Nashville winter event guide
Prepare for a fun filled, holiday inspired season in Music City!
TOP HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Nov 10 – Jan 1, 2024
Entrance into Opryland Hotel
Over three million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between November 10, 2023, to January 1, 2024, 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 The Polar Express™️ Presented By Pepsi (begins November 10, 2023)
Darryl Worley & Friends: Home for the Holidays Dinner Show
Outdoor fun including ice tubing, ice skating, and ice bumper cars
Millions of lights
Carriage rides
Photos with Santa
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruises
Snowball Build & Blast
Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends™
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood
Nov 18– Jan 7, 2024
Discover a million lights on 55 acres, along with s’mores and drinks. Timed tickets from 5pm to 10pm; admission from free to $31 based on membership and date.
Zoolumination
Nov 17– Jan 7, 2024
At the Nashville Zoo, experience 1,000+ custom silk lanterns, mythical creatures, and a lively North Pole Village with Santa nightly from Nov 24 to Dec 24. Snacks, food court, and alcoholic beverages available for purchase throughout the event.
General Jackson Christmas Cruises
Nov 16– Dec 25
Float down the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson Showboat, one of Nashville’s long-time attractions, for a holiday-themed cruise from November 16, 2023, through December 25, 2023. Choose between the Tennessee Christmas Midday Cruise or the Music City Christmas Evening Cruise. During each cruise, guests can expect live musical performances, an elegant meal, and incredible views of Nashville! Prices vary from $44-$135.
Franktown Festival of Lights
Nov 17– Dec 31
Cruise through 200+ light displays synced to Christmas tunes. Enjoy Walkin’ Wednesdays from 5pm to 6:30pm. Tickets range from $34.69 to $106.79.
TOP HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas Village
Nov 10 – 11
Catch Christmas Village from Nov 10-12, 2023, at The Fairgrounds Nashville. Discover 250+ merchants with toys, clothing, jewelry, and more. Tickets: $15 online or at the door, $12 at TRUIST locations. $10 return tickets available for next-day shopping. Free entry for children 9 and under.
Holiday Open House with Thistle Farms
Nov 19
From noon to 4:00pm at The Café and Shop at Thistle Farms. Tickets are $20 and include a free tote bag, an exclusive preview of the new Justice Candle, sweet and savory holiday bites, mocktails, and in-store promotions.
2023 Christmas 4 Kids Concert
Nov 20
Catch the 2023 Christmas 4 Kids Concert on Nov 20 at Ryman Auditorium, featuring Shenandoah, Phil Vassar, Chapel Hart, HunterGirl, and Mikayla Lane. Tickets: $30-$50, with all proceeds benefiting Christmas 4 Kids.
Shop Small Holiday Market
Nov 25
The Shop Small Holiday Market is Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 11:00am to 4:00pm at 314 Madison Street in Germantown. Guests can expect local vendors, food trucks, holiday music, and more. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Home Alone in Concert with the Nashville Symphony
Dec 1-3
This hilarious and heartwarming event is family-friendly and a great way to get you in the holiday spirit. Guests can expect to hear John Williams’ score performed live while Kevin McCallister’s Christmas misadventures play on the big screen.
Dates & Times:
Friday, December 1, 2023 | 7:30pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 7:30pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 | 2:00pm
East Nash Holiday Bash
Dec 1 – 2
This event is presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and will feature festive cocktails, local vendors, live holiday music, family-friendly activities, and a campfire. This event is free and open to all ages.
The Ethos Market
Dec 1 – 2
Come explore a world of creatively designed products that positively impact our world with every purchase you make. Browse through ethically made fashions and beautiful handmade jewelry, find unique home goods or gifts for everyone on your list, and treat yourself or someone you love to something wonderful that gives back to our community and positively impacts the world around us. From ethically sourced materials, to products that give back, create jobs, pay a living wage, or help our environment, the Ethos Market is all about elevating businesses that produce high quality products and have a social impact.
Rudolph’s Red Nose Run 5k
Dec 2
This family-friendly, pet-friendly event is perfect for runners and walkers of all ages. Whether you want to set a new personal record or take home a prize for best costume, you can cross the finish line knowing that you’re helping families stay warm this winter.
Coffee and breakfast sandwiches after the race, with live music!
Activities for children including face painting and, of course, an appearance by Rudolph!
Holiday Cocktail Bash
Dec 2
Experience the ultimate holiday extravaganza with free and all-ages seasonal activities such as shopping from local artisans, a community tree lighting, group photos, live music by a cozy campfire, and more. For those seeking an extra festive touch, don't miss the Holiday Cocktail Bash on December 2nd from 6 PM to 9 PM, offering a spirited adventure for all.
Get your $45 tickets for an exclusive evening featuring six handcrafted holiday-themed cocktails, festive treats, holiday karaoke, a special guest DJ, and more. 21+ only for the Holiday Cocktail Bash.
Jingle Bell Run
Dec 2
Join the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run, a tradition that's all about fun and giving back. Put on your best holiday costume and get ready to jingle with family and friends for a great cause. This event is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for arthritis research, striving for better treatments and a cure. Plus, we're supporting the development of tools, resources, and connections within the arthritis community. Together, let's conquer arthritis for good! Be there with bells on!
Winter Warmer Beer Festival 2023
Dec 2
he Winter Warmer features 25 breweries offering up some of the rarest and most interesting stouts, porters, barley wines, barrel-aged beers (dark and sour), and lagers!
As always The Winter Warmer raises funds for the Oasis Center Bike Workshop and to date has donated over $50,000 to support the mission and goals of The Bike Workshop.
Digging In: Christmas Wreath Workshop
Dec 2
Deck your halls with greenery from The Hermitage!
Join the gardens team at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage for one of two DIY Christmas wreath workshop as we get into the holiday spirit. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to create a holiday-inspired wreath from our Historic Garden Manager, Kimberly Cooper, using a grapevine form with berries and foliage from the grounds at The Hermitage.
Tickets also include access to the Hermitage grounds, a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with wildlife, hiking trails, field quarters, historical markers and more.
12 Bars of Christmas Crawl
Dec 9
The 6th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl® is coming to town Saturday December 9th, 2023 from 12pm-8pm!! Put on your best holiday onesies, Santa suits, ugly sweaters, and elf costumes! It's the most wonderful crawl of the year!
🎂 BIRTHDAY TIX! Do you have a December birthday and want to celebrate with your friends? Send us a pic of your ID and email and we'll send you a free ticket and discount code for 5 of your friends! Must be 21 years old at the time of the event!
Porter Flea Holiday Market
Dec 9
Porter Flea Holiday returns with our ticketed Preview Market on Friday, December 8th from 6-9pm with our Main Market on Saturday, December 9th from 10a-5pm.
Vendor Applications open Tuesday, Sept 12th and close Sunday, October 15th at midnight.
Vendors announced on Monday, October 23rd.
#PFHoliday23 will take place indoors at the Nashville Fairgrounds featuring all your favorite Vendors to shop small this holiday!
Nashville Santa Rampage
Dec 9
Are you ready to crawl Nashville’s pubs in a Santa suit? Over 1,000 other people are! The Nashville Santa Rampage is Saturday, December 9, 2023. Santas meet at the Christmas tree at Public Square Park at 8:00pm for a group photo and the rampage goes from there. The main requirement: dress like Santa! The organizers are recommending you pay in cash at each bar instead of opening tabs at each location, so bring plenty of cash and your photo ID. There are also specific, humorous rules to follow. This event is free and open to the public.
Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin
Dec 9 – 10
Dickens of a Christmas presented by Wilson Bank & Trust recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. A variety of musicians, dancers and Dickens characters will fill the streets. Expect to see and interact with the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children. The festival is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.
A Holiday to Remember at Belmont Mansion
Dec 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22
Winner of Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2023 "Best Revival of a Holiday Tradition" Writer's Choice Award
A treasured Nashville holiday tradition returns with David Alford’s rendition of two classic Truman Capote short stories, “The Thanksgiving Visitor” and the much loved “A Christmas Memory.” Performed with original music by Paul Carrol Binkley and presented in the beautifully decorated Grand Salon of the historic Belmont Mansion, this promises to be a highlight of Nashville’s end-of-year celebrations.
Lipman Lounge Holiday Pop-Up at The Mall at Green Hills
Dec 16
The Lipman Lounge Holiday Pop-Up at The Mall at Green Hills is Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This event will take place on the first floor of the mall. Guests can expect last-minute gift shopping, stocking stuffers, and DIY candle pouring! Tickets are $40. Admission is open to all ages.
The “get-them-what- they-actually-want” Christmas Market
Dec 16
From noon to 4:00pm at Diskin Cider. This market is in collaboration with Wood + Wolfe and Diskin Cider! Expect Nashville’s best makers on-site offering a wide variety of goods for sale and delicious cider. This event is family-friendly, dog-friendly, and free admission.
Brunch with Santa at Assembly Food Hall
Dec 17
Stop by to enjoy a hot chocolate bar, letter writing to Santa, and a chance to meet Santa himself. Indulge in delicious brunch options from Whisk, The Liege Waffle Co., Donut Distillery, and more. Free admission for all ages; food and drinks available for purchase.
Drew and Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas
Dec 18
Drew and Ellie Holcomb are a husband and wife Americana duo from Nashville, TN. Shortly after their marriage in 2006, the couple began touring together with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. The band has supported many national touring acts including The Avett Brothers, Don Henley, Darius Rucker and Willie Nelson.Ellie is no longer a touring member of “The Neighbors,” and has found success in a solo career as a Christian singer/songwriter as a 3x Dove Award winner as well as a best selling author.Drew Holcomb still tours nationally with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and their most recent album, Strangers No More, is their most critically acclaimed release yet notching a #1 Americana single, “Find Your People.”Drew and Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas is a special engagement event, allowing the Holcombs to collaborate once again.
