This holiday season, Clarksville, TN, transforms into a wonderland of festive activities and heartwarming events, perfect for locals and visitors alike. Wander through the mesmerizing lights of Christmas on the Cumberland, where over a million twinkling lights reflect off the scenic Cumberland River. You won't want to miss the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade lighting up the streets with dazzling floats and cheerful holiday tunes. For a theatrical treat, the Roxy Regional Theatre Christmas Show brings holiday classics to life, showcasing local talent and stunning productions.
From dazzling light displays to engaging parades and immersive theatre experiences, Clarksville offers a wide array of festive events that embody the spirit of the season. Join in the community festivities and create lasting holiday memories in this charming Tennessee city.
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The Top Christmas Events in Clarksville
- Christmas on the Cumberland
- Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
- Roxy Regional Theatre Christmas Show
- Clarksville Community Christmas Dinner
- Festival of Trees
- Frosty Fun Run
Clarksville Holiday Light Displays
Christmas on the Cumberland
What to Expect:
Riverside light display along the Cumberland River
Description:
Clarksville's riverfront transforms into a dazzling spectacle as Christmas on the Cumberland illuminates the banks of the historic Cumberland River. Stroll along the riverwalk, surrounded by over a million twinkling lights reflecting off the water's surface. This beloved tradition dates back to 1999, growing more elaborate each year. Visitors can warm up with hot cocoa while admiring the intricate light sculptures depicting local landmarks and holiday scenes. The event showcases Clarksville's strong connection to its waterways, blending natural beauty with holiday cheer.
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Clarksville Holiday Giving Opportunities
Clarksville Community Christmas Dinner
What to Expect:
Large-scale community meal open to all
Description:
The Clarksville Community Christmas Dinner embodies the spirit of togetherness, offering a warm meal to anyone in need of company or sustenance during the holiday season. Volunteers from all walks of life come together to serve a traditional Christmas feast, complete with all the trimmings. This event, which has grown steadily since its inception, now feeds thousands annually. The dinner takes place in a local community center, transformed for the occasion with simple yet cheerful decorations. Guests can enjoy live music performed by local artists while they dine, fostering a sense of community and shared joy.
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Clarksville Community Christmas Dinner
Clarksville Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Roxy Regional Theatre Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Professional theatre production in a historic venue
Description:
The Roxy Regional Theatre, a cornerstone of Clarksville's arts scene since 1983, presents its annual Christmas show in a beautifully restored 1947 movie house. This professional production brings holiday classics to life with stunning costumes and elaborate sets. The theatre's intimate setting allows for an immersive experience, drawing you into the heart of the story. Local talent shines alongside seasoned professionals, showcasing the region's artistic prowess. During intermission, explore the theatre's art deco architecture, a testament to Clarksville's rich cultural heritage.
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Roxy Regional Theatre Christmas Show
Clarksville Other Holiday Activities
Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
Clarksville's streets come alive with the glow of the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Floats adorned with thousands of lights roll through downtown, creating a moving river of illumination. The parade features local businesses, schools, and community groups, each competing to create the most eye-catching display. Listen for the cheerful sounds of marching bands playing holiday tunes. This nighttime spectacle has been a Clarksville tradition for over 50 years, evolving from a small procession to a major community event. You'll marvel at the creativity on display as each float tells a unique holiday story.
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Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Showcase of creatively decorated Christmas trees
Description:
The Festival of Trees turns Clarksville's convention center into a forest of creativity. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals compete to create the most innovative and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Each tree tells a unique story, from whimsical themes to elegant designs. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with proceeds benefiting local charities. This event, now in its 15th year, has become a showcase for Clarksville's artistic talent and community spirit. As you wander through the displays, you'll discover trees adorned with everything from traditional ornaments to surprising, unconventional decorations.
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Frosty Fun Run
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed 5K run with costume contest
Description:
The Frosty Fun Run injects a dose of holiday spirit into fitness. This 5K race encourages participants to don their most creative holiday-themed costumes, from reindeer to elves to walking Christmas trees. The route winds through Clarksville's historic downtown, passing by landmarks decked out for the season. Jingle bells attached to runners' shoes create a cheerful soundtrack as they make their way through the course. This event, which began as a small charity run, now attracts hundreds of participants and spectators. After crossing the finish line, runners can warm up with hot apple cider and participate in a festive after-party.
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Nearby Events
Christmas in the Park (Hopkinsville)
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday village in a public park
Description:
Christmas in the Park transforms Clarksville's central green space into a bustling holiday village. Wander through charming wooden cottages, each housing a different activity or display. Children can write letters to Santa or participate in holiday-themed crafts. The park's gazebo becomes a stage for local choirs and musicians, filling the air with seasonal melodies. This event harkens back to Clarksville's early days as a river town, when the park served as a gathering place for winter celebrations. Admire the park's century-old trees adorned with twinkling lights, creating a canopy of stars overhead.
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Hendersonville HolidayFest (Hendersonville)
What to Expect:
Lakeside holiday celebration with ice skating
Description:
Hendersonville Holiday Fest brings winter cheer to the shores of Old Hickory Lake. The centerpiece of this celebration is a real ice skating rink, a rarity in the region's mild climate. Glide across the ice with the picturesque lake as your backdrop. The festival also features local artisans selling handcrafted gifts, perfect for holiday shopping. This event pays homage to Hendersonville's history as a lakeside resort town, blending modern festivities with nostalgic charm. Sample regional winter delicacies from food trucks lining the lakefront promenade.
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Christmas Light Spectacular (Springfield)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display synchronized to music
Description:
The Christmas Light Spectacular offers a unique twist on holiday light viewing. This drive-through experience features over a million LED lights synchronized to holiday music, which you can tune into on your car radio. The display tells a story as you progress through the route, with animated scenes bringing holiday tales to life. This high-tech show is the result of months of programming and setup. The spectacular takes place on a sprawling farm just outside Clarksville, allowing for expansive displays not possible in urban settings. Marvel at the 40-foot light tree that serves as the grand finale of your journey.
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Cheekwood Holiday Lights (Nashville)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into holiday light display
Description:
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, a 1930s estate-turned-museum, dazzles visitors with its Holiday Lights display. The gardens' natural beauty serves as a canvas for over a million lights, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Wander through glowing gardens, where trees and shrubs shimmer with carefully placed illumination. The event showcases Cheekwood's horticultural expertise, with lights accentuating the unique features of different plant species. Visitors can explore the historic mansion, decorated in period-appropriate holiday style. Warm your hands by one of the gardens' fire pits while sipping spiced cider and admiring the twinkling landscape.
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Nashville Christmas Parade (Nashville)
What to Expect:
Large-scale parade featuring celebrity grand marshal
Description:
The Nashville Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer to Music City's bustling downtown. This grand spectacle features elaborate floats, giant helium balloons, and performances by nationally recognized musicians. Each year, a celebrity grand marshal leads the parade, often a country music star or notable Nashville figure. The event, which dates back to 1927, showcases the city's rich musical heritage alongside holiday traditions. Marching bands from across the region fill the air with festive tunes as they pass. Position yourself near the Tennessee State Capitol for a prime viewing spot of this Nashville holiday institution.
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A Christmas Carol (Nashville)
What to Expect:
Immersive theatre experience in a historic venue
Description:
Experience Dickens' classic tale like never before in this immersive production of A Christmas Carol. The performance takes place in a beautifully restored 19th-century theatre, enhancing the story's Victorian atmosphere. Actors move throughout the venue, bringing the ghostly encounters to life all around you. This adaptation incorporates elements of Clarksville's own history, weaving local lore into Scrooge's journey of redemption. Period-accurate costumes and set pieces transport you to 1840s London, while innovative staging techniques create a truly unique theatrical experience. Listen closely for the haunting sounds of chains as Marley's ghost makes his entrance.
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Nashville Ballet's Nutcracker (Nashville)
What to Expect:
Ballet performance with live orchestra and local themes
Description:
The Nashville Ballet's production of The Nutcracker blends classical tradition with local flavor. This lavish performance features a full orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's iconic score live. The ballet incorporates elements of Nashville's history and culture, with sets inspired by local landmarks and costumes that nod to the city's musical heritage. Professional dancers share the stage with over 100 young performers from the community, showcasing the region's artistic talent. The production's elaborate sets and special effects, including a growing Christmas tree and falling snow, create a visually stunning spectacle. Watch in awe as the Sugar Plum Fairy executes her famous solo, a highlight of this beloved holiday tradition.