CMA Fest 2024: Nashville guide — from free concert stages to how much does it cost and more

Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean

CMA Music Festival is back, bringing over 300 performers to downtown Nashville on multiple stages from Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9.

For the 51st year, Nashville will transform the whole city into a concert with a festival that brought nearly 100,000 fans last year.

Stars like Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and hundreds more will take the stage this year.

There will be outdoor performances, lineups at Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater and a weekend of games and fun. Planned events for the weekend include meet-and-greets with artists at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center and activities lining Nashville's lower Broadway.

Curious about what you need to know ahead of the big weekend?

We've got you covered. Here's out ultimate guide to 2024 CMA Fest.

Charlie Worsham and Dierks Bentley perform on stage during day four of CMA Fest 2023 at Nissan Stadium on June 11, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Charlie Worsham and Dierks Bentley perform on stage during day four of CMA Fest 2023 at Nissan Stadium on June 11, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

When and where is CMA Fest?

CMA Fest is located in downtown Nashville from Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9.

Who is performing at the 2024 CMA Fest?

Over 300 artists are slated to perform at CMA Fest this year.

Some of the artists playing CMA Fest are: Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Chrissy Metz, Keith Urban, Bailey Zimmerman, The War & Treaty, Dylan Scott, Carly Pearce, HARDY, Kelsea Ballerini, Mason Ramsey, Jordan Davis and Shaboozey.

Cody Johnson performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 9, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Cody Johnson performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 9, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.

How much does it cost to go to CMA Fest?

Depending on which CMA Fest experience you aim for, you can attend CMA Fest free, for under $25, or you can purchase stadium tickets for upwards of $325.

Different stages and performances are priced individually. Some stages are completely free to attend.

How much are the 2024 CMA Fest tickets?

Richard Brewer of Loretto, Tenn., sports a "Hug Me" shirt and smiley face hat as he waits for Lainey Wilson to kick-off the action on the Riverfront Stage the first day of CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday morning, June 8, 2023. "I've got a big collection of big hats and this is my number one," Brewer said. "It brings a smile to people's faces."

Fans have multiple options for ticket purchases for CMA Fest.

Can you go to CMA Fest without tickets?

Yes—there are quite a few free stages and performances at CMA Fest. Fans can attend the free daytime outdoor shows without a ticket.

For certain stages, like Ascend Ampitheater and Nissan Stadium, fans must have tickets.

What parts of CMA Fest 2024 are free?

Jo Dee Messina performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jo Dee Messina performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Daytime, outdoor stages will offer free performances.

Broadway and Fan Alley (open at 10 a.m. CST each day) are free and open to the public.

There will also be free games, activities, giveaways and more with CMA Fest's partners.

What are the different CMA Fest stages? Which ones are free?

There are over nine stages at CMA Fest 2024, all sprinkled around downtown Nashville.

Here's our list of each stage, where they're located, and the kind of performances they will feature:

  • Nissan Stadium Main and Platform Stages: The stadium, located at 1 Titans Way, will feature four nights of concerts on its main stage and platform stage—located on the field. Certain performances at this location will be filmed for a special that will air on ABC later in the summer.

  • Ascend Amphitheater: The amphitheater, located at 310 1st Ave South, will host three days of performances, Thursday through Saturday.

  • CMA Close Up Stage: This indoor stage is located inside Fan Fair X on Level 3 of Music City Center. (Fan Fair X is open 9:30 a.m. CT to 5 p.m. CT Thursday through Saturday and 9:30 a.m. CT to 4 p.m. CT on Sunday. Seating and programming is first come, first served.) This stage will feature Q&As, acoustic performances and interactive experiences.

  • CMA Spotlight Stage: This indoor stage is also located inside Fan Fair X. It will feature over 50 acts who will perform acoustic sets.

  • Chevy Riverfront Stage: This is the largest daytime stage at CMA Fest. It is located at Riverfront Park, sitting on the bank of the Cumberland River. This stage is free to the public.

  • Dr. Pepper Amp Stage: This free stage is at Ascend Park, located behind the amphitheater.

  • Chevy Vibes Stage: This free stage is located at Walk of Fame Park, offering daytime performances

  • Good Molecules Reverb Stage: This stage is located on the Southwest corner of 5th Avenue and Broadway at Bridgestone Plaza near the Broadway bars.

  • Hard Rock Stage: This stage is located at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville and will feature free daily performances from Thursday to Sunday. From Thursday to Saturday, there will also be nightly performances.

Do singers get paid at CMA Fest?

No, artists are not paid to play at CMA Fest. Each artist donates their time to perform at the festival.

The proceeds from the festival go to CMA's non-profit arm, the CMA Foundation, which helps to enrich music education programs across the country.

Is CMA Fest kid friendly?

Yes, CMA Fest is kid friendly.

Babies and children under two years of age can attend CMA Fest without a pass or ticket.

Gabriel Lawson, 5, of South Bend, Ind., and his parents meander down Fourth Avenue on the first day of CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday afternoon, June 8, 2023. Gabriel had a drumstick a drummer had given him when they visited Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse.
Gabriel Lawson, 5, of South Bend, Ind., and his parents meander down Fourth Avenue on the first day of CMA Fest in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday afternoon, June 8, 2023. Gabriel had a drumstick a drummer had given him when they visited Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk Rock N' Roll Steakhouse.

Is CMA Fest 2024 cashless?

CMA Fest venues and vendors are cashless.

Fans should plan to pack credit or debit cards or set up Apple Pay or Google Pay on their phones.

What is the CMA Fest schedule? What is the lineup?

HARDY performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium early in the morning on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
HARDY performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium early in the morning on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Here is our break-down of the main stage schedules at Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater.

Thursday, June 6 - Nissan Stadium Main Stage:

  • 7:45 pm, Reyna Roberts

  • 8:00 pm, Craig Morgan

  • 8:30 pm, Jordan Davis

  • 9:10 pm, Ashley McBryde

  • 9:55 pm, Shaboozey

  • 10:00 pm, Thomas Rhett

  • 10:50 pm, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Friday, June 7 - Nissan Stadium Main Stage:

  • 8:00 pm, Gretchen Wilson

  • 8:30 pm, Parker McCollum

  • 9:10 pm, Jon Pardi

  • 9:50 pm, Kelsea Ballerini

  • 10:40 pm, Cody Johnson

  • 11:25 pm, Luke Bryan

Saturday, June 8 - Nissan Stadium Main Stage:

  • 8:00 pm, Terri Clark

  • 8:30 pm, The War And Treaty

  • 9:10 pm, Old Dominion

  • 9:50 pm, Lainey Wilson

  • 10:30 pm, Brittney Spencer

  • 10:35 pm, Keith Urban

  • 11:20 pm, Jelly Roll

Sunday, June 9 - Nissan Stadium Main Stage:

  • 8:00 pm, Josh Turner

  • 8:30 pm, Megan Moroney

  • 9:10 pm, Brothers Osborne

  • 9:50 pm, Carly Pearce

  • 10:20 pm, Jackson Dean

  • 10:30 pm, Bailey Zimmerman

  • 11:15 pm, HARDY

Thursday, June 6 - Ascend Amphitheater:

  • 7:00 pm, Pitney Meyer

  • 7:13 pm, Harper Grace

  • 7:26 pm, Tim Dugger

  • 7:40 pm, Hannah Ellis

  • 7:50 pm, Kelsey Hart

  • 8:15 pm, Sawyer Brown

  • 8:50 pm, Rodney Atkins

  • 9:35 pm, Dylan Scott

  • 10:15 pm, Lee Brice

Friday, June 7 - Ascend Amphitheater:

  • 7:00 pm, Danae Hays (Host)

  • 7:15 pm, Shaylen

  • 7:40 pm, Lily Rose

  • 8:20 pm, Restless Road

  • 9:00 pm, NEEDTOBREATHE

  • 9:55 pm, Brett Young

  • Charles Kelley

  • Colbie Caillat

  • Gavin DeGraw

Saturday June 8 -Ascend Amphitheater:

  • 7:45 pm, Tracy Lawrence

  • 7:50 pm, Charles Esten

  • 8:00 pm, RaeLynn

  • 8:25 pm, Priscilla Block

  • 8:50 pm, Maddie & Tae

  • 9:20 pm, Chris Young

  • 9:50 pm, Riley Green

To see the full schedule, head to cmafest.com.

Fans can also use the CMA Fest app to see full schedules and build their own list of events to attend.

Is there are 2024 CMA Fest map?

Yes! See the 2024 CMA Fest map below.

Do you need clear bags for CMA Fest?

Yes, clear bags are required at CMA Fest venues and stages.

What can I not bring to CMA Fest?

Some prohibited items for CMA Fest are: inflatables, cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, chairs, coolers, drones, firearms, weapons, flags, outside food and drinks and umbrellas.

For more information, head to cmafest.com.

Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2024: Nashville guide, from free concert stages to lineup

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