Things to Do in Nashville in November 2026

Nash Rentals • October 29, 2026

Concerts, the CMA Awards, Titans and Predators games, holiday lights and Thanksgiving traditions happening around Music City in November 2026.

November is one of the best months to be in Nashville. The weather cools off, the holiday lights switch on, and the city hosts country music's biggest night. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or hosting guests in a short-term rental, here's what's happening around Music City in November 2026.


Key dates at a glance


  • Nov. 3–8: Death Becomes Her at TPAC
  • Nov. 5–6: Jonas Brothers and Dave Matthews Band at Bridgestone Arena
  • Nov. 6: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland and ICE! open
  • Nov. 13: Glow Wild opens at the Nashville Zoo
  • Nov. 13–15: Nashville Christmas Village
  • Nov. 15: Titans vs. Jaguars at Nissan Stadium
  • Nov. 18: 60th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena
  • Nov. 20: Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood opens
  • Nov. 23–24: Olivia Rodrigo at Bridgestone Arena
  • Nov. 26: Thanksgiving, with the Music City Turkey Trot and the Boulevard Bolt
  • Nov. 27: Nashville's Nutcracker opens at TPAC


The 60th Annual CMA Awards


Country music's biggest night returns to Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, with Lainey Wilson hosting for the third year in a row. The show airs live on ABC and streams on Disney+ at 7 p.m. CT. Expect a packed downtown all week, with artist events, parties and plenty of live music on Lower Broadway.


Big concerts at Bridgestone Arena


  • Sunday, Nov. 1: Three Days Grace
  • Thursday, Nov. 5: Jonas Brothers
  • Friday, Nov. 6: Dave Matthews Band
  • Monday–Tuesday, Nov. 23–24: Olivia Rodrigo


Shows at TPAC


The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in downtown Nashville has a busy November lineup:

  • Nov. 2: Nurse Blake: But Did You Die? Tour
  • Nov. 3–8: Death Becomes Her, the Broadway musical comedy, as part of Broadway at TPAC
  • Nov. 5: Benise: Spanish Nights by Candlelight
  • Nov. 8: A Celtic Christmas
  • Nov. 12–15: Churchill & Roosevelt: The Christmas That Saved the World!
  • Nov. 13–15: Nashville Opera's Fortuna the Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom
  • Nov. 27–28: Nashville Ballet's Nashville's Nutcracker opens its holiday run in Andrew Jackson Hall


Game days


The Tennessee Titans have one November home game: the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, November 15, at noon.


The Nashville Predators host several games at Bridgestone Arena, including the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Nov. 7, the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, Nov. 21, and the Utah Mammoth on Black Friday, Nov. 27.


The holiday season kicks off


  • Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (from Nov. 6): millions of lights inside and around the resort, plus the ICE! exhibit. Walking the lights is free.
  • The Dancing Lights of Christmas (from Nov. 7): a drive-thru light show synced to music in Lebanon, about 30 minutes east of downtown.
  • Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo (from Nov. 13): an evening lantern and light show. Advance tickets required.
  • Nashville Christmas Village (Nov. 13–15): a large holiday shopping market at the Fairgrounds Nashville.
  • Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (from Nov. 20): timed-entry light displays across Cheekwood's gardens.
  • The Rink Under the Giant Guitar (from Nov. 20): outdoor ice skating in Wedgewood-Houston.
  • Nashville Yards Holidays (from Nov. 21): holiday events and ice skating downtown.


Markets and weekend fun


  • Markets for Makers (Nov. 7–8): local artists and makers.
  • Nashville Flea Market (Nov. 20–22): antiques, vintage finds and more at the Fairgrounds Nashville.
  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at Rudy's Jazz Room (Nov. 21 and 23): a jazz take on the holiday classic.


Thanksgiving in Nashville


Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Two popular races start at 8 a.m. that morning:

  • Music City Turkey Trot: a 5K and a 1-mile Waddle at Nissan Stadium.
  • The Boulevard Bolt: a 5-mile run and walk along Belle Meade Boulevard. All proceeds go to local agencies working to end homelessness.

Over the holiday weekend, Nashville Ballet's Nashville's Nutcracker opens its holiday run at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall on Nov. 27.


Tips for visiting Nashville in November


  • Book early for CMA week and Thanksgiving. Those dates fill up fast and prices rise.
  • Pack layers. Days are often mild and nights get chilly, especially later in the month.
  • Plan for road closures. Race mornings, game days and big concerts bring closures and heavy traffic near downtown.
  • Reserve holiday light shows ahead. Many require timed tickets, and weekends sell out.


For Nashville short-term rental owners


CMA Awards week, the Olivia Rodrigo shows, Titans game day and Thanksgiving weekend are some of November's busiest dates. Make sure your calendar and pricing reflect the demand, and confirm your STRP permit is current. Our Complete Guide to Nashville STRP Permits covers the rules.


Frequently asked questions


When are the 2026 CMA Awards?

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The show airs live on ABC at 7 p.m. CT.


When does Christmas at Gaylord Opryland start in 2026?

November 6, 2026. The lights run through early January.


What is there to do in Nashville on Thanksgiving?

Run the Music City Turkey Trot or the Boulevard Bolt in the morning, then catch a Predators game on Black Friday or see the holiday lights at Gaylord Opryland, Cheekwood or the Nashville Zoo.


Do the Titans play at home in November 2026?

Yes, once: against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, November 15, at Nissan Stadium.


Let Nash Rentals help


Nash Rentals manages four-bedroom short-term rentals across Nashville, handling pricing, guest communication, cleaning and maintenance so owners can make the most of busy months like November. Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to talk through your property.


Follow Nash Rentals on Instagram for more tips for Nashville short-term rental owners


Event dates and times are subject to change. Confirm details with each organizer before you go.


Sources


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