June 12, 2025 Update:
We’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the launch of our Open Streets Summer Series, scheduled for Sunday, June 15. During our final site visit yesterday, we were presented with last-minute logistical challenges outside of our control. We aren’t willing to compromise on an excellent, safe event, and we’re confident that rescheduling is the right decision.
We can’t wait to celebrate 10 years of Open Streets in Nashville at our rescheduled launch event in July. We’re already collaborating with several great partners for our three-date series, and we’ll provide additional details next week.
We’re opening up downtown streets to people for our Open Streets Summer Series! From noon to 5 p.m., on three Sundays this summer, we’ll close a five-mile loop to cars and invite Nashville to walk, bike, and explore.
The route, which was also our five-mile City Tour route at Tour de Nash, loops along the Cumberland River through neighborhoods like Rolling Mill Hill and The Gulch. Whether you're stopping at a restaurant for a snack, catching an outdoor performance at a music venue, or popping into a local shop, there are so many ways to try out new spots or revisit old favorites. Or, claim your own space and sidewalk games or just kick back and relax.
There’s no registration required to participate. Just hop on your bike — or grab a skateboard, roller skates, or a comfy pair of walking shoes — and join us for a citywide block party! We hope you’ll find a new favorite spot in town.
What To Do
Our five-mile route loops from the Nashville Farmers’ Market along the Cumberland River through neighborhoods like Rolling Mill Hill and The Gulch, giving a leisurely tour of Downtown Nashville. We’re making these streets as car-lite as possible, meaning you have more space to explore comfortably.
There are no tickets or signups needed to join our Open Street, and there’s no “right way” to enjoy it. Just show up with your bike, skates, or a comfy pair of walking shoes and be ready to find a new favorite spot in town.
We’ve highlighted a few spots to check out:
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First Avenue North
On First Avenue just north of Broadway, hang out with Walk Bike Nashville, NDOT, and other community partners while you enjoy games and music provided by Downtown Partnership. -
Riverfront Park
As you hop on the Cumberland River Greenway just south of the WeGo Star train station, take your four-legged friends to the Downtown Dog Park or take advantage of free yoga on the green at 2 p.m. -
Rolling Mill Hill Greenway
This greenway takes you underneath Korean Veterans Bridge and past Pinewood Social’s many outdoor activities. While you’re there, pause for a great view of the Cumberland River and the East Bank. -
Gleaves Street
Rudy’s Jazz Room will have music on an outdoor stage from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Check out the shops and restaurants on this quieter side of the Gulch. -
11th Avenue South
Celebrate 10 years of Open Streets at the site of our first event! It’s a spot to mingle and play, whether you’re shopping at the boutiques, checking out a new restaurant, or admiring public art. -
Gulch Greenway
This segment of greenway takes you away from the street and along the railroad. Highlights include a skatepark under Church Street and access to the shops and restaurants at Capitol View. -
Frankie Pierce Park
This park, named after influential African American women’s suffrage movement leader Juno Frankie Pierce, features a playground, dog park, and sand volleyball court. Don’t miss the tunnel mural! - Nashville Farmers’ Market
Stop by the Farmers’ Market for fresh produce, crafts, and local food vendors, plus live music inside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -
First Horizon Park
Explore the green space at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and follow the greenway to First Horizon Park to see where the Nashville Sounds play. The greenway also connects to the buzzing Germantown neighborhood.
Here’s a small sampling of other places to check out on or near the route:
- Acme Feed & Seed, providing riverfront views and rooftop brews
- Royal Table Inc., discussing their STEAM-focused education initiatives
- Craft pints at Tennessee Brew Works
- Henna tattoos from 9Muses Henna
- Kickboxing and Muay Thai demonstrations from Chonburi Muay Thai
How to Arrive
An Open Street is a street for people, not cars. We encourage folks attending to travel by public transit or bike when possible!
WeGo’s central station, the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center (400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.), serves practically every route in the WeGo system and is only a few blocks away from Open Street activities on First Avenue. Also check out stops near the Nashville Farmers’ Market (served by Routes 22, 29, and 42), the Gulch (Routes 8 and 17), or the Gulch Greenway (Routes 3 and 7).
Accessible parking will be available on First Avenue.
For other ADA Accommodations email: [email protected]
Street Safety
We’ve worked with the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure to create a “car-lite” route through downtown, using signage, temporary barriers, and security personnel keeping cars off the route. In most cases, that means cars will be completely off the streets.
Where the route crosses intersections, security officers will control traffic flow. Please pay special attention when crossing streets that are open to cars, and pay attention to instructions from security officers.