Well hello friends! Your native Nashvillian here… checking in to play holiday tour guide today!! I am always happy to share my favorite things about Music City because I think it’s the best place ever, but for this edition, we are talking all things HOLIDAY.
The fun outings and events you’ll want to take note of, mark on your calendar, or surprise your elves this season with a fun shindig to mark everyone’s favorite time of the year. So I’ve assembled 10+ reasons to get out there and celebrate all things Christmas in my home sweet home:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland | Starting off with a bang, one of the most attended + anticipated Christmas events is Christmas at the Gaylord. There is truly something for all age… the famous ICE experience [this year it’s all things Polar Express], ice skating + tubing, shows, and thousands of Christmas lights welcome all the merry into the season. This is a great activity for an evening or add to the experience and make it a fun weekend away and stay the night! [dates November 10 – January 1]
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood | Love this memory making merry experience held each year at the Cheekwood gardens. This is a one-mile walking lights tour with millions of lights filling the gardens and an experience the whole family will enjoy. End the night with s’mores and a fun holiday market… nothing says Christmas like bundling up with your favorite people and seeing wonder through lights like these! [November 18- January 7]
Zoolumination | Sticking with the festive lights, head down the road to the Nashville Zoo to experience Zoolumination. This is the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival, and includes more that 1,000 custom made silk lanterns = it is stunning to see in person. You will experience culture, traditions, and beauty at this fun + festive event! And to add to the fun Santa will visit the zoo, too [November 17- December 31]
Franklin Festival of Lights | This family fun Williamson County drive-thru light show will amaze the whole family. In the comfort of your own car, you and your people can experience the lights while listening to the sounds of the holiday on the radio! This year it will also include character nights to bring the magic to life! [November 17- December 31]
Rudolph’s Red Nose Run 5K | While the holiday always includes all my favorite treats + desserts, a 5k to break the month up might be just want I need to finish the festive season strong! Music City’s most merry 5K… a fun event for runners + walkers of all ages and there is even a prize for best costume! [December 2]
Dickens of a Christmas | Truly a tradition like no other and my personal favorite! No matter the time of year there is something so special about walking around the historic square in picturesque Franklin… but over the Dickens of a Christmas weekend the square comes to life even more! There is music, dancing, shopping, and some of the most famous Dicken’s characters walking around… [December 9-10]
Nashville’s TPAC Nutcracker | Not only is this a can’t miss holiday event here in Nashville, but it is a tradition that my own family partakes in and cannot wait for each holiday season! The magic of the ballet + the Nashville twist on a classic = the perfect holiday night to alway remember! [December 8-24]
Christmas at the Ryman | Amy Grant + Vince Gill will take over the Ryman for the 13th year in this multi-night show that features two of the most recognizable voices, singing the holiday classics! The traditions, husband and wife duo and historic venue make these the sweetest sounds this Christmas season by far [December 13-14, 16-17, 19-20, 22-23]
Franklin Christmas Parade | These next two events go hand in hand, after the magic of the Christmas tree lighting on Friday night, enjoy a Christmas parade in downtown Franklin! With all the makings of a fun holiday parade, there are floats, dancing, and the welcoming of Santa into the city! I’ll be cheering on a little dancer in the parade as well 😉 [December 2]
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Franklin Square | A weekend full of magic in downtown Franklin, Nashville’s neighbor to the south! Welcome the wonders of the season as this event kicks off the festivities that are to come all month long. The main event… the lighting of the tree that will grace the center of the square! And it can’t be a holiday event here without some music, Matthew West will welcome in the seasons with some classic holiday hits! [December 1]
The Franklin Theater Christmas Movies Series | Staying in Franklin, which honestly feels like the perfect backdrop for a Hallmark Holiday Movie… the historic Franklin Theater hosts a movie series each year. Classics like White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life + family fun like How the Grinch Stole Christmas + Elf = the best way to spread Holiday cheer is singing loud of all to hear!!
North Pole Express | Want to visit the North Pole while staying right here in middle Tennessee? The Tennessee Central Roadway brings the polar express to life! Come in your most holiday happy pajamas and experience the sights + sounds of the journey while snacking on a sweet treat = magic for the child + even sweeter for the adults too!
Bobby Hotel Rooftop | Up on the rooftop of the Bobby Hotel in downtown Nashville, you’ll find festive pop up “camp bobby”. Here you can enjoy ice skating, fire pits, themed cocktails and treats, and campsite igloos available to rent for a night of festive fun. I’m thinking an adults-only party would be fab for this!
Schermerhorn Symphony Center | Make it a night out and see one of the many holiday concerts hosted at one of the most beautiful music venues in Nashville. from Drew + Ellie Holcomb to the Nashville Symphony, there are so many great performances this year!
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