No other state can offer you a slice of humble pie as impressive as Tennessee. Experience live music and all things authentic at one of the best 2022 music festivals in Tennessee!
It is no secret that the capital city, Nashville, is the home of country music. But, make no mistake, Tennessee has much more to offer. Here you can stomp to electronic dance music, groove to jazz, let loose to rock ‘n’ roll, or sway to blues.
Apart from the music, enjoy the food, whiskey, culture and history to embrace the ways of the South. Try out Tennessee treasures like the Moon Pie, Meat and Three, Fried Pickles, Country Ham or Fried Pies while visiting Tennessee music festivals. Furthermore, stop by the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville to discover more about the deep-rooted history of country music.
Credit: Bonnaroo
Tennessee Music Festivals 2022
We tried to compile a diverse list with so many genres and themes to consider. Hopefully, one of these festivals has your name written on it. These festivities are in no particular order as we know there are festivalists (someone who enjoys festivals) of all types out there. If you identify as a festivalist, be sure to check out our bucket list for the top music festivals in the USA, and be sure to read my guides on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to help you make the most of your time!
“MANY CITIES MAKE MUSIC, BUT NO CITY BREATHES MUSIC QUITE LIKE MEMPHIS. THE SONGS AND SOUNDS THAT COME FROM HERE ARE UNIQUELY AMERICAN.” – SHAWN AMOS.
See more Tennessee quotes & Tennessee Glamping if you are interested in visiting this vibrant state. Without further ado, here are the top 13 unmissable music festivals in Tennessee!
1) Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
When: June 16-19, 2022
Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee
Celebrate existence and connect deeply with fellow humans at the Bonnaroo Festival. With over 150 acts, including J. Cole, Flume and 21 Savage and multiple stages— it’s no wonder that this is one of the biggest Tennessee music festivals.
The Bonnaroo festival has been upgraded to give you an even better experience. This year will include cooling stations, free WiFi, charging stations, and spectacular stage improvements, to name a few.
Camp in air-conditioned tents equipped with an inflatable bed or cot. If you’re looking to go all out, the VIP sections will have you feeling like you’re at a five-star resort. Enjoy the VIP service, complete with food and beverage and access to the Artist Lounge. Visit the website to view all the upgrades and amenities of 2022.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (2022 – Official)
2) Big Ears Festival
When: March 24-27, 2022
Where: Downtown, Knoxville, Tennessee
https://bigearsfestival.org/2022-festival/
“Big Ears provides innovative, enriching & transformative experiences of music, art & culture for all.”
When we hear the words music festival, we think of neon lights, a huge stage and an open field of stompers. Well, the Big Ears Festival will change your perspective. Expect the Downtown Knoxville area to swarm with acclaimed musicians.
The sound of enchanting instruments echoes from all over the town, clubs, historical buildings and galleries. The love of music will enthrall you at the Big Ears Festival.
Stroll through bars, restaurants and shops to meet even more music enthusiasts. The combination of food and drink, live music performances and interactive workshops allows for an excellent cultural exchange amongst visitors and locals alike, which is essentially the driving force of the Big Ears festival.
Join the Big Ears Festival 2022 for more information!
3) Bigfoot Electro Festival
When: May 26- 29, 2022
Where: Tracy City, Tennessee
http://bigfootelectro.com/2022/
From Big Ears to Big Foot, it seems that all things big do come with a bang in Tennessee. Space out to mind-altering electronic beats at the Bigfoot festival.
The Bigfoot Festival was only established in 2020 but already boasts an impressive list of headliners such as The Widdler, Yheti, Levitation Jones, and Toadface. If you are familiar with any of these artists, you know what to expect– the antithesis of normality.
Stomp your feet, eat some bigfoot BBQ, drink craft bigfoot beer, all in honor of the infamous Sasquatch. Also, check out some artwork or showcase your artistic skills at the art center— the perfect way to let your inner child come out and to embrace the weirder side of life.
4) Americanafest
When: September 13-17, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://americanamusic.org/special-events
Now it’s time to go back to the humble beginnings of American Music. The Americanafest is an ideal opportunity for music fans to mingle with professional performers through networking.
Unlike the rest, this Tennessee music festival is a unique event that brings music enthusiasts together more formally and informatively. The set-up is a seminar about sharing knowledge, learning and connecting over music while at the same time enjoying talented musicians from the local area.
5) CMA Music Festival
When: June 9-12, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://visitcmafest.com/cmafest-packages/
“City Lights got nothin’ on country nights”. The CMAfest is a renowned country music festival in Nashville. Country music emerged in the 1920s and can humble the soul and captivate your deepest emotions. Show appreciation to what was once known as Mountain Ballads or Hillbilly music at its birthplace.
At Nashville’s CMAfest, you can expect the greatest of country music with Billy Ray Cyrus, Carrie Underwood ,Keith Urban and much more. We suggest the full package to get the most out of the CMA Festival.
The full package includes hotel accommodation, a four-day pass, shuttle service and seating at concerts. If not convinced yet, see more amenities on the CMA fest website. The CMA fest is one of the oldest music festivals of Tennessee, dating back all the way to 1972.
6) Sound Haven Festival
When: July 28-31, 2022
Where: Catoosa Event Center Jamestown, Tennessee
https://soundhavenfestival.com/
Party with aliens at the interdimensional festival of Sound Haven. One of the few Tennessee festivities to deviate from earth-bound country music, the Sound Haven offers four days of an unearthly electronic and bass sound.
A 2003 study suggests that EDM (electronic dance music) lovers are enthusiastic and full of confidence. Also, they consider themselves better looking than lovers of any other genre. What we’re trying to say is, if you found yourself drawn to the Sound Haven festival– chances are you’re a knockout.
On a serious note, not many details are revealed about the festival on its website, but we suggest you subscribe to Sound Haven to find out more. Last year’s performers include Desert Dwellers, Angelic Root, Space Wizard and many more.
Join Sound Haven Festival 2022 for more information!
7) Pilgrimage Festival
Credit: Pilgrimage Festival
When: September 23-24, 2022 (TBA)
Where: Franklin, Tennessee
https://pilgrimagefestival.com/
The Pilgrimage Festival is all about authenticity and allowing Tennesseans to showcase their musical talents. The festival hosts over sixty musicians, some of the past headliners were the Foo Fighters, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, and Cage the Elephant.
The Pilgrimage festival celebrates diversity and a sense of home-grown talent by looking at the past headliners. In fact, authenticity, diversity and Tennessean pride is what the founders of this festival strived for. At the Pilgrimage fest, you have access to six stages with a range of performances from jazz, rock, blues, indie, country and other genres.
8) The Birthplace of Country Music Festival
Credit: The Birthplace of Country Music Festival
When: September 9-11, 2022
Where: Bristol, Tennessee
https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/festival/
Tennessee residents can’t get enough of country music, so there are many ways to commemorate the birthplace of the genre. Furthermore, this Tennessee festival takes you back to traditional Appalachian sound — the roots of country music.
The three-day festival takes place in Downtown Bristol where festival-goers can visit restaurants, art galleries and more. What’s more, you won’t run out of entertainment at the Bristol as there are 13 stages to pick from and a whopping lineup of over 100 bands.
9) Mempho Music Festival
When: 30 September- 2 October 2022
Where: Radians Amphitheatre, Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphofest has it all, mind-blowing stages, a fantastic VIP section and an excellent culinary experience from exotic food trucks to gourmet meals. The VIP area boasts comfy couches, modern décor and a private bar so that you can lounge with a drink and some snacks – total bliss.
Other unique Memphofest features that draw crowds are the Incendia Dome and the Radians Amphitheatre. The Incendia dome is a “modular artistic installation” that creates the sense of dancing underneath a burning tent. The Memphofest takes place at the Memphis Botanic Garden, also known as the Radians Amphitheatre – making it one of the best venues to see live music performances.
10) Nashville Pride Festival and Parade
When: June 25-26, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://www.nashvillepride.org/
The Nashville Pride is a family-friendly festival that showcases music and art. Be entertained by over 250 acts; lookout for this year’s lineup, which will be announced in April. While adults enjoy the music from three stages, the kids can have fun and play games at the kids & family zone.
Foodies can indulge their culinary senses at some of the 225 plus vendors that include food trucks. And if you find yourself with an urge to be creative, express yourself through art at the Installation Art area.
Finally, this Nashville music festival welcomes diversity and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. The Festival and Parade aim to help these minor communities and hopes to spread love and awareness by bringing together people of all kinds.
11) Blended Festival Tennessee
When: August 13-14, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://www.blendedfestival.com/
Live Music. Culinary Stations. Wine & Craft Cocktails. Unique Activations
Suppose you like the sound of live music, DJs, celebrity chefs, and an extensive wine tent; then you are in for a treat. Experience this and more at the Blended Nashville Music Festival. The 2022 lineup consists of local DJs and bands and well-known international artists such as Kaskade, Bryce Vine, Matt Stell and Lil John.
Few things can top the ethereal combination of good music, food, and wine. The My Wine Society supplies the fantastic blends of wines at the wine tent to give attendees the ultimate wine tasting affair.
At this festival in Tennessee, eateries will come in bucket loads from food trucks to local restaurant pop-ups. Lastly, the Blended Festival features the When The Music Stops Wellness Center, a non-profit that focuses on mental health. Check out the website for more information on the meditation, breathing techniques and therapeutic practices that take place at the wellness center.
12) Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues fest
Credit: Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Fest
When: July 23, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://www.nashvillejazzandbluesfest.com/
Get ready to groove at the Nashville Jazz and Blues fest. The history of Jefferson Street is deeply rooted in African American culture and tells an inspiring story of restoration and growth.
And a time during the 1940s and 1960s when jazz, blues, and rhythm and blues were the heart of this community. The famous street hosted fantastic live bands and legendary performers such as Tina Turner, Jimmi Hendrix, Little Richard and Ray Charles.
Today the Jefferson street festival aims to commemorate that same groovy feeling during its glory days while uplifting the current African American community. Show support to the talented local artists, small businesses and restaurants at the historic Jefferson Street. One of the unmissable festivals in Nashville.
13) Nashville Music City – 4th of July Festival
When: July 4, 2022
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
https://www.visitmusiccity.com/july4th
Last but not least on our list is the electrifying July 4th festival. Celebrate this year’s independence day in the music city. Be entertained by live bands, enjoy the best of Tennessean cuisine and end it all off with a bang. Furthermore, this music city event claims to have the largest fireworks show in the history of Nashville.
The July 4th fest will be free and open for the public to attend. Come solo or with your family and explore the charming city, see nearby museums, art galleries and more –all the while listening to top-notch musicians like Gramps Morgan and Cassadee Pope.
LOOKING FOR MORE MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE US?
Festivals in Tennessee are heavily dominated by country, jazz, and blues, making them unique. You won’t regret visiting Tennessee if you look for a more mature and authentic vibe. Feed your soul with humbling music and home-cooked cuisine. Furthermore, Nashville is known as the city of music for a reason, a place where stars are born.
Want to experience more of this unique Southern flair? Check out the top musical festivals from surrounding states.
Looking for more music festivals?
Check out some of my favorite posts below for more incredible live-music events and festivals around the world!
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