Riverboats and passengers who are going to be in Nashville on New Year’s Eve are in for a musical treat. And for folks who can’t be in Music City as the old year ends, the fun will be televised live on CBS.

“From the very beginning, our goal was for Nashville to be the Central Time zone celebration on national television and rival New York City,” Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp., said in a news release.

“We are thrilled to share music from our Nashville superstars in a national broadcast that will carry immense marketing value as we rebuild momentum as a global destination,” Spyridon said.

CBS will ring in the New Year by presenting “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash,” marking the first time for Music City to anchor an entire New Year’s Eve national TV special.

“We appreciate CBS for the decision to partner on this five-hour special,” Spyridon said. “At the same time, our live event will continue to be the best party in the country to ring in the New Year, bringing fun to our visitors and revenue to the city.”

The live show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will be anchored by headliners Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band and Dan + Shay, along with special guests. It is free and open to the public.

The five-hour television celebration on CBS will feature nearly 50 performers from a dozen locations in downtown Nashville, including live performances from the main stage at Bicentennial Mall and acts from Lower Broadway’s honky tonks, bars and clubs.

Nashville’s New Year’s Eve concert has been featured on multiple major networks, but this is the first time the city is hosting an entire network TV special. The show will be aired on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount.

The CBS show will feature performances from country music’s hottest superstars, including Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Books & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Zac Brown Band and more.

The TV show will be broadcast from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT and resume at 10:30 p.m. CT after a 30-minute break for news. The CBS show will conclude at 12:30 a.m. CT.

Gates for the live show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will open at 4 p.m. Proof of vaccination or negative test (within 48 hours) will be required for entry into Bicentennial Mall.

As is tradition, the Music Note for the midnight drop will be raised, followed by a performance from the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a world-renowned ensemble that will perform a selection of spiritual music.

At midnight, the show’s highlight will be the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display at midnight to usher in the New Year.

Courtesy photos

1. Blake Shelton will be among the performers.
2. The Nashville skyline will glow with fireworks. (Cover photo)
3. Downtown Nashville will feature live performances.
4. The famous ‘Honky Tonk Highway’ will be alive with music.