Nashville Christmas Event Guide 2025

Nashville shines brightest during the holidays with glittering gardens, over-the-top hotel events, festive markets, and plenty of live music, making it easy to fill your season with Christmas themed fun! Here is how to keep everyone in your family entertained throughout the month of December.  

1. Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens transforms into a storybook holiday landscape with more than a million lights, a mile-long walking path, and elegant mansion décor that makes you feel like you’ve been transported into a Hallmark Christmas movie. Stroll through shimmering tunnels of light, pause for s’mores and hot cocoa, and take in the towering pixel tree and seasonal art installations that make this a must-do Nashville tradition.

• Dates: Now through January 4, 2026
• Address: 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No 
• Free: No
• Website: cheekwood.org

2. Christmas at Gaylord Opryland & ICE!

Gaylord Opryland goes all-in on Christmas with acres of indoor gardens wrapped in lights, nightly fountain shows, indoor snow tubing, and the headline ICE! attraction—a massive walk-through world carved from colorful ice sculptures. Families and friends can spend a full day hopping between the Delta Riverboat, gingerbread decorating, festive dining, and endless photo ops under twinkling lights.

• Dates: Now through January 3, 2026 
• Address: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No 
• Free: No
• Website: christmasatgaylordopryland.com

3. Zoolumination at Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo’s Zoolumination event turns the grounds into one of the largest lantern festivals in the country, with glowing animal scenes, whimsical characters, and a North Pole village where kids can see Santa on select nights. It’s an easy pick for multi-generational groups, combining the excitement of light displays with animal encounters, seasonal treats, and ice skating.

• Dates: Now through January 4, 2026
• Address: 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No 
• Website: nashvillezoo.org

4. The Dancing Lights of Christmas

Set just outside of Nashville, The Dancing Lights of Christmas delivers a classic drive-through light show with millions of synchronized lights set to a holiday music broadcast that plays through your car radio. Families can stay cozy in the car, then hop out at the on-site Santa’s Village for treats, rides, and photos with the big guy himself.

• Dates: Now through January 4, 2026
• Address: Wilson County Fairgrounds, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes (in vehicle; check rules for out-of-car areas)
• Free: No 
• Website: thedancinglightsofchristmas.com

5. Nashvillage Holiday Market & Holiday Cocktail Bash

For a downtown experience, Nashvillage Holiday Market turns Walk of Fame Park into a cozy winter village with local makers, live music, and plenty of festive food and drink options. And for one night only, the market levels up with a ticketed Holiday Cocktail Bash featuring creative seasonal drinks, DJs, and twinkle-lit city views—ideal for a more grown-up night out.

• Dates: December 4–7, 2025 (market); December 5, 2025 (cocktail bash)
• Address: Walk of Fame Park, 121 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
• Kid-friendly: Yes for market; Cocktail Bash is 21+
• Pet-friendly: Yes for market
• Free: Market is free; Cocktail Bash ticketed
• Website: nashvillageholidaymarket.com

6. Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin

Just south of Nashville, downtown Franklin steps back in time with its Dickens of a Christmas festival, where costumed characters, carolers, and street vendors recreate a Victorian holiday scene. Horse-drawn carriages, classic carols, and historic architecture make this event feel like a holiday movie set, perfect for families and couples alike.

• Dates: December 13–14, 2025
• Address: Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes 
• Free: Yes 
• Website: williamsonheritage.org/events/dickens-of-a-christmas/

7. The Nutcracker Ballet

Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC’s Jackson Hall reimagines this beloved holiday ballet with a distinctly Music City twist, set against a sparkling version of Nashville’s past with a live accompaniment by the Nashville Symphony. This Emmy Award–winning production follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince through enchanting worlds, showcasing lavish sets, glittering costumes, and original choreography. 

• Dates: December 6th - 28th, 2025
• Addresses: TPAC, Jackson Hall, 505 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No 
• Website: tpac.org/events/detail/nutcracker-14654

8. Holiday Concerts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Musical performances at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center wrap classic Christmas music, film favorites, and star-powered guest artists into one sparkling December lineup, all inside one of the most beautiful halls in the country. From Elf and Home Alone in Concert to jazz-infused celebrations and orchestral pops, these concerts are a must-see this season. 

• Dates: Select dates throughout December
• Addresses: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place, Nashville, TN 37201
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No 
• Website: nashvillesymphony.org

9. Teddy Bear Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

Teddy Bear Tea is a storybook-style holiday afternoon designed just for families, blending an elevated tea service with kid-friendly fun and a charitable twist. Guests gather in the Grand Ballroom for a festive lunch with tea and hot chocolate, cookie decorating, seasonal entertainment, and photos with Santa, all while encouraging little ones to bring a toy to donate to Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

• Dates: December 13, 2025
• Addresses: Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, 100 Demonbreun Street, Nashville, TN 37201
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: No
• Free: No 
• Website: fourseasons.com/nashville/seasonal/

10. Needlink Nashville's 44th Annual 5K Rudolph's Red Nose Run 2025

For the folks looking for a festive, feel-good way to kick off the holidays while supporting neighbors in need, the Rudolph Red Nose Run is the event to enjoy. The race invites runners, walkers, families, and even dogs to don antlers, tinsel, and red noses for a cheerful morning on the greenway, with every registration helping to fund NeedLink’s emergency assistance programs for local households. 

• Dates: December 6, 2025
• Addresses: Shelby Park, Shelby Avenue & South 20th Street, Nashville, TN 37206
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Free: No 
• Website: rudolphsrednoserun.raceroster.com

Make Merry Memories This Christmas

From holiday events to Christmas inspiration, we have everything you need to make this season merry and bright! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thechristmascom for more holiday events, gift ideas, and giveaways! 

Have an event to add or see an update we should make? Email us at info@thechristmas.com.