Ready to get in the holiday spirit? There are a lot of 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 7, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Over three million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between November 7, 2025, to January 3, 2026, 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 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
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood is open seven nights a week from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026 (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.
Zoolumination
November 13, 2025 – February 8, 2026
Zoolumination will return to 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. This event features 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.
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. 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 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The Dancing Lights of Christmas is open nightly (including all holidays) from November 8, 2025, through January 4, 2026, 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
Saint Nicky’s
Begins November 29, 2025
Saint Nicky’s, a holiday-themed dining experience, begins on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations. This marks the fifth year of Saint Nicky’s. Guests can enjoy a Smoky Mountains Christmas-themed experience that transports them to a cozy woodland wonderland, complete with twinkling Christmas lights, charming forest creatures, and a rustic, inviting ambiance. Admission is free. All ages are welcome.
Top 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
- 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
- Rudolph’s Red Nose Run 5K – December 6, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market Preview Market – December 12, 2025
- Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas – December 12, 2025
- Porter Flea Holiday Market – December 13, 2025
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