November in Nashville is fall foliage at its tail end and the city's biggest week in country music. The CMA Awards land mid-month at Bridgestone Arena, and that single week reshapes hotel pricing across downtown and the Gulch. Outside that window, though, November is genuinely pleasant. Daytime highs sit around 16°C (61°F), cool enough for a flannel but warm enough to walk the greenways without layering up like it's January. The oppressive humidity of summer has broken, and the sticky 90°F days are 4 months gone.
The trees along the Natchez Trace Parkway and in Percy Warner Park tend to hold color into early November, though by Thanksgiving most have dropped. You'll likely catch the last of the sugar maples if you arrive before the 10th. Rain comes in steady fronts rather than summer's afternoon pop-up storms, so when it rains, it might rain all day. About 9 days of the month see measurable rainfall, totaling around 106mm.
Thanksgiving week brings a different dynamic. Broadway still hums, but many locally owned restaurants in neighborhoods like Germantown and East Nashville close for 2 to 4 days. If your trip overlaps with the holiday, plan your dining ahead. That said, the week between the CMA Awards and Thanksgiving can be one of the quieter, more affordable stretches of the entire year.
Why visit in November
- Fall color lingers through early November at Percy Warner Park and Radnor Lake, with daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F) that make hiking comfortable without the summer heat.
- CMA Awards week (mid-November) fills Broadway and Lower Broad with free outdoor concerts and pop-up performances, even if you don't have a ticket to the ceremony itself.
- Hotel rates outside CMA week drop roughly 25-30% compared to summer peak and October football weekends, making it one of the better-value months for a Nashville trip.
- The summer crowds thin out noticeably. Lines at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium are shorter, and walk-in tables at restaurants in 12South become possible again.
Worth knowing
- CMA Awards week (typically the second or third week of November) causes a sharp hotel price spike downtown, sometimes 2x the rates of the surrounding weeks.
- Rain arrives in day-long frontal systems rather than quick showers. When a gray day hits, it tends to stay gray, which can wash out outdoor plans at Shelby Bottoms or Centennial Park.
- Thanksgiving closures affect many independent restaurants and shops in Germantown, East Nashville, and Sylvan Park for 2-4 days, limiting dining options to hotels and Broadway tourist spots.
- Daylight hours are noticeably short. Sunset falls around 4:45 PM by late November, cutting into afternoon outdoor activities.
Best for
Think twice if
November marks Nashville's transition into late autumn. Early in the month, afternoons can still reach 18-20°C (mid-60s°F) with sun, but by Thanksgiving week, highs tend to hover around 12-14°C (mid-50s°F). Mornings are chilly. You'll feel 6°C (43°F) when you step outside at 7 AM, and frost is possible by month's end. The humidity sits around 71%, which is a relief after summer's 80%+ readings. Rain comes in slow-moving fronts. You might get 3 dry days in a row followed by 2 solid days of drizzle. The 106mm total is moderate by Nashville standards, less than the soggy months of February through May.
Seasonal caution
- Frost is possible in late November, especially in outlying areas near Percy Warner Park and Radnor Lake. Morning trail surfaces can be slick with frozen dew before 8 AM.
- Severe thunderstorms, while uncommon, are not unheard of in early November. Nashville sits in a secondary severe weather season during fall, and the occasional tornado watch occurs in Middle Tennessee.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | -1 | 127 |
| Feb | 12 | 2 | 138 |
| Mar | 17 | 6 | 141 |
| Apr | 21 | 10 | 133 |
| May | 26 | 15 | 157 |
| Jun | 31 | 20 | 157 |
| Jul | 32 | 22 | 198 |
| Aug | 31 | 21 | 180 |
| Sep | 28 | 18 | 195 |
| Oct | 23 | 12 | 86 |
| Nov | 16 | 6 | 106 |
| Dec | 12 | 3 | 113 |
Headline events
CMA Awards
Mid-November, usually the second or third Wednesday
The Country Music Association Awards ceremony at Bridgestone Arena is Nashville's biggest annual music-industry event. The surrounding week fills Lower Broadway and venues across the city with performances, industry parties, and free outdoor stages. Even without a ticket, you'll feel the energy across downtown.
Best things to do in November
Hike the fall color remnants at Radnor Lake
natureRadnor Lake State Natural Area, about 15 minutes south of downtown, holds some of the last fall color in the Nashville basin. The 6-mile loop trail winds through hardwood forest, and early November mornings bring mist rising off the lake surface. You might spot great blue herons along the shore.
Sugar maples and tulip poplars in the park tend to hold their leaves through the first week of November, a few days longer than the surrounding lowlands.Booking tipThe parking lot at Radnor Lake fills by 9 AM on weekends. Arrive before 8 AM or use the Otter Creek Road trailhead as an alternative entry point.
Catch a show at the Ryman Auditorium
entertainmentThe Ryman, built in 1892 as a tabernacle, seats about 2,362 people. The wooden pew seating and stained glass windows make every performance feel intimate. November's calendar typically features Americana and bluegrass acts alongside the occasional comedy show.
November is between the summer tourist crush and December's holiday specials. Tickets for mid-week shows are easier to get, and the 16°C weather makes the walk from Lower Broadway to the Ryman comfortable.Booking tipCheck the Ryman's calendar early. CMA week sometimes brings unannounced acoustic sets by major artists.
Tour the Belle Meade Historic Site
cultureThis former plantation in the Belle Meade neighborhood includes a mansion tour, on-site winery, and about 30 acres of grounds. The bourbon and wine tastings in the old carriage house add warmth on a cool November afternoon.
The property's old-growth trees put on their last color show in early November. Fewer tour groups than summer mean you're likely to get a more personal walkthrough.Booking tipThe winery tasting is a separate ticket from the mansion tour. Both tend to be available same-day in November.
Walk the Shelby Bottoms Greenway
natureThis 5-mile paved greenway follows the Cumberland River through Shelby Bottoms Natural Area on Nashville's east side. The wetlands and bottomland forest attract migratory birds in November, and the flat terrain makes it accessible for all fitness levels.
November is peak fall migration season along the Cumberland River corridor. Birders report increased sightings of wood ducks, various warblers, and the occasional bald eagle near the river bend.Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame
cultureThe museum on Demonbreun Street houses over 2.5 million artifacts, from Hank Williams' Martin guitar to Taylor Swift's handwritten lyrics. The permanent exhibits trace country music from its Appalachian folk roots through the Nashville Sound era to today.
CMA week fills the museum with special exhibits and artist appearances. Even outside that week, November's thinner crowds mean you can actually read the plaques and listen to the audio stations without being jostled.Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway
natureThe first 30 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway south from Nashville wind through some of Middle Tennessee's prettiest landscape. The Birdsong Hollow double-arch bridge at mile 438 offers a wide view of the forested valley below.
Early November usually delivers the last reliable fall color along the Trace. The oaks and hickories tend to peak a week or two after the maples, so even mid-month you might catch bronze and russet along the ridgelines.Booking tipNo reservations needed. The parkway is free and open year-round. Start early to catch morning light at the overlooks.
Visit the Tennessee State Museum
cultureThe state museum on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard covers 13,000 years of Tennessee history across 3 floors. The Civil War and Reconstruction galleries are particularly strong. The building opened its current location in 2018.
A solid option for Nashville's inevitable rainy November days. Free admission means you can drop in for an hour during a downpour without committing to a full afternoon.What to eat in November
On menus now
Nashville hot chicken
November's cooler temperatures around 16°C (61°F) make this the ideal weather to eat a plate of cayenne-laced fried chicken without sweating through your shirt. Prince's Hot Chicken Shack on Dickerson Pike and Hattie B's in Midtown both see shorter wait times than summer.
Smoked pork and burgoo
Cool weather is stew weather, and Nashville's barbecue joints serve thick, slow-cooked burgoo, a Kentucky-Tennessee tradition built on smoked pork, mutton, and whatever vegetables are left from the fall garden. The smoky, peppery broth is the kind of thing that warms you after a damp 10°C afternoon.
Persimmon pudding
Wild persimmons ripen across Middle Tennessee by late October, and November is when the puddings show up on dessert menus. Mitchell Delicatessen in East Nashville and several bakeries around the city tend to run seasonal batches. The texture sits somewhere between a dense custard and a spice cake, often served warm.
What to drink
Bourbon-spiked hot apple cider
Tennessee distilleries release seasonal bourbon batches in fall, and Nashville bars lean into warm cocktails by November. Local spots often use cider pressed from orchards in nearby Williamson County.
In markets
Tennessee sweet potatoes
Sweet potato harvest peaks in October and November across Middle Tennessee. You'll find them roasted, in pies, in biscuits, and mashed into casseroles at meat-and-three restaurants like Arnold's Country Kitchen in the Gulch area.
Regular events in November
Nashville Veterans Day ParadeFree
One of the larger Veterans Day parades in the Southeast, running along Broadway on November 11th. Marching bands, military vehicles, and veteran groups walk the route from the Bicentennial Capitol Mall area toward Lower Broadway.
November 11Nashville Flea Market at the FairgroundsFree
The monthly flea market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds draws around 800 vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing, and handmade goods. The November edition leans heavily into holiday gift shopping. It runs on the 4th weekend of the month.
Fourth weekend of NovemberHoliday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens opens its annual holiday light display in late November, with over a million lights across the 55-acre property. The November opening weekends tend to be less crowded than December dates.
Late November through early JanuaryBest places this November
Percy Warner Park
natureA 2,684-acre park in the western hills of Nashville with over 30 miles of hiking trails. The Mossy Ridge Trail (4.5 miles) climbs through hardwood forest that still carries color in early November. The stone steps near the main trailhead were built by the CCC in the 1930s.
Belle MeadeLower Broadway
entertainmentThe 4-block stretch of honky-tonks between 2nd and 5th Avenues stays loud year-round, but CMA week in November ratchets the energy up several notches. Live music spills out of every doorway from about 10 AM until well past midnight.
DowntownGermantown
neighborhoodNashville's oldest neighborhood sits north of the Capitol. The brick row houses date to the 1850s, and the restaurant scene has grown steadily since the mid-2010s. Mind you, several spots close for Thanksgiving week, so check hours if visiting late November.
GermantownCentennial Park
cultureThe park's full-scale replica of the Parthenon, built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, houses a 42-foot statue of Athena. The surrounding 132 acres include a 1-mile walking loop, a lake, and mature trees that drop leaves through mid-November.
Midtown12South
shoppingA walkable strip of independent shops and restaurants along 12th Avenue South. The neighborhood murals draw photographers, and the mix of vintage stores, coffee shops, and local boutiques makes for a good 2-3 hour afternoon wander.
12SouthEast Nashville
neighborhoodAcross the Cumberland River from downtown, East Nashville has the densest concentration of independent restaurants and bars in the city. The Five Points intersection anchors the neighborhood, with Lockeland Springs and Inglewood nearby.
East NashvilleCheekwood Estate and Gardens
cultureThe 55-acre estate includes a Georgian mansion, botanical gardens, and an art museum. The holiday lights display opens in late November, and the garden trails through woodland are still pleasant for walking on milder November days.
Belle Meade
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Insider tips
The week between CMA Awards and Thanksgiving is one of Nashville's genuine hidden windows. Hotel rates tend to dip, Broadway is calmer than any other time since January, and most restaurants still operate full hours.
Radnor Lake's main parking lot fills before 9 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings in November. Use the Otter Creek Road entrance on the south side of the park for overflow parking and a quieter trail experience.
If you're in town during CMA week without tickets to the ceremony, head to the bars on Lower Broadway in the early evening. Artists who performed at Bridgestone Arena sometimes show up for unannounced sets at Tootsie's or Robert's Western World.
Arnold's Country Kitchen in the Gulch area typically closes around 2:30 PM and doesn't serve dinner. It's a weekday-lunch spot. The line forms before 11 AM, and going at 11:45 AM usually means a 15-20 minute wait.
November is one of the better months for live music beyond the tourist strip. Check the calendars at the Station Inn in the Gulch (bluegrass), the Basement East in East Nashville, and the Brooklyn Bowl for mid-week shows that tend to be less crowded.
The Tennessee State Fairgrounds flea market on the fourth weekend draws serious antique hunters. Get there when it opens in the morning for the best selection. The outdoor sections can be muddy after November rain.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a hotel for CMA week without realizing rates spike sharply. If the awards ceremony isn't the reason for your trip, shifting your dates by even 4-5 days can save a significant amount on accommodation.
- Assuming Nashville is warm in November. Visitors from the South sometimes pack for 20°C+ weather and get caught by mornings near 6°C (43°F) and all-day rain fronts.
- Planning Thanksgiving week dining without checking closures. Many locally owned restaurants in Germantown, East Nashville, and Sylvan Park close for 2-4 days around the holiday. Hotel restaurants and Broadway spots stay open, but the neighborhood dining options shrink.
- Driving to Radnor Lake on a weekend morning without a backup plan. The 110-space parking lot fills early, and the park closes the gate once it's full. Otter Creek Road is the workaround.
- Skipping layers because the afternoon feels mild. Nashville's November days can swing 10°C between morning and afternoon. A 16°C sunny afternoon at Centennial Park can turn into a 7°C walk back to your car after sunset at 4:45 PM.
Practical tips for November
Book accommodation as early as possible if your dates overlap with CMA Awards week, typically the second or third week of November. Outside that window and Thanksgiving, Nashville hotels and short-term rentals run well below summer rates, and you'll rarely need advance reservations for restaurants. Pack for a 10°C temperature swing between morning and afternoon. Layering works better than picking one weight of jacket. For rainy days, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tennessee State Museum (free admission), and Frick's Lock historical exhibits make strong indoor fallbacks. If you're renting a car, note that downtown parking garages fill during CMA week, and ride-hailing surge pricing tends to spike in the Lower Broadway area on Wednesday and Thursday nights of awards week. The WeGo public bus system connects most tourist-relevant neighborhoods, with routes running from East Nashville and Germantown through downtown.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Nashville?
November is a solid month for Nashville, likely ranking in the top 5 for the year. The summer heat and humidity are gone, replaced by comfortable daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F). The main variables are CMA Awards week, which drives up hotel prices and crowd levels downtown, and the possibility of extended gray, rainy stretches. If you time your visit for the week between CMA and Thanksgiving, you'll get some of the best rates and shortest lines of the year.
What is the weather like in Nashville in November?
Expect daytime highs around 16°C (61°F) early in the month, dropping toward 12-14°C (mid-50s°F) by Thanksgiving. Mornings are chilly at 6°C (43°F), and frost is possible in late November. Rain comes in slow-moving frontal systems. You might get 2-3 dry days followed by a full day of drizzle. Total rainfall averages about 106mm for the month.
What should I pack for Nashville in November?
Layers are the key. A medium-weight jacket or insulated flannel for daytime, a warmer coat for evenings below 8°C (46°F), and a reliable waterproof layer for rain days. Comfortable walking shoes with some water resistance help on the greenway trails and Nashville's hilly sidewalks. A scarf or light beanie makes early-morning outings more comfortable.
Are there major events in Nashville in November?
The CMA Awards ceremony at Bridgestone Arena is the marquee event, typically held on the second or third Wednesday of November. The surrounding week fills Lower Broadway with performances, industry events, and free outdoor stages. Cheekwood Estate opens its holiday lights display in late November, and the Tennessee State Fairgrounds hosts its monthly flea market on the fourth weekend.
Is Nashville crowded in November?
It depends on the week. CMA Awards week brings a noticeable spike in visitors downtown and along Lower Broadway. The rest of the month sits at medium crowd levels, noticeably calmer than summer or October football weekends. The week between CMA and Thanksgiving tends to be one of the quieter periods of the year.
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