WATCH: CMA Music Festival 2016 Wrap-Up

It was a record-setting year for CMA Fest as the 2016 CMA Music Festival brought in thousands of country music fans from all across the globe for a week of good music, good weather and good times.

Written by Kelly Brickey
WATCH: CMA Music Festival 2016 Wrap-Up
Photo by Getty Images

It was a record-setting year for CMA Fest as the 2016 CMA Music Festival brought in thousands of country music fans from all across the globe for a week of good music, good weather and good times.

An estimated 88,500 attendees flooded the streets of downtown Nashville for the Fest this year and it did not disappoint. Starting the wild week off with Darius Rucker’s Seventh Annual ‘Darius and Friends’ Concert for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Monday night, CMA Fest was kicked into high gear with loads of fun surprises and crazy moments.

Highlights from the Fest included the 26th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, the 12th Annual Stars for Second Harvest Concert, Charlie Worsham’s Midnite Jamborees and of course, the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium from Thursday through Sunday. Special guests who showed up for the biggest week in country music ranged from music icon Pharrell to pop-rocker Elle King to many more.

Not only was CMA Fest a memorable occasion for the fans who traveled far and wide to Music City, but it also meant a lot to the artists who give their time during the week and donate the money made toward music education.

“I always say this about country music: the thing it is absolutely about is community,” said Keith Urban at a press conference held at Nissan Stadium.

CMA Fest holds a special place in the hearts of fans and artists alike, making it always a music festival like no other.

“I love this week and always make sure that we’re here for it,” said Jason Aldean before closing out the nightly show at Nissan Stadium on Thursday.

Check out the rest of Sounds Like Nashville’s coverage of the 2016 CMA Music Festival for a glimpse of all the jam-packed action from throughout the week. For the fans that plan to return and the ones waiting for a chance to head to Nashville for the Fest, the dates for 2017 CMA Music Festival are from June 8-11 with tickets going on sale later this summer.