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Get ready for a lively week in downtown Nashville as the CMA Fest 2024 kicks off, drawing in thousands of country music fans!

Starting Thursday, June 6, downtown Nashville will come alive with hundreds of artists performing on more than half a dozen stages. Big names like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Keith Urban, and Kelsea Ballerini will light up Nissan Stadium. At the same time, favorites like Lauren Alaina, The War and Treaty, and 49 Winchester will rock the Chevy Riverfront Stage. There will be a mix of ticketed and free concerts happening every day of the festival.

CMA Fest 2024: Your Guide to an Epic Week in Nashville

First-time visitors to the heart of country music, here’s what you need to know before you go:

Essential CMA Fest 2024 App

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Your must-have for the festival is the free CMA Connect App. This app is your go-to for everything CMA Fest 2024, from lineups and stage schedules to maps and official merchandise.

You can download the app from the Apple Store and Google Play Store. If you have CMA Fan Access, you’ll be able to scan QR codes at the festival for a chance to win special prizes—the more QR codes you scan, the better the prizes!

Festival Layout and Road Closures

The festival takes place in downtown Nashville, stretching from 8th Avenue South across the river to Nissan Stadium. Road closures are already in effect, making it a bit tricky to get around.

Since Monday morning, no cars are allowed on Broadway between 1st and 2nd Avenues, or on 1st Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Streets. More closures start Wednesday, June 5, including:

1st Avenue from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun
Molloy Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
Demonbreun from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
Broadway from 2nd Avenue to 4th Avenue
Demonbreun from 4th Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way
2nd Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway

Stages are set up all over, including Walk of Fame Park (Chevrolet Vibes Stage), Bridgestone Arena (Good Molecules Reverb Stage), Ascend Amphitheater (Dr. Pepper AMP Stage), and the Hard Rock Café (Hard Rock Stage, Riverside Retreat, and Chevy Riverfront Stage).

To view the full festival footprint map, click HERE.

Navigating the Festival

The festival area is walkable, but if you have a four-night pass, shuttles run every 20-30 minutes (traffic permitting). Daytime shuttles run from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and nighttime shuttles from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Daytime shuttle stops include:

Fan Far X (Music City Center) on 6th Avenue at Demonbreun Street
Ascend Amphitheater on Korean Veterans Boulevard at 1st Avenue South
Bridgestone Arena Plaza on Broadway between Rep. John Lewis Way and 6th Avenue South
Walk of Fame Park/Fan Alley on 4th Avenue South between Broadway and Demonbreun Street
Nissan Stadium on the South corner of Woodland Street and South 1st Street

Nighttime shuttle stops are:

Nissan Stadium on the South corner of Woodland Street and South 1st Street
Korean Veterans Boulevard between 2nd Avenue South and 3rd Avenue South
Commerce Street near 3rd Avenue North

Due to construction at Nissan Stadium, ridesharing is recommended since parking is very limited. Public parking options are available in downtown Nashville, and you can use the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Woodland Street Bridge, or Korean Veterans Boulevard Street Bridge to reach the stadium.

WeGo Public Transit is running a special event train on Saturday, June 8, from Lebanon to downtown Nashville for the concert at Nissan Stadium. The train departs from Lebanon Station at 4 p.m., with stops at Hamilton Springs, Martha, Mt. Juliet, Hermitage, Donelson, and arrives at Nashville’s Riverfront Station at 5 p.m. The return train leaves one hour after the concert. Advance tickets are $15 plus a $2 processing fee at ticketsnashville.com.

Bag Policy

For safety, clear bags are required at all festival venues. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″. You can also carry a small clutch or wallet up to 6.5″ x 4.5″. Medically necessary items are allowed but should be taken through ADA-designated entrances.

Festival Packing Tips

CMA Fest suggests bringing:

Your phone with the CMA Connect App and tickets ready
Phone charger or external battery
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Raincoat or poncho
Photo ID for alcohol purchases (21+)

Cicada Info

Cicadas might still be around, but don’t worry—they’re harmless. They don’t bite or sting. Like the festival-goers, they’re just buzzing around enjoying the music.

What Not to Bring

Leave these items at home: inflatables, cameras with detachable lenses/selfie sticks, chairs, coolers, drones, firearms, flags, outside food and drinks, and umbrellas. For the full list of prohibited items, click HERE.