Calendar of Events

April

Gospel Music Awards, downtown. Also known as the Dove Awards, this ceremony honors the best in gospel, praise and worship, and contemporary Christian music. Tickets are available to the public (tel. 615/242-0303). Early April.

Tin Pan South, various venues, sometimes including the Ryman Auditorium. Sponsored by the 4,000-member Nashville Songwriters Association, this five-day festival showcases some of the best new and established songwriters in the country (tel. 615/256-3354). Early to mid-April.

May

Tennessee Renaissance Festival, in Triune (20 miles south of downtown Nashville). Maidens, knights, gypsies, jugglers, jousters, games, and food -- think whole turkey legs that you can eat like a barbarian -- are some of the diversions you'll find at this medieval fair held on the grounds of the Castle Gwynn (tel. 615/395-9950). Weekends in May, including Memorial Day.

Tennessee Crafts Fair, Centennial Park. With the largest display of Tennessee crafts, this fair opens the summer season. Food, demonstrations, and children's craft activities (tel. 615/385-1904). Early May.

Running of the Iroquois Steeplechase, Percy Warner Park. This horse race has been a Nashville ritual for more than 50 years. A benefit for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, the event is accompanied by tailgate picnics (tel. 615/322-7284 or 615/343-4231). Second Saturday in May.

Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society's Jazz on the Lawn, various locations. Every Sunday evening May through October, the society performs on lawns of historic homes such as Cheekwood Botanical Garden, the Hermitage, and Belle Meade Plantation (tel. 615/301-5121). Sundays May through October.

June

Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman, Ryman Auditorium. Thursday nights at the historic Ryman Auditorium play host to top-name bluegrass acts such as Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs (tel. 615/889-3060). Thursdays June through July.

Country Music Association (CMA) Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair), Coliseum. This is a chance for country artists and their fans to meet and greet each other in a weeklong music celebration. Glitzy stage shows and picture/autograph sessions with country music stars are all part of the action. A Texas barbecue and tickets for sightseeing are included in the price of a ticket, along with a bluegrass concert and the Grand Masters Fiddling Championship. This is the biggest country music event of the year in Nashville, so book your tickets far in advance. Contact the CMA Office (tel. 615/244-2840) for ticket information. Mid-June.

American Artisan Festival, Centennial Park. Artisans from 35 states present a wide range of crafts from blown glass to leather and quilts. Children's art booth and music, too (tel. 615/298-4691). Mid-June.

July

Independence Day Celebration, Riverfront Park. This family-oriented, alcohol-free event attracts 100,000 people for entertainment, food, and fireworks (tel. 615/862-8400). July 4.

August

Annual Tennessee Walking-Horse National Celebration, Celebration Grounds, Shelbyville (40 miles southeast of downtown Nashville). The World Grand Championship of the much-loved Tennessee walking horse, plus trade fairs and dog shows (tel. 931/684-5915). Late August.

September

Music City J.A.M. (Jazz and More) Festival, Riverfront Park. The festival coincides with the John Merritt Classic football game (and battle of the marching bands) at Tennessee State University (tel. 800/791-8368 or 615/506-5114). Labor Day weekend.

Tennessee State Fair, Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Sprawling livestock and agriculture fair, with 4-H Club members and Future Farmers well represented -- and a midway, of course (tel. 615/862-8980). Early to mid-September.

Belle Meade Plantation Fall Fest, Belle Meade Plantation. Antiques, crafts, children's festival, garage treasures sale, and food from local restaurants (tel. 800/270-3991 or 615/356-0501). Mid-September.

African Street Festival, Tennessee State University, main campus. Featured entertainment includes gospel, R&B, jazz, reggae music, and children's storytelling (tel. 615/251-0007). Mid-September.

TACA Fall Crafts Fair, Centennial Park. This upscale fine-crafts market features artisans from throughout Tennessee (tel. 615/385-1904). Late September.

October

Oktoberfest, Historic Germantown, at the corner of Eighth Avenue North and Monroe Street. Tours of Germantown, polka dancing, accordion players, and lots of authentic German food (tel. 615/256-2729). Early to mid-October.

Annual NAIA Pow Wow, place to be determined. Native Americans from the United States and Canada gather for this powwow sponsored by the Native American Indian Association (tel. 615/232-9179). Mid-October.

Birthday of the Grand Ole Opry, Grand Ole Opry House. Three-day party with performances, autographs, and picture sessions with Opry stars. In recent years, the all-star lineup has run the gamut from Ralph Stanley to Alan Jackson (tel. 615/889-3060; www.gaylordopryland.com). Mid-October.

November

Longhorn World Championship Rodeo, Tennessee Miller Coliseum, outside of Murfreesboro. Professional cowboys and cowgirls participate in this rodeo to win championship points (tel. 800/357-6336 or 615/876-1016; www.longhornrodeo.com). Third weekend in November.

Christmas at Belmont, Belmont Mansion, Belmont University Campus. The opulent antebellum mansion is decked out in Victorian Christmas finery, and the gift shop is a great place to shop for Christmassy Victorian reproductions (tel. 615/460-5459). Late November to late December.

A Country Christmas, Opryland Hotel. More than two million Christmas lights are used to decorate the grounds of the hotel. A musical revue featuring the "Dancing Waters" fountain show, holiday dinner, and crafts fair round out the holiday activities here (tel. 877/456-OPRY). November 1 to December 25.