30 Best Nashville Christmas Events to Experience (2024)

There are so many wonderful Nashville Christmas events you need to check out this year. When I spent three days in Nashville in December, I found so many awesome Christmas events and festivities. The spirit of the season is in full force after Thanksgiving and straight through until the end of the year.

Whether you’re visiting downtown Nashville or exploring the other vibrant neighborhoods, it’s always fun to visit Nashville at Christmastime. If you’re looking for things to do in Nashville at Christmas, I have many excellent recommendations for you. Here’s my list of Christmas events in Nashville where you’ll find epic holiday celebrations.

Christmas in Nashville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Gaylord Opryland’s Christmas Festivities. There are more than 3 million brilliant Christmas lights and sparkling decorations all over the resort property, both indoors and outdoors.

The festivities begin midway through November and continue until January 1st, so there’s lots of time to plan your trip. There are numerous exciting events and activities that appeal to kids, families, and people of all ages.

Indoor and Outdoor Christmas Lights

When I visited Gaylord Opryland Resort, I checked out the indoor lighting displays as well as the outdoor nativity scene. If you’re interested in visiting just for the Christmas lights and decorations, it’s free to walk around the property.

In true Nashville style, the indoor Christmas decorations go beyond candy canes and poinsettias. There are music notes, treble clefs, and guitars that showcase the theme of “Music City”. Of course, you’ll still find holiday favorites like nutcrackers, wreaths, and strings of lights suspended from the ceiling.

I really enjoyed wandering around the tropical garden with its fountains, bridges over an indoor river, and palm trees all decorated with Christmas lights. It’s a feast for the senses and among the Christmas events in Nashville that aren’t to be missed.

If that wasn’t enough, the outdoor scene is equally as magical. There’s a gigantic Christmas tree created out of thousands of lights, along with a nativity scene with animals, angels, and Biblical characters. With both indoor and outdoor displays, it’s one of the grandest ways to celebrate Christmas in Nashville.

ICE! Featuring the Polar Express

ICE! Featuring the Polar Express is the signature attraction at Gaylord Opryland. This magical event brings the holiday film, The Polar Express, to live through magnificent hand-carved ice sculptures. These sculptures are created from over 2 million pounds of ice.

It’s a completely immersive Christmas event in Nashville where you’ll walk through dazzling tunnels and glide down frozen slides. There are nine story-driven scenes in total and it’s fun for visitors of all ages. It’s all part of A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. Book your tickets here before it sells out.

More Holiday Events at Gaylord Opryland

Beyond the Christmas decorations, Gaylord Opryland has a variety of holiday events and activities. There’s ice tubing, ice skating, gingerbread house decorating, a Delta riverboat cruise, photos with Santa, Christmas fountain shows, and more. Book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Please note that it costs $35 to park your car in the self-parking section, regardless of whether you’re an overnight hotel guest or only staying for a couple of hours. This place really makes Christmas in Nashville so magical!

Just a 20 minute drive outside of downtown Nashville, Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas event will surely put you right in the spirit of the season. Taking place over the second weekend of December in downtown Franklin, the main street is closed off for the festivities.

Using historic downtown Franklin as a backdrop, the Dickens of a Christmas festival recreates the time period of Charles Dickens. You’ll meet more than 200 characters, musicians, and dancers in Victorian costumes.

There are also 150 vendors selling crafts and artisan wares, vintage demonstrations featuring wood carving and yarn spinning, food trucks and tasty treats, and dedicated areas for photo opportunities with characters. You’ll get right into the holiday spirit by celebrating Christmas in Nashville…or Franklin!

Dickens of a Christmas is free to attend and there are several parking lots surrounding the event. Although this festival is a little bit of a drive from the city, it’s one of the Christmas events in Nashville and the region to celebrate the season.

Cheekwood Estates and Gardens in Nashville has one of the best Christmas displays in the city, making it one of the greatest things to do in Nashville at Christmas. Over one million lights illuminate the gardens during the Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood event.

Walk through tunnels of Christmas lights and view the gardens along a mile-long walking path. This is a timed ticketed event and one of the most awesome Nashville Christmas events, so make sure you plan your visit soon.

In addition, there’s a Christmas tree comprised entirely of poinsettias (500 in total!) and the mansion will also be fully decorated. There are also chances for the kids to meet Santa, listen to holiday carolers, and savor hot beverages to warm up after your stroll.

At the historic Parthenon, attend an unmissable performance of The Nutcracker by candlelight. As performed by the Listeso String Quartet, listen to your favorite Christmas tunes under the magical glow of candlelight.

In addition to The Nutcracker, there will be a program of holiday favourites and Christmas songs. This is a multi-sensory performance in an awe-inspiring location. There’s only a few performances and tickets are extremely limited. Book your tickets here.

East Nash Holiday Bash is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy live music and a holiday cocktail as you shop for gifts created by local artisans. It’s one of the best Christmas markets in Nashville with free admission. Enjoy the community tree lighting ceremony, warm up around a campfire, and have fun with the entire family.

Browse gift items, food items, enjoy live entertainment, photos with Santa, holiday trivia, and the ticketed Holiday Cocktail Bash. This special holiday event happens only on select dates in December, so make sure you make note of it on your calendar.

The Handmade Nashville Holiday Market is an annual event in its seventh year. Taking place at Red Caboose Park, support Small Business Saturday and shop from all local vendors.

You’ll find unusual pieces and rare finds at this holiday market, and I’m sure you’ll end up gifting some of the best things to your friends and family after shopping here.

Holiday Market at Williamson Family Farm

November 25th, 2023

Williamson Family Farm’s annual Holiday Market is taking place on November 25th from 10am – 4pm. Shop from talented local vendors with a wide array of handmade artisan goods.

Santa will make an appearance from photos between 10am and 1pm. Cozy up fireside where s’mores kits will be available for purchase. In addition, there’s a full bar with signature cocktails for an authentic Tennessee experience.

The Golden Slipper presents the 8th annual Shop Small Holiday Market, an outdoor holiday market that takes place rain or shine. You’ll find the market on Madison Street outside the front of The Golden Slipper.

There will be food trucks and more vendors at the parking lot across the street. Additionally, enjoy their holiday photo booth, festive music, and so much more. The event runs from 11am to 4pm.

Starting in early November, the Dancing Lights of Christmas is Tennessee’s largest drive thru light and music show. Admission to the light show also allows access to Santa’s village and a visit with Santa, too.

It’s one price per vehicle, making it an affordable family-friendly experience with impressive light displays that everyone will love.

General Jackson Christmas Cruises

November 16, 2023 – December 25, 2023

All aboard the General Jackson Showboat for one of two amazing Christmas cruises! Drift down the Cumberland River while dining and watching live entertainment featuring your holiday favorites.

This is one of the best Christmas events in Nashville that you don’t want to miss. You have the chance to attend twice daily. Check out the Tennessee Christmas Midday Cruise or the Music City Christmas Evening Cruise.

The Franktown Festival of Lights happens nightly at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin, Tennessee. The Festival of Lights benefits FrankTown Open Hearts, a local nonprofit organization. It is the longest drive-thru holiday lights spectacular in Williamson County with a brand new half-mile extension.

FrankTown Festival of Lights features over 200 impressive and festive light displays. These are synchronized to Christmas music. Visitors can tune into a special radio station so they can listen and watch the spectacular Christmas lights on this lengthy driving route.

Nashville’s Nutcracker is an entirely unique rendition of the timeless classic, The Nutcracker. Watch this Nashville Ballet performance with original choreography, live music by the Nashville Symphony, brilliant sets and costumes, and an endless amount of holiday magic.

Music City Brew Hop presents their Public Holiday Light Tours (both public and private holiday events). Hop on board the trolley on a two-hour light tour.

Check out East Nashville’s best Christmas lights, visit the state capital Christmas tree, and stop at a local brewery. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos, and lots of holiday cheer to go around.

12 Bars of Christmas Crawl

December 9th, 2023

The 6th annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl is happening in Nashville and various cities across the USA. Gather your best friends, wear your best Christmas sweater, and bring your holiday cheer. You’ll get a 16oz Santa Stadium cup for your drinks, drink specials at all participating bars, a Santa hat and a Christmas light-up necklace.

Nashville Santa Rampage

December 9th, 2023

The Nashville Santa Rampage has one and only requirement: dress like Santa! Everyone will meet at Public Square Park at the Christmas tree. Be part of the group photo at 8pm and then the Santas will be set loose on the town. Many local bars will have drink specials for anyone dressed like Santa, and expect tons of fun things to do all evening long.

Zoolumination is a lantern festival taking place at the Nashville Zoo. This Chinese Festival of Lights is the country’s largest festival of its kind with more than 1000 custom made silk lanterns.

Meet fantastic beasts and mythical creatures in bright pops of color. The North Pole Village has beautiful Christmas lights and festive fun. Of course, Santa will make an appearance, too!

Where to Stay in Nashville

It really doesn’t get any better than this. The SoBro Guest House is truly a home away from home. Feeling more like a boutique apartment than a hotel, the SoBro Guest House combines the best of both worlds. This hotel/apartment is the best place to spend a Nashville weekend or 3 days in Nashville.

Much like an apartment, you have the comforts of home. Enjoy a full kitchen with everything you could imagine to prepare delicious meals, including local coffee beans and a French press for that morning boost. There’s a separate bedroom, a spacious bathroom, and a cozy living space.

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