It’s that time of year again!! I have compiled a list of holiday events going on in Nashville this year! I am starting with Christmas Village tomorrow!! I have *starred* some good events to take kids to as well!

If you haven’t been to any of these events, I hope this will get you out of the house and into the holiday spirit! This list will either be super helpful, or completely overwhelming! 🙂 Good Luck!

For the Shoppers & the Crafters!

Christmas Village 2019

Friday, November 15, 2019 – 9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, November 16, 2019 – 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday, November 17, 2019 – 12:00pm to 6:00pm

The Nashville Fairgrounds (500 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville, Tennessee 37203)

Approximately 260 merchants and 25,000 shoppers from all over the United States participate in Nashville’s oldest and most prestigious consumer show. A variety of unique seasonal and gift items are offered. Christmas Village is organized and operated solely through the volunteer efforts of the Nashville Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club to benefit the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center and other Pi Beta Phi philanthropies. Parking: $5, Admission: $10

MADE SOUTH Holiday Market

Friday, November 15, 2019 – 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday, November 16, 2019 – 9:00am to 5:00pm

The Factory (230 Franklin Road, Franklin, Tennessee 37064)

You’ll have so much fun knocking out all of your holiday shopping with more than 100 different makers and artisans from all over the South. Enjoy special food tastings throughout the day, a live music stage, and fun surprises!

CHS Holiday Show

Saturday, November 23, 2019 – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday, November 24, 2019 – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Centennial High School (5050 Mallory Lane, Franklin, Tennessee 37067)

The Centennial Holiday Show is the CHS PTSO primary fundraiser. Each weekend before Thanksgiving, over 170 arts and crafts vendors transform CHS into a shopping destination.

*Dickens of A Christmas In Franklin*

Saturday, December 14, 2019 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday, December 15, 2019 – 11:00am to 4:00pm

Historic Downtown Franklin

The 35th annual free street festival will recreate the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s Victorian architecture as the backdrop. Some 200 musicians, dancers and characters will fill the streets, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories.

As more attention is turned toward downtown Franklin in both the local and national press, we encourage festival goers to dress in Victorian costume and to add to the ambiance as they stroll the streets.

This year’s event will reprise a crowd favorite from last year: it WILL snow at Dickens of a Christmas! Come decked out in holiday style to capture that perfect family picture.

Holiday Bazaar

Thursday, November 21, 2019  5:00pm – 8:00pm

The Governors Gold Club

unique gifts • local vendors, artists & boutiques
grab your friends for a ladies evening of shopping
online silent auction • cash bar available

Join us for an evening of holiday shopping. With so many local vendors, artists and boutiques you’ll be sure to find something for everyone on your list.
Presented by The Governors Club LGA in support of Saddle Up!
Hosted inside the clubhouse.

Make an Evening of it!

*GLOW Nashville: Nashville’s Brightest Christmas Experience*

November 22 – December 31: 4:00-10:00pm

First Tennessee Park (19 Jr Gilliam Way, Nashville, TN 37219)

As the newest must-see holiday attraction in the Southeast, GLOW Nashville features one of the country’s tallest Christmas trees, millions of lights adorning larger-than-life sculptures, epic ice skating and tubing experiences, a life-size Santa’s Workshop and many more immersive activities designed to create memories for all ages.

Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival Franklin

Stroll through The Factory at Franklin sipping festive cocktails,
listening to music and waving to the big man in red himself!

Tickets Include:
12 sample sized cocktails
Photos with Santa
Yuletide music and activities

Food and full sized drinks will be available for purchase as well. This event supports TennGreen, so every sip gets you closer to the nice list!

Reindeer Games: Christmas Pop-up Bar!

Opening Saturday, November 23

Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm-3:00am
Friday – Sunday: 12:00pm-3:00am

Headquarters Beercade Nashville (114 2nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201)

This holiday season, join us as we transform HQ into Reindeer Games: an experiential winter wonderland with holiday decorations, interactive installations, festive cocktails, and SO much more! 🎅🏽🎄

Reindeer Games is back with all new Christmas decor installations, Reindeer Games signature events, themed cocktails and food offerings!

We plan to surprise everyone with new, large interactive photo-op areas!

*Christmas Lights at Opryland*

November 8, 2019 to January 1, 2020

Over 3 million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between November 8 and January 1 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!

*A Country Christmas at Opryland*

• Carriage Rides
• SoundWaves
• ICE!® featuring A Christmas Story!
• Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Feast
• Christmas Dinner Show
• Snow Tubing
• Ice Skating
• Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt
• Gingerbread Decorating Corner

*Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood*

November 23, 2019 – January 05, 2020

Now Open 7 Nights A Week! 5:00pm to 10:00pm

Admission ranges from $9 to $27.

*Holiday Lights!*

When the sun goes down, the gardens light up for the prettiest holiday stroll of the season, featuring one mile of lights, photo opportunities, and unique lights displays throughout our beautiful botanic gardens.

*Real Reindeer*

There’s only one place in Nashville that has real reindeer – Cheekwood! Two of Santa’s most trusted companions will be visiting from the North Pole every night of Holiday LIGHTS and during our daytime hours. Stop in for a chat with the Reindeer Keeper and grab seasonal food and drink, like hot chocolate and cider, along with hot toddies, beer, wine and liquor.

*Dancing Lights of Trains*

Bask in the colorful, dancing lights at the North Pole Express!

Located in the Turner Seasons Garden, trains chug along their tracks all lit up for the season. Kids can even explore Cheekwood’s new train depot with a slide, climbing net and more all surrounded by an immersive, larger than life train display.

*Meet Santa*

Meet Jolly Ole St. Nick himself in Cheekwood’s Historic Stable and Tack Room located in the Frist Learning Center!

*S’mores Pits*

Get warm by the fire and roast a marshmallow or two!

Located at the bottom of the mansion drive, our fire pits are the perfect spot to take a break, grab a drink and take in the scenery.

*Holiday Carolers*

Warm up in the Frist Learning Center and enjoy the sounds of season as carolers sing holiday favorites every night from 6-9 PM.

Visitors are highly encouraged to suggest carols and join in the singalongs!

Poinsettia Tree and NEW Poinsettia Wall

Located in the Cheekwood Mansion Loggia, our Poinsettia Tree features over 500 poinsettias and is the perfect picture spot.

Or stop by the Frist Learning Center to enjoy our Holiday Carolers, and get the perfect family photo in front of our new Poinsettia Wall.

*Drive-Thru Dancing Lights of Christmas*

November 16, 2019 – January 4, 2020

Open nightly at 5:00pm

James E Ward Agricultural Center (945 E Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087)

The Dancing Lights of Christmas returns for it’s 9th consecutive season. Wilson County and the James E. Ward Agricultural Center, home of the Wilson County Fair, will host the Dancing Lights of Christmas this holiday season.

The new location comes with new displays and an extended drive route, some new rocking’ Christmas tunes and an expanded News 4 Santa’s Village.

With over one and a half million lights dancing to the music on the radio, each visit will be a new experience. It’s a great evening for the entire family!

Franktown Festival of Lights

November 22, 2019 – December 28, 2019

Williamson County Ag Center (4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064)

A drive-through Christmas and Holiday Lights Spectacular. NEW Displays, Over 1 mile of lights, Santa’s Village, Rides for the kids, and more.

Franktown Festival of Lights is Williamson County’s only drive-thru light spectacular. Presented by Franklin Synergy Bank, attendees can relax in the comfort of their own car and wind their way through more than 200 light displays, spanning a little over one mile, while listening to Christmas classics on the radio.

New to this year’s route is Lee Company’s Santa’s Village where families can get their photo with Santa, enjoy hot drinks and cookies, camel rides for the kids, holiday activities, Ferris wheel, carousel and a petting zoo.

*Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt*

December 13, 2019 @ 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Eastern Flank Event Facility (1368 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin, TN 37069)

The grounds of Eastern Flank Battlefield Park are sprinkled with candy canes ready to be eaten…grab your flashlight and help us hunt for the holiday treats! Kids will decorate treat bags for their candy canes before the hunt. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Participants must bring a flashlight, and all other supplies will be provided. Feel free to dawn a festive outfit for the event! This event is limited to 100 participants and PRE-REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEE WILL BE REQUIRED.  Registration begins November 4, 2019.

Don’t Miss the Parades!

*Nashville Christmas Parade*

Saturday, December 7, 2019 – 8:30am to 11:00am

Broadway – Nashville, Tennessee (Starting at North 1st Ave & Brandon Street)

Nashvillians will line the streets to support the parade, which features celebrity performances, marching bands, and giant balloons. It’s the perfect family-friendly outing downtown!

*Downtown Franklin Christmas Parade*

Saturday, December 7, 2019 – 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Great American Main Street – Historic Franklin, Tennessee

Celebrate the sights and sounds of Christmas as this annual parade winds through the streets of downtown Franklin, Tennessee. The parade will celebrate “Holiday Heros” and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Live Shows!

TPAC

Nashville’s Nutcracker

December 7, 2019 – December 23, 2019

TPAC – Andrew Jackson Hall

The Ryman

Christmas at the Ryman: With Amy Grant & Vince Gill

December 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23

Amy Grant and Vince Gill will once again spend their December with us here at the Ryman, playing a total of 12 Christmas concerts. “Christmas at the Ryman” will run from Wednesday, December 11 and through Monday, December 23. For the first time this year, the schedule includes three matinee shows, which will start at 3 PM on December 15, 22 and 23.

Running/Walking Events

*Rudolph’s Red Nose Run*

Saturday, December 7, 2019 – 7:30am

Nissan Stadium (1 Titans Way, Nashville, Tennessee 37213)

Music City’s most festive 5K  invites elves, grinches, and sugar plum fairies to light the way for Santa’s arrival at the Nashville Christmas Parade.

This family-friendly event is perfect for runners, walkers, joggers, and merry-makers of all ages and abilities.

Whether this is your first 5K or your 50th, you’ll walk away with the spirit of the season in your heart, knowing that you’re helping families and seniors stay warm this winter. 100% of proceeds benefit NeedLink Nashville.

*2019 Jingle Bell Run*

Saturday, December 7, 2019 – 8:00am

Downtown Franklin Square (317 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064)

The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. Put on your favorite holiday costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. ’Tis the season to live it up and be jolly for a reason! Bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run or walk, spread smiles and good cheer … and be a Champion of Yes! 100 percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to this great cause.

Nashville Santa Rampage

Saturday, December 14, 2019 – 8:00pm

Over 1,000 people dress as Santa and pub crawl Downtown Nashville starting with a group photo at the Christmas Tree on 2nd Avenue!  Organizers request that you please bring your ID and recommend cash, so you don’t have to wait to swipe a card. This event is a great time!!

8:00pm – Meet at the tree on 2nd Avenue for our photo shoot!!

Then the Rampage begins, Ho Ho Ho!!

Marshmallow Hikes

Hike Dates:

December 27, 28

January 3, 4, 5 & 11

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary (545 Beech Creek Rd Brentwood, TN 37027)

Are you looking for something to do with the family during the holidays or an excuse to get out of the house by yourself? How does a nice hike in the winter woods followed by hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows sound? Come by Owl’s Hill for our annual Marshmallow and Hot Chocolate Hikes!

$10/ Person in advance / $12 at the door

Tree Lighting

*Nashville Christmas Tree Lighting*

Public Square Park (1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201)

Friday, December 6, 2019

*Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting*

Downtown Franklin (109 3rd Ave S, Franklin, Tennessee 37064)
Friday, December 6, 2019

So much going on in Nashville! I’m sure I missed several events, so if I missed your favorite, please add it in the comments!

Happy Holidays!