Discover the magic of the holidays in Nashville with our comprehensive guide. For those deeply rooted in Nashville and those just planting seeds, our guide is your holiday compass.
Popular Events: Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, where intricate decorations and festive experiences create a joyful atmosphere. Bright displays and holiday cheer fill the night at Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood, a beautiful landscape transformed into a sparkling spectacle. And the enchanting ICE Featuring the Polar Express is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a stunning walk-through experience crafted entirely from ice. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Nashville
- Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
- Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
- ICE Featuring the Polar Express
- Christmas at the Ryman
- We Need a Lot of Christmas Dinner Show
- General Jackson Christmas Cruises
- Zoolumination
- Nashville's Nutcracker
- Redneck Christmas Light Adventure
- FrankTown Festival of Lights (Franklin)
See these and even more events listed below!
Nashville Holiday Light Displays
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
What to Expect:
Over a million lights illuminate the gardens.
Description:
Explore Cheekwood Estate's gardens illuminated by over a million lights, featuring creative displays and festive decorations. Enjoy smores, seasonal libations, and the Holiday Marketplace with a wide range of gifts and decor. Warm up indoors to view the holiday mansion décor, specially decorated by former White House florist Laura Dowling.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Zoolumination
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with thousands of colorful lanterns.
Description:
Zoolumination is a spectacular lantern festival featuring over 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns, including mythical creatures and festive scenes throughout the zoo. The event includes live entertainment, special animal exhibits, and a visit from Santa.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Zoolumination
FrankTown Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized holiday light displays with a walking trail option.
Description:
The FrankTown Festival of Lights is a drive-thru holiday light display featuring over 200 synchronized displays at the Williamson County Agricultural Center in Franklin, Tennessee. Guests can listen to holiday music on their car radios while enjoying the mile-and-a-half-long route. Special "Walkin' Wednesdays" allow visitors to walk the lighted route, take photos by the giant Christmas tree, and make s'mores by the fire pit.
Where: Franklin | More Info: FrankTown Festival of Lights
Redneck Christmas Light Adventure
What to Expect:
Hillbilly humor and moonshine tasting.
Description:
Embark on a hilarious and entertaining journey through Nashville's brightest holiday displays, peppered with laughter, festive tunes, and down-home humor.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Redneck Christmas Light Adventure
Nashville Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland features spectacular holiday lights, decorations, and activities like ICE featuring Frosty the Snowman, ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
General Jackson Christmas Cruises
What to Expect:
Dynamic horn section and Broadway-style dance numbers.
Description:
The General Jackson Showboat presents Music City Christmas, featuring beloved Christmas classics and modern holiday favorites performed by Nashville's finest vocal and dancing talents. The evening cruise includes a dynamic horn section, Broadway-style dance numbers, and stunning costumes, all supported by state-of-the-art lighting and multimedia displays.
Where: Nashville | More Info: General Jackson Christmas Cruises
We Need a Lot of Christmas Dinner Show
What to Expect:
High-energy show with over 40 Christmas tunes and 12 costume changes.
Description:
We Need a Lot of Christmas Dinner Show is a high-energy, family-friendly event featuring over 40 Christmas tunes, 12 costume changes, dance and choreography, amazing illusions by award-winning magician Bruce Amato, and creative hilarious skits. The show includes a gourmet buffet meal with classic dishes like Tuscan Chicken and Smoked Pork Loin.
Where: Nashville | More Info: We Need a Lot of Christmas Dinner Show
Christmas at the Ryman
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday concert by Grammy-winning husband-and-wife duo.
Description:
Amy Grant and Vince Gill return to Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium for their 14th annual "Christmas at the Ryman" residency, featuring a 12-concert run with matinee performances. The duo will perform cherished Christmas favorites and their biggest hits, making this event the ultimate holiday tradition for music fans.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Christmas at the Ryman
Nashville's Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Original choreography by Paul Vasterling
Description:
Nashville's Nutcracker is a cherished holiday tradition featuring original choreography by Paul Vasterling, blending history, magic, and dance. Set against the vibrant city backdrop, this performance invites audiences of all ages to revel in the splendor of the Sugar Plum Fairy's kingdom and the timeless adventure of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Live music by The Nashville Symphony enhances the experience, capturing the heart and spirit of Nashville.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Nashville's Nutcracker
East Nash Holiday Bash
What to Expect:
Seasonal cocktail tasting and socializing.
Description:
East Nash Holiday Bash is a holiday cocktail event featuring seasonal sipping and socializing. Enjoy a sophisticated evening with friends and family on Saturday, December 7th, from 6PM to 9PM.
Where: Nashville | More Info: East Nash Holiday Bash
Dickens of a Christmas
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed street festival with historical characters.
Description:
Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian-themed outdoor street festival in historic downtown Franklin, featuring musicians, dancers, and Dickens characters. Expect to see and interact with characters like Fagin from Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol. The festival includes arts and crafts vendors, food and beverage vendors, and live entertainment on multiple stages.
Where: Franklin | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas
Nashville Other Holiday Activities
ICE Featuring the Polar Express
What to Expect:
Hand-carved ice sculptures and scenes from The Polar Express.
Description:
ICE featuring The Polar Express is an immersive attraction at Gaylord Opryland, showcasing intricate ice sculptures and scenes from the beloved holiday film. Guests can explore nine immersive scenes, including a live carving demonstration, and enjoy thrilling ice slides in a chilly 9°F environment.
Where: Nashville | More Info: ICE Featuring the Polar Express
Public Holiday Light Tours by Music City Brew Hop
What to Expect:
Hop-on hop-off brewery tour with vintage trolley.
Description:
Explore Nashville's best breweries on a vintage trolley tour, enjoying unique features like fun outdoor activities and specialty craft beers.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Public Holiday Light Tours by Music City Brew Hop
12 Bars of Christmas Crawl
What to Expect:
Unique holiday-themed bar crawl with exclusive drinkware and accessories.
Description:
The 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl is a festive holiday event where participants can enjoy drink specials, wear outrageous costumes, and visit multiple bars in Nashville. The event includes a 16oz color-changing Santa stadium cup, a Christmas light-up necklace, and a Santa hat for the first 100 and 250 registrants, respectively. Participants also receive a wristband for entry and drink/food specials.
Where: Nashville | More Info: 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl
Bell Buckle Old Fashioned Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional Quilt Walk and festive holiday activities.
Description:
Celebrate the simple goodness of the season in Bell Buckle with FREE sleigh rides with Santa, a Quilt Walk Tour of Homes, a s'mores pit, and more.
Where: Bell Buckle | More Info: Bell Buckle Old Fashioned Christmas
Holiday Open House at Historic Rock Castle
What to Expect:
Historic site holiday celebration with tours and activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Historic Rock Castle with a special open house event featuring historic tours, decorations, and festive activities.
Where: Hendersonville | More Info: Holiday Open House at Historic Rock Castle
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hendersonville (13 miles)
- Franklin (17 miles)
- Smyrna (20 miles)
- Murfreesboro (31 miles)
- Clarksville (41 miles)