The holidays in Nashville are 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 Holiday Activities
Zoolumination
November 13, 2025 – February 8, 2026
Zoolumination is back! This annual event will take place at the Nashville Zoo nightly (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from November 13, 2025, to January 4, 2026, and on Thursdays through Sundays (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from January 8, 2026, to February 8, 2026. Attendees can expect over 1,000 larger-than-life, custom-made silk lanterns. In addition to mythical creatures and fantastical beasts, Santa will visit nightly from November 28, 2025, to December 24, 2025.
Buying tickets in advance is required. Single-night tickets are $25 for adults and teens and $21 for kids (ages 2-12); members save $5 off single-night tickets. Platinum Passes (unlimited visits) are $39 for adults and teens and $29 for kids (ages 2-12). Children under age 2 are free.
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood will occur seven nights a week from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). This magical nightly event will feature over a million twinkling lights displayed through the 55-acre grounds of Cheekwood. From s’mores stations to holiday drinks for grown-ups, this is a wonderful festive outing for the whole family. Holiday LIGHTS is a timed-entry event held from 4:30pm to 10:00pm. Admission prices vary depending on membership status, time, and date.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
November 7, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Millions of lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination every holiday season. Guests can visit Opryland to see the interior and exterior lights for free any day between November 7, 2025, through January 3, 2026, or pay a fee to experience additional family-friendly activities. Looking for the ultimate experience? Book a stay!
Highlights during Christmas at Gaylord Opryland include:Â
- ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas (begins November 7, 2025)
- POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance (immersive Cirque Holiday Show)
- Outdoor ice tubing, ice skating, and ice bumper cars
- Millions of lights
- Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends
- A Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Carriage rides
- Photos with Santa
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner
- Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruises
- Build-A-Bear Workshop
Dancing Lights of Christmas (Drive-Thru)
November 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The Dancing Lights of Christmas will be open nightly (including all holidays) from November 8, 2025, through January 4, 2026, at 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087 (map/directions). Operating hours are 5:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:00pm to 11:00pm Friday and Saturday. This festive attraction is a drive-thru light display synced to holiday music. There’s also Santa’s Village, which features a variety of add-on activities such as a petting zoo, photos with Santa, carnival rides, helicopter rides, drinks, and tasty bites. The main attraction is $35 per standard family vehicle.
Franktown Festival of Lights
November 21, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Franktown Festival of Lights is a nightly light display running from November 21, 2025, to December 31, 2025, at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin. Attendees can relax in their vehicles as they wind through over 200 light displays while listening to synchronized Christmas tunes on their radio. Walkin’ Wednesdays return this year, offering tickets for those who would like to walk through the light display on select Wednesdays from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. The display is open nightly from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Kid-Friendly Holiday Pop-ups
Saint Nicky’s
Begins November 29, 2025
Saint Nicky’s, the holiday-themed dining experience, is back for a fifth year and begins on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations. Expect a Smoky Mountains Christmas-themed experience featuring a cozy woodland wonderland, complete with twinkling Christmas lights, charming forest creatures, and a rustic ambiance. Admission is free. All ages are welcome.
Kid-friendly Holiday Events
- Grinchmas Afternoon Tea at The Lounge at Blue Aster – November 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 2025, and January 2-4, 2026
- Christmas Village – November 14-16, 2025
- The Ethos Market – November 22-23, 2025
- Opry Country Christmas – November 30, 2025, & December 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 21, 22, 23, 2025
- It’s A Wonderful Life at TPAC – December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 2025
- Home Alone in Concert with the Nashville Symphony – December 5-7, 2025
- Rudolph’s Red Nose Run 5K – December 6, 2025
- Elf in Concert with the Nashville Symphony – December 10-11, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market Preview Market – December 12, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market – December 13, 2025
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