Nashville July 4 Celebration 2017: Fireworks, Concert Schedule, Livestream, Hour-By-Hour Weather And More

NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville's annual Independence Day celebration — "Let Freedom Sing!" — is regarded by those who rank such things as one of the best July 4 events in the country with the largest fireworks display in the nation and drawing hundreds of thousands to downtown.

As usual, there will be a day full of concerts and other free events before the big fireworks show accompanied by the music of the Nashville Symphony. And, as usual, there will be road closures and traffic diversions throughout the city. Here's everything you need to know. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Location

The event spreads throughout the downtown side of the riverfront, at Ascend Amphitheater, up Broadway and into Walk of Fame Park. The fireworks will be shot from Nissan Stadium and viewing is available on the downtown riverfront. The main concert stage will be at Fifth & Broadway near Bridgestone Arena and the symphony will perform at Ascend, with a family fun zone at Walk of Fame Park. Check out the map.

Schedule

The event site opens at noon with music beginning at 4.

Here's the schedule for the Broadway stage:

• 4-5:15pm: DJ Coach
• 5:15-5:30pm: National Anthem by Jason Eskridge and Welcome from Emcee Storme Warren and Mayor Megan Barry
• 5:30-6pm: The Sisterhood
• 6-6:15pm: DJ Robert Luke
• 6:15-6:45pm: Jonny P
• 6:45-7pm: DJ Robert Luke
• 7-7:50pm: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• 7:50-8:10pm: DJ Robert Luke
• 8:10-9:15pm: Chris Young

Ascend will open at 4 p.m. and events there will open with remarks from emcee Kelly Sutton. The annual recitation from Barry Scott begins at 9:18 and the fireworks begin at 9:30, running until 10.

Livestream and TV

The event will be broadcast on WKRN and livestreamed on Visit Music City.

Hour-By-Hour Weather Forecast

The National Weather Service says there's a chance folks will have to dodge some rain throughout the day:

• Noon: Cloudy, 80. Chance of rain.
• 1 p.m.: Cloudy, 82. Chance of rain.
• 2 p.m.: Cloudy, 83. Chance of rain.
• 3 p.m.: Cloudy, 83. Chance of rain.
• 4 p.m.: Cloudy, 83. Chance of rain.
• 5 p.m.: Cloudy, 82. Chance of rain.
• 6 p.m.: Cloudy, 81. Chance of rain.
• 7 p.m.: Partly cloudy, 80. Slight chance of rain.
• 8 p.m.: Partly cloudy, 78. Slight chance of rain.
• 9 p.m.: Partly cloudy, 76. Slight chance of rain.
• 10 p.m.: Partly cloudy, 75. Slight chance of rain.

What can I bring? And what can't I?

Here's what's allowed:

• Collapsible chairs everywhere, except Ascend Amphitheater
• Blankets and ground tarps (6’x8’ or less)
• Handheld personal-sized umbrellas (up to 36”)
• All chairs and umbrellas must be taken down and put away by 4pm
• Personal cameras
• Small bags with maximum measurement of 16”x10”x4”

Here's what isn't:

• No guns, knives, other weapons, or dangerous devices of any kind
• No coolers
• No backpacks or luggage
• No outside alcoholic beverages. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a designated official event vendor are allowed on site.
• No illegal drugs
• No fireworks
• No laser pointers
• No pets (except service animals)
• No pop-up tents
• No beach or pole-style umbrellas
• No wagons or pull-carts
• No drones or other remote controlled aerial devices
• No audio recorders, video, or professional cameras
• No inserting stakes, poles or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space
• No unauthorized vending, sales, sampling or solicitation (event credentials required)
• No unauthorized personal transport devices, including bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, hover boards, Segways, golf carts, mopeds, etc. (event credentials required)
• No pedicabs or pedal taverns
• No unauthorized amplification devices permitted, which disrupt event production, including handheld megaphones
• No performances or demonstrations of any type unless previously authorized by event (event credentials required)
• No collapsible chairs in Ascend Amphitheater

• No guns, knives, other weapons, or dangerous devices of any kind
• No coolers
• No backpacks or luggage
• No outside alcoholic beverages. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a designated official event vendor are allowed on site.
• No illegal drugs
• No fireworks
• No laser pointers
• No pets (except service animals)
• No pop-up tents
• No beach or pole-style umbrellas
• No wagons or pull-carts
• No drones or other remote controlled aerial devices
• No audio recorders, video, or professional cameras
• No inserting stakes, poles or any other objects into the ground, or use of ropes, cords, tape, etc. to reserve space
• No unauthorized vending, sales, sampling or solicitation (event credentials required)
• No unauthorized personal transport devices, including bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, hover boards, Segways, golf carts, mopeds, etc. (event credentials required)
• No pedicabs or pedal taverns
• No unauthorized amplification devices permitted, which disrupt event production, including handheld megaphones
• No performances or demonstrations of any type unless previously authorized by event (event credentials required)
• No collapsible chairs in Ascend Amphitheater

Road closures and parking

Here is a rough schedule of road closures. Bear in mind that some sidewalks downtown will be closed off and on for event set-up but should be generally open for pedestrian access.

Starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday

• In-bound lanes of Korean Veterans Boulevard/Gateway Bridge from South 2nd Street to 2nd Avenue
• Reroute out-bound lanes of Korean Veterans Boulevard/Gateway Bridge to two-way traffic from 2nd Avenue to South 2nd Street

Starting at 7 a.m.

• Broadway from 7th Avenue to 8th Avenue
• 2nd Avenue from Demonbreun to Commerce Street
• 3rd Avenue from Demonbreun to Commerce Street (LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY – NO THRU TRAFFIC)
• 4th Avenue Northbound from Demonbreun to Commerce Street (LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY- NO THRU TRAFFIC)
• 4th Avenue Southbound from Commerce Street to Demonbreun (LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY- NO THRU TRAFFIC)
• 7th Avenue from Demonbreun to Commerce Street
• 1st Avenue from Church Street to Union Street
• Church Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• Bank Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• Gay Street Connector from 1st Avenue to 1st Avenue

Closed at or before 8 p.m. and to be reopened following the conclusion of the fireworks show, per discretion of MNPD and the fire marshal

• Woodland Street Bridge
• 2nd Avenue from Commerce Street to Union Street (to reopen immediately following conclusion of fireworks show)
• Commerce Street from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue
• Union Street from 3rd Avenue to Woodland Street Bridge
• The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Boaters are advised there is no anchorage between Woodland Street and the Seigenthaler Bridge.

Parking will be available for $10 at Nissan Stadium in Lots A, B, C and D; $10 at the Metro Courthouse Garage; $13 at Nashville Public Library Downtown; and $15 at the Music City Center.

Image via Shutterstock