of the best Nashville hot chicken spots? To experience the restaurant that some say Nashville hot chicken originated, head over to Prince’s Hot Chicken, south of Broadway.

Later, indulge in some down south barbeque and experience the rich flavors of Tennessee. Martin’s BBQ Joint is a fantastic dinner option, and it’s in Downtown Nashville so that you can stay near all of the festival activities.

A Place to Recharge: Playlist Properties

Keep the playlist going after a day of country music festivities, yummy food, and exciting star sightings. Relax and recharge in a luxury rental with Playlist Properties. You’ll need all the energy you can get to have the ultimate concert experience for all four days of the festival! Reserve one of our fabulous Downtown Nashville rentals to be near all of the best Music City attractions, as well as all of the CMA Music Festival events and venues!

Check our availability and start planning your CMA Fest getaway!