Where to Park During CMA Fest in Nashville

By: Trevor Caldwell

CMA Fest brings tens of thousands of country music fans to downtown Nashville every day, making parking one of the biggest challenges of the event. With concerts happening at Nissan Stadium, Broadway, Riverfront Park, and Bridgestone Arena, knowing where and how to park can save you time, money, and frustration. If you're heading to CMA Fest, here’s everything you need to know about CMA Fest parking in Nashville.

Best Places to Park for CMA Fest

Nashville can get pretty crowded when CMA is in town!

Most CMA Fest activities take place around Lower Broadway and Nissan Stadium, so parking garages within walking distance of these areas are your best option. Popular garages include:

• Pinnacle Garage (150 3rd Ave S) – Just a few blocks from Bridgestone Arena and Broadway.

• Music City Center Garage (201 5th Ave S) – One of the largest garages downtown and close to several daytime stages.

• Fifth + Broadway Garage (550 Broadway) – Convenient for exploring Broadway and the Riverfront stage.

• Hilton Downtown Garage (121 4th Ave S) – A central location within walking distance of many venues.

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Many visitors choose to park downtown and then walk across the pedestrian bridges to Nissan Stadium for the nightly concerts.

Parking at Nissan Stadium

A Honky Tonk bus outside of Nissan Stadium!

If you’re attending the nightly stadium concerts, official parking is extremely limited. Parking passes for Nissan Stadium typically must be purchased in advance, and organizers do not sell parking on-site during the festival.

Because of this, many CMA Fest attendees choose to park downtown and walk across the river or use a shuttle to reach the stadium.

CMA Fest Shuttles and Transportation

A crowded Nashville Broadway during the CMA fest.

To help manage the crowds, CMA Fest runs official shuttle services from downtown to Nissan Stadium and other locations. Shuttles usually operate from around 9:00 AM until 1:00 AM each day of the festival, making it easy to move between stages.

Common shuttle stops include:

• Woodland Street near Nissan Stadium

• 6th Avenue near Korean Veterans Boulevard

• Commerce Street at Rep. John Lewis Way

These shuttles are ADA-accessible and designed to reduce downtown traffic during the event.

Tips for Parking During CMA Fest

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Arrive early. Downtown garages fill quickly, especially on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Book parking ahead of time. Apps like SpotHero or advance garage reservations can help guarantee a spot before you arrive.

Expect road closures. Several streets around Lower Broadway close to vehicle traffic during CMA Fest to accommodate crowds.

Plan to walk. Even if you park downtown, expect a 10–20 minute walk between stages and venues.

Use rideshare or transit when possible. CMA Fest organizers encourage rideshares and public transportation to reduce congestion.

Final Thoughts on where to park during CMA fest

Parking during CMA Fest in Nashville can be challenging, but planning ahead makes all the difference. The best strategy is to park in a downtown garage, arrive early, and take advantage of CMA Fest shuttles or short walks between venues. With a little preparation, you’ll spend less

time searching for parking and more time enjoying the music that makes Nashville famous.

Ohh, and don't forget to take one of our Nashville Tours!