Everything you need to know about Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash

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Everything you need to know about Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – With 250,000 people expected to attend the New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Nashville, the city is expected to be bustling.

Large crowds and heightened traffic are expected across Nashville as fans line up to see performances from stars like Lainey Wilson and Jason Aldean.

READ MORE: Nashville prepares for New Year’s Eve Big Bash with 250,000 expected

Here’s everything Music City residents and visitors need to know to attend — or navigate around — the New Year’s Eve Big Bash on Wednesday evening.

Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration will be held at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.(Terry Wyatt/Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.)

What is the event?

What: Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is a free downtown party with live music, fireworks, and Music City’s iconic Music Note Drop.

Where: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Cost: Admission is free, but attendees can expect to pay for food, drinks, or other items.

When: Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Take a look at the event map here:

Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is a free downtown party with live music, fireworks and Music City’s iconic Music Note Drop.(Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash)

Event schedule:

This event schedule is as follows, per the Visit Music City website:

5:30 p.m.: Event gates open

5:30 to 6:45 p.m.: DJ Case Bloom (75-minute set)

6:45– 6:50 p.m.: Emcee Kelly Sutton and Mayor Freddie O’Connell kick off live music with welcoming remarks.

6:50 – 7 p.m.: House music

Related: Headliners announced for Nashville’s Big Bash on New Year’s Eve

7 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.: CBS broadcast with headliners Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Bailey Zimmerman

11:55 p.m. – 12:01 a.m.: Countdown and Music Note Drop with pyrotechnics and confetti. Ninety-second fireworks show at midnight.

12:30 a.m.: CBS broadcast and live event conclude

Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman will lead the NYE festivities.(AP Images)

What can I bring?

Permitted Items:

Clear bags no larger than 12″ x12″ x6″
Non-transparent wallets and cases, no larger than 4.5” by 6.5”
Personal cameras

Banned Items:

No guns, knives, weapons, or other dangerous devices of any kind
No backpacks or luggage
No coolers
No handheld umbrellas of any size
No outside alcoholic beverages. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a designated Official Event Vendor are allowed on site.
No illegal substances, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
No fireworks
No laser pointers
No pets (service animals permitted)

You can find a full list of prohibited and permitted items on the event website.

Clear bags no larger than 12″ x12″ x6″ are permitted at the Big Bash.(Femme Fête Fashions / YouTube)

Parking details:

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office reminds drivers to be responsible and use rideshare options if they plan to drink during the holiday celebrations.

The Visit Music City website lists the following parking and rideshare information:

Information on downtown parking can be found here.

Rideshare/taxi pickup and drop-off spots:

James Robertson Parkway between 4th Avenue and Rep. John Lewis Way
James Robertson Parkway from Charlotte Pike to Rosa L. Parks Boulevard (Capitol Hill side)
Rosa L. Parks Boulevard from the Nashville Farmers’ Market entrance to Jefferson Street
Jefferson Street between 6th Avenue and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard

Rideshare/taxi staging area:

Parking lots located at 10th Circle North near Charlotte Avenue will be available, but space is not guaranteed.

Accessible passenger pick-up and drop-off spots:

Vehicles with ADA Permit Hangtags or License Plates will be allowed to drop off and pick up on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard near the Tennessee State Museum, north of Locklayer Street. Vehicles may stop only to drop off and pick up.

Public transit:

Between 6:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a WeGo bus route will be dedicated to traveling between Broadway and the event at Bicentennial Mall. The bus will leave every 10 minutes. Stops will be available:
- On Broadway in front of Hume-Fogg between 7th Avenue and Rosa L. Parks
- At Bicentennial Mall on James Robertson Parkway between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Further information on scooter and bicycle parking, the New Year’s Eve Train, and more WeGo bus routes is available here.

What security measures will be in place?

“Keeping the attendees safe is the number one priority,” said Deana Ivey, CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, the organization coordinating both the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve events.

Ivey said her team and various local groups are ready to ensure the celebration remains both entertaining and secure.

READ MORE: New Year’s Eve Big Bash organizers talk security plans

“There will be about 500 security personnel on site. That’s private and Metro PD. And we have fencing all around. We have mags you have to go through. So there are a lot of security measures that we work on all year, and we continue to tweak every year to make it even more secure,” Ivey said.

The event will feature six entrances for attendee access.

Organizers recommend using rideshare apps or designated shuttles, which have specific drop-off areas. Attendees are asked not to bring bags and to dress warmly for the outdoor celebration.

Expected road closures and traffic impacts:

Road, parking, and sidewalk closures started more than two weeks before the Big Bash, with the first ones put in place on December 14.

Below is a full list of closures organized by when they are set to reopen, according to the event page on VisitMusicCity.com.

All closures are expected to be lifted by 6 p.m. on January 6, at the latest.

Closed through January 1:

Close Easternmost Parking Lane on Rep. John Lewis Way (Junior Gilliam Way to Jefferson Street) — NO PARKING (REMOVE CONES Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 6am)
Close Westernmost Parking Lane on Rep. John Lewis Way (Junior Gilliam Way to Jefferson Street) — NO PARKING (REMOVE CONES Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 6am)
Bag all meters on Rep. John Lewis Way (Jefferson Street to Commerce Street) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Bag all meters on Commerce Street (8th Avenue to 5th Avenue) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Cover all “NO PARKING 6 a.m. TO 6 p.m.”, “LOADING ZONE”, “PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY” or “NO PARKING” signs on 8th Avenue (Commerce Street to James Robertson Parkway) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Cover all “NO PARKING 6 a.m. TO 6 p.m.”, “LOADING ZONE”, “PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY” or “NO PARKING” signs on Rep. John Lewis Way (Commerce Street to James Robertson Parkway) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Cover all “NO PARKING 6 a.m. TO 6 p.m.”, “LOADING ZONE”, “PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY” or “NO PARKING” signs on Commerce Street (8th Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Cover all “NO PARKING 6 a.m. TO 6 p.m.”, “LOADING ZONE”, “PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY” or “NO PARKING” signs on James Robertson Parkway (8th Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026)
Close Parking Lane on James Robertson Parkway (4th Avenue to 8th Avenue) — NO PARKING (through Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Jefferson Street (3rd Avenue North to 6th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.
Close Northside Sidewalks on Jefferson Street (6th Avenue North to 7th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Jefferson Street (7th Avenue North to 8th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Harrison Street from 4th Avenue to 3rd Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on James Robertson Parkway (3rd Avenue North to 8th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Junior Gilliam Way (3rd Avenue North to Rep John Lewis Way) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 3rd Avenue North (James Robertson Parkway to Jefferson Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 4th Avenue North (3rd Avenue North to Harrison Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 4th Avenue North (Junior Gilliam Way to Jefferson Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m)
Close Sidewalks on 8th Avenue North (James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Harrison Street (Rep. John Lewis Way to 4th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close 6th Avenue Horseshoe around Tennessee State Capitol from Charlotte Avenue to Charlotte Avenue (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close Tennessee State Capitol Private Access Drive (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m)
Close Tennessee State Capitol Permit Parking Area (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close Junior Gilliam Way (4th Avenue to Rep. John Lewis Way) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close Rep John Lewis Way (Jefferson Street to Junior Gilliam Way) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close Junior Gilliam Way (3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close 4th Avenue (At Junior Gilliam Way – Must Exit to Jefferson Street) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 4 a.m.)
Close Locklayer Street (8th Avenue North to 7th Avenue North (REOPEN on Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 a.m.)
Close Rep, John Lewis Way (James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Harrison Street (4th Avenue to Rep John Lewis Way) (REOPEN Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 6 p.m.)

Closed through January 2:

Close Rep. John Lewis Way (Harrison Street to Junior Gilliam Way) — (REOPEN on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Rep. John Lewis Way (James Robertson Parkway to Jefferson Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Friday, January 2, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 8th Avenue North (Harrison Street to Jefferson Street) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Friday, January 2, 2026, by 6 p.m.)

Closed through January 3:

Close Sidewalks on 6th Avenue North (James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Saturday, January 3, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 7th Avenue North (James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Saturday, January 3, 2026, by 6 p.m.)

Closed through January 4:

Close Southside Sidewalks on Jefferson Street (7th Avenue North to 6th Avenue North) —closed for set-up as needed(REOPEN Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Harrison Street from 6th Avenue North to Rep. John Lewis Way (REOPEN on Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 pm)
Close Harrison Street from 7th Avenue North to 6th Avenue North (REOPEN on Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Harrison Street from 8th Avenue North to 7th Avenue North (REOPEN on Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close 6th Avenue North from James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street (REOPEN on Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close 7th Avenue North from James Robertson Parkway to Harrison Street (REOPEN on Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Harrison Street (Rep. John Lewis Way to 6th Avenue North) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Southside Sidewalks on Harrison Street (7th Avenue North to 6th Avenue North) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Harrison Street (8th Avenue North to 7th Avenue North) — close for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Sunday, January 4, 2026, by 6 p.m.)

Closed through January 6:

Close Parking Spaces on 7th Avenue North from Jefferson Street to Harrison Street (REMOVE CONES on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6 p.m.)
Close Parking Spaces on 6th Avenue North from Harrison Street to Jefferson Street (REMOVE CONES on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close 7th Avenue North from Jefferson Street to Harrison (REOPEN on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close 6th Avenue North from Harrison Street to Jefferson Street (REOPEN on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Jackson Street from 6th Avenue North to 7th Avenue North (REOPEN on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Junior Gilliam Way from Rep. John Lewis Way to 6th Avenue North (REOPEN on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.
Close Sidewalks on 7th Avenue North (Jefferson Street to Harrison Street) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on 6th Avenue North (Harrison Street to Jefferson Street) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Jackson Street (7th Avenue North to 6th Avenue North) — closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access (REOPEN Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Northside Sidewalks on Harrison Street (7th Avenue North to 6th Avenue North) — closed for set-up as needed (REOPEN Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)
Close Sidewalks on Junior Gilliam Way (Rep. John Lewis Way to 6th Avenue) —closed for set-up as needed; otherwise to remain open for pedestrian access(REOPEN Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by 6 p.m.)