May in Nashville kicks off with Morgan Wallen, an NHL playoffs game and more: Here's how many people to expect downtown

Unless you absolutely need to be in downtown Nashville Friday night, it might be best to avoid the area or make plans to get there really early.

The city is going to be inundated with people due to a number of big events happening in the downtown area, including the Nashville Predators vs the Vancouver Canucks game at Bridgestone Arena and the second night of Morgan Wallen's three night stint at Nissan Stadium, among others. Wallen's first night at Nissan Stadium drew a crowd of around 50,000 fans and even more are expected on Friday and Saturday.

Downtown saw a similar scenario back in 2023, when Taylor Swift brought her "Eras" tour to Music City on May 5, 6 and 7. That same weekend, comedian Trevor Noah appeared at the Ryman Auditorium, Beethoven Violin Concerto took place at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and Disney's "Aladdin" was performed at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

During the entire weekend of May 5, there were about 884,00 people in Downtown Nashville, said Jeanette Barker, vice president of the Nashville Downtown Partnership. That figure includes residents and people who work in the area. Considering that this year's first weekend in May will include Game 6 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that figure is estimated to be close to 900,000 said Barker.

According to Metro Nashville, Bridgestone Arena's seating capacity for hockey games is 17,500. However, the attendance for the April 28 game exceeded capacity with a total of 17,590 fans in attendance, said Nashville Predators Communications Coordinator Katie Cafiero.

That's not counting those attending the city's viewing party at Music City Walk of Fame Park featuring games, food trucks and a large video screen for those who don't have game tickets to watch Game 6. The party is free and open to the public.

Also taking place on Friday is the Belmont University Commencement ceremony, in total the university has four ceremonies planned between May 3 and Saturday, May 4. 1,758 students will be graduating over the weekend. Each student was allotted 6 tickets, with some requesting additional tickets. Overall, the university is anticipating 11,000 people in attendance over the four ceremonies, said Julia Copeland, Belmont University director of public relations.

Metro Nashville police: 'Arrive extra early'

Metro Nashville police are encouraging even "the most seasoned Nashvillians" to plan ahead and arrive extra early, should they be attending any of events downtown on Friday.

The Woodland Street Bridge will close to vehicle traffic around 5 p.m. and will then be available to only pedestrians and WeGo buses, said MNPD in a news release. Those without a reserved parking pass at Nissan Stadium are encouraged to make a parking plan or take a rideshare service, said police.

Nashville Predators fans should expect very heavy traffic around Bridgestone Arena by late afternoon said MNPD, and are advised to arrive extra early to find parking. MNPD officers will be present at all four venues Friday night, (Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and First Horizon Park) as well as downtown.

Major events happening in Nashville on Friday, May 3

• Nashville Predators vs the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena

• Morgan Wallen's "One Night At A Time 2024" tour at Nissan Stadium

• Belmont University commencement ceremony

• Portugal. The Man at the Ryman Auditorium

• Nashville Sounds vs. Norfolk Tides at First Horizon Park

• Beethoven Violin Concerto at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Morgan Wallen concert, NHL playoffs may bring 900K people to Nashville