The CMA Music Festival is likely the most anticipated
yearly event for country music fans. The festival originally
began in 1972 as an event called Fan Fair after fans started
appearing at the annual DJ convention in Nashville.
Leaders in country music provided Fan Fair as an alternative
and 5,000 people turned up to the very first event. In
1982 the event moved to the Tennessee Fairgrounds and
then to downtown Nashville in 2001. The name changed to
CMA Music Festival to better reflect the representation
of the event as a city-centered, world-class music festival
with massive audiences and numerous venues which included
various and diverse activities.
The CMA Country Music Festival is held annually in June at Nashville LP Field in downtown Nashville. Every year there is an outstanding line-up of artists and enthusiastic fans who travel from all over the globe to attend the event. A lot of residents from major cities such as Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis pack up the family at this time of year and head to Nashville for a weekend of fun. The CMA Country Music Festival provides single-night tickets or four day passes to the event. Prices vary so check before purchasing tickets..
Every year at the CMA Country Music Festival there are all kinds of events and exhibits. Over 400 country music artists and celebrities join the CMA Country Music Festival for over 70 hours of live music and 30 plus hours of autograph signings. There is a daily music lineup and schedule, special appearances, daytime stages, a sports zone, After Hours, a Fun Zone and a Family Zone. At the Exhibit Hall at the Nashville Convention Center fans can meet their favorite country stars up close and personal..
There are several options for transportation while visiting
Nashville during the Nashville Music Festival. For 4-day
ticket holders only there is a free shuttle available
moving from all the major event sites on a continuous
loop every 5 to 10 minutes. Nashville Metro Transit and
the commuter rail train is available to those coming into
downtown from other areas of the city or from outside
the city. If choosing to fly into Nashville for the festival
be sure to make hotel and flight reservations as far advance
as possible as everything gets booked really fast! If
opting out of a car rental try to book your hotel close
to downtown where walking and shuttle service will be
adequate transportation.
Tour groups are readily available during the event if
you’re not comfortable going alone or unsure of
the area and event procedures but book into a tour group
as far in advance as possible! Summers in Nashville can
be extremely hot so pack appropriately and make sure to
wear sunscreen. There are lots of attractions in the downtown
area so make the most of your visit and research some
other sights you might want to see.
One of the events to take advantage of as a true party-goer
during the Nashville Music Festival is After Hours. Downtown
clubs have live entertainment after the nightly concerts
at various downtown blues clubs and bars but make sure
to drag yourself out of bed in time for the daytime concerts!
The Nashville Music Festival is a really exciting time
in the city and residents gear up for the events with
special preparation long before the first string of the
festival is strummed. Prepare well ahead for an extremely
lively and exciting time in Nashville and don’t
forget to pack your dancing shoes!
