May 21, 2026
Hey Mt. Juliet! 👋
Can you believe the last day of school is today?! Summer is just about here and things are not slowing down one bit! There is SO much going on in our community right now, and we've got even more fun stuff coming your way to keep your summer packed and your family busy.
This week we're kicking things off with our Summer Day Camp Guide, community news, local events, activities, a restaurant review, and your exclusive subscriber coupon. We’ve also included a “cool” little guide of summer essentials. You're going to want to read this one to the end!
Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Denise & Mike
In this week’s newsletter…
Community Corner
Summer Camp and Summer Essentials Guides
Local Bites
Exclusive Subscriber Coupon: Compassion Coffee House
Best of MJ: The Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Quest Update
Things to Do in Mt Juliet This Week
Weekly weather forecast
Community Corner
Our community is coming together to help residents stay safe. On May 28, the Mt. Juliet Police Department will host a Fraud Awareness & Prevention Event where attendees can learn to recognize today's most common scams, safeguard their finances, and connect directly with experts ready to answer their questions.
🚧 Former Whataburger Update: A new business may finally be taking over the old Lebanon Rd location—- and it sounds like it could be a bank. No official announcement yet, but movement is happening…
Our Community In Action
Joy Church in Mt. Juliet recently made a powerful impact in the local community by giving away 100 $25 gas gift cards and providing meals to 278 people. This incredible act of generosity is a reminder of the difference that can be made when a community comes together with a heart to serve. It is truly wonderful to see Joy Church stepping up and spreading love to those around them by offering both practical help and a warm meal to hundreds of neighbors. Acts of kindness like these strengthen the fabric of our community and serve as an inspiration to us all.
💚 Supporting Local — Milestone Craft Deli
Milestone Craft Deli at 2015 Golden Bear Gateway is bringing Mt. Juliet a taste it didn’t know it needed — authentic Philadelphia and South Jersey food culture right here in the heart of middle Tennessee. Chef Ryan Miles crafts dishes with house-cured meats, fresh local produce, and breads shipped from the Northeast to honor the wholesome recipes he grew up with. The Philly cheesesteaks and truffle fries are already earning rave reviews, so be sure to give them a try. For quality, authenticity, and a team that truly cares about its community, Milestone is the place to be — go show them some love!
Community Yard Sales This Weekend 🏠
Nichols Vale Saturday, May 23, 8 am - 2 pm
If you hear about an upcoming community yard sale, send me an email and I’ll post it here!
Summer Day Camp Guide
Summer is just around the corner, and Mount Juliet has plenty of exciting opportunities to keep kids engaged, active, and having fun! The Mount Juliet Summer Camp Guide is here to help families find the perfect camp experience for their children this season. Click the photo above to learn more!
Summer Essentials Guide
Discover our Summer Essentials Guide filled with family-friendly favorites for kids and adults. From backyard must-haves to camp essentials, we’ve rounded up fun, practical items for all your summer adventures. Click the photo above to see the full list!
Local Bites
This week we stopped into Billy Goat Coffee after way too long of an absence — and let's just say, it was worth the wait. The owner has brought some exciting new energy to the space, and we're here for all of it. Check out the full review below! ☕️
Click on photo to see full review
Exclusive Local Coupon
Best of MJ
🍪 The Great Mt. Juliet Cookie Quest — UPDATE! 🍪
The tastings have officially been completed… and let’s just say our judges took this responsibility VERY seriously 😅🍪
Now we’re in the final stage: analyzing scores, comparing notes, and narrowing down who will earn the title of Mt. Juliet’s Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Champion 🏆
The results — including rankings, favorites, surprises, and the official winner — will be revealed in next week’s issue of What’s Up Mt. Juliet!
Stay tuned… the sweetest showdown in town is almost ready 🍪🥛
This Week’s Line Up
Friday, May 22
👮 Coffee With A Cop | Dunkin’ Donuts MJ | 10 am - 12 pm
This is a great opportunity for community members to stop by, meet some of the officers, ask questions, share concerns, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee together.
📖 Story Time | Breeden’s Orchard | 10 - 11 am
Bring your little readers to Breeden’s Orchard for Story Time—a calm, cozy farm morning designed especially for toddlers and young kids
🖼 Create Your Own Patriotic Sign Workshop | Hammer & Stain | 6 pm
Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a festive night in the studio, crafting a patriotic 12" 3D sign — the perfect way to honor the holiday and get ready for America’s 250th birthday this July!
🥕 Vendors On Main | Circle P Ranch | 4 - 7 pm
This local vendor market will have everything you need to kick off your summer - farmers with fresh produce and kitchen goods, makers and artisans, food trucks and music!
🥗 Friday Night Market | Breeden’s Orchard | 4:30 - 8:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of shopping, food, drinks, and fresh air on the farm. Stroll through vendor booths featuring local small businesses, grab dinner or treats from the market, and settle in with a drink.
Saturday, May 23
🍅 Farmer’s Market | Charlie Daniels Park | 8 am - 1 pm
This event brings together local farmers, artisans, and food vendors to create a lively, welcoming community market. It’s a fun way to shop while supporting local small businesses
🐟 47th Annual Fish Fry | Mt Juliet Lodge #642 | 11 am - 2 pm
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat fish fry featuring fresh fried fish, hush puppies, cole slaw, hand-cut fries, white beans, & amazing homemade desserts. Enjoy a classic comfort-food meal with all the fixings.
🏖 Free Family NIght with Jeff Caron Band | Caribbean Vibes Venue | 4 - 9:30 pm
This free family event features live music with Jeff Caron Band, food truck eats, crafted mocktails, games (volleyball, pickleball, cornhole & more)! Bring your chair or blanket and just vibe!
🎵 Kyle Trujillo LIVE | Red River Nomad | 6:30 pm
Enjoy a limited-seating show featuring music inspired by both classic southern rock and modern-day country with soulful vocals, honest storytelling, and high-energy sound.
Sunday, May 24
🐶 “Paint Your Pet” Party | Ready Teddy’s | Gates open at 7 pm
Join Audrey Gale Art at this one-of-a-kind event where you can bring your pet to life through art! Your pet will be drawn on the canvas before the paint party to help guide the painting process, making this a great event for even the most inexperienced artists!
Monday, May 25
🎇 Citizens of Mt Juliet Community Event and Drone Show | 735 N. Mt Juliet Rd, MJ | Gates open at 7 pm
Bring your friends, your family, your own chairs or blankets to sit on, and your patriotic spirit as we celebrate freedom, community, and 250 years of America in style!
Tuesday, May 26
💦 Ava’s Splash Pad Opening | Charlie Daniels Park | 11 am
Ava’s Splash Pad, created in memory of Ava Bright, is opening for the season with colorful zero-depth water play areas designed for toddlers, children, and youth. The splash pad features bright, playful elements and custom graphics inspired by Ava’s favorite things.
Thursday, May 28
🏦 Your County Connection | MJ Chamber Office | 8:30 - 9:30 am
This FREE in-person coffee chat series with County Mayor Hutto (or another county representative) is designed to answer your questions and find out what's new in Wilson County.
🦖 Toddler Farm Adventures | Breeden’s Orchard | 9 am
Give your little one a chance to explore the orchard, connect with nature, and enjoy hands-on fun in an outdoor setting. Toddler Farm Adventures features engaging weekly sessions designed for toddlers.
Nearby & Noteworthy
🎵 Rock The Block- Kendra Remedios | Historic Lebanon Downtown Square, Lebanon, TN | Friday 5/22 | 6 - 8 pm
🎸 Kids Rockin’ The Farm | Starstruck Farm, Lebanon, TN | Friday 5/22 | 7 - 9 pm
🏁 Meet Nascar Driver Dawson Sutton | Rackley Roofing Showroom, Lebanon, TN | Wednesday 5/27 | 4 - 5:30 pm
💗 Wilson County Women’s Night Out | East Nashville Beer Works | Thursday, 5/28 6:30 pm
Happening Locally Every Week:
Friday, May 22
🎵 Live Music | The Pub Bar & Grill | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
🎶 Live Music | Mt Juliet Sport and Social Co | 7:30 pm
🎤 Karaoke | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 6 pm
♣ Poker Night | The Pub Bar & Grill | 7 pm
🎨 Couples Date Night | Hawaii Fluid Art | 7 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, May 23
🎵 Live Music | The Pub Bar & Grill | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
🎶 Live Band | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 7 pm
Sunday, May 24
♦Poker Event | The Pub Bar & Grill | 1 pm
♣️ Texas Hold ‘Em Sponsored by Yazoo Brewing Co | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 6 - 10 pm
Monday, May 25
♣️ Texas Hold ‘Em Sponsored by Yazoo Brewing Co | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 6 - 10 pm
❓️ Trivia Night | The Pub Bar & Grill | 6:30 pm
Tuesday, May 26
❓️ Trivia Night at ML Rose | ML Rose | 7:30 pm
🎶 Live Music | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 6 - 11 pm
🤣 Comedy Night | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 7 - 10 pm
Wednesday, May 27
❓️ Trivia Night | Mt Juliet Sport and Social Co | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
🏍 Bike Night with DJ Sally | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 6 pm
🎵 Live Music | Burger Republic, Mt Juliet | 6 - 8 pm
🎤 Bing-ioke | The Pub Bar & Grill, Mt Juliet | 6:30 - 9 pm
Thursday, May 28
🍕 Pizza and Trivia Night | Breeden’s Orchard | 4:30 - 9 pm
❓️ Trivia Night | Hillside Hangout | 7 - 9 pm
👓 Nerdy Talk Trivia | Kat’s Bar & Grill | 7 pm
Our weekly weather forecast
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Meet the Team
Denise is a SoCal native who has called Middle Tennessee home for 25 years. A self-proclaimed foodie, she’s always on the hunt for the area's latest and greatest restaurants—though during football season, you’ll likely find her locked into a game.
Mike originally hails from New Jersey and has lived in Mt. Juliet for over 30 years. When he isn’t cheering on his favorite college and pro football teams, he loves getting out to catch some live local rock music.
Together, we started What’s Up Mt. Juliet because we believe there is so much to love about this great city. Our mission is simple: the more you know, the more you go!
Thanks for letting us be a small part of your week!
Publication Disclaimer:
While we work hard to keep all information accurate and up to date, event details can change unexpectedly. We highly recommend double-checking the event links directly before heading out to ensure you have the latest updates. This newsletter contains affiliate links, meaning we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. We deeply appreciate your support, which helps keep our content running.