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Best Holiday Events, Activities, & Pop-Up Bars in Nashville

October 22, 2026 | Advertising Disclosure | Our Partners may be mentioned in this article.

Ready to get in the holiday spirit? There are numerous fun holiday events, activities, and pop-up bars in Nashville to get you in the mood for hot chocolate, candy canes, and cozy fires. Here are some of the top holiday happenings this year in Music City.

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Holiday Attractions
Holiday Pop-Up Bars and Festive Spots for Cocktails
Holiday Events

Top Holiday Attractions

Christmas at Gaylord Opryland

November 6, 2026 – January 2, 2027

Over three million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between Friday, November 6, 2026, and Saturday, January 2, 2027, 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:

ICE! featuring “Home Alone” (begins November 6, 2026)
POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance (begins November 24, 2026)
Outdoor ice tubing, ice skating, and ice bumper cars
Millions of lights
Nutmeg’s Holiday Kitchen Character Breakfast
Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt
Carriage rides
Photos with Santa
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruises
Build-A-Bear Workshop

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Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood

November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood is open seven nights a week from Friday, November 20, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Enjoy over one million twinkling lights as you stroll through 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-entry event held from 4:30pm to 10:00pm. Admission prices vary depending on membership status, time, and date.

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Glow Wild Holiday Light Show at Nashville Zoo

November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Glow Wild, Nashville Zoo’s new holiday light show, runs nightly from Friday, November 13, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at the Nashville Zoo. Attendees can expect a holiday light show featuring glowing wildlife, festive displays, and an 85-foot-tall synchronized Christmas tree. Food and beverages (including spiked hot cocoa) are available for purchase. Buying tickets in advance is required. Single-night tickets are $27 (members save $5 off single-night tickets). Platinum Passes (unlimited visits) are $39. Children under age 2 are free.

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The Rink Under the Giant Guitar

November 20, 2026 – January 18, 2027

The Rink Under the Giant Guitar is open daily from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Monday, January 18, 2027, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at The Outfield. This new outdoor ice-skating rink in Wedgewood-Houston will be located beneath the Giant Guitar sign. Skaters can also enjoy hot chocolate and winter treats from Perenn, the all-day bakery and cafe. Admission is free, and skate rentals are $10. All ages are welcome.

Note: This experience is closed Thursday, November 26, 2026, Friday, December 25, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.

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Chad’s Winter Wonderland

November 26, 2026, through December 31, 2026

Chad’s Winter Wonderland is a nightly drive-thru lighting event taking place from Thursday, November 26, 2026, through Thursday, December 31, 2026, from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The cost is $25 (cash only) per car. The vehicle height limit is 8’8″. Be sure to 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 (map/directions).

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Franktown Festival of Lights

November 20, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Franktown Festival of Lights is a nightly light display running from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Thursday, December 31, 2026, at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin (map/directions). Relax in your vehicle as you wind through over 200 light displays and listen to synchronized Christmas tunes on your 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.

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The Dancing Lights of Christmas

November 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027

The Dancing Lights of Christmas is open nightly (including all holidays) from Saturday, November 7, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087 (map/directions). Hours are 5:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:00pm to 11:00pm Friday and Saturday. This attraction is a drive-thru light display synced to music. There’s also Santa’s Village, which includes a variety of add-on activities such as a petting zoo, photos with Santa, carnival rides, helicopter rides, drinks, and snacks. The main attraction is $35 per standard family vehicle.

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Nashville Yards Holidays

November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027

Nashville Yards Holidays is taking place Saturday, November 21, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at the Ascension Saint Thomas Landing (map/directions). Attendees can expect skating at the Rink Under Broad, festive drinks and beverages, holiday movies, free photos with Santa, and more. See the website for a full list of events and details.

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HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS and Festive spots for cocktails

Santa Baby Pop-Up at Hidden Bar

November 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027

The Santa Baby Pop-Up at Hidden Bar is open from Thursday, November 5, 2026, through Saturday, January 2, 2027. Guests can expect a red-drenched holiday cocktail pop-up bar with festive drinks, seasonal bites, and a glamorous atmosphere. Admission is 21 and over only.

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Geist’s Christmas Pop-up

Begins November 4, 2026

Geist always goes all out for their annual holiday pop-up. Guests can expect every room to be decked out in festive, elegant Christmas decor. Reservations are highly recommended.

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Saint Nicky’s

Begins November 24, 2026

Saint Nicky’s, the annual holiday pop-up dining experience at Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations, returns Tuesday, November 24, 2026, marking its sixth year of festive fun. This year’s theme, “Now That’s What I Call St. Nicky’s,” celebrates the iconic sights, sounds, and unmistakable nostalgia of the 1990s. Admission is free, and guests of all ages are welcome.

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