Monthly Guide

💐 Your guide to May in Nashville

May 1, 2026 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury

It’s the lovely month of May! Here’s your guide to all the fun stuff happening this month, from ways to celebrate Mother’s Day to must-see concerts. And good news for any cicada haters: They shouldn’t be an issue this year.

Hacks for a Better May

A splash pad with blue and green surface, and water coming from blue, green, and yellow pipes. It's surrounded by trees with a nearby bench. — The L.L. Burns Park splash pad in Kingston Springs typically opens on Memorial Day. *(Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)*

🗳️ Vote in the Davidson County Primary Election

May 5 is Election Day in the Davidson County Primary Election. This election will determine who will fill Nashville’s criminal, circuit, and general sessions court benches, as well as several clerk’s offices and MNPS school board seats. Here’s your sample ballot, make sure to go to your correct polling location, and don’t forget your ID. Here’s more information about the election and who’s running.

🏫 Schools Out for the Summer

The last day of school for MNPS students is May 21. My kid, for one, is stoked. Here are some fun summer ideas for kids, and you might also check out some of these local playgrounds. You might be too late if you’re still looking for summer childcare, but here are some of my favorite day camps, and this tool can help you find more. Congrats to all the graduating high school and college seniors, and I hope all of Nashville’s kids have a wonderful summer.

👙 Pools & Splash Pads Open

By Memorial Day, May 25, Nashville area pools and splash pads will be open, with many opening before then. White Limozeen’s pool opens today, May 1, and many hotel pools are open to locals as well. Here’s a list of Nashville’s public community center pools, and my favorite local splash pads. Check social media for opening dates before putting on your bathing suit and heading out.

🪁 Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Kite flying is fun for kids and adults! Find kites at any of our local toy stores, then head to a field and get to flying. My favorite places to fly kites are the model airplane field across from the Edwin Warner dog park, Bells Bend Park, Mill Ridge Park, and Cornelia Fort Airpark, but any good field will do. The 17th Annual Kids and Kites Day is this Saturday, May 2, at East Recreation Center.