Best Outdoor Music Venues in Tennessee for Summer Concerts

The 16,000-square-foot mega-watt outdoor venue, The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint hosts music of all kinds. Every Thursday night is Bikes & Brews with food trucks, live music and specials. From Americana to Southern rock and country, music guests have included Blackberry Smoke, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sturgill Simpson, Shooter Jennings and Jason Isbell.

• Seasonal highlights: Outdoor concerts typically run through the warm-weather months, with indoor winter shows in the Smokin’ Monkey Lounge.
• Food and drinks: The venue serves smoked meats, sides, drinks and casual concert-night fare.
• Tickets: Concerts range from free events to ticketed shows. Tickets can be purchased here.
• Good to know: The Shed is located next to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson.

Ross's Landing gives its guests a beautiful view of the Tennessee River while hosting a plethora of events throughout the year. Plan your calendar around must-attend Chattanooga music festivals like the free summer concert series Riverfront Nights, 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival happening in October and a variety of outdoor sport events as well.

• Seasonal highlights: Riverfront Nights brings free summer music to Ross’s Landing.
• What to hear: The calendar includes rock, bluegrass, Americana and regional performers.
• Parking: Downtown garages, surface lots and nearby street parking are available throughout the area.
• Good to know: Bring a chair or blanket for lawn-style events when permitted.

Knoxville brings music and entertainment throughout the year to World's Fair Park. The iconic area is known for the Sunsphere, but also has an amphitheater open for concerts, special events and theatrical performances. It was constructed for the 1982 World's Fair and then was renovated in 2007. There's also a performance lawn and a festival lawn that hosts concerts and festivals as well.

• Seasonal highlights: The Festival Lawn and Performance Lawn host warm-weather concerts, festivals and special events.
• What to see: The Sunsphere, fountains and open lawns make this a popular stop before or after a downtown Knoxville event.
• Parking: Downtown Knoxville garages and metered spaces are located nearby.
• Good to know: For live music while the Tennessee Amphitheater is closed, look for events on the park lawns or at nearby Knoxville venues.

Check out bluegrass, symphonic music, country and more during the year-round events hosted at the pavilion at AK Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. Check out the free bluegrass concert series happening the second Saturday of each month during the summer. And, the 4th of July concert features The Community Band and fireworks. There's also a free Labor Day concert that is held each year to round out summer.

• Seasonal highlights: Free summer bluegrass concerts, Independence Day music and Labor Day programming are part of the park’s calendar.
• Admission: Many concerts at AK Bissell Park are free.
• What to bring: Bring lawn seating for a relaxed evening outdoors.
• Good to know: This is a great East Tennessee option for concerts in the park.

After your adventure on the Ocoee River and Cherokee National Forest, head to The BUS Bar and Grill for great food and live music, all centered around a classic yellow school bus. Permanently parked, the bus serves local craft beers, signature cocktails and a twist on traditional bar food. You'll love the relaxed atmosphere, complete with games like cornhole and foosball.

• Seasonal highlights: Warm-weather weekends are ideal for pairing outdoor recreation with live music.
• What to hear: Local and regional acts perform in a laid-back setting.
• Nearby experiences: Pair a visit with rafting, hiking or scenic drives through the Ocoee area.
• Good to know: The casual setting makes this an easy post-adventure stop.

King Commons is a 3-acre recreational and event space located in downtown Johnson City. The amphitheater and lawns host a number of concerts and festivals throughout the year. If you're headed to Northeast Tennessee this summer, be sure to attend the Fridays After 5 summer concert series. The free event includes local music, brews, food and more.

• Seasonal highlights: Fridays After 5 brings free summer concerts to downtown Johnson City.
• Admission: Fridays After 5 is free to attend.
• Food and drinks: The series includes local food, brews and community vendors.
• Good to know: The park’s downtown location makes it easy to pair a concert with dinner or a walk through Johnson City.

Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville is an open-air venue that has played host to a number of famous musicians and music groups. This year is no different. Check out their calendar for all the artists you can catch while in Nashville including Maggie Rogers, Louis Tomlinson, Big Time Rush, The National and many others. Located inside the Metro Riverfront Park, the amphitheater seats 2,300 in fixed seating and 4,500 on the lawn, giving you plenty of room to dance the night away.

• Seasonal highlights: Ascend’s calendar typically fills with major touring artists during spring, summer and fall.
• Search-friendly name: Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville ,TN, is located in downtown Nashville’s Riverfront Park.
• Parking: Ascend does not have on-site general parking; downtown garages, paid lots and rideshare are common options.
• Bags: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags must be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, and small clutches up to 6 inches by 9 inches are allowed.
• Good to know: Outside lawn chairs are not allowed, though rentals are available.

Jazz, bluegrass and country rise into the air at Arrington Vineyards. This Middle Tennessee vineyard, started by Kix Brooks of the country duo Brooks & Dunn, hosts the music series every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April through November. Guests can enjoy the vineyard grounds, award-winning wines and music from local, rising stars.

• Seasonal highlights: Music in the Vines typically runs on weekends from April through November.
• Food and drinks: Guests can enjoy wine, picnic baskets and select food options on the vineyard grounds.
• Seating: Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome.
• Good to know: Outside alcohol is not permitted.

The Lawnchair Theatre is located behind the Leiper's Creek Art Gallery. It's a rustic building and stage built with cedar logs and boards that contribute to the overall rustic charm of the town. Spend a summer night under the stars while soaking up the warm hospitality and community spirit of Leiper's Fork. Live music and movies are hosted at Lawnchair Theatre each Saturday night.

• Seasonal highlights: Summer nights are a favorite time for music and movie events.
• Seating: Bring a lawn chair for the full Lawnchair Theatre experience.
• Admission: Events may vary between free, donation-based and ticketed programming.
• Good to know: Arrive early to enjoy shops, galleries and restaurants in Leiper’s Fork before the show.

FirstBank Amphitheater hosts famous touring artists throughout the year. Surrounded by stone and wooded features, this world-class boutique venue should be at the top of every concert lover's list. Artists from a wide variety of music genres have performed here and many more are scheduled such as Jason Mraz, Goo Goo Dolls, The Doobie Brothers, Incubus and more.

• Seasonal highlights: The venue hosts major touring artists during warm-weather concert season.
• What to hear: Rock, pop, country, Americana and other touring acts fill the calendar.
• Parking: Plan extra arrival time for parking and the walk to the venue.
• Accessibility: Accessible parking is available in each parking area on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Good to know: The venue includes an approximately 1/4-mile uphill walk to the gate.
• Nearby stays: Franklin, Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station lodging options are convenient for a concert getaway.

Beginning late spring to October, guests and hear the sound of bluegrass every third Friday of each month. The concerts are free and get folks outside, under the stars to enjoy traditional styles of music. Mark your calendar for Liberty Square: A Lester Flatt Celebration that happens each October. This free event celebrates the rich bluegrass heritage of the area.

• Seasonal highlights: Bluegrass on the Square is held on third Fridays from May through October.
• Admission: Many Liberty Square music events are free.
• What to hear: Traditional bluegrass, old-time music and regional performers are central to the schedule.
• Good to know: Downtown Sparta restaurants and shops are nearby for an easy evening on the square.

Musicians Corner brings free live music to Centennial Park in Nashville with food trucks, local vendors, drinks and family-friendly activities. The series highlights emerging and established artists in a relaxed park setting, making it a popular choice for free outdoor concerts in Tennessee.

• Seasonal highlights: Musicians Corner typically hosts spring and fall concert series.
• What to hear: The lineup includes local, regional and national artists across genres.
• Food and drinks: Food trucks, vendors and beverage options are part of the event experience.
• Pet policy: Well-behaved dogs are welcome and must remain leashed.
• Accessibility: ADA accommodations can be requested through the event organizer.
• Good to know: Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are recommended.

Beginning every March, the Overton Park Shell hosts more than 50 concerts, providing free music to their diverse audiences. From jazz to rock, soul and blues, the concerts emulate the "Soundtrack of America, Made in Tennessee." Located in the heart of Memphis, visitors are invited to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the open-air facility.

• Seasonal highlights: The free concert series begins in spring and continues through warm-weather months.
• Admission: Many concerts are free, while select events are ticketed.
• Parking: Limited free parking is available throughout Overton Park, and rideshare or carpooling is encouraged.
• Pet policy: During free concerts, leashed dogs are welcome in the designated Puppy Bar area outside the main lawn seating area. Pets are not permitted during ticketed events.
• Accessibility: ADA seating and designated ADA parking spaces are available.
• Good to know: This historic venue is one of the most beloved music venues in Memphis and was the site of Elvis’ first concert.

Bring a lawn chair and blanket to the summer concert series, Concerts in Germantown Performing Arts Center's The Grove, a park-like setting with a giant lawn, on select Thursdays 6-8 p.m. in Memphis. Some of the area's best musicians perform onstage. Cocktails and drink specials, food trucks and corn hole round out the event. Check out GPAC's event calendar for more information.

• Seasonal highlights: Concerts in The Grove are held on select Thursday evenings.
• Food and drinks: Food trucks, cocktails and drink specials are part of the experience.
• Parking: Free parking is offered for GPAC shows and events.
• Pet policy: Pets are not permitted in The Grove, except service animals.
• Accessibility: GPAC offers accessible seating and parking for guests with valid handicap identification.
• Good to know: Cornhole and a park-like setting make the series feel casual and social.

In the heart of Jackson, the Amphitheater at the Market (AMP) is an outdoor facility that hosts a range of music events. The venue connects locals and travelers alike to Memphis' Beale Street and Nashville's Music Row by providing an amazing concert experience. Bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs for nights filled with music.

• Seasonal highlights: The Delta Faucet Summer Concert Series brings free, family-friendly live music to the AMP.
• Admission: Many AMP summer concerts are free.
• Seating: Bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chair for a relaxed evening.
• Good to know: The venue’s downtown location makes it easy to pair music with restaurants, shopping and Jackson attractions.

Tennessee has several free music series that make it easy to enjoy live performances without adding a ticket cost to the trip.

• Musicians Corner in Nashville brings free spring and fall concerts to Centennial Park.
• Overton Park Shell in Memphis hosts a free concert series with lawn seating and a historic stage.
• AK Bissell Park in Oak Ridge offers free bluegrass, community band and seasonal concerts.
• King Commons Park in Johnson City hosts Fridays After 5 with live music, food and drinks.
• Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga hosts Riverfront Nights along the Tennessee River.

• For major touring acts, choose Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville or FirstBank Amphitheater in Thompson’s Station.
• For historic atmosphere, choose Overton Park Shell in Memphis.
• For scenic settings, choose Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga or Arrington Vineyards in Arrington.
• For community music series, choose Musicians Corner, A.K. Bissell Park, King Commons Park or the AMP in Jackson.

• Peak warm-weather concert season in Tennessee typically runs April through October.
• Summer brings the most frequent park concerts, riverfront series and lawn-style events.
• Spring and fall often offer milder temperatures for outdoor shows.
• Evening concerts are common during the warmest months.

• Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, rain protection and a blanket or lawn chair when permitted.
• Review the venue’s bag policy before arrival, especially for amphitheaters and ticketed shows.
• For lawn seating, confirm whether outside chairs, picnic baskets, coolers or outside food are allowed.
• For venues with longer walks, including FirstBank Amphitheater, plan extra time between parking and the gate.

• Musicians Corner is a strong family option with free admission, lawn seating, food trucks and children’s activities.
• King Commons Park offers open lawns, downtown walkability and a summer concert series.
• Ross’s Landing pairs riverfront views with free summer music in Chattanooga.
• The AMP in Jackson hosts free, family-friendly summer concerts where visitors can bring blankets or chairs.

• Use Tennessee Music Pathways to connect music history sites, museums, markers and performance spaces across the state.
• Check city tourism calendars for seasonal concerts, festivals and downtown events.
• Look for warm-weather performances at parks, vineyards, amphitheaters, town squares and riverfront spaces.
• Pair a concert with a Tennessee road trip to experience local restaurants, scenic drives and overnight stays nearby.