How to Park at Nashville Festivals Without Getting Towed

Nashville Festival Season Means Towing Season

Nashville's festival calendar — CMA Fest, Live on the Green, AmericanaFest, Pride, and smaller events across the city — fills downtown streets and lots. Many festival tows can be avoided with a bit of planning.

Here's a local guide to parking smart and keeping your car where you left it.

Know the High-Risk Towing Zones

Broadway and Lower Broadway

During major festivals, parking around Lower Broadway gets tight. Private lots can fill quickly, and side streets may carry temporary or posted restrictions that are easy to miss.

Watch for:

• Temporary no-parking signs posted ahead of events
• Fire lane markings on curbs (red or yellow)
• Private lot signs with after-hours towing warnings

The Gulch and 12 South

Restaurant and retail lots in busy neighborhoods are usually reserved for customers. A lot that looks empty during an event may still be posted for towing, so read the signs before leaving your car.

Nissan Stadium Area

For events at Nissan Stadium, surrounding lots and streets fill quickly. Parking on an interstate shoulder or in posted Metro Parks areas near the stadium can lead to a fast tow.

How to Park Legally During Nashville Festivals

1. Use Official Festival Parking

Some major Nashville events offer designated parking or shuttle service. Check the event's official website for current parking and shuttle options before you leave home.

2. Read Every Sign Carefully

Common causes of festival tows:

• "Event Day Parking Only" — means you need an event pass
• "No Parking" with specific hours — often temporarily posted for festivals
• "Tow Away Zone" — enforced
• "Customer Parking Only – Violators Towed at Owner's Expense" — private lots enforce this heavily during events

If a sign lists a towing company name and phone number, treat the restriction as enforced.

3. Use Parking Apps

Apps that show real-time availability or let you reserve a spot in advance — such as ParkMobile, SpotHero, or ParkWhiz — can help you avoid circling for a spot and ending up somewhere you shouldn't be.

4. Rideshare Drop-Off Zones

Rideshare services often use designated pickup and drop-off areas for large events. Using rideshare avoids parking altogether — check the event's site or your app for current drop-off locations.

What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed

Storage fees can begin adding up soon after a car is towed, so act quickly. Here's a plan:

1. Call the number on the posted sign at the location where you parked.
2. If there's no sign, call Metro Nashville's non-emergency line to find which company towed your vehicle.
3. Bring valid ID, registration, and a way to pay to the tow yard.
4. Document everything — photograph where you were parked and any signage, or the lack of it.
5. If you believe the tow was improper, contact Metro Nashville to ask how to file a complaint, and review the current Metro Nashville Code of Ordinances for towing rules.

Stuck After a Show?

If your car is still where you parked but won't start, or you're locked out, roadside assistance is available 24/7.

Festival-Specific Parking Notes

CMA Fest (June)

Downtown parking is in high demand. Reserve garage parking early if possible, avoid private lots unless you're a customer, and watch for temporary no-parking signs around event areas.

Live on the Green

Check the event's website for the current venue and parking guidance. Garages are generally a more predictable choice than street parking.

Nashville Pride Festival

Expect crowded streets near the festival area — garage parking or public transit can be easier than hunting for street parking.

AmericanaFest

Shows are spread across multiple venues, many with small lots reserved for their own customers. Stick to marked public parking or garages where available.

Prevention Is Your Best Strategy

Festival season in Nashville runs roughly spring through fall, and big events and home games add to downtown demand. Plan your parking before you leave home, and save a backup option in your phone.

If you do need help — a vehicle lockout after the show, a dead battery from leaving your lights on, or an emergency tow — Hook Em' Up Towing is available 24/7.

Save our number: (615) 756-5330.