Christmas in Nashville: How to Do the Holidays in Music City

From ice skating to Christmas feasts, Nashville is home to plenty of winter activities to get you wishing Christmas Day was every day.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Christmas in Nashville: How to Do the Holidays in Music City
Christmas in Nashville

Deck the halls with boughs of holly…fa la la la—ok, we can’t take the excitement anymore because the merriest time of the year is finally here! It’s now acceptable to stock up on all the eggnog and binge watch Elf until Santa slides down the chimney to pack the tree with presents.

Nashville, like many other cities, gets into the holiday spirit by hosting a number of Christmas-themed activities all across town, from twinkling light displays to chilly ice skating rinks for twirls and whirls. Rather than make you do all the work after recovering from that competitive Christmas shopping at the mall (it’s not an easy task, let’s say that), Sounds Like Nashville has compiled a master list of everything holiday-themed to seek out during this time in the colder months.

Check out what yuletide activities are worth packing everyone into the sleigh, or car, and find the festivities that will make you feel as good as when Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” comes on at a Christmas party!

Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park

Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park

Drive through the Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park 2572 Music Valley Dr

Holiday lights are all aglow during the festive winter season, even as the temperatures drop to the low chilly numbers. For those who like to see the wonders of the lights within the constraints of a warmer environment, you’re in luck—Jellystone Park offers their annual Dancing Lights show in the convenience of a driving spectacle. Known as the biggest drive-thru lights and music show in Middle Tennessee, families and friends can pack up their cars to see the animated production set to music by a local radio station. The best of both worlds: keeping nice and warm inside while witnessing a pure Christmas miracle! More info HERE.

Feast on Monell’s Victorian Christmas Dinner 1235 6th Ave N 

It’s not the holidays without food. Monell’s is known through Music City as one of those restaurants that you walk in with an empty tummy and leave with a full heart. They work things family-style, meaning the whole table shares food with one another and cell phones are an absolute no-no. The holidays bring out the best of this old-fashioned establishment as they host a five-course meal complete with carolers to add a musical element to the festive dinner. Sure, eating everything in sight at Monell’s may result in a belly like Santa’s, but there’s nothing wrong with a little holiday weight! Details HERE.

Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas

Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas

Explore Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas – 2800 Opryland Dr 

Every year without fail, the Opryland Hotel proves to be the hottest spot in Nashville to check out all things Christmas. They deck out their property with holiday activities to enjoy, from an outdoor ice rink to an ice sculpture exhibit to gorgeous décor draped all around the giant hotel. With Christmas trees as tall as the eye can see and fir garland wrapped around the staircases, the Opryland Hotel becomes as whimsical as Christmas morning for its seasonal visitors and locals alike. Plan your visit HERE.

See Nashville Ballet’s The Nutcracker 505 Deaderock St  

Is it even Christmas without seeing the holiday classic, The Nutcracker? The Nashville Ballet takes on this classic tale and makes it as dreamy as can be with all of the magical designs one could imagine. While TPAC’s Jackson Hall has 14 performances set for the December schedule, Nashvillians better get their hands on tickets as soon as they can before it sells out because no one wants to miss out on a tradition as important as The Nutcracker this season. Get your tickets HERE.

Holiday Lights at Cheekwood

Holiday Lights at Cheekwood

Become wonderstruck by Holiday Lights at Cheekwood 1200 Forrest Park Dr

All year round, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is home to quite the arrangement of beauty from exquisite art exhibitions to blossoming flowers filling the grounds. But during the holidays, Christmas takes over in full force with over one million lights sparkling bright to bring the yuletide spirit to life. Cheekwood also offers s’mores pits to indulge on those warm dessert delicacies and a poinsettia tree for those who admire winter’s richest bloom. The most exciting part? Visits from Santa and his reindeer. Rudolph, we’re coming for you! Details HERE.

Sing with Vince Gill and Amy Grant during Christmas at the Ryman 116 5th Ave N 

Power country couple Vince Gill and Amy Grant team up to take the stage for this holiday effort, putting together their smooth voices to bring fans the Christmas classics they love and new seasonal songs for all to chime in. For two hours each show, Gill and Grant captivate their audience night after night during their Christmas at the Ryman show by spreading the cheer throughout the Mother Church of Country Music. Just treat yourself to Christmas early by snagging some tickets to this annual Nashville tradition. More info HERE.

Country Cove Trees

Country Cove Trees

Cut down a Christmas tree at a nearby farm 1189 Cutoff Rd (Murfreesboro) 

Oh, the smell of a fresh fir pine filling the cozy air of your own home right in time for the stockings to be stuffed and the tree to lined with toys. Rather than opt for a fake with artificial spray or picking up a pre-cut in a local parking lot, get the real winter experience of chopping down a Douglas fir of your own and getting the sap on your hands. While it sounds like a lot of work (and it is, in a sense), the adventure brings the Christmas spirit to life and makes the holiday even more worthwhile. Visit Country Cove Trees’ official website HERE.

Walk around Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas - Main St (Franklin) 

Right on the outskirts of Nashville lies the little farm town of Franklin and in all of its Southern charm, the town hosts one of the largest Christmas festivals in the area. Shutting down the main street of town to fill it with festive decorations and rows of tables for selling homemade goods, folks from near and far can come by and pick up some stocking stuffers made with love. Grab a cup of cocoa before exploring the peaceful town and fall in love with its charismatic cheer. The festival only happens one weekend a year, so plan accordingly! Click HERE for details.