Situated on the Cumberland River, Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and is sometimes known as "Music City." Famous landmarks include the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, and The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. Nashville is most famous for country music, but music-lovers will also find other styles such as bluegrass, jazz and gospel. Finding events to attend is easy to do in Music City; in fact, visitors will discover that no matter when they go, they can always find a number of things to go in Nashville.
Held each year in September, the Nashville Home Decorating and Remodeling Show typically has over 600 booths featuring home products. Products include building supplies, appliances, décor, electronics, furniture, windows, rugs, doors and other new products for home decorating and remodeling, with a focus on the latest trends. The largest home show in Tennessee, it takes place over several days, and products cover indoor as well as outdoor decorating and remodeling. Housing experts are on hand to answer questions and show off the latest products and designs.
Nashville has numerous music events, but the largest is the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival. In fact, it is the biggest country music festival in the world. Taking place over four days each June in venues throughout downtown Nashville, the festival features concerts as well as autograph-signing events and pictures with country music celebrities. Fans often get to meet their favorite country music performer. Visitors will find themed areas, or "zones," for sports, music, kids and activities. In these areas, visitors can play games, sample food, win prizes and get freebies.
The Celebration of Cultures, held each fall in Nashville’s Centennial Park, draws thousands of people to the one-day event. Started in 1995 as a way to bring together Nashville’s growing and changing cultural communities, organizers wanted to help the people of Nashville understand and appreciate those who are different from themselves. Celebration of Cultures has a Global Village that includes traditional music, native languages, clothing, decorations and other authentic items from each culture. Visitors will find music, dance, food, crafts and activities highlighting approximately 30 different cultures, including China, Ethiopia, Korea, Bolivia, Kurdistan and Egypt.
The Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon is an annual event that combines music and running. Held each April, more than 30,000 runners begin at Centennial Park and finish at LP Field. During the marathon, hundreds of high-school cheerleaders line the route to cheer on runners. The event also features nearly 30 entertainment stages along the course where 50 bands typically perform during the race. After the marathon, a concert is held by headlining country artists.
