No Country’s Guide to New Year’s Eve in Nashville 2016

Still in need of some last minute New Year’s Eve plans? If you didn’t hop on grabbing tickets for any number NYE shows we’ve been buzzing about for months, you’re in luck – this is an especially stacked year, and lots of great events are still on sale (for now)!

Below, check out our rundown of the best local happenings, big and small, cheap and pricey, and find something fun to finish out your year. With Uber, Lyft, local taxis, and even buses, you have no excuse not to be safe, so make smart choices, and make tonight one for the books!

Happy New Year to everyone, and we’ll see you in 2016!

KINGS OF LEON, CHRIS STAPLETON, KELSEA BALLERINI, SUGAR & THE HI-LOWS, THE WHIGS, WILD CUB, LANCO
@ Lower Broadway | 6pm (site opens at 12pm) | Free | All Ages

This year’s annual New Year’s Eve Bash on Lower Broadway scored a particularly stacked lineup that, for once, isn’t padded with a ton of pop country. Between local rockstars Kings of Leon and breakout country revivalist Chris Stapleton, braving the estimated 150,000+ person crowd might actually prove worthwhile this year, especially with site faves Sugar & The Hi-Lows, The Whigs, and Wild Cub set to warm things up. The is the first time in a long time that we’d recommend the city’s official party as a top pick!

WHITE REAPER, UZI, JAWWS, HANS CONDOR, JP5, SEXX, MOUTH READER
@ The East Room | 7pm | $10-15 | 18+

Across the river and and in a decidedly more intimate location, you could basically do the exact opposite of the Broadway experience, and ring in 2016 at a badass punk show. Louisville’s White Reaper return to rock with site faves like Jawws and Sexx. This would be a no-brainer any night of the week, but especially serves as a strong choice for the holiday (and will fill that hole left by the lack of a Diarrhea Planet show this year).

MOON TAXI w/ ALL THEM WITCHES
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 9pm (8pm doors) | $45 | 18+

Moon Taxi have an annual tradition of helping Music City ring in the New Year, and with All Them Witches on the bill, you can’t go wrong. Head here for a full preview.

THE DELTA SAINTS w/ THE LONELY BISCUITS, *REPEAT REPEAT, WICK-IT THE INSTIGATOR, DON JENVER
@ Marathon Music Works | 9pm (8pm doors) | $25 | 18+

Our friends at Marathon Music Works have played host to more than a few of our final shows of the year, and their 2015 into 2016 offering is just as sold as ever, with an all-local lineup of The Delta Saints, The Lonely Biscuits, *repeat repeat, and more! We already told you all about it here.

DJ MAVERICK, THE DEAD DEADS, DJ MARZATTAXX
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | $20 | 21+

If aliens, pizza, rock and roll, and ’90s nostalgia are your bag, The 5 Spot’s Abduction NYE party might be the east side hang for you! A little bit rave, a little bit grunge, and a little bit E.T., this party boasts two great DJs spinning alternative tunes, a late performance from The Dead Deads, a UFO drop (how cool is that?), and a late-night pizza blast care of Five Points.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW w/ MADISEN WARD & THE MAMA BEAR
@ The Ryman | 9pm (8pm doors) | $45-70 | All Ages

As of writing there are exactly three single tickets left for Old Crow Medicine Show‘s annual return to The Ryman, this year with Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear (so don’t yell at us if they’re already gone by the time you click here). For many years running, OCMS have proven a fun, very Nashville way to ring in the New Year, and this, along with the nearby Broadway festivities, marks one of the best family friendly events this evening.

COACH & RATE, FREAK ME, MATT SMITH, COVER SETS BY MEMBERS OF METH DAD, HOT TUB CLUB, BODY OF LIGHT, CHALAXY, MESMER TEA, GIRLS & MONEY, D. WATUSI, AND THE RELATIVES, GLOSSARY, DON COYOTE, CHROME PONY
@ fooBAR | 8pm | $15 | 21+

One of the best dives in town, fooBAR, is hosting its third annual Foo Year’s Eve, with music in DJs in both the main room and venue space fooBAR.too. If you’re itching to dance, Music City’s most popular DJs Coach & Rate have you covered in the bar, but we’re even more intrigued by the star-studded show in the back, with local artists playing cover sets of LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, Pavement, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Lauren Hill, with a late night DJ set from Meth Dad. Sounds like one hell of an unforgettable party.

Q YEAR’S EVE: QDP’S ULTIMATE NYE PARTY
@ The Basement East | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Local group QDP (Queer Dance Party) are already known for their ridiculously fun dance parties, typically with a prom-themed slant, and this season they’re tackling NYE for their very first QYE, at new local haunt The Basement East. This happens to be the cheapest party on the east side, so snag your spot if you’re in need of some low-dough guaranteed fun.

MY SO-CALLED BAND
@ Cannery Ballroom | 9:30pm (8pm doors) | $45 | 21+

If you’re looking for a cover-filled, nostalgic, ultimate ’90s New Year’s Eve, grab tickets to see My So-Called Band at Cannery Ballroom immediately, because they’re nearly gone. These guys are a fixture in the local scene, and for good reason- they’re nothing short of amazing.

80’s VS. 90’s
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | 21+

It’s a little unclear exactly who will be performing at The High Watt, but if you’re in need of last minute plans, and you’re not the picky type, a night of “80’s vs. 90’s covers and a decades-spanning DJ set” can be had for a measly seven bucks.

SPACE CAPONE, DESIGNER DRUGS, TRINITY SCHILL KILL, DJ RAGE, DJ VALENTINE, WILSDORF
@ The Greenhouse Bar | 7:30pm | $40-75 | 21+

Over on the west side, the oft-forgteen Greenhouse Bar is playing host to a “Solid Gold NYE” party, providing a mix of great local bands like Space Capone and the Trinity Schill Kill, along with DJs, drinks, VIP options, and more.

SPARKLE CITY NYE BASH
@ The Stone Fox | 10pm | $5 | 21+

For the third year in a row, the Sparkle City DJs are taking over The Stone Fox to usher in 2016 with dancing, champagne, and guaranteed good times. This is the perfect party for the frugal party-goers, or if you live on the west side and don’t want to brave the downtown mess to get east.

DJ POWER HOUR feat. MEMBERS OF RANCH GHOST AND SAVOY MOTEL, LUKE SCHNEIDER, DJ SCUDDER, METAL GURU RYAN BRUSH, MIDNIGHT WIZARD JAMES CATHCART, FOND OBJECT RECORDS, JP5, HANS CONDOR, & MORE
@ Duke’s |  Free | 21+

Not the planning type, not wanting to spend money, but still hoping to wander somewhere that’s sure to be a good time? Newish eaas side haunt Duke’s is hosting DJ power hours, with sets from members of Ranch Ghost and Savoy Motel, Luke Schneider, DJ Scudder, Metal Guru Ryan Brush, Midnight Wizard James Cathcart, Fond Object Records, JP5, Hans Condor, and more!

CHRIS KNIGHT w/ AARON LEE TASJAN
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $25 | 18+

If you’re simply in the market for a no-nonesense show, without a ton of added NYE festivities, singer-songwriter Chris Knight is slated to play Exit/In with local Aaron Lee Tasjan, and tickets are still available!

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
@ City Winery | 7pm (5pm doors) | $65-170 | All Ages

Can’t decide between catching music and catching a party? If you’re a fan of acclaimed country singer-songwriter Marty Stuart, you can split the difference, as his City Winery show is slated to end in plenty of time to head downtown or to a friend’s long before the clock strikes midnight.

CORY MAC BAND, DYNAMO, SPICE J AND BRADY, ACME RADIO DJS
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 7pm (6pm doors) | SOLD OUT | 21+

Considering they’re just steps from the city’s official NYE festivities, it’s no surprise that Acme‘s annual party sold out quick. Those of you who grabbed tickets early are in for a night of music, some of Nashville’s best DJs, and some unbeatable views!

GUILTY PLEASURES
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Ultimate local cover band Guilty Pleasures are a favorite no matter what the occasion, but are especially well-suited for holidays like NYE where people want to celebrate, socialize, and listen to familiar tunes. Cover bands are way more fun that playlists, and apparently we’re not the only ones who think so, because this is sold out!

Y2K MADNESS
@ Mercy Lounge | 10pm (9pm doors) | SOLD OUT | 21+

We’ve definitely reached peak ’90s nostalgia, so it should probably come as no shock that there’s a ton of interest for a retro Y2K Madness party. This stacked, singalong of a show is sold out.