August in Nashville means continuing heat, back-to-school excitement, and celebrating National Dog Month! It’s also a month full of festivals. Here’s your guide to having an amazing August in Nashville.
🐶 The Dog Days of Summer
August is National Dog Month! Here are ways to celebrate Nashville’s pups:
- Let your best bud play at a dog park! Check out our Overlook Map of the best dog parks in town.
- Make sure to keep your dogs safe in the heat.
- Take your dog out for a treat for “Yappy Hour” at the Commons Club patio, Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m. starting August 4.
- Attend Dog Nights of Summer at Cheekwood, which runs every Thursday in August from 5-9 p.m.
- Get your very good pup a treat at Three Dog Bakery and Canine Concepts.
- Bring your best friend to a dog-friendly patio, like Redheaded Stranger, OG Tailgate Brewery, or SandBar Nashville.
- Donate to the Nashville Humane Association, Wags & Walks, and Pawster.
- Or attend Music City Brewers Fest on August 23 to support our local breweries AND the Nashville Humane Association.
🎉 More End-of-Summer Festivals
- 🐈 Cat Video Fest: I hate to bring up cats during National Dog Month, but this is one of my favorite yearly events! Watch funny cat videos and laugh with your fellow cat lovers at The Belcourt on August 1-7. My daughter and I will be there with our cat ears on. Proceeds benefit the Cat Colony Food Pantry.
- 🍅 Tomato Art Fest: Wear red and green and head over to Five Points in East Nashville August 8-9 for tomato EVERYTHING. Parade? Check. Art show? Check. Haiku contest? Double check. It’s ridiculous and fabulous. Several local eateries will be celebrating with tomato-themed menu items, too, like Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse and The Gumbo Bros.
- 🎵 Deep Tropics Festival: Rock out to global electronica at this two-day music festival on August 15-16 at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The shows run through the night and into the morning! I gotta say, I’m too old for this one 😴
- 🎭 Nashville Shakespeare Festival: Go see one of Shakespeare’s funniest plays, “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” at oneC1TY Thursdays through Sundays from August 21-September 21.
- 🎥 10th Annual Defy Film Festival: Get a weekend pass for August 22-23 and enjoy dozens of experimental films from around the world.
🎒 Back-to-School Tips
School starts on August 5 for Metro Nashville Public School students! Here are some back-to-school tips:
- This year, all kindergarten school supplies will be provided by MNPS and PENCIL, and sent directly to teachers.
- Caregivers should’ve received an email from their principals about school supplies and dress codes, but if not, check your school’s PTA page. School websites often don’t update their supply lists and dress codes, so don’t trust those!
- Check your student’s bus stop here. I recommend getting there early the first week while bus drivers figure out their routes.
- Discounts and freebies for teachers
- Five cool MNPS programs you should know about
🎶 Plus, Must-See August Concerts!
