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.
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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
Nashville Yards Holidays
Through December 30, 2025
Kids of all ages can enjoy Nashville Yards Holidays happening through Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Ascension Saint Thomas Landing (131 10th Avenue North). Ages 3 and up can skate at the Rink Under Broad, watch favorite holiday movies like The Grinch and Elf, and get free pictures with Santa. See the website for a full list of event and details.
Chad’s Winter Wonderland
November 27, 2025, through December 31, 2025
Get the family together and head over to Chad’s Winter Wonderland. This festive nightly drive-thru lighting event takes place from Thursday, November 27, 2025, through Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The cost is $25 per car (only cash). The vehicle height limit is 8’8″. Stop by their concession stands (cash and card accepted) for food, drinks, and merchandise. The address is 791 Old Laguardo Road East, Lebanon, TN 37087.
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
Polar Pub: A Pancake Pantry Pop-Up Bar
November 13, 2025, through December 27, 2025
The Polar Pub: A Pancake Pantry Pop-Up Bar will take place Thursdays through Saturdays from Thursday, November 13, 2025, through Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. This festive experience will be at Pancake Pantry in the SoBro/Downtown neighborhood. Attendees can expect festive cocktails and tasty food. All ages are welcome.
Saint Nicky’s
November 25, 2025, through December 23, 2025
Saint Nicky’s, the holiday-themed dining experience, is back for a fifth year and begins on Tuesday, November 25, 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.
Bavarian Winter Wonderland at Fogg Street Lawn Club
Begins November 28, 2025
The Bavarian Winter Wonderland at Fogg Street Lawn Club kicks off on Friday, November 28, 2025. This family-friendly holiday experience will feature cozy cabins, ice curling, and festive decor. Guests can expect three different cabins that provide either dining or couch seating. A minimum spend is required depending on the day of the week. Ice curling lanes can be reserved for 1 hour and 45 minutes. All ages are welcome. Bookings can be made here.
Kid-friendly Holiday Events
- Conrad Nashville’s Holiday Afternoon Tea – 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
- Christmas Movies & Hot Cocoa at Assembly Food Hall – November 29, 2025, and December 6, 2025
- Nashville’s Nutcracker – November 29-30, December 6-7, 12-14, 19-22, 24, 26-28, 2025
- Opry Country Christmas – November 30, 2025, & December 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 21, 22, 23, 2025
- Nashville Holiday Market – December 4-7, 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
- Jingle Bell Run – December 6, 2025
- Breakfast with Santa at Rocketown – December 6, 2025
- Cookie Decorating at Stompin’ Grounds – December 6, 13, 20, 2025
- Cookies and Cocoa with Santa – December 6-21, 2025
- Holiday Market At The Hatchery – December 7, 2025
- Brunch with Santa at Stompin’ Grounds – December 7, 14, 21, 2025
- Jazz Christmas at Tennessee Brew Works – December 7, 14, 21, 2025
- Elf in Concert with the Nashville Symphony – December 10-11, 2025
- Gulch Holiday Night Market – December 11, 2025
- Skydeck Christmas Market – December 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market Preview Market – December 12, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market – December 13, 2025
- Howdy Holidays at Fifth + Broadway – December 13, 2025
- Teddy Bear Tea – December 13, 2025
- Dickens of a Christmas – December 13-14, 2025
- Puppy Adoption & Holiday Market at Hard Rock Cafe – December 14, 2025
- Ornament’s at Hatch Show Print – December 14, 2025
- Santa Brunch at The Reserve at Fat Bottom – December 14, 2025
- Santa’s Cookie Party at St. Nicky’s – December 20, 2025
- Sugar Cookie Decorating – December 20, 2025
- Christmas Brunch at House of Cards – December 20-21, 2025
- Mirrorball New Year’s Celebration – December 28, 2025
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