Fan Fair X at CMA Fest 2026: Schedule, Tickets, Meet & Greets
Here’s what to know about Fan Fair X at CMA Fest 2026, including the daily schedule, ticket details, artist appearances, meet and greets, and how to plan your day inside Music City Center.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Last Updated: May 19, 2026
Fan Fair X is one of the biggest daytime attractions at CMA Fest 2026, giving fans a chance to see artist interviews, acoustic performances, meet and greets, shopping, exhibits, and special programming inside Music City Center. Whether you’re hoping to meet country artists, catch the CMA Close Up Stage, or plan your day around the Fan Fair X schedule, this guide breaks down what to know before you go.
Fan Fair X 2026 Quick Facts
Dates: Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM CT
Location: Music City Center in downtown Nashville
Tickets: Included with CMA Fest Four-Night Stadium Passes, or available as single-day and four-day Fan Fair X tickets
Main attractions: Meet and greets, CMA Close Up Stage, Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage, shopping, exhibits, artist interviews, and fan experiences
How to Meet Country Singers at CMA Fest
Attend Fan Fair X meet and greets
Join artist fan club parties
Use the CMA app schedule
Arrive early for popular artists
What Is Fan Fair X at CMA Fest?
Fan Fair X is the daytime hub of CMA Fest, bringing fans inside Music City Center for artist interviews, acoustic performances, meet and greets, shopping, exhibits, and interactive fan experiences. It’s one of the best places to see country artists up close during the festival, especially if you want a break from the outdoor stages and a chance to experience CMA Fest in an indoor, air-conditioned setting.
Throughout the weekend, Fan Fair X features programming on the CMA Close Up Stage and the Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage, along with special appearances, merchandise booths, photo ops, and fan-focused events. For many festivalgoers, it’s a must-visit part of the CMA Fest experience, whether you’re hoping to meet an artist, discover rising country acts, or simply spend part of the day surrounded by country music fans.
Where Is Fan Fair X Located?
Fan Fair X is located inside Music City Center in downtown Nashville, putting fans right in the heart of CMA Fest. The indoor venue gives festivalgoers a place to catch artist appearances, meet and greets, acoustic performances, shopping, exhibits, and fan experiences while staying close to the rest of the festival action.
Because Music City Center is near several major CMA Fest stages and downtown attractions, Fan Fair X is easy to work into your festival schedule. It’s a convenient daytime stop whether you’re planning around a specific meet and greet, checking out the CMA Close Up Stage, or taking a break from the outdoor events.
Fan Fair X 2026 Dates and Hours
Fan Fair X at CMA Fest 2026 will be open Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2026, inside Music City Center in downtown Nashville.
The official Fan Fair X hours are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM CT each day, giving fans a full daytime schedule of artist appearances, meet and greets, interviews, acoustic performances, shopping, exhibits, and interactive fan experiences before the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium.
Because Fan Fair X is one of the busiest daytime attractions at CMA Fest, it’s a good idea to check the daily schedule before you arrive and plan ahead for any meet and greets or stage appearances you don’t want to miss.
Do You Need Tickets for Fan Fair X?
All four-day CMA Fest passholders have access to Fan Fair X, so if you already have a four-night stadium pass, it’s included and you don’t need to purchase a separate ticket.
If you are not a four-day passholder, no worries — you can still purchase Fan Fair X tickets online for each day you want to attend. Daily tickets give fans access to Fan Fair X inside Music City Center, including meet and greets, stage programming, shopping vendors, games, exhibits, and more.
Tip: Secure your daily passes in advance and don’t wait until the week of the festival. When Dolly Parton was scheduled to make an appearance at Fan Fair X in 2024, daily tickets sold out quickly. If there’s a major artist appearance or meet and greet you’re hoping to catch, planning ahead can make a big difference.
Located inside of Music City Center, a spacious convention center located across from Bridgestone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.
It’s also the perfect reprieve from the summer heat (or rain!) or if you want to enjoy music indoors. Explore quick dining options, shopping vendors, games, and more. This is also where meet and greets take place at CMA Fest!
If a major act is scheduled to make an appearance early in the day, you’ll find some fans line up very early outside the building.
Security ultimately decides if people can camp out overnight, or they may set a designated time when fans can line up.
CMA Close-Up Stage 2026 Schedule
This area hosts a stage and seating area where interviews and live performances take place throughout the day. Some podcasts are even recorded live here – a cool thing to experience! Seating is first come, first serve, and you cannot reserve seats. An usher will direct you to any available seats. If you don’t get a seat, you can opt to stay in line until one becomes available, or you can watch from outside the sanctioned seating area.
Thursday, June 4:
11:00 am - The Red Clay Strays on Amazon Music’s “Country Heat Weekly” Live
12:30 pm - Sound & Story: An Artist Exchange featuring Melissa Etheridge & Gretchen Wilson
1:30 pm - Artist of the Day featuring Russell Dickerson
4:00 pm - Behind the Hits featuring John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass and Parker Welling
Friday, June 5:
11:00 am - Artist of the Day featuring Carly Pearce
12:30 pm - Latino Trailblazers in Country with FILMORE, Andrea Vasquez and Alyssia Dominguez
1:30 pm - Country Central Presents: Charles Wesley Godwin, Willow Avalon, Wyatt Flores and Stella Lefty
3:00 pm - Crook & Chase: Legends & Friends with Clint Black
4:00 pm Country & Rap: The Black Southern Roots of American Music with Waka Flocka and Nappy Roots
Saturday, June 6:
10:15 am - 40 Years of Randy Travis: Exploring the Icon’s Legacy and Impact
11:00 am - The Songwriters Behind Country’s Biggest Hits with Ashley Gorley and Shane McAnally
12:30 pm - Audacy Presents: Music You Should Know featuring Carter Faith, Warren Zeiders and Katie Neal
1:30 pm - Artist of the Day featuring Shaboozey
3:00 pm - The Last Take: Behind “On My Way to Heaven” Video with Tanya Tucker and Dennis Quaid
4:00 pm - The Listening Room: 20 Years of the Stories Behind the Songs: Drew Baldridge, Taylor Austin Dye and Emmett Stevens Jr.
Sunday, June 7:
11:00 am - Maddox Batson on Amazon Music “Country Heat Weekly” Live
12:30 pm - Up Close With Brandon Lake
1:30 pm - Artist of the Day featuring Ashley McBryde
3:00 pm - Dreams Across Borders: Making Nashville Home with Gareth, Owen Riegling and Kaylee Bell
4:00 pm - Unbridled: Women of Texas Country, From the Ground Up: Jenna Paulette, Kylie Frey and RaeLynn
Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage 2026 Lineup
Located inside Fan Fair X, this acoustic stage is your place to see emerging acts perform.
Thursday, June 4
11:00 am - Sadie Bass
11:45 am - Austin Mackay
12:30 pm - Kelsi Mayne
1:15 pm - Gary Frost
2:00 pm - 2’Live Bre
2:45 pm - Parker Graye
3:30 pm - Sammy Arriaga
4:15 pm - Bre Kennedy
5:00 pm - Kingswood
Friday, June 5
11:00 am - Kaleb Sanders
11:45 am - The BoykinZ
12:30 pm - Hayley Payne
1:15 pm - Noah James
2:00 pm - Jarrad Wrigley
2:45 pm - Maddie Lenhart
3:30 pm - James Maslow
4:15 pm - Gabi Sklar
5:00 pm - Tyler Rich
Saturday, June 6
11:00 am - Leah Blevins
11:45 am - Carlisle Wright
12:30 pm - Faith Hopkins
1:15 pm - Tori Darke
2:00 pm - Rachael Fahim
2:45 pm - Zoe Jean Fowler
3:30 pm - Liam Price
4:15 pm - Sacha
5:00 pm - Mike Parker
Sunday, June 7
11:00 am - Something Out West
11:45 am - ERLEND
12:30 pm - Dzaki Sukarno
1:15 pm - Desiree Dawson
2:00 pm - Kelsey Lamb
2:45 pm - Jake Hoot
3:30 pm - Gloria Anderson
4:15 pm - Morgan Griffiths
4:40 pm - Shawnee Kish
5:05 pm - Blue Ridge Band
A meet and greet is your opportunity to take a photo and get an autograph from your favorite artist!
All artists confirmed to participate in meet and greets will be listed on the official CMA app.
You’ll also find the time they are scheduled to appear and what booth they will be in.
When planning your CMA Fest trip, be sure to look at the Fan Fair X map so you’ll know exactly where you need to be.
Fan Fair X is quite large, so be prepared!
Meet and greets are scheduled for specific times, and there’s no way to guarantee that you’ll get to meet everyone you want to, but with a bit of planning, you can make the most of it.
How early you arrive to Fan Fair X is up to you!
Many times, you can just hop into an artist’s line, but for bigger acts, you’ll want to arrive at least an hour (or earlier!) prior to the meet and greet to secure your spot.
CMA Fest officials will designate when and where you can start lining up.
Once you get to the booth, a CMA Fest volunteer will be holding a sign.
One sign will say the artist’s name and how long they are signing for.
This indicates that you can join the line to meet the artist.
If the volunteer is holding a sign that says “End of Line” or “Line Full” that indicates that they are no longer allowing any more fans to line up due to time constraints.
In previous years, they have also had stand-by lines.
If the main line moved quickly, fans would be moved from the stand-by line to the main line.
Make sure you have your camera ready.
As you approach the front of the line, have your camera app open, or if you’re using an actual camera, have it turned on and ready to use.
A volunteer will take your bag or belongings before you get to the front of the line.
They won’t leave your sight – just make sure you retrieve them after you’re done!
You will also hand your camera to the volunteer to take your photo with the artist.
It's finally your moment – it will go by in a blur, so soak it all in!
During your quick moment with the artist, you’ll be able to get something autographed and take a photo.
What should you take to have signed?
An artist may have 8x10 photos available for free or for purchase.
Have you previously met the artist?
Maybe you have a fantastic concert shot?
You can take a printed photo for them to sign.
I love to get vinyl record covers signed – I still get my CD covers signed, too!
You could get a CMA t-shirt or hat and have all the artists sign that.
I personally don’t like carrying around a bunch of stuff – so make sure you plan for the things you buy or want signed.
If you are staying downtown (which I recommend!) make time in between shows and activities to drop off your signed items.
Let me know in the comments what you like to have autographed!
Tip: I have plastic protectors to put the items in, so they don’t get damaged or bent.
We’ve talked about the stuff you could get signed...what about the stuff you can’t bring?
You can’t take beach balls, flags, inflatables, signs on poles or sticks inside any of the venues.
While they are not officially CMA Fest activities, fan club parties are a long-time tradition that dates decades.
If you’re a member of an artist's fan club, they may opt to host a special event just for members. Those details are made known on their websites, newsletters, and social media. Some artists offer fan events even if they don’t have official fan clubs.
A typical fan event consists of a short performance at a venue in Nashville, maybe some light snacks, and a meet and greet. Those activities could range in prices anywhere from 25 dollars to over one hundred dollars. They are not included with your CMA pass.
Nashville will be bustling with people everywhere – it's not uncommon to see your favorite musicians around town during CMA Fest Week. The City of Nashville is known for treating these big stars just like any other neighbor and letting them have their privacy – that means if you see a celebrity at a restaurant or at the grocery store or gym or maybe they’re spending time with their family...it’s common courtesy to not ask for pics or autographs. Now, if you’re at a CMA Fest event, then it’s completely expected and the appropriate time to ask for that selfie!
You can find my guide here for all the fan club parties happening in 2026.
CMA Fest Fan Fair X FAQ
Can anyone attend Fan Fair X at CMA Fest?
Yes. All four-day CMA Fest passholders have access to Fan Fair X, and single-day Fan Fair X tickets are also available for purchase for those without a full festival pass.
Do you need a CMA Fest pass for meet and greets?
Meet and greets at Fan Fair X are included with Fan Fair X admission, whether that access comes from a four-day CMA Fest pass or a single-day Fan Fair X ticket. Meet and greets are first come, first serve, and not guaranteed.
How early should you arrive for CMA Fest meet and greets?
For most artists, arriving 30–60 minutes early is sufficient, but for major acts, fans often line up an hour or more in advance to secure a spot.
Are meet and greets free at Fan Fair X?
Yes. Meet and greets at Fan Fair X do not require an additional fee beyond your Fan Fair X admission.
Where do I find the Fan Fair X meet and greet schedule?
The official meet and greet schedule, including artist names, times, and booth locations, is available through the CMA app and on the CMA Fest website.
Can you meet major artists at Fan Fair X?
Yes. Major country artists do participate in Fan Fair X appearances, though availability is limited and popular artists often reach line capacity quickly.
What time does Fan Fair X open at CMA Fest 2026?
Fan Fair X is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM CT Thursday through Sunday.
Where is Fan Fair X located?
Fan Fair X is located inside Music City Center in downtown Nashville.
Is Fan Fair X indoors?
Yes. Fan Fair X is indoors, making it a popular daytime stop during CMA Fest for air conditioning, shopping, interviews, acoustic performances, and meet and greets.
Is the CMA Fest meet and greet schedule out yet?
The official CMA Fest meet and greet schedule is posted through CMA’s meet-and-greet schedule page and the CMA Connect App. CMA says additional sessions are being added throughout May.
Can you go to Fan Fair X without a stadium pass?
Yes. Fans without a four-night stadium pass can purchase Fan Fair X tickets separately.