Ryman Auditorium: Nashville’s most storied stage
Few rooms in American music carry the weight of the Ryman Auditorium. Riverboat captain Thomas Ryman built it in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, a church big enough for the revival crowds of the day. After his death, the hall took his name. From 1943 to 1974, it was the home of the Grand Ole Opry, and that run earned it the nickname it still carries today: the Mother Church of Country Music.
Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash all played the Ryman stage. Cash later taped his network TV show here. In 2001, the building was named a National Historic Landmark. Concertgoers still sit in the original wooden pews beneath stained glass windows, and the acoustics are among the best in the country. Artists often say the room sounds like no other venue they’ve played.
Where is the Ryman Auditorium?
The Ryman Auditorium sits at 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North in downtown Nashville, TN, a block off Lower Broadway. From Noelle, it’s a four-minute walk: head down 4th Avenue and look for the red brick and arched windows.
Shows at the Mother Church
The Ryman books shows most nights of the year, and the lineup goes far beyond country music. In a single week you might catch bluegrass, gospel, indie rock, a comedy special or a symphony. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have played some of their most celebrated multi-night runs here. Old Crow Medicine Show has made the Ryman a regular stop for years, and October and November bring a busy stretch of fall tours.
The Opry itself still comes home to its old church. Opry at the Ryman traditionally returns for a winter run, typically from November into January, and there’s nothing quite like seeing a live broadcast in the room where it all began.
Christmas at the Ryman
Each December, Amy Grant and Vince Gill bring their Christmas at the Ryman residency back for a run of holiday shows. It’s one of Nashville’s most beloved seasonal traditions, complete with fake snowball fights with the crowd. Vince Gill and Amy Grant have now headlined more than 100 shows at the Ryman, a record for the venue. Their December dates sell out quickly, so plan early.
Ryman Auditorium tickets and seating
Ryman Auditorium tickets go fast for big names and holiday shows. Buy them through the official box office at ryman.com as soon as dates are announced. Some shows, including Christmas at the Ryman, only admit tickets bought directly from the Ryman, so skip resale sites. If you’re flexible, check for Ryman Auditorium tickets on weeknights, when seats are easier to find.
With roughly 2,300 seats, there isn’t a bad view in the house. Main floor pews put you close to the stage, while the balcony offers sweeping views of the whole room and excellent sound.
Before you go: bag policy
The Ryman doesn’t require clear bags, but oversized bags and backpacks aren’t allowed inside. Check the current bag policy on ryman.com before your show. Better still, leave larger bags in your room at Noelle, just a few minutes away.
Daytime tours
No ticket for tonight? Daytime tours run most days at the Ryman Auditorium Nashville. The self-guided tour covers the building’s history, exhibits on the artists who shaped it, and a chance to stand on the Ryman stage itself. A guided backstage tour adds the dressing rooms and stories you won’t find on the placards.
Make a night of it from Noelle
Start with a drink in our lobby bar, walk over for the show, and finish on Broadway or back in Printers Alley. The Ryman is Nashville music history in one building, and it’s right around the corner.