Love is all around at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens as everyone is invited to experience five days of special events and the beauty of summertime in the gardens during the inaugural Cheekwood Community Celebration.
Each day of the celebration has a theme and is filled with special day and night
programming for guests of all ages. Iconic Nashville cultural institutions will provide
entertaining activities, Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell will perform, local kids’
bands will get their time in the spotlight, a movie night in the gardens will feature the
classic love story “The Princess Bride,” and a musical performance by a Beatles tribute
band will remind us that all we need is love.
Guests can also enjoy food trucks, daily tours of the gardens and Mansion, and classes
from The Cheekwood Gardening School for just $5. Cheekwood’s blockbuster summer
exhibition Enchanted Castles is happening concurrently and invites the young and
young at heart to discover five stunning, locally crafted playhouses nestled among lush
summer blooms.
The Cheekwood Community Celebration will run from June 3 – 7, 2025.
“We are thrilled to bring together so many of Nashville’s cultural institutions to celebrate
and salute our community,” said Cheekwood President and CEO Jane MacLeod. “This
event will showcase both the visual and performing arts amid our glorious gardens with
engaging activities for the entire family. It’s an inaugural celebration we are excited to
present.”
Throughout the Inaugural Cheekwood Community Celebration, members receive free
daytime admission and discounted evening special event tickets. Non-members receive
half-price admission. The Inaugural Cheekwood Community Celebration is supported by the Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation.
Cheekwood LOVE Team
As Cheekwood’s Love Grows Here campaign continues, guests are invited to join the new
Cheekwood LOVE Team and share why they love Cheekwood. Look for tables with
information during the Cheekwood Community Celebration. Participants can pick up a
complimentary Love Grows Here sticker, Cheekwood seed packet and yard sign while
supplies last. You will also be entered into a contest for a chance to win one of 10 prize
packages that include a Cheekwood Love Grows Here T-shirt, mug and two
complimentary admission passes to any Thursday Night Out concert plus VIP parking. For
more details about joining the LOVE Team visit: https://cheekwood.org/whyilovecheekwood
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, June 3: Classics in the Gardens
Daytime | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy two performances by the Nashville Opera featuring love songs/arias at 10 a.m.
and 12 p.m. The Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck will give a free performance of
“The Frog Prince” at 2 p.m.
Fun for the Kids: Elizabethan Silhouettes Activity | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn about fashion in the age of Queen Elizabeth and then dress a silhouette using
coffee filters and watercolors.
Evening | Shakespeare in the Gardens | 6 – 9 p.m.
Experience special performances by The Nashville Shakespeare Festival among the
Enchanted Castles and a Shakespearean Cocktail Crawl.
Wednesday, June 4: Tennessee Treasures
Daytime | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum brings its Musical Petting Zoo to
Cheekwood from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and pays tribute to Taylor Swift with a Dance Party
featuring some of her most beloved songs and a Friendship Bracelet Making Station
from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Fun for the Kids: Tennessee Wildflowers Seed Bombs | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn about the native wildflowers that blanket the state and make your own seed
bomb to take home and plant.
Evening | Under the Stars: Rodney Crowell | 7 p.m.
Legendary singer, songwriter, and Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell brings his
timeless talent to Cheekwood for an intimate concert on Swan Lawn. With a career
spanning over five decades, Crowell has crafted unforgettable hits blending country, folk,
and Americana, earning widespread acclaim for his storytelling and soulful
performances. Premium ticket packages are available, offering exclusive perks for an
elevated concert experience.
Thursday, June 5: Groovin’ in the Garden
Daytime | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join us on Arboretum Lawn for an electrifying day of rock and roll performed by some of
the coolest kid bands around! These talented music students will impress and inspire you
with their performances and undeniable energy.
Fun for the Kids: Make a Maraca | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
We’re grooving in the garden today, so make a maraca and dance to your own rhythm.
Evening | Thursday Night Out featuring Sunny Dada and AfrokokoRoot | 5 – 9 p.m.
Cheekwood and Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, Nashville’s legendary independent
record store, are teaming up for three special Grimey’s in the Garden events in 2025.
The first takes place June 5 during Thursday Night Out with a performance by Sunny
Dada and AfrikokoRoot. A 12-piece band will perform vibrant rhythms of Afrobeat music
blended with jazz, funk, and soul. Two more Grimey’s in the Garden shows happen in
October in the Cheekwood Beer Garden. Grimey’s curates the music and their DJs spin
eclectic tunes before each show. Win tickets at the Grimey’s location at 1060 E. Trinity
Lane.
Friday, June 6: Best Outdoor Classroom
Daytime | 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Take a day to learn in Nashville’s best outdoor classroom. Travel through Cheekwood’s
grounds and step into the world of pollinators and understand the science behind a rain
garden. Also, meet three visiting animal ambassadors from the Nashville Zoo during 45-
minute programs at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Fun for the Kids: 3-D Bluebirds Activity | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Of the many things to see at Nashville’s best outdoor classroom, the bluebirds are
among the prettiest! Make your own bluebird to take home with you.
Evening | Movie Night in the Gardens | Gates Open at 7:30 p.m. | Showtime at 8 p.m.
Watch one of the greatest love stories of all time,
“The Princess Bride,” unfold on the big screen while relaxing outdoors. A high-spirited adventure that pits true love against inconceivable odds, the movie has charmed generations of fans with its ensemble cast and quotable script.
Saturday, June 7: Sharing the Love
Daytime | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Rejuvenate in nature at a free wellness class, including a Beginner Yoga class at 10 a.m.
and a Sound Bath Meditation at 12 p.m., both provided by Small World Yoga. Just bring
a mat and join in!
Fun for the Kids: Love Grows Here Activity | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Design your own flower-filled heart and take a little Cheekwood love home with you.
Evening | All You Need is Love Concert | 6 p.m.
Join us on Arboretum Lawn for a concert featuring Forever Abbey Road. This incredible
collective of top Nashville musicians will perform an electrifying set of timeless Beatles
hits with dynamic energy and exceptional musicianship. Get ready to experience the
timeless music of The Beatles like never before.
The Cheekwood Gardening School Presents $5 Classes
The Cheekwood Gardening School is the ultimate resource for the Nashville home
gardener, where you can learn from instructors hailing from local Master Gardener
Associations, regional plant societies, and Cheekwood’s horticulturists. Take advantage
of the opportunity to develop a new skill, meet like-minded horticulturists and expand
your gardening abilities with classes for just $5 during the Cheekwood Community
Celebration. All classes are held in the Courtyard Classroom at 1:30 p.m. To register visit:
https://cheekwood.org/learn/adult-education-programs/cheekwood-gardening-school/
June 3 | Historic Garden Design: Selections from England, France, and Italy
June 4 | Designing Native Plant Gardens
June 5 | Dig In: Kid-Friendly Gardening
June 6 | Bringing Birds to Your Garden
June 7 | Touch Grass: The Mental Health Benefits of Nature
The Cheekwood Gardening School is presented by Tractor Supply.
Ticket Information
A pre-sale for Cheekwood members begins on April 22. Tickets go on sale to not-yet
members starting on April 29. Reserving a timed-entry ticket in advance is required for
all guests. During busy seasons and events, Cheekwood may reach parking capacity. If
parking capacity is reached, walk-up tickets will only be available for those utilizing
rideshare services. For more information visit https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/cheekwood-community-celebration//
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