DinoTrek is a family-friendly, outdoor dinosaur exhibit at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere featuring nearly 50 life-like dinosaurs that roar, hiss and spit. The walking exhibit is aimed at kids and families and showcases animatronic and themed displays for a hands-on, educational experience. Scheduled for July 10, 2026. Tickets and exact showtimes/hours are set by the zoo — see the event page or the Nashville Zoo website for ticketing and accessibility details.
Details →Nashville
Week of Jul 6 – Jul 12, 2026
Family-Friendly
What the Duck is happening in Nashville
This week Nashville turns into a playground of big imaginations and cozy nights — imagine dinosaur roams at the zoo by day and lantern-lit firefly hikes by dusk. With puppet theater, farm cuddles, and family-friendly concerts sprinkled through the week, there are joyful, kid-approved outings for every age. Keep reading for easy plans and playful picks to fill your calendar.
Weekdays
Family Firefly Hikes
7:00 PM
Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary
An evening, family-friendly program that introduces young explorers to the natural world after dark. Programs include a short, kid-friendly hike through the meadow and orchard led by Owl's Hill staff where participants meet owl ambassadors, learn why fireflies light up, listen for night sounds, and look for other nocturnal wildlife. The hike is mostly flat with one short hill over natural-surface trails; wear shoes suitable for hiking and bring insect repellent. No flashlights, strollers, wagons, or pets are permitted. Gate opens 30 minutes before the program and hikes begin promptly. Dates (2026): June 12 & 19, July 10 & 17. All hikes run 7:00–8:30 PM. Admission: $15 adult (ages 13+); $12 child (12 and under); children 2 and under free. Suitable for ages 4+. Register and find full details on the Owl's Hill event page.
Early Explorers STEM Storytime
9:30 AM
Adventure Science Center
A weekly themed storytime for preschoolers that pairs a STEAM-focused picture book with a hands-on activity. Programs are presented in the Eureka Theatre (second floor) and are geared to children age 5 and under. STEM Storytime meets Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m.; admission is included with museum general admission.
Nashville Public Library | Main Library
Puppet Truck presents "The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings," a short puppet show for children and families featuring a cast of new friends. The event is presented at the Nashville Public Library Main Library. This listing reflects the event date shown on the source listing (see URL). Start time, admission, and age restrictions were not listed on the source; check the event page or contact the library for the most current schedule and accessibility information.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Multimedia concert that pairs Dolly Parton’s songs with new orchestral arrangements, guest vocalists and on-screen narration from Dolly herself. The program highlights the stories behind many of Dolly’s best-known songs while featuring fresh orchestrations performed with a symphony orchestra and guest singers. Presented at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on July 9, 2026. Tickets and further event details are available from the venue/organizer (see URL). Suitable for general audiences; check the venue listing for any age- or accessibility-specific accommodations.
Thursday Night Out
5:30 PM
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
An after‑work weekly gathering in Cheekwood’s gardens featuring live music, food and regional cocktails, lawn games, wellness activities and evening strolls through the grounds. Programming typically runs in the early evening and highlights local and regional musicians; some Thursdays have special themes (for example, WNXP Night Out on select first Thursdays and dog‑friendly evenings in August). Events generally run 5:00 PM–9:00 PM. Admission is free for Cheekwood members and for children two and under. Note: some dates may be canceled or moved due to weather or special scheduling; consult the Cheekwood calendar for the exact lineup and ticketing for any specially ticketed nights (e.g., bar‑hop cocktail nights).
Streets of Indian Lake (Plaza)
An outdoor, family-friendly summer concert in the Streets of Indian Lake plaza in Hendersonville. The listing for July 9, 2026 features live music under the stars; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, though there is ample seating throughout the plaza. The event is presented as part of the Hendersonville Summer Concert Series and is suitable for all ages.
Unknown
Free concert featuring School of Rock student house bands. This Summer Slam showcases School of Rock’s housebands performing a set of rock covers and original material. The event is free to attend; check the event page for venue and time details.
Family Movie Night
2:00 PM
Lane Agri-Park
The Rutherford County Farmers Market will open late for a Family Movie Night at the Lane Agri‑Park Community Center in Murfreesboro on July 7, 2026. The evening pairs the farmers market’s vendors with a family-friendly film screening. Film title, exact showtime, and admission details are listed on the event page.
Weekend
10:00 AM
·
The Fairgrounds Nashville
A day of fútbol, food and family fun at Fútbar Summer Fest. The event takes place Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:00 AM–10:00 PM and is free and open to the public. Activities include a youth street-soccer tournament plus an adult street-soccer tournament with co-ed and men’s divisions (the men’s winner advances to the U.S. qualifying tournament for the Street Soccer World Cup organized by the International Street Football Association). The day also features two World Cup watch parties, local food vendors, outdoor yard games (cornhole, spikeball and pickup street soccer), and a variety of retail and sponsor booths. Teams can find registration details on the event website.
Details →Dinosaur Adventure
9:00 AM
The Fairgrounds Nashville
Dinosaur Adventure is listed as a family‑friendly, dinosaur-themed touring exhibition scheduled to appear at The Fairgrounds Nashville. Public ticket listings for the Nashville appearance are available on third‑party ticket platforms (example listing: Universe / Ticketmaster), but I could not locate an official event page on the venue's calendar with confirmed date, time, or ticket-price details. Typical features of Dinosaur Adventure touring productions include life‑size animatronic dinosaurs, interactive exhibits for children, educational displays about prehistoric life, and photo opportunities. Those are common elements for this kind of show, but specific attractions and accessibility services for the Nashville presentation were not published in the sources I found. For tickets and the most up‑to‑date information, consult the event page: https://www.universe.com/events/dinosaur-adventure-nashville-tn-tickets-0PDRBH?ref=ticketmaster
Cow Cuddling
10:00 AM
The Gentle Barn
Enjoy a relaxed Sunday at The Gentle Barn with self-guided tours and cow cuddling experiences. The event highlights gentle, up-close time with the barn's rescued cows as part of a visit to the Gentle Barn property. Date: July 12, 2026. For exact start times, ticketing or registration details, age guidelines, and any accessibility accommodations, see the event page.
Arrington Vineyards
An evening of live music at Arrington Vineyards featuring jazz on the hillside and bluegrass in the barn. Guests can enjoy vineyard views, on-site wine and food options while listening to performances tailored to each stage. The event takes place July 11, 2026. Visit the event page for ticketing, start times and performer details: https://nashvilleparent.com/event/jazz-on-the-hillside-bluegrass-at-the-barn/2026-07-11/