10 Things to Do in Nashville in November

Many wait until the second to last month of the year for logistics or economy. If that's you, read on for the best things to do in Nashville this time of year.

Keyvis Montilva

Keyvis Montilva

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Nashville in November

Streets of Nashville | ©JimmyDominico

Nashville is the capital of the state of Tennessee and in the USA is known as the Music City because some musical genres such as Country or Rock'n'Roll have a lot to do with the history of this community. Specifically, during the month of November several very entertaining events take place.

I invite you to follow the recommendations of plans and activities that I have compiled. I assure you that regardless of your tastes they are the best proposals to do during the month of November.

1. Enjoy a cruise in Nashville

An ideal plan for the month of November in Nashville, when temperatures are still not too cold, is to book a cruise on the Cumberland River in Nashville. This activity lasts approximately 4 hours and starts at 5:30 p. m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy a menu of southern food and live entertainment.

In addition, it is an activity that adapts to you, since they even pick you up and take you to the hotel. Don't even think about it, it's a great plan.

Book a Nashville Cruise

2. Enjoy the music in Nashville

Ryman Auditorium| ©Reading Tom
Ryman Auditorium| ©Reading Tom

The fall season, and specifically November, is a very important time for concerts in Nashville. You can book tickets to Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame or you can check out the symphony orchestra's schedule, which is in the middle of the season, so there are usually at least six or seven recitals throughout the month.

The theme of the concerts always varies and the only thing you need to know is that it's going to be a symphony performance. The most common is that there are always at least two performances that focus on contemporary artists. It has practically become a tradition that there is at least one concert during this month dedicated to Frank Sinatra or some other exponent of American music.

As these types of events take place at night, you have to keep in mind that you will have the whole day available for other activities. For this reason, I can't help but recommend that you take part in some of Nashville's best sightseeing tours, especially those that focus on Downtown. The symphony is headquartered just down the street from Broadway Street and is usually one of the staple stops on the afternoon Nashville sightseeing trolley tour.

Book tickets for Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame

3. Party on a tractor through the streets of Nashville

Nashville Tractor Tours| ©Michael Rivera
Nashville Tractor Tours| ©Michael Rivera

The country character of Tennessee is something you'll notice on many corners of Nashville, even though it's a modern, cosmopolitan city. For this reason, touring the city on a tractor can be a very entertaining activity and, in particular, November is an ideal time for it because it is not yet cold enough to be uncomfortable and the tourist crowds are low.

Keep in mind if you book a Nashville tractor party that it will be a tour for adults, and that alcohol and music, both country and rock'n'roll, are the hallmarks of the experience.

In fact, this is one of the best things to do in Nashville at night, because it allows you to appreciate the beauty of downtown while having fun on a tractor that is conditioned for you to dance your heart out.

Book a Nashville Tractor Party

4. Take the opportunity to visit the Arrington Vineyard winery on Thanksgiving.

Arrington Vineyard| ©Denise Mattox
Arrington Vineyard| ©Denise Mattox

You can't miss Nashville's surroundings and, of course, an ideal visit for the month of November is to Arrington Vineyard. At the end of this month, Thanksgiving is celebrated and it is an ideal activity to join this important American holiday.

I recommend you to book in advance if you are interested in visiting this famous winery that belongs to one of the stars of country music. It is also a good idea to book transportation to and from Arrington Vineyard Winery, as it is not exactly close to downtown Nashville.

Book transportation to and from Arrington Vineyard Winery

5. Check out the Ryman Auditorium during Country Music Month

Grand Ole Opry| ©Don Sniegowski
Grand Ole Opry| ©Don Sniegowski

For many years, the Grand Ole Opry was based at the Ryman Auditorium but, since they moved, it is not customary for this site to be open to the public. However, during the months of November and December, it comes back to life and it is usual that a series of special concerts are organized with the aim of celebrating the joy that defines the last months of the year.

If you wish to participate in some of these concerts you have to know that it will be a country music event. Also, keep in mind that this is a nighttime event, so the best food tours in Nashville can be a good way to explore the culinary world of downtown, just before the time of this musical event.

However, if you can't get tickets to any of the concerts at the Ryman Auditorium, you can book an audio-guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium.

Enjoy a self-guided experience of the Ryman Auditorium

6. Don't miss the Veterans Day Parade

Parade in Nashville| ©wintersonata11
Parade in Nashville| ©wintersonata11

Veterans Day is commemorated on November 11 in the U.S. to honor all those who have served in the armed forces. Since it is such an important date, it is logical that a parade is organized, which usually takes place on the weekend closest to this day. A free event usually takes place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nashville's most famous street, Broadway Street.

Usually, everyone attending the event is dressed in the colors of the U.S. flag and other patriotic elements. Note that the parade includes some military personnel, as well as bands and orchestras from the city's schools.

And since you will be downtown, it is an excellent idea to take the opportunity to buy one of the tourist passes in Nashville in order to use their discounts to enter some of the attractions in the area paying a percentage of what you would usually have to pay.

Book the Nashville Fun Pass

7. Visit the Nashville International Auto Show

Nashville Auto Show| ©Stephen Yeargin
Nashville Auto Show| ©Stephen Yeargin

Auto shows are one of the most typical events in the U.S. and one of the best opportunities for tourists to learn about what's new in the American automobile industry. As Nashville is one of the most visited cities in the United States it is logical to have this type of event, which is organized in mid-November.

In this event you will have the opportunity to test some of the most modern vehicles on the planet and it is an activity for the whole family very entertaining even for the youngest in the house. In fact, it is among the best things to do in Nashville with children, as it can be educational.

You should know that this is a three-day convention, but about two or three hours will be more than enough time for the visit. Therefore, booking a comedy and musical bus tour of Nashville could be two excellent entertainment alternatives to accompany this event.

Book a comedy and musical bus tour of Nashville

8. Attend the CMA Awards

Bridgestone Arena| ©Jonathan Cutrer
Bridgestone Arena| ©Jonathan Cutrer

Every year the Bridgestone Arena hosts the most important night for country music in the United States, the CMA Awards, which is the equivalent of the Grammy Awards for this peculiar musical genre that is so famous in the south and center of the country.

If you are in town and get tickets you can't miss it, as it is one of the best musical celebrations in all of North America. It is also an excellent opportunity to visit one of the largest sports venues in the country, the Bridgestone Arena.

The exact date of the event changes every year, although it is always in November. However, you should know that if you feel very attracted to learn a little more about the history of country music and its cultural importance to Nashville, you can visit some of the best museums in Nashville. Mainly due to the fact that the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Musicians Hall of Fame are two places where this musical genre can be heard in the exhibits available.

9. Have Fun at the Zoolumination

Zoolumination| ©deldevries
Zoolumination| ©deldevries

This event is an annual event from November through early January in which Chinese artists create dozens of mythological creatures to form light sculptures around the Nashville Zoo.

It is one of the largest Chinese lantern festivals in the country and is not to be missed if you visit Nashville in November. Especially, knowing that this month is the most appropriate to participate in this activity, since December has more tourist influx.

Keep in mind that this zoo, even during the day, is one of the best things to do in Nashville and is an excellent choice for family entertainment. As well as for a group of adults who are looking for quiet and harmless activities to bring the party down a notch.

10. Don't miss the Christmas Village and do some Christmas shopping

Santa Claus| ©frogdiva214
Santa Claus| ©frogdiva214

In many places around the world, Christmas shopping starts as early as November and, specifically, in Nashville, a special market is organized every year to get locals and tourists to start organizing their wish list well in advance. This place is called Christmas Village and it is organized at the Fairgrounds in mid-November.

A good opportunity for children to take pictures with Santa Claus and get into the Christmas magic in November. You have to keep in mind that tickets usually cost about 10 € per person, although children under 10 years old enter for free and usually do not pay any additional fee if they want to take a picture with Santa Claus.

If at the end of the tour of this fair, you feel that you still have not managed to buy the things you are interested in you can participate in a tour of downtown Nashville. Just one of those that gives you a golf cart for a completely entertaining and quirky shopping experience. Keep in mind that these are some of the best tours in Nashville and it's a great way to make the downtown shopping experience more fun and memorable.

Book a golf cart tour of Nashville

11. Visit the Gaylord Opryland to enjoy an afternoon among the pumpkins or Christmas trees

Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland Resort| ©Dave Lanz
Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland Resort| ©Dave Lanz

Without a doubt, the Gaylord Opryland is one of the most important attractions in Nashville. It is a hotel and convention center located approximately 14 kilometers from downtown Nashville. November is one of the best months of the year to visit this place because you can find it in two different ways depending on when you arrive:

  • If you do it during the first weeks of the month, you will find a completely autumnal decoration.
  • And from the end of the third week of November, you will find a completely Christmas atmosphere. Which is an excellent opportunity for your kids to go take pictures with Santa and enjoy a typical Christmas village decoration.

Temperatures in Nashville in November

Nashville's Broadway Street| ©Victor Hamberlin
Nashville's Broadway Street| ©Victor Hamberlin

The average temperatures in Nashville in November are usually around 10 °C. This is due to the fact that the highs usually do not rise above 14° while the lows are usually around 5°.

Book a Jack Daniel's distillery tour from Nashville

The tourist flow in Nashville in November

Streets of Nashville| ©Kari Nousiainen
Streets of Nashville| ©Kari Nousiainen

November is not a busy month for tourists in Nashville except for the Thanksgiving weekend and the CMA Awards.

Book a pub crawl in Nashville

Prices in Nashville in November

Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

November is an economical month to visit Nashville, because it is not considered high season touristically speaking. The only exception is the week of Thanksgiving. However, Black Friday is an excellent opportunity for discount shopping.

Also, keep in mind that no matter what time of year you go, you can book Nashville Fun Pass to save a few euros.

Book Nashville Fun Pass

What to pack to visit Nashville in November?

Luggage| ©Ezequiel Garrido
Luggage| ©Ezequiel Garrido

As November is significantly cold in Nashville despite being autumn, I advise you to bring coats that are also waterproof. Rain is a frequent feature throughout the month.

It is also advisable to wear comfortable shoes and you should not forget a couple of elegant clothes in case you have a sophisticated dinner in the city.

Book the Nashville Sightseeing Trolley Tour