The holidays in Nashville are absolutely magical, especially for children. Over the years, more and more kid-friendly activities and events have been added to the Nashville line-up. See below for a list of the very best things to do with kids in Nashville this holiday season.
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES CHEAT SHEET
↓ SAVE IMAGE TO YOUR PHONE ↓
Kid-Friendly Holiday Activities
Zoolumination
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Zoolumination will return to the Nashville Zoo nightly (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from November 17, 2023, to January 7, 2024, and on Thursdays through Sundays (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from January 11, 2024, to February 4, 2024. This event features over 1,000 large-than-life, custom-made silk lanterns. In addition to mythical creatures and fantastical beasts, there will be a festive North Pole Village full of holiday lights and fun where Santa will visit nightly from November 24th to December 24th.
Buying tickets in advance is required. Single-night tickets (Monday through Thursday) are $23 for adults and teens and $19 for kids (ages 2-12 years old), members save $2 off single-night tickets. Single-night tickets (Friday through Sunday) are $26 for adults and teens and $22 for kids (ages 2-12 years old), members save $2 off single-night tickets. Platinum Passes (unlimited visits) are $39 for adults and teens and $29 for kids (ages 2-12 years old). Children under age 2 are FREE.
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood is open seven nights a week from November 18, 2023, to January 7, 2024 (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day). Enjoy over one million twinkling lights while you walk the 55-acre grounds of Cheekwood. From s’mores stations to holiday drinks for grown-ups, this is a wonderful holiday outing for the whole family. Holiday LIGHTS is a timed-ticketed event from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The exhibit admission ranges from free to $31 depending on membership status, time, and date.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
November 10, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Over three million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between November 10, 2023, to January 1, 2024, just to see the interior and exterior lights, or you can pay to do other fun activities. And, of course, you could stay the night for the ultimate experience!
Highlights during Christmas at Gaylord Opryland include:Â
- Ice! Featuring The Polar Express™️ Presented By Pepsi (begins November 10, 2023)
- Darryl Worley & Friends: Home for the Holidays Dinner Show
- Outdoor fun including ice tubing, ice skating, and ice bumper cars
- Millions of lights
- Carriage rides
- Photos with Santa
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner
- Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruises
- Snowball Build & Blast
- Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends™
Dancing Lights of Christmas (Drive-Thru)
November 10, 2023 – December 31, 2023
The annual Dancing Lights of Christmas will take place at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. The light show will run from November 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Pile in the car and drive through an incredible dancing light show! Tickets are $30 per family vehicle with prices increasing for limousines and party buses. Also, admission to Santa’s Village will be included in the light show admission—expect the opportunity to visit Santa and see animals at the petting zoo. The show opens nightly at 5:00pm (the attraction will be closed on Wednesday, November 29, 2023).
Address: 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087 (use entrance across from Dollar General)
Franktown Festival of Lights
November 17, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Franktown Festival of Lights is a nightly light display running from November 17, 2023, to December 31, 2023, at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin. Relax in your vehicle and wind through over 200 light displays and listen to synchronized Christmas tunes on your radio. Walkin’ Wednesdays will return this year with tickets reserved for people who would like to walk through the light display from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. The display is open from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Ticket prices vary from $34.69-$106.79.
Kid-Friendly Holiday Pop-ups
The Rink Above Broadway at Grand Hyatt Nashville
November 18, 2023, through December 31, 2023
The Rink Above Broadway opens Saturday, November 18, 2023, and runs through Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Grand Hyatt Nashville. Escape to the 5th-floor rooftop to experience this magical winter wonderland with ice skating—the Glice eco-friendly synthetic ice rink offers affordable fun for the entire family! There will also be fun events including kids’ cookie decorating and breakfast with Santa on select dates. Reservations aren’t required but are recommended for skating. Complimentary valet parking is available for two hours and skates are provided. The cost is $10 per person Monday through Thursday and $15 per person Friday through Sunday. Food and beverages are also available for purchase.
Saint Nicky’s
November 25, 2023, through December 23, 2023
Saint Nicky’s, a holiday-themed dining experience, is taking place from Saturday, November 25, 2023, to Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations. Guests can expect holiday cocktails, lights, garlands, Christmas trees, ornaments, and a new holiday bar experience, Tropical Tidings!
9 Âľ, Holiday Pop-Up at The Union Station Nashville Yards
November 1, 2023, through December 29, 2023
Get into the holiday spirit with the family-friendly 9 ¾, Holiday Pop-Up at The Union Station Nashville Yards. This experience will take place daily (in the hotel lobby) from Wednesday, November 1, 2023, through Friday, December 29, 2023, from 1:00pm to 10:00pm on weekdays and from 1:00pm to 11:00pm on weekends. Expect enchanting wizard decor such as house banners, floating lanterns and candles, a hidden golden snitch, flying owls, and a luggage cart photo opportunity. There will also be themed cocktails and bar bites. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Kid-friendly Holiday Events
- East Nash Holiday Bash (Dec 1-2)
- Home Alone in Concert (Dec 1-3)
- Grinchmas Afternoon Tea at The Lounge at Blue Aster (Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24)
- Ginger-Snapped (Dec 2)
- Pictures with Santa at Tee Line Nashville (Dec 2, 9)
- Predators Home Games (Dec 2, 7, 12, 16, 19, 23, 27)
- Cookies & Cacao with Santa at Lucky Ladd Farms (Dec 2, 3, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- Brunch with Santa (Dec 3, 17)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Green Hills Theatre (Dec 3, 6)
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at Green Hills Theatre (Dec 3, 16)
- Titans Home Games (Dec 3, 17, 24)
- Holiday Movies at Tailgate Brewery (Dec 7, 14, 21)
- Nashville’s Nutcracker (Dec 8-24)
- Santa at the Ryman (Dec 9)
- Elf at Green Hills Theatre (Dec 9)
- Dickens of a Christmas (Dec 9, 10)
- Meet the Mean Green Grinchy One (Dec 9, 16, 19, 21, 22)
- Saint Nicky’s Photos with Santa (Dec 10)
- Frist Family Sunday: Multiplicity (Dec 10)
- A Christmas Story at Green Hills Theatre (Dec 10, 16)
- The Grinch at Green Hills Theatre (Dec 10, 23)
- St. Nicky’s Cookie Party (Dec 17)
- Christmas Party with Santa and Elsa (Dec 17)
Also See:
