Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville's Five Points runs free over two days each August, with costumes, tomato-themed art, food vendors and concerts. Held since 2004 in Nashville.
Tip: Costumes are encouraged; tomato red is the unofficial dress code. Bring cash for art and food vendors.
Address: Historic East Nashville's Five Points
Nashville's free Music City Hot Chicken Festival in East Park celebrates the city's signature dish each July 4 since 2007, plus a fire-truck parade, amateur cook-off and Yazoo beer.
Tip: Arrive by 10:30 for the parade; bring cash and sunscreen. The amateur cook-off is the unsung draw.
Nashville Wine Auction's l'Été du Vin gala in Nashville is the city's longest-running wine event, founded 1980. Funds cancer research; the 2025 edition ran 24 to 26 July.
Tip: The Patrons' Dinner in June and the Vintners' Tasting in late July are smaller, easier to book than the August gala.
The Nashville Predators Wine Festival and Tasting in Nashville benefits the team foundation, with 200 wines, signature pours and chef stations inside Bridgestone Arena.
Tip: VIP tickets get early access and access to a special grand-cru room; general admission opens 60 minutes later.
Nashville's free Music City Hot Chicken Festival in East Park celebrates the city's signature dish each July 4 since 2007, plus a fire-truck parade, amateur cook-off and Yazoo beer.
Tip: Arrive by 10:30 for the parade; bring cash and sunscreen. The amateur cook-off is the unsung draw.
Music City Food and Wine Festival runs three days at Centennial Park in Nashville each April with Grand Tasting, mixology competitions and chef-led dinners around the city.
Tip: The General Admission tier covers the Grand Tasting; upgrade to Connoisseur for chef dinners and seminars.