Nashville's Fourth of July concert and fireworks display: Everything you need to know

Michael W. Aldrich | Nashville Tennessean

The Fourth of July will fall on a Wednesday this year, but Nashville’s music and fireworks spectacle is still expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people downtown for the mid-week celebration.

Organizers expect “ooh’s” and “aah’s” as the skyline is painted red, white and blue for the "Let Freedom Sing!" event, which last year attracted 240,000 people.

How to shoot fireworks photos with smartphones USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham offers tips on how to shoot great fireworks shots with your smartphones. just in time for July 4th.

Grammy Award-winning country group Lady Antebellum will headline a free concert before the 30-minute-long fireworks display featuring more than 33,500 pounds of patriotic power. The nighttime sky will light up with a colorful canopy of 60,000 shells synchronized to a live performance from the Nashville Symphony.

Forecast for the Fourth: Heat index near 100 in Middle Tennessee – and maybe some rain?

"We are fired up to be playing in Nashville," said Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood. "We're not hitting Nashville on our tour, so this is really our big Nashville play of the year. It's just a big Nashville family event."

Nashville’s is one of the biggest Fourth of July fireworks displays in the nation, according to the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Corp.

"People will come for great music any day of the week," said Deanna Ivey, chief marketing officer of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. "We once again have a stellar lineup of Nashville artists representing all types of music that call this city home."

With clear skies in the forecast, organizers hope the Fourth of July bash will draw record crowds to Riverfront Park, Ascend Amphitheater, Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, Public Square Park and the streets of lower Broadway.

Nashville 4th of July concert schedule

This year’s musical lineup features performances by "Buy Me a Boat" singer Chris Janson, singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas and Shannon Sanders, a singer, musician and Grammy-winning producer who has worked with John Legend and Marc Broussard.

Country powerhouse trio Lady Antebellum will headline this year’s “Let Freedom Sing” concert.

For Haywood, the group's keyboardist/guitarist, the July Fourth performance is particularly special because his birthday is on July 5.

"We normally take this week off every year," Haywood explained. "It will be a nice early birthday present for me to be down there. We'll bring our families and be hanging backstage and stay for the fireworks. When I was a kid, my mom used to tell me the fireworks were for me. And, I believed her. Playing in Nashville is special. I just love it."

The event begins at noon with music at the Broadway Stage and a DJ in the Family Fun Zone. Ascend Amphitheater doors open at 4 p.m.

Broadway Stage at Fifth and Broadway

Noon-1:15 p.m.: Jason Eskridge

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Katie Schecter

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Kid Politics

4-5 p.m.: Andrew Combs

5:15-5:30 p.m.: National anthem by Shannon Sanders and welcome from emcee Storme Warren and Mayor David Briley

5:30-6 p.m.: Shannon Sanders

6:15-6:45 p.m.: Lucie Silvas

7-7:50 p.m.: Chris Janson

8:10-9:10 p.m.: Lady Antebellum

Ascend Amphitheater (opens at 4 p.m.)

9:20-9:22 p.m.: Remarks from emcee Kelly Sutton

9:22-9:30 p.m.: Barry Scott patriotic recitation and Nashville Symphony

9:30-10 p.m.: Nashville Symphony and fireworks show

How to shoot better fireworks photos Tennessean staff photographer Andrew Nelles gives his tips for shooting better fireworks photos on your phone or personal DSLR camera.

What's the food situation?

Plenty of food trucks will be around to dish out cuisine to the masses in addition to several other on-site food vendors.

What's the Family Fun Zone?

The Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park opens at noon with inflatables, water slides, climbing walls, face-painting and other activities for the kids to enjoy. There will be large screens to watch fireworks. The college football national championship trophy will be on display.

How do I get in?

Entry points to Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing celebration are limited to Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues at Demonbreun and Commerce for security purposes.

Where can I park?

Attendees can park for: $10 at Nissan Stadium in Lots A, B, C, D, E, F and N; $15 at the Metro Courthouse garage; $14 at Nashville Public Library Downtown; and $15 at Music City Center. For other available parking, visit www.parkitdowntown.com.

Taxis can drop off and pick up festivalgoers on Seventh Avenue South at Broadway.

Ride share areas will be at Korean Veterans Boulevard from Second Avenue to Eighth Avenue; Deaderick Street from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue; and James Robertson Parkway from Third Avenue to Gay Street.

What can I bring?

Acceptable items to bring along include collapsible chairs (except at Ascend Amphitheater), blankets (6-by-8 feet or less) and handheld umbrellas (up to 36 inches).

Prohibited items include coolers, backpacks, outside alcoholic beverages and weapons of any kind.

Visit the Let Freedom Sing website to view a complete list of what you can and can't bring.

Past attendance:

2017 - 240,000

2016 - 125,000-150,000

2015 - 150,000

2014 - 284,000

Nashville fireworks: Best places to watch

For everyone primarily interested in seeing the fireworks, the following locations are free and a part of the city's Fourth of July event campus:

Lower Broadway – large video screens to watch the live music

Ascend Amphitheater - large video screens and the Nashville Symphony

The Green at Riverfront Park – large video screens to watch the live music

Music City Walk of Fame Park - large video screen to watch the live music

However, there are many rooftop watch parties happening at various bars in the downtown area if you have a little extra money to spend.

Acme 4th of July

Acme Feed & Seed on Lower Broadway is throwing an all-day Fourth of July celebration and rooftop fireworks viewing party.

What to expect:

$10 at the door grants you access to floors one and two

Live music featuring Music City Toppers , Johnny Hiland , AJ & The Jiggawatts , and Sam McCrary & The Mix

featuring , , , and Dinner buffet from 5-7 p.m. on the rooftop

from 5-7 p.m. on the rooftop Party favors such as Acme bandannas, sunglasses, sunblock on the rooftop

such as Acme bandannas, sunglasses, sunblock on the rooftop Food and drink specials

Where: Acme Feed & Seed, 101 Broadway

When: 3 p.m. to midnight

Cost: $10 at the door, VIP rooftop access, $150

July 4th Red, White and BBQ

Celebrate the Fourth of July with views of Nashville's firework show from the city's highest rooftop lounge, L27, for their Red, White and BBQ event.

What to expect:

BBQ dinner special

dinner special Festive holiday cocktails

Live music

Your $75 ticket includes VIP entry, two drinks , and a rooftop view of the fireworks .

, and a of the . Hotel package is $800 and includes two nights of overnight accommodations, complimentary valet parking, a $100 credit to Rhapsody Spa and two tickets to the Fourth of July rooftop party.

Where: L27, 807 Clark Pl

When: 6 p.m. to midnight

Cost: $75 per person

Free As a Bird 4th of July Celebration

Rare Bird at the top of the Noelle hotel in downtown Nashville is hosting an Independence Day party and fireworks viewing from 13 flights up. All ages are welcome at this rain-or-shine event, but you must be 21 or over to consume alcohol.

What to expect:

Open bar (draft cocktails, beer and wine)

(draft cocktails, beer and wine) Complimentary food

Rooftop fireworks viewing

viewing Music by DJ Foldy

by Taxes and gratuity included

Where: Rare Bird Rooftop Lounge, 200 Fourth Avenue North

When: 7-9:30 p.m.

Cost: $200 per person

The George Jones 4th of July Celebration

The George Jones 4th of July Celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 4. The main floor is open to the public, free and all ages. VIP tables are available on the main floor ranging from $300 to $800 depending on party size. Additional VIP seating options are also available.

What to expect:

Adult slushies and smokehouse barbecue

and smokehouse Live music all day until midnight (on all levels)

all day until midnight (on all levels) View of the Nashville fireworks display for VIP guests

of the Nashville display for VIP guests In-and-out privileges granted

All ages permitted

permitted All beverages and food will be billed separately. Gratuity not included.

Where: The George Jones, 128 Second Ave N

When: 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Cost: Main floor general admission, free; rooftop access, $50 per person (no access to railing); and VIP rooftop railing seating, $200 per person

Red, White and View

Up, a rooftop lounge, is hosting the Red, White and View Fourth of July party with views of the Nashville fireworks. Tickets are required for the 21 and over event.

What to expect:

A dinner buffet (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options will be available)

(vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options will be available) Discounted specialty cocktails , beers and wines

, and Live music, a DJ and dancing

a and Photo booth

Valet parking

Where: Up, a rooftop lounge, 901 Division St

When: 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Cost: $125 per person

4th of July Party at Nashville Underground

Nashville Underground’s Fourth of July party will offer views of the downtown fireworks display. The rooftop party includes a buffet from 5 to 9 p.m., DJ, assorted desserts and bar snacks. VIP booths for up to 12 people are $1,800. Attendees must be 21 or over to enter. There will be no re-entry into this event.

What to expect:

Live DJ and dancing

and Dinner buffet from 5-9 p.m.

from 5-9 p.m. Assorted desserts and bar snacks later in the evening

and bar later in the evening View of the Riverfront to see the fireworks

Where: Nashville Underground, 105 Broadway

When: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Cost: $150 per person

Famous Saloon’s 4th of July Rooftop Party

Famous Saloon is hosting a Fourth of July Rooftop Party that includes views of the downtown fireworks. Admission is free to the main floor and river room. This event is 21 and over.

What to expect:

Nashville's firework show viewing

viewing A live DJ after the fireworks

after the fireworks A Famous Saloon gift bag with merchandise

Where: Famous Saloon, 110 Second Avenue North

When: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Cost: $100 per person

4th of July Rooftop Bash

Make your way up to 21c Museum Hotel Nashville’s rooftop for a firework viewing party. This event is 21 and over.

What to expect:

A full open bar

Boozy popsicles

Food from Gray & Dudley

from A rooftop view of the Nashville fireworks show

Where: 21c Museum Hotel, 221 Second Avenue North

When: 7 p.m. - midnight

Cost: $200 per person

July 4th Rooftop Party

Bobby Hotel’s July 4th Rooftop Party is happening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Rooftop Lounge. The event is 21 and over.

What to expect:

Three wine or beer drinks per person

or drinks per person Carnival fare with all-American favorites like sliders , mac n' cheese and frozen treats

, and DJ Heath Haynes spinning vinyl records

spinning vinyl records View of the fireworks display from the 10th floor rooftop lounge

Where: Bobby Hotel - Rooftop Lounge, 230 Fourth Avenue North

When: 8-10 p.m.

Cost: $150 per person