The downtown fireworks in 2023. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
In addition to shotgunning hot chicken, you can spend Friday celebrating our nation's independence.
Why it matters: The city's free July 4 celebration, called Let Freedom Sing!, is a very Nashville-y mix of world-class musicians, food trucks and an enormous fireworks display.
Zoom in: The Nashville Symphony performs during the fireworks show to cap a free all-day music festival. Dierks Bentley headlines this year's concert.
Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge, Keesha Rainey, Charlie Worsham and Les Kerr and the Bayou Band are among the notable artists who will perform.
If braving throngs of people downtown isn't your thing, many of Nashville's suburban cities also do fireworks shows. WSMV compiled a list of fireworks and other festivities on Friday.
Zoom out: If you're looking for something to do besides fireworks, we suggest the Nashville Zoo, which recently opened its Leopard Forest exhibit.
In addition to leopard, the immersive exhibit features colobus monkeys, De Brazza monkeys and klipspringers. At the end of the forest, you can spot giraffes stretching their necks over the tree line.
