CMA Fest: Six Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

With the 50th CMA Fest right around the corner, I wanted to share a few tidbits to those who are one of the many thousands visiting Music City for this epic weekend of country music. CMA Fest ’22 was highly anticipated after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, and was our first experience going since moving to Nashville in 2020, and WOW, what a weekend it was! While we didn’t get tickets to any of the shows inside Nissan Stadium, all of the pomp and circumstance around town was definitely worth the hype, and something we now will look forward to every year. As an avid country music fan, I think CMA Fest is something you should experience at least once if you love country music!

Here are a few quick tips that I learned from last year to make your CMA Fest experience an unforgettable one!

Download the CMA Connect App

This is the #1 item your group needs. The CMA Fest app has a detailed map, lists every line up for the day, which artists are at which stage, and even has a feature where you can check which artists you want to see, so that the app will alert you when to head over to their stage. They also announce special pop up shows and things you might miss if you weren’t connected, so make sure at least one of you in the group has this handy.

Clear Bags Only

As with almost every event these days, be sure to only bring in a clear bag. I try to just keep the essentials in my pocket—my license, credit card, phone and lip gloss!

Unpopular (But Practical) Opinion: Ditch the Cowboy Boots

Don’t get me wrong, I love ANY opportunity to wear my cowboy boots. As a first timer last year, I wore them to CMA Fest, but quickly realized it was a mistake. For one, you will be doing a LOT of walking, so it’s better to be in shoes or sandals that you don’t mind walking and standing in for hours. Another big factor (even bigger than the walking) is that it is SUPER hot and humid. While standing in the grass at the Riverfront stage last year I wanted to peel as many layers off that I could, and unfortunately I couldn’t do that with my boots – my calves and feet were burning up. Another challenge – the Riverfront Stage grass is very sloped, and my boots had zero traction, causing me to slide all over the place, looking for a helpful hand to make it to our spot. As much as the boots make for great photo ops – you might want to think twice before wearing them here.

Embrace the Crowds

It will be packed. Expect wall-to-wall people. Have a drink to take the edge off, and enjoy the hustle and bustle in Music City’s biggest weekend!

Experience the Vibe at Every Stage

While it may be tempting, by branching out to experience at least one of two acts at every stage, you’ll get the full CMA Fest Experience. This year brings seven daytime stages, and two nighttime stages (Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheatre). My favorite daytime stage was the Riverfront Stage – it had great acts and a great view of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium.

Stay Hydrated & Be Prepared for All Weather

There’s no way around it – it’s going to be HOT. Be sure to stay hydrated and try not to drink too much alcohol (while it may be hard to do). Sneak in a bottle of water in between every drink – you’ll be thanking yourself when you see others who didn’t do so. To beat the heat, we popped into a few bars on Broadway for a drink and some glorious AC. The heat will sneak up on you. Water, shade (where you can find it) and cooling towels will be your best friends this weekend! The summer months are unpredictable in Nashville, so you may want to bring ponchos just in case. If you’re anything like me, you’ll welcome rain drops with open arms after being in the sun all day!

Bring a Sharpie!

You never know who you will bump into at CMA Fest, so you’ll be thanking me if you have a Sharpie handy. At many of the stages, artists will usually linger for a little bit to say hi and sign autographs for their fans, in addition to scheduled meet and greets. It’s a really up close and personal experience, so be prepared for the best case scenario! Another idea – if you’re willing to hang on to it for the day, buy a CMA Fest poster at one of the merch stands. It will make for a great memory on your wall for later, especially if you can snag some autographs of the musicians you see in person!

I hope these tips give you a little insight into prepping for the 50th CMA Fest! With a little preparation, a lot of water and tons of country music enthusiasm, this weekend will be one for the books. Enjoy y’all!