The Ultimate Guide To Festive Fun in Nashville This Christmas
Discover the magic of Music City during the holidays with our list of top activities, from dazzling light displays to iconic Christmas shows in Nashville.
Holiday LIGHTS. Photo by Nathan Zucker. Courtesy of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
The fact that Nashville has emerged as a top domestic tourist hotspot in recent years is no surprise. Boasting a continually growing culinary scene, an abundance of live music, thrilling sports events, and more, Nashville offers a constant array of activities. This holds especially true during the Christmas season.
If Music City is on your radar for the 2023 holiday season, this list is your ultimate guide when crafting your itinerary. From mesmerizing light exhibits to festive shows at renowned venues, discover Nashville’s finest Christmas activities to partake in.
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Now – Jan. 7, 2024 5pm-10 pm
Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS is a Music City holiday staple, and it’s back and bigger than ever. The exhibition showcases one million lights presented through breathtaking displays throughout the grounds of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. In addition to a one-mile walking path through the gardens, guests can enjoy warm drinks, adult beverages, s’mores, and more. This activity is perfect for families, couples, friends, and more.
“This year’s Holiday LIGHTS is brighter than ever,” Cheekwood President and CEO Jane MacLeod, shared. “Each year we add a little something new, while still offering the traditional displays our guests have come to know and love. An equally festive experience awaits guests inside the historic Mansion where this year’s theme of candy canes and gingerbread will bring cheer to visitors of all ages.”
Tip: Late Night Lights provides a reduced ticket rate for individuals interested in enjoying the exhibits during the later hours. The Gardens Only passes, priced at $20 per person, grant entry at 8:30 p.m. or later from Monday through Thursday.
More info HERE.
Nashville’s Nutcracker
Now – December 24
Drawing inspiration from the 2020 Emmy Award-winning film and hailed as the Best Dance Production of 2022 by Broadway World Nashville, this stands as the must-attend holiday spectacle in Nashville. A distinct Nashville Ballet interpretation of the timeless classic, Nashville’s Nutcracker showcases original choreography by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling, captivating costumes and sets, live music performed by the Nashville Symphony, and an abundance of holiday enchantment for the entire family to revel in!
More info HERE.
Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
Now – Jan. 7, 2024 5-9pm (+ Thurs. to Sun. Jan. 11, 2024 to Feb. 4, 2024)
The largest Chinese lantern festival in the United States is right here in Nashville! Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere features 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns. The walkthrough experience includes whimsical scenes throughout the zoo as well as a North Pole Village where Santa will visit each night Nov. 24 to Dec. 24. Chinese acrobats and entertainers perform nightly at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 pm at the Amphitheater.
Tip: While most of the zoo animals will be sleeping at night, arrive before 8:30 pm to see the Sumatran tiger and flamingos.
More info HERE.
Dancing Lights of Christmas
Now – Dec. 31, 2023
This drive-thru light show is a must-see! The Dancing Lights of Christmas at the Wilson County Fairgrounds offers Tennessee’s largest drive-through light and music show. It’s open rain or shine and admission includes access to Santa’s village, a visit with Santa, and a petting zoo. It’s open Sunday through Thursday 5 – 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 5 – 11 pm.
Tip: To avoid long waits, visit on a weeknight as weekends can be VERY busy.
More info HERE.
Christmas At Gaylord Opryland
Nov. 11, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
If you are looking for a Christmas experience like no other, look no further than Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. There are endless activities to experience at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, including ICE! featuring The Polar Express, breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends, photos with Santa, ice skating, ice tubing, and more.
More info HERE.
Amy Grant & Vince Gill at The Ryman
Select Dates Dec. 13 – 23
Amy Grant and Vince Gill have been enchanting audiences with their Christmas at the Ryman performances for numerous years, and this year is no exception. The cherished couple is set to grace the stage at Nashville’s renowned Ryman Auditorium on various evenings throughout December.
More info HERE.
Opry Country Christmas
Select Dates From Now – Dec. 22, 2022
The Grand Ole Opry is ringing in the holiday season with several Opry Country Christmas shows. On select nights, artists will take to the iconic Opry Circle to perform Christmas classics.
December 11: Lady A, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, The Scott Family, Charlie McCoy, and Riders in the Sky.
December 14: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, Lorrie Morgan, and Rhonda Vincent.
December 17: Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Louise Mandrell, Charlie McCoy, and Riders in the Sky.
December 18: Chris Janson, Mandy Barnett, John Berry, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, and Riders in the Sky.
More info HERE.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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