CMA Fest Free Stages Guide
Where to find free daytime music on downtown stages during CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: June 3, 2026
CMA Fest is known for its nightly stadium concerts, but some of the best parts of the festival happen during the day on free stages across downtown Nashville.
From the Chevy Riverfront Stage to the Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage and Wrangler Remix Stage, fans can see a wide range of country artists without needing a Nissan Stadium ticket. These stages are a major part of the CMA Fest experience, especially for fans who want to discover rising artists and all-time favorites, catch daytime performances and enjoy live music around downtown.
Here is what to know about the CMA Fest free stages, including where they are located, what kind of artists perform there and how to plan your day.
CMA Fest Free Stages Quick Facts
Dates: Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2026
Location: Downtown Nashville
Admission: Free to the public
Best For: Daytime performances, rising artists, country legends, outdoor music, and fans attending CMA Fest without a stadium ticket
Main Free Stages: Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage and Wrangler Remix Stage
Are CMA Fest Daytime Stages Free?
Yes. CMA Fest includes several free daytime outdoor stages throughout downtown Nashville.
Fans do not need a Nissan Stadium ticket to attend these outdoor daytime performances. That means you can still experience a major part of CMA Fest even if you are not going to the nightly stadium concerts.
The free stages feature a mix of established artists, rising stars, new voices and fan favorites. Some areas can reach capacity, especially for popular artists, so it is still important to plan ahead and arrive early for your must-see performances.
CMA Fest Free Stages for 2026
CMA Fest 2026 includes several free outdoor stages in downtown Nashville. Each stage has a different location and feel, so the best choice depends on the artists you want to see, the crowd size you are comfortable with and how you want to spend your day.
Chevy Riverfront Stage
The Chevy Riverfront Stage is the largest daytime stage at CMA Fest and one of the most popular free stages during the festival.
Located at Riverfront Park along the Cumberland River, this stage often draws big crowds for well-known artists and high-energy daytime sets. It is a good choice for fans who want a major outdoor CMA Fest experience without needing a stadium ticket.
The 2026 Riverfront lineup includes artists such as Russell Dickerson, Tucker Wetmore, Ashley Cooke, ERNEST, Stephen Wilson Jr., Chayce Beckham, Alana Springsteen, Kameron Marlowe, Dasha, Nate Smith, Midland, Lauren Alaina, Priscilla Block, Chase Matthew, Marcus King, and more. Check out the schedule in this guide.
Because Riverfront is one of the biggest free draws at CMA Fest, fans should plan to arrive early for priority artists and have a backup plan in case the area reaches capacity.
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
The Dr Pepper Amp Stage is located at Ascend Park, behind Ascend Amphitheater.
This stage is a strong choice for fans who want to catch a mix of newly charting artists, rising names and familiar country voices. It still gives fans a big daytime CMA Fest experience, but it can be a good alternative if Riverfront is too crowded or if the lineup better matches your must-see list.
The 2026 Dr Pepper Amp Stage lineup includes Angie K, Billy Dean, Blanco Brown, Canaan Smith, Cody Hibbard, Craig Campbell, Drake Milligan, Emily Ann Roberts, Erin Kinsey, The Jack Wharff Band, John Morgan, Melissa Etheridge, Pam Tillis, Pecos & the Rooftops, Travis Denning, Ty Herndon, Tyler Farr, Uncle Kracker, The War And Treaty, Willow Avalonb and more.
Chevy Vibes Stage
The Chevy Vibes Stage is located at Walk of Fame Park, near the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Bridgestone Arena.
This stage is a convenient stop for fans exploring downtown Nashville during the day. It is also close to other CMA Fest areas, which makes it easier to build into a flexible schedule.
The 2026 Chevy Vibes Stage lineup includes Adrien Nunez, Alana Springsteen, Ashland Craft, Austin Snell, Caylee Hammack, Chase McDaniel, Colt Ford, Dax, Drake White, Frankie Ballard, Graham Barham, Kelsey Hart, Lanie Gardner, Lauren Watkins, Mack Geiger, Madeline Merlo, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, Owen Riegling, Shane Profitt, Sister Hazel, Walker Montgomery, Willie Jones, and more.
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
The Good Molecules Reverb Stage is located at Bridgestone Plaza, near 5th Avenue and Broadway.
This stage is a good option for fans who want to catch rising artists in the middle of downtown Nashville. Because of its Broadway-area location, it can be easy to stop by while moving between other daytime plans, restaurants, bars and nearby festival areas.
The 2026 Good Molecules Reverb Stage lineup includes Abbey Cone, Alex Lambert, Alexandra Kay, Ava Hall, Brad Cox, Cassidy Daniels, Eli Winders, Elizabeth Nichols, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Jenna Davis, John Foster, Julia Cole, MaRynn Taylor, Scoot Teasley, Sophia Scott, Trey Lewis, Will Moseley, and more.
If your CMA Fest goal is to discover artists you may not already know, Reverb is a good stage to keep on your schedule.
Wrangler Remix Stage
The Wrangler Remix Stage is new for CMA Fest 2026 and is located inside Fan Alley.
This stage replaces the Hard Rock Stage for 2026 and focuses on rising artists throughout the day. It is a good stop for fans who want to explore Fan Alley activities while also catching live music.
The 2026 Wrangler Remix Stage lineup includes Alli Walker, Aniston Pate, Ashley Kutcher, CECE, Chancey Williams, Chandler Walters, Cole Goodwin, Dalton Davis, Emily Nenni, Hayden Coffman, Hogslop String Band, Jake Banfield, Jay Webb, Kat Luna, Lily Meola, Matt Cooper, Payton Smith, ROME from Sublime with Rome, Sons of Habit, The Wilder Blue and more.
Because this is a new stage for 2026, returning CMA Fest fans should pay attention to the location and schedule before assuming the same setup from previous years.
What Happened to the Hard Rock Stage?
If you attended CMA Fest in past years, you may remember the Hard Rock Stage as one of the free downtown stage options.
For CMA Fest 2026, the new Wrangler Remix Stage inside Fan Alley replaces the Hard Rock Stage. That means fans looking for the Hard Rock Stage should check the 2026 map and schedule carefully before building their plans around previous festival layouts.
Tips for Attending CMA Fest Free Stages
Arrive early for the artists you care about most.
Check the CMA Fest app or official schedule before leaving for the day.
Wear comfortable shoes because you will likely be walking between stages.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and weather-friendly clothing.
Follow the CMA Fest bag policy before heading downtown.
Keep your phone charged.
Have a backup stage in mind in case your first choice reaches capacity.
Plan hydration and food breaks.
Give yourself enough time to move between stages.
Fans going to Nissan Stadium later should leave time for walking, security and getting to their seats.
Can You Attend CMA Fest Without a Stadium Ticket?
Yes. CMA Fest has several free daytime outdoor stages, which means fans can experience live music during the festival without buying a Nissan Stadium ticket.
A stadium ticket is required for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, but the free outdoor stages give fans plenty of daytime music options across downtown Nashville. Fans can also look for additional free events, partner activations and activities throughout the week.
CMA Fest Free Stages FAQs
What CMA Fest stages are free?
The free outdoor daytime stages for CMA Fest 2026 include the Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage and Wrangler Remix Stage.
Do you need tickets for the CMA Fest free stages?
No. The outdoor daytime stages are free to the public. Tickets are required for the nightly Nissan Stadium concerts and some other ticketed experiences.
Can the free CMA Fest stages reach capacity?
Yes. Gates may close if crowds reach capacity, so fans should arrive early for popular artists.
What is the biggest free stage at CMA Fest?
The Chevy Riverfront Stage is the largest daytime stage at CMA Fest.
Where is the Dr Pepper Amp Stage?
The Dr Pepper Amp Stage is located at Ascend Park behind Ascend Amphitheater.
Where is the Chevy Vibes Stage?
The Chevy Vibes Stage is located at Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.
Where is the Good Molecules Reverb Stage?
The Good Molecules Reverb Stage is located at Bridgestone Plaza near 5th Avenue and Broadway.
Where is the Wrangler Remix Stage?
The Wrangler Remix Stage is located inside Fan Alley and is new for CMA Fest 2026.
Is the Hard Rock Stage part of CMA Fest 2026?
The Hard Rock Stage is not listed as a 2026 CMA Fest free stage. For 2026, the new Wrangler Remix Stage replaces the Hard Rock Stage.
More CMA Fest Planning Guides
Planning your full CMA Fest trip? These guides can help:
Ultimate Guide to CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville
CMA Fest Nissan Stadium Guide
CMA Fest Bag Policy
What to Pack for CMA Fest
How to Get Around CMA Fest
CMA Fest Safety Tips
Fan Fair X at CMA Fest