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Nashville Summer Social Events

The following is an excerpt of information shared with our UGL Volunteers that aims to educate our UGL Volunteers on the importance of community for living sustainably. This information was compiled by our Sustainable Households Manager, Karissa Hampton. To learn more about the UGL Volunteers, click here. 

Our city of Nashville is buzzing with community events that bring people together. Spending time volunteering at community gardens or going to farmers markets and block parties can create a sense of belonging, community, and friendship. Engaging in social gatherings amplifies the sustainable impact we can make as a community. These gatherings provide the opportunity to build a supportive network of people you can rely on to sustain your life and well-being.

Read on for community-focused events and volunteer opportunities in Nashville this summer!

Local Farmer's Markets

  • Tuesday Markets
  • Friday Markets
    • Nashville Farmers Market
      • Where: Farm Sheds, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Nashville, TN 37208
      • When: Fridays–Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • NBM First Friday Market
      • Where: Farmer’s Market, Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
      • When: Friday, July 5, 2024, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
    • Hip Donelson Farmers Market
      • Where: 2705 Lebanon Pike Nashville, TN 37214
      • When: Fridays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Community Gardens & Volunteering Opportunities

  • Community Gardens
    • The Nashville Community Garden Coalition has put together a list of our many local community gardens for opportunities to volunteer, garden, harvest, and participate in classes and lessons alongside your peers.
  • Hands On Nashville
    • “In collaboration with United Way of Greater Nashville, Hands On Nashville volunteers address community needs through service. On the site, you'll discover hundreds of volunteer opportunities this summer!”
  • Nashville Food Project
    • “We strive to live into the belief that the way we do our work is as important as the work we do. There are so many different forms of community, and our volunteers are an essential part of the TNFP family! Each month, around 150 unique volunteers invest their hands and hearts into the collective work of community food security through select opportunities in our kitchens and at our Community Farm.”
  • Turnip Green Creative Reuse
    • “When you assist with a reuse center shift you will be in the center of it all, guided by our awesome Reuse Specialists in a variety of processing tasks. From rolling and detangling materials, to creating fun paper scrap packs, stocking our shelves, or processing beads and other donations, you'll be helping us give new life to these materials by keeping them out of the landfill!” Hands-on workshops at the Reuse Center are offered as well, schedule and sign-ups can be found on their event calendar."
  • Cumberland River Compact
    • “The Cumberland River Compact offers 'boots on the ground' volunteer opportunities to individuals and groups interested in having a positive impact on water quality in the Cumberland River basin. Volunteering at the Compact is a hands-on experience! Volunteers can take part in a range of activities, from planting trees and cleaning up streams on kayak and on foot, to building rain gardens, and more.”
  • Tennessee Environmental Council
    • ​"Tennessee Environmental Council is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1970 as an umbrella organization that would tie together many different organizations with diverse, but common priorities into focused advocacy in the state legislature on behalf of Tennessee’s environment...TEC has been successful in protecting the Great Smoky Mountains, cleaning up the Pigeon River, reducing pollution from coal-fired power plants, and preventing degradation of high quality streams in the globally significant Duck River Watershed."

Festivals, Parties, & Events

  • New Americans Walk: “This event uniquely fosters unity among Nashville's immigrant communities and allies, showcasing the contributions and vibrant cultures of New Americans. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and unity.”
    • Where: Casa Azafran, 2195 Nolensville Pk. Nashville, TN 37211
    • When: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
  • Hot Chicken Festival: “It all kicks off at 10:30 A.M. with the Fire Truck Parade. Visitors can enjoy Hot Chicken from Nashville's best Hot Chicken establishments, cold beer from Yazoo, and other delicious edibles from local vendors.”
    • Where: East Park, 700 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
    • When: Thursday, July 4, 2024, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • UGL Mural Launch Party: ​​Join us to celebrate three murals in Urban Green Lab's "Waste Less'' murals project at Turnip Truck on Charlotte Ave. Celebrate community art with low-waste cooking demos, free food, educational opportunities, live music, a story walk leading from Richland Park Farmers Market, and a giveaway.
    • Where: Turnip Truck facing Richland Park, 5001 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
    • When: Saturday, July 13, 2024, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Shelby Walking Club: “Shelby Walking Club is a free, social walking group where everyone is welcome! Exercise and make friends while enjoying time in nature.”
    • Where: Shelby Park, Mission Picnic Pavilion, South 20th Street at Shelby Ave. Nashville, TN 37206
    • When: Thursdays in July & August, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Nashville Black Wellness Collective: “If you're looking for a local Black community that prioritizes wellness, look no further! Welcome to Nashville Black Wellness Collective, where community, wellness, and culture collide for dope experiences. From hiking to yoga to fitness classes in local studios, and even global retreats from Costa Rica to South Africa, we're here to make wellness accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
    • Where: Multiple Locations
    • When: Multiple Events & Dates in July & August
  • Musicians Corner: “Since 2010, Musicians Corner has provided free public access to live music in the heart of Music City. Located in beautiful Centennial Park, the series generally takes place in May / June and September each year. Musicians Corner is a program of Centennial Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to preserve, enhance, and share the Parthenon and Centennial Park.”
    • Where: 27th Ave N & West End in Centennial Park, 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
    • When: August 30–31 and every Friday in September
  • Deep Tropics Music Festival: Purchase tickets on the website and join in on a “celebration of music, connection, discovery, & sustainability” at this sustainable music festival.
    • Where: Bicentennial Park, 600 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243
    • When: Friday, August 16 – Saturday, August 17
  • Full Moon Pickin' Party: “This unique bluegrass music series has been a beloved Nashville tradition for over 25 years, attracting families and friends from all over to hear bluegrass under the stars in Percy Warner Park. With events running from May to September, you can enjoy live bluegrass, local food trucks, cold brews, and more, all summer long!”
    • Where: Percy Warner Equestrian Barn, 2500 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37221
    • When: Multiple Dates All Summer
  • Tomato Art Festival: “The 2-day festival and concert are free to attend, welcoming to all, and costumes are encouraged. Additionally, there are a few official ticketed festival events that are optional.”
    • Where: Five Points, 1106 & 1108 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
    • When: Friday, August 9, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 10, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • African Street Festival: "The Nashville African Street Festival is “a free music festival, marketplace, and journey through African culture, bridging our history from Africa to Nashville.”
    • Where: Hadley Lillard Park, 1037 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
    • When: Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 22
  • Nashville Public Library: Join the Nashville Public Library for a variety of engaging workshops and events this summer. From book clubs to seed exchange classes, there are numerous opportunities to connect with the library and explore new interests.
    • Where: Your local Library
    • When: Multiple Events & Dates All Summer

Host Your Own Event

  • Community Yard Sale
    • Organize a neighborhood yard sale where everyone can sell their unused items. This not only helps clear out clutter but also provides an opportunity for neighbors to interact and find new treasures.
  • Host a Get-Together at Your Home
    • Invite your neighbors over for a casual get-together. This could be a BBQ, a game night, or a playdate if you have kids. This simple gesture can build stronger, more personal connections within your community.
  • Community Clean-Up
    • Plan a community clean-up day where residents come together to pick up litter, plant flowers, or spruce up common areas. It’s a productive way to beautify the neighborhood while fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

Stay connected, support local, and enjoy all the wonderful events Nashville has to offer this summer. Happy socializing!

Did we miss a summer social gathering? Email us at katie@urbangreenlab.org and let us know!

About Urban Green Lab:
We teach communities how to live sustainably. A Nashville-based nonprofit founded in 2009, we work to ensure all of us have access to sustainable living education. To do that, we organize, train, and connect people in classrooms, households, and workplaces – places where culture begins. In all of these places, we incorporate education on two strategic topics of sustainability for Nashville: environmental justice and food waste, connecting everyday decisions to the impact on our neighbors and the planet.

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