Event Category: Events
Daytime Dog Visits with Santa
2026 Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars & Motorcycles at Cheekwood
Cruise into Cheekwood and stroll among impeccably maintained classic cars and vintage motorcycles from the early to mid-20th century during this dazzling two-day event. Elegant cars from a bygone era shine against the backdrop of Cheekwood’s lush gardens before the weekend culminates with an 11-mile Tour d’Elegance through the city streets of Belle Meade. Highlights include a 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, a 1938 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, and a 1955 Austin‑Healey 100M.
Enjoy era-specific tunes, grab a drink from our bar stations, and enjoy tasty bites from the city’s favorite food trucks. With informational car talks and lectures, hands-on activities for kids, and our blockbuster America the Beautiful trains exhibition, there’s something for everyone. Bring the whole family and make it a Father’s Day weekend to remember.
Presented by
Supported by
Media Sponsor
Exposition of Elegance Annual Art
Collectable Limited-Edition Art Print & Poster for 2026
Get your 2026 commemorative artwork that captures the spirit of the Exposition of Elegance!
Reserve your print or poster online and pick it up at the event on 6/20 or 6/21. Please note, a ticket is required for the Exposition of Elegance.
The prints and posters will also be available while supplies last at the Garden Shop during the event.
About the Artist
Artist Mattie Ree Neal’s custom design is featured on these signed limited-edition prints and posters. Neal is a native Nashvillian and attended Lipscomb Academy. Her work has been displayed at the U.S. Capitol, the Players Club of New York, and published in The Tennessean and International Artist Magazine.
Schedule of Events
Saturday
9 AM – 4 PM | Food Trucks | Lot C
9 AM – 4:30 PM | Perenn Open | Frist Learning Center
9:45 – 10:30 AM | Docent-Led Garden Tour | Meet outside of Botanic Hall
9:45 AM | Classic Car Chronicles with Barry Stowe | Lot B | Car #10 & Car #14
10 AM – 11:30 AM | Nashville Jazz Orchestra Performance | Arboretum Lawn Stage
10 AM – 4 PM | Family Car Activity | Arboretum Lawn
11 AM | Two Wheel Tales with Howard Lesser | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall | Motorcycles #22 & #23
11 AM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Lot B
11:30 AM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall
12 – 2 PM | Classic Cruisers performance | Arboretum Lawn Stage
12 PM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Frist Learning Center Courtyard
12:30 PM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Lot B
1 – 2 PM | Lecture with Robert Swope | Frist Learning Center Great Hall
2 PM | Classic Car Chronicles with Crispin & John Menefee | Lot B | Car #2 & Car #11
3 PM | Two Wheel Tales with Michael Fair | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall | Motorcycle #26
Sunday
9 AM – 4 PM | Food Trucks | Lot C
9 AM – 4:30 PM | Perenn Open | Frist Learning Center
9:45 – 10:30 AM | Docent-Led Garden Tour | Meet outside of Botanic Hall
10 AM | Classic Car Chronicles with David Nau | Lot B | Car #4
10 AM – 11:30 AM | Nashville Jazz Orchestra Performance | Arboretum Lawn Stage
10 AM – 4 PM | Family Car Activity | Arboretum Lawn
11 AM | Two Wheel Tales with Howard Lesser | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall | Motorcycle #22 & #23
11 AM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Lot B
11:30 AM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall
12 – 2 PM | Classic Cruisers performance | Arboretum Lawn Stage
12 PM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Frist Learning Center Courtyard
12:30 PM | Front Row Barbershop Quartet | Lot B
2 PM | Classic Car Chronicles with Robert Swope | Lot B | Car #35
2:30 PM | Two Wheel Tales with Michael Fair | Massey Auditorium, Botanic Hall | Motorcycle #26
3:30 PM | Cars and Motorcycles assemble for the Tour d’Elegance | Lot B + Botanic Hall
4 PM | Cars and Motorcycles depart for Tour d’Elegance
Reserve Tickets
Tickets for June 20 & 21 are SOLD OUT. Guests arriving by rideshare may purchase walk–up tickets with proof of rideshare travel to the Exposition of Elegance.
| Gardens Only | Gardens + Mansion | |
| Adults | $24 | $29 |
| Youth (3-17) | $17 | $22 |
| Ages 2 & Under | FREE | FREE |
| Members Adult | $14 | $16 |
| Members Youth | $12 | $14 |
A $2 service fee will be added to all paid transactions.
Non-Members: $5 per order parking fee
Please note: Earlier ticket entry is recommended for those planning to attend Exposition of Elegance on Sunday, June 21. Show participants and their vehicles will begin forming a line to depart for the Tour d’Elegance parade at 3:30 PM.
Holiday LIGHTS Member Pre-Sale
Nashville’s classic holiday tradition is back, and members can reserve tickets now, before they go on sale to the public.
El Día de los Muertos
Schedule of Events
Art & Activities
Saturday & Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Frist Learning Center Great Hall
Marigold Flower Crown
Flowers, which symbolize the brevity of life, are an essential element of Day of the Dead celebrations, but none more than the marigold. Create your own paper marigolds and affix them on a headband to wear throughout the day.
Monarch Butterflies
Monarchs represent the souls of ancestors returning to visit for El Día de Muertos, particularly as the monarch migration in Mexico typically lines up with celebrations of the holiday. Create your own monarch to welcome a returning loved one.
Papel Picado Coloring Sheet
Papel picado is often used to decorate streets, homes, and ofrendas during holidays and celebrations. Learn about some of the important symbols and imagery associated with Día de los Muertos through miniature coloring sheets and string multiple together to create your own strand of colorful Papel picado.
Massey Auditorium
Memory Tree
Write the name or memory of a loved one on a colorful slip of paper and add it to the memory tree.
Murals / Los Murales
Saturday & Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Frist Learning Center Great Hall
Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students from local middle and high schools will create large-scale works which will hang in the Great Hall.
Participating Schools
Bellevue Middle School
Caballeros – Nolensville High School Spanish Honor Society
Cane Ridge High School
City School of Nashville
Community Middle School Jr. Art League
Goodlettsville Middle School
H.G. Hill Middle School – 7th Grade
H.G. Hill Middle School – 8th Grade
Independence High School NAHS (National Art Honor Society)
KIPP Nashville
Saint Cecelia Academy – Spanish Club
Stratford STEM Magnet Upper Campus
Arte Latino Tullahoma High School
USN Lucha Affinity Group
Vendors
Colorful open-air markets line the streets of Latin America during El Día de los Muertos. Local merchants sell food, flowers, art, and handmade items which people buy to decorate their altars and tombs. Visit the vendors at the festival to discover the talent of local artists, shop for unique gift items, and taste traditional foods!
Art & Goods
Saturday & Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Parking Lot B and Frist Learning Center Courtyard
Apanash
Artesanias Lupita Oaxaca
Bisuteria Nashville
Bows by Nici
Cindy David Designs
Cheekwood
CustomPrintNash
Ecohandmade
King Bear Tees
La Casa Azul
LoveMe Art
Luna Pateada
Skulls and Roses
Soul Seed
The Aloe Family
Valentina Harper
Dulce Party Studio
Fiesta Magic Nashville Face Painting
Llama House
Happy Phantom Jewelry
Food
Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Across from Botanic Hall
Conexion Americas
Roast & Brews
Parking Lot B
The Burro Churro
Alebrije
Delicious Mexican Tamales by Belen
Mor Empanadas
Las Fajitas Mexican Restaurant
Maria’s Snacks
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
Siete Luminarias
Taco Azteca
Little Cancun on the Go
Salsa Franklin Taco
Delicias Colombianas RR
The Inka Trailer
Guaca Stop
Sunday | 9 AM – 5 PM
Across from Botanic Hall
Roast & Brews
Parking Lot B
The Burro Churro
Alebrije
Delicious Mexican Tamales by Belen
Panecito KaLe
Pie Town Tacos
Maria’s Snacks
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
Siete Luminarias
Taco Azteca
Caracasville
La Revolucion Tacos
A Sol Rosendo
Empanada Lua
Entertainment
Saturday
Arboretum Lawn
9 – 10 AM: DJ Cesar
10 – 10:30 AM: Danza Aztlán
10:30 – 11 AM: Karina Daza
11 – 11:30 AM: Mi Cielito Lindo
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Lion B
12:15 – 12:45 PM: Raices De Mi Tierra
12:45 – 1:30 PM: De Agave y Son
1:30 – 2 PM: DJ Cesar
2 – 2:30 PM: Danza Aztlán
2:30 – 3:15 PM: Rosa Rodriguez
3:15 – 3:45 PM: Fashion Show featuring Catrinas Tennessee
3:30 – 4 PM: DJ Cesar
4 – 4:30 PM: Sol de Mexico Ballet Folklorico
4:30 – 5 PM: Folklore Iyali
Massey Auditorium
10 AM & 1 PM: Isaias Vargas Performance
Sunday
Arboretum Lawn
9 – 10 AM: DJ Cesar
10:30 –11 AM: Sofia Rhiannon & Gabriella Flores-Rodriguez
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Rachel Rodriguez
Afternoon Performances on Arboretum Lawn are canceled due to the weather.
Massey Auditorium
10 AM & 1 PM: Joshua Guaz Performance in the Atrium
10 – 10:30 AM: Danza Aztlán
11 – 11:30 AM: Las Cuervonitas
12:15 – 12:45 PM: Lirios Folkloricos
2 – 2:30 PM: Danza Aztlán
3:15 – 3:45 PM: Fashion Show featuring Catrinas Tennessee
4:30 – 5 PM: Folklore Iyali
Altars Participants
Paragon Mills Elementary
MNPD Family Intervention Program
Conexion Americas – Escalera Program
Glendale Spanish Immersion School
Justine Sylvie
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage
Lopez Family
Metro Office of Family Safety
MLK Jr. High School Spanish Honor Society
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors
La Misión ConArte
Reserve Tickets
| On-Site |
Off-Site Parking |
|
| Adults | $23 | $18 |
| Senior (65+) | $21 | $16 |
| College Student | $19 | $14 |
| Youth (3-17) | FREE | FREE |
| Child 2 and Under | FREE | FREE |
| Member Adult | FREE | FREE |
| Member Youth | FREE | FREE |
Non-Members: $2 service fee per ticket + $5 per vehicle parking fee on-site
All tickets include Garden & Mansion access.
Save with off-site parking!
Off-Site Parking
El Día de los Muertos: Call for Vendors
Murals / Los Murales
Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students in grades sixth to twelfth will create 2-D murals on canvas that may portray any aspect of El Día de los Muertos. Los Murales will be completed off site and will be returned to Cheekwood and hung in the Frist Learning Center.
Help your students develop cultural awareness, encourage class unity and participation, and display the talent and enthusiasm of your students to over 4,000 event visitors through this interactive and fun competition!
Altars
One of the most important aspects of El Día de los Muertos is the creation of a memorial altar for the departed, known as an ofrenda. All across Mexico and beyond, families honor their ancestors by creating altars decorated with items that the deceased enjoyed in life. Learn more about this tradition as you tour the creative ofrendas designed by local groups and organizations.
We are seeking community partners to create altar displays to be shown during the El Día de los Muertos festival. Altar displays are a great opportunity for community organizations to represent themselves and to celebrate their ancestors in the tradition of El Día de los Muertos.
Entertainment Application
We are excited to feature and promote entertainers during our El Día de los Muertos event! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek entertainment that reflects diverse cultural traditions.
Food Vendor Application
We feature and promote a variety of food vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek food vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.
Vendor Application
We feature and promote a variety of vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek retail vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.