October 28, 2026 · events · guides · holidays · Nashville
New Year's Eve in Nashville: Little Big Town, Old Crow at the Ryman and the Music City Bowl, December 26 to January 3
Dated event guide. This guide covers dates through January 3, 2027. Details are retained for reference; consult the official organizer for current schedules and tickets. No future edition is implied.
The week after Christmas is one of the busiest in Nashville. A free concert for New Year’s Eve fills Bicentennial Park, Old Crow Medicine Show plays its two Ryman nights, there is a college bowl game across the street from the building, and the Titans close the week with a home game.
Everything below comes from the venues’ and organizers’ own pages as of October 28. More acts for New Year’s Eve will be announced, so check again closer to the date.
Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27
The day after Christmas, the Predators host the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena at 6 PM. The same night, the Opry has Steve Earle at 7 PM at the Opry House.
On Sunday, John Oliver does stand-up at the Ryman at 8 PM.
Monday, December 28 to Wednesday, December 30
Toy Factory Project plays the Ryman on Monday and Tuesday, December 28 and 29, at 7:30 PM. WWE Holiday Live is at Bridgestone on Tuesday, December 29. The arena has not posted a start time yet.
On Wednesday, December 30, the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl kicks off at 2 PM CT at Nissan Stadium, on ESPN. The stadium is on our side of the river, so this is a walk, not a ride. That night, Old Crow Medicine Show starts its two-night run at the Ryman at 8 PM.
Thursday, December 31: New Year’s Eve
Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is back at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Little Big Town, The Red Clay Strays and HARDY headline. It is free, gates open at 5:30 PM, and the red Music Note drops from its tower at midnight. CBS carries it live, so expect a big crowd and a lot of cameras.
If you would rather be indoors, Old Crow Medicine Show plays its New Year’s Eve show at the Ryman at 8 PM. It is a Nashville tradition. Buy early.
Friday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3
On New Year’s Day, the Predators host the Florida Panthers at 1 PM. The Opry is back at the Ryman for its winter run, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 PM.
On Sunday, January 3, the Titans host the Steelers at noon CT. It is one of the last games in the current stadium, which is in its farewell season.
How to do it
Plan the ride home on New Year’s Eve. Bicentennial Park is across the river, north of downtown. Getting there is easy. Getting back after midnight is the hard part: the organizers counted 205,000 people at last year’s event. Set a meeting point and expect rideshare prices to jump.
Walk to the stadium. The Music City Bowl and the Titans game are both a walk from Five Points. Skip the parking.
Book ahead. New Year’s week is one of the busiest of the year in Nashville. If you want to wake up a block from The Beast on January 1, check availability. The full list is on the events page.