This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 4, 2023, and what better place to spend your three-day holiday weekend than Music City?! Whether you’re a local or a tourist, there are plenty of fun happenings taking place around town. Here is Nashville Guru’s guide to Labor Day weekend in Nashville, including events, activities, eat and drink specials, concerts, and helpful guides.
Events
Musicians Corner
Musicians Corner, an outdoor music festival in Centennial Park, showcases the annual September Sundown on select evenings in September. Enjoy one of these series over the holiday weekend on Friday, September 1, 2023. Expect local artists, food trucks, Kidsville, Musicians Corner Pub, and vendors. Admission is free and open to all ages.
UT Season Kickoff at Acme
If you’re a UT fan, you’ll definitely want to check out the UT Season Kickoff at Acme on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. This event will feature a release party from former Volunteer football player, Thomas Edwards. Expect drink specials from Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yuengling, and Lo Siento Tequila. Don’t forget to wear your best orange! Admission is free.
Zzzoofari Slumber
The Nashville Zoo is hosting Zzzoofari Slumber, an overnight camping event under the stars for families and escorted children, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, beginning at 4:00pm and ending the following morning at 9:00am. Expect a wide range of activities during the evening! This camp experience is for children ages 4 to 12 years old. Prices range from $20-$60, depending on age and membership.
Labor Day Hang with DJ Tay James
Enjoy some Labor Day Hang with DJ Tay James at Harriet’s Rooftop on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Expect a DJ set from 5:00pm to late, specialty frozen cocktails, delicious food, and more. Reservations can be made online here.
Nashville SC Home Game
Calling all soccer fans! Get your tickets to see the Nashville SC, Music City’s Major League Soccer team, at GEODIS Park on Saturday, September 2, 2023. The match is against Charlotte FC and will begin at 7:30pm. Buy tickets here.
Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium
The Tennessee Volunteers take on the Virginia Cavaliers during their season opener at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00am. This is a rare opportunity to see the Vols play at Nissan Stadium!
Labor Day Luau
Head Downtown to The Skydeck for a Labor Day Luau on Sunday, September 3, 2023, from noon to 6:00pm. Expect all-day entertainment, food and drink specials, face painting, and more. Admission is free and open to all ages. Tables are available for purchase for $150.
The Poolside Caribbean Cookout at W Nashville
The Poolside Caribbean Cookout at W Nashville is Sunday, September 3, 2023, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. This Labor Day celebration will feature DJs, cocktails, and a ton of fun! Tickets are $35. Admission is 21 and over only.
OctoBearfest
OctoBearfest is Sunday, September 3, 2023, from noon to 8:00pm at Jackalope Brewing Company. This family-friendly event will have steins of Jackalope’s Oktoberfest-style lager, OctoBearfest, food from Daddy’s Dogs, live music, and stein-holding competitions throughout the day. Admission is free.
Cruel Summer: A Taylor Swift Dance Party
Calling all Swifties! This Labor Day Weekend, Tin Roof Broadway is hosting a Cruel Summer: A Taylor Swift Dance Party on Sunday, September 3, 2023, from 8:00pm to 1:00am. Expect a Swiftie DJ playing all the best songs, exclusive Swiftie merchandise, themed drinks, a costume contest, and a lip sync battle. Tickets are $20. Admission is 21 and over only.
AB Block Party
The AB Block Party is Monday, September 4, 2023, from 1:00pm to 11:00pm at Anzie Blue in Hillsboro Village. This Labor Day event will feature multiple music stages, a comedy show, pop-ups from local businesses, and food trucks. This event is free, but a $20 donation is suggested to help the Belcourt Theatre’s ongoing mission to support independent cinema and arts education. Admission is open to all ages.
Activities
Pontoon Saloon
The Pontoon Saloon is Nashville’s premier party pontoon boat that offers private and public river cruises. The 50-foot party barge is a great option for the holiday weekend. Enjoy two hours of fun on the Cumberland River!
GURU DISCOUNT: Use promo code GURU to get 5% OFF new reservations for Public Cruises and Private Cruises! (BACH Party Cruises and Corporate Outings not included). Redeem Discount!
SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland
Enjoy the long weekend at SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland. This upscale, four-acre, three-level aquatic experience features fun indoor and outdoor rides, immersive music, restaurants, bars, and good times for the whole family. The only guaranteed access to SoundWaves is by reserving the SoundWaves Experience overnight package. This includes room accommodations, passes to the water experience, and exclusive early arrival to SoundWaves.
Big Drag Bus
The Big Drag Bus is one of Nashville’s most popular parties on wheels with drag queens as your guides! Guests can buy beverages onsite or in advance while enjoying a cruise filled with games, performances, laughing, singing, and dancing around Downtown Nashville.
GURU DISCOUNT: Use promo code GURU to get 5% OFF your Big Drag Bus tour! Simply enter the promo code under “have a coupon” at checkout to save 5%! Book now!
Cheekwood
Take a drive eight miles southwest of Downtown Nashville and you’ll find Cheekwood! Expect a beautiful botanical garden, arboretum, museum, and more. Cheekwood was once listed as a USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This popular attraction is closed on Mondays, but great to enjoy over the weekend.
Hiking and Kayaking
If you’re looking to get out in nature over the holiday weekend, why not try hiking or kayaking? There are a handful of state parks, lakes, and rivers that offer fun hiking and kayaking adventures around greater Nashville. If you’d rather stay in the Downtown Nashville area, Big Willies Action Sports offers kayaking routes down the Cumberland River with amazing views of the city.
ResortPass
The temperatures for Labor Day weekend in Nashville are projected to be hot, so cool off in one of the many pools Nashville has to offer! Some of Music City’s most popular hotels offer day passes through ResortPass including The Joseph, Hotel Fraye, W Nashville, Grand Hyatt Nashville, and JW Marriott Nashville. Day passes start at $25.
Eat & Drink Specials
STK Nashville
This Labor Day Weekend, STK Nashville is offering a 50% discount for doctors, nurses, police, fire, EMT, hospital workers, and teachers—just show your qualified work badge, paystub, or ID. This discount is offered on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, September 2-4, 2023. Reservations can be made here.
Two Hands
For Labor Day Weekend, Two Hands is extending their Bottomless Bloody Marys through Monday, September 4, 2023, for $25 per person. If you’re more of a tequila lover, they will also be serving Bottomless Bloody Marias for the same price. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Concerts
Jordan Davis
- Friday, September 1, 2023
- Ascend Amphitheater
- Get Tickets
Vance Joy
- Friday and Saturday, September 1-2, 2023
- Ryman Auditorium
- Get Tickets
Keith and Kristyn Getty
- Sunday, September 3, 2023
- Ryman Auditorium
- Get Tickets
The Listening Room
Enjoy your Labor Day with live music at The Listening Room! This iconic venue will have double feature performances from Song Suffragettes, a Nashville-based, all-female acoustic showcase. The shows will be at 6:00pm and 8:30pm on Monday, September 4, 2023. Over the holiday weekend, there will also be multiple shows taking place on Friday and Saturday, September 1-2, 2023.
HELPFUL GUIDES
Nashville during a holiday weekend can be overwhelming. To help navigate where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, here are a handful of helpful guides.
