January in Nashville is a month for staying warm, taking stock of goals, and finding fun even when things get more than a little chilly. Here are some ideas for spending a wonderful January in Nashville.
☕ Cozy It Up
- Drink a tortie latte, snuggle with cats, and support young adults who have experienced homelessness at the Crossroads Cat Café on Buchanan Street. Or play kitty bingo and kitty cards at The Catio close to Opryland.
- Try out our favorite soups in Nashville.
- Escape to a cozy winter glamping retreat.
- Keep an eye out for The Bookshop’s 2026 reading challenge, and get started on your reading for the year.
- Head to East Nashville’s new teahouse, Potluck.
🎸 Learn How To Play an Instrument
Nashville Public Library is launching a “Year of Music Lessons” at branches throughout Nashville, for all ages and music levels. In January, get started with voice lessons, learn about songwriting, and explore guitar. Filter “music” on the library’s event page for more listings. All the lessons are free, and taught by local professionals.
🍸 Keep It Dry
The Dry January health challenge asks folks to take a break from drinking alcoholic beverages for a month, to reevaluate the role of alcohol in their life, or to start the year with a clean slate. Killjoy is Nashville’s first alcohol-free beverage store, and has locations in East Nashville and Berry Hill. Practically every bar and restaurant in Nashville has booze-free beverage options nowadays. I’ve enjoyed NA cocktails at Rice Vice, Sixty Vines, Avo, and 888. If you still want to party on Lower Broadway, check out Ashley McBryde’s Redemption Bar.
🎵 Must-See January Concerts & Events
- Locals can pay what they want at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for the entire month.
- Head to the Music City Center for the 36th annual Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville from Jan. 9-11.
- Honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nashville legacy by attending events from Jan. 11-19.
- The Nashville Symphony is pulling out all the stops with Bluebird at the Symphony on Jan. 11, and a John Coltrane homage on Jan. 15-16. Kids will enjoy seeing a performance of “The Gruffalo” on the 18th, and watching “Frozen” with orchestra accompaniment from Jan. 24-25.
- Spend an evening with Alicia Witt at Analog at Hutton Hotel on Jan. 15.
- Ryman Auditorium starts the year with some amazing performers, like Ruston Kelly on the 17th, and Mavis Staples on the 24th.
- Watch “Les Misérables” at TPAC from Jan. 20-25.
