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.
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:Â
- 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
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS and Festive spots for cocktails
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.
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.
Note: Photo is from 2025 Saint Nicky’s.
Top Holiday Events
- Christmas Village – November 13-15, 2026
- Nashville’s Nutcracker – November 27-28, 2026, & December 5-6, 11-13, 18-24, 26-27, 2026
- Opry Country Christmas – November 30, 2026, & December 2-3, 6, 9-10, 13-14, 20-22, 2026
- Jingle Bell Run – December 5, 2026
- Porter Flea Holiday Market Preview Market – December 11, 2026
- Porter Flea Holiday Market – December 12, 2026
- Nashville SantaCon Bar Crawl – December 12, 2026
- Dickens of a Christmas – December 12-13, 2026
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