Musical Gifts 2026: Giving Tuesday Benefit Concert & Tree Lighting

About this event

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) will host its fourth annual Musical Gifts celebration on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, inviting the Nashville community to an evening of live music, holiday festivities and giving. The free, public event will mark the close of the museum's fifth anniversary year while raising support for its mission to preserve and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the American soundtrack.

Held at NMAAM's downtown Nashville location at 510 Broadway, the Giving Tuesday celebration will feature five gallery-inspired musical tributes and the museum's annual holiday tree lighting. Doors open at 6 p.m., with programming beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This year's Musical Gifts will introduce a tribute format connecting the museum's collections with live performances. Each of NMAAM's five galleries will spotlight an influential musical figure through an artifact on display, while a performing artist interprets that honoree's work. Together, the five performances will celebrate the artists and musical traditions that have shaped American culture.