Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Cool Springs, TN

The CMA Music Festival touts itself as "Country Music's Biggest Party." This four-day festival takes place in...

The CMA Music Festival touts itself as "Country Music's Biggest Party." This four-day festival takes place in June in Downtown Nashville. Concerts daily and nightly, autograph signings and photo shoots with celebrities, family games and entertainment, celebrity sports challenges, and after hours specials fill the days to ensure an action-packed weekend. Brooks and Dunn, Kellie Pickler and Brad Paisley are just a few of the over 400 celebrities to attend the festival. Hint: buy tickets early, because the best seats at LP Field sell out fast!

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Jun 7, 2012 Fri, Jun 8, 2012 Sat, Jun 9, 2012 Sun, Jun 10, 2012

This much-anticipated horse racing event has been a favorite for over 60 years. You can best enjoy it by reserving...

This much-anticipated horse racing event has been a favorite for over 60 years. You can best enjoy it by reserving tailgating space in advance; spaces for the general public are limited and usually go on sale in early April. If you aren't lucky enough to secure a tailgating space, you can still enjoy the festivities with a general admission ticket. Pre-race events include The Iroquois Hunt Ball and The Giddy-Up Gala, which are generally held to be the social events of the year. Besides racing, one of the other fun highlights of the event is the hats -- the tradition among female spectators is to don large fancy hats for the day. Proceeds benefit local organizations.

Hours: Sat, May 12, 2012

The Nashville Film Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country and one of the largest in the...

The Nashville Film Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country and one of the largest in the region. Over 200 films from around the world are selected from over 1700 entries to show and compete on one of the four screens at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16. Since this is Nashville, there's an emphasis on music, and the Music Films in Music City awards recognize everything from scores to movies about music. In addition, the prestigious Freedom in Film Award goes to an individual who has exemplified the spirit of the First Amendment.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Apr 19, 2012 Fri, Apr 20, 2012 Sat, Apr 21, 2012 Sun, Apr 22, 2012 Mon, Apr 23, 2012 Tue, Apr 24, 2012 Wed, Apr 25, 2012 Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Knights in shining armor, strolling minstrels, storytellers, magicians, birds of prey -- this festival celebrates all...

Knights in shining armor, strolling minstrels, storytellers, magicians, birds of prey -- this festival celebrates all things Renaissance! You'll find jewelers, glass blowers, and sword makers, plus some wonderful period-style apparel. Of course, no festival experience would be complete without sampling one of those giant turkey legs, but there are plenty of other treats to choose as well. And leashed pets are welcome! Tickets include free parking, all festival events, and a castle tour. About a 30 minute drive from Nashville.

Hours: Sat, May 5, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, May 6, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sat, May 12, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, May 13, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sat, May 19, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, May 20, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sat, May 26, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, May 27, 2012: 10am - 6pm Mon, May 28, 2012: 10am - 6pm

Runners and spectators alike enjoy the Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon happening in Nashvile in late April....

Runners and spectators alike enjoy the Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon happening in Nashvile in late April. Runners complete a course past Nashville's top sights while listening to over 50 local bands scattered throughout. High school cheerleaders are also spread along the route to encourage the participants as they run. A post-race concert closes the day with a performance by a major country star like Sarah Evans, Jo Dee Messina or even Kenny Rogers.

Hours: Sat, Apr 28, 2012: 7am

Bring your picnic baskets, blankets and family to Riverfront Park for the Music City Festival and BBQ Championship. The...

Bring your picnic baskets, blankets and family to Riverfront Park for the Music City Festival and BBQ Championship. The festival aims to celebrate two of the city's best talents - music and barbeque - in a safe, enjoyable environment. The event includes a car show in addition to a barbeque competition and is a perfect way to end the summer. Proceeds benefit one or two different charities each year.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Aug 24, 2012: 5pm - 11pm Sat, Aug 25, 2012: 1pm - 11pm

Celebrate the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day with an array of events and activities throughout the...

Celebrate the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day with an array of events and activities throughout the city. Concerts and theatrical performances combine with holiday decorations to create a world of magic to end the year in the style of the Music City.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Nov 22, 2012 Fri, Nov 23, 2012 Sat, Nov 24, 2012 Sun, Nov 25, 2012 Mon, Nov 26, 2012 Tue, Nov 27, 2012 Wed, Nov 28, 2012 Thu, Nov 29, 2012 Fri, Nov 30, 2012 Sat, Dec 1, 2012 Sun, Dec 2, 2012 Mon, Dec 3, 2012 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 Wed, Dec 5, 2012 Thu, Dec 6, 2012 Fri, Dec 7, 2012 Sat, Dec 8, 2012 Sun, Dec 9, 2012 Mon, Dec 10, 2012 Tue, Dec 11, 2012 Wed, Dec 12, 2012 Thu, Dec 13, 2012 Fri, Dec 14, 2012 Sat, Dec 15, 2012 Sun, Dec 16, 2012 Mon, Dec 17, 2012 Tue, Dec 18, 2012 Wed, Dec 19, 2012 Thu, Dec 20, 2012 Fri, Dec 21, 2012 Sat, Dec 22, 2012 Sun, Dec 23, 2012 Mon, Dec 24, 2012 Tue, Dec 25, 2012 Wed, Dec 26, 2012 Thu, Dec 27, 2012 Fri, Dec 28, 2012 Sat, Dec 29, 2012 Sun, Dec 30, 2012 Mon, Dec 31, 2012 Tue, Jan 1, 2013

If you truly want to experience all Nashville has to offer, visit during April. The entire month is so full of concerts...

If you truly want to experience all Nashville has to offer, visit during April. The entire month is so full of concerts and events that the city terms it "Awesome April." Each weekend promises a major event, and numerous festivals happen all over the city, such as the Southern Women's Show, Country Music Marathon and the Nashville Film Festival. Perfect for families, Awesome April offers not just music, but exhibits, sports, and other family entertainment almost every day of the month. Be sure to book your hotel in advance! Events take place at venues all over the city, including the Convention Center.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sun, Apr 1, 2012 Mon, Apr 2, 2012 Tue, Apr 3, 2012 Wed, Apr 4, 2012 Thu, Apr 5, 2012 Fri, Apr 6, 2012 Sat, Apr 7, 2012 Sun, Apr 8, 2012 Mon, Apr 9, 2012 Tue, Apr 10, 2012 Wed, Apr 11, 2012 Thu, Apr 12, 2012 Fri, Apr 13, 2012 Sat, Apr 14, 2012 Sun, Apr 15, 2012 Mon, Apr 16, 2012 Tue, Apr 17, 2012 Wed, Apr 18, 2012 Thu, Apr 19, 2012 Fri, Apr 20, 2012 Sat, Apr 21, 2012 Sun, Apr 22, 2012 Mon, Apr 23, 2012 Tue, Apr 24, 2012 Wed, Apr 25, 2012 Thu, Apr 26, 2012 Fri, Apr 27, 2012 Sat, Apr 28, 2012 Sun, Apr 29, 2012 Mon, Apr 30, 2012

Food, shopping, pampering, and fun! This annual event takes place over a weekend in April and has become a key forum for...

Food, shopping, pampering, and fun! This annual event takes place over a weekend in April and has become a key forum for educating women on current women's health issues. You can enjoy a massage, watch a cooking demonstration, check your blood pressure, get tips on nutrition and exercise, shop for handbags or jewelry, get a makeover, plan a vacation, learn some home-buying and investment strategies, and get gardening and home improvement ideas, all at one venue! The event includes a multitude of vendor displays and exhibitions, plus special guests.

Hours: Thu, Apr 12, 2012: 10am - 7pm Fri, Apr 13, 2012: 10am - 8pm Sat, Apr 14, 2012: 10am - 7pm Sun, Apr 15, 2012: 11am - 6pm

At the Nashville Home Decorating and Remodeling show, over 650 booths and over 300 exhibitors peddle their wares at the...

At the Nashville Home Decorating and Remodeling show, over 650 booths and over 300 exhibitors peddle their wares at the largest home show in Tennessee. During this September weekend, the exhibit halls of the Nashville Convention Center are packed full of the newest products in areas such as interior design, furnishings, flooring, and remodeling. Expert advice and tips are available to help you fix up the home of your dreams!

Hours: Fri, Sep 7, 2012: Noon - 9pm Sat, Sep 8, 2012: 10am - 9pm Sun, Sep 9, 2012: 10am - 6pm