How is the Grand Ole Opry celebrating 100 years? Here’s what you may or may not have know about anniversary year

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 100 year birthday with a big year-long bash.

The renowned radio show has been broadcasting live performances from Nashville for a century, showcasing both country music icons and rising stars.

Now, they’re honoring the milestone with an extended party that features special shows, tours, debuts and much more. Here’s what to know about the country music staple’s celebration.

What to know about the Opry 100 live shows

Throughout the past century, country icons and up-and-comers have stepped into the circle on the Grand Ole Opry’s stage to perform on the radio show. In 2025, each show is part of the Opry 100 celebration, including moving tributes and surprise guests.

Bring 100 years of the Opry home: Pre-order ‘Full Circle: 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry’ collector’s book now

On March 19, the Opry hosted a star-studded evening of performances for a televised special, “Opry 100: A Live Celebration.”

The show, which was hosted by Blake Shelton, featured appearances from Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and many more. For those who missed the broadcast, you can stream the event on Peacock.

In October, the Opry’s birthday month, shows will be special birthday performances with photo opportunities, parties in the plaza, and other special events.

On Nov. 28, the Opry will host a show on the exact anniversary of its debut, when Uncle Jimmy Thompson played his fiddle on the Opry’s stage for the very first time.

The night will feature impactful moments from the past 100 years of the Opry, bringing the crowd into the Opry’s storied past.

Opry 100’s celebratory tours, honors

The Opry is also offering backstage tours to show fans its 100 years of history.

They’ll be showcasing photos, memorabilia and on the post-show tour, fans can leave with exclusive Opry 100 takeaways, like commemorative pins and for the lucky few, a signed show lineup.

The year-long celebration will also feature Opry 100 Honors, a show series that pays homage to the legends of the Opry.

The concerts will highlight different country music figures and showcase current Opry artists performing the honorees’ songs.

Opry’s 100 top songs and 100 debuts

In honor of the anniversary, the Opry revealed their top 100 country songs of all time. They let country music fans decide the songs that made the cut by submitting nominations.

And all throughout the year, Opry performers will be singing the songs on the stage.

Tunes including “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show and Darius Rucker, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton, “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood and “Need You Now” by Lady A are some of the more recent additions to the Opry’s Top 100.

More: Dolly Parton, Charley Pride became icons in the ’70s, did their hits make Grand Ole Opry’s list of 100 greatest songs?

To view the full list, visit opry.com/opry-100-greatest-country-songs.

The Opry is also showcasing 100 new artists in 2025, inviting them to make their Opry debut. So far, artists including Ringo Starr, Noah Cyrus, and Aly & AJ have made their debut this year.

To learn more about other Opry 100 celebrations, visit opry.com to read “Your Guide to Opry 100.”

Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: This is how Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry is celebrating 100 years