Popular for its outstanding music scene, Nashville is the busy capital of the well-known US state of Tennessee. It is home to noteworthy music halls, prestigious country music venues, and various music events. It is also famous for being the Music City of USA. Just like its rich cultural celebrations, Nashville also features outstanding festivities for the holiday season. An illuminated winter wonderland, Christmas markets, Music City Winterfest, a grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and Reindeer Run Tube Park are just a few incredible events and attractions that showcase praiseworthy yuletide celebrations. So if you have plans to spend your winter vacation in a fascinating destination, opt for Nashville. Check out the best affordable Airbnbs and the top vacation rentals, and start planning your holiday trip. Keep reading to learn about some of the best things to do at Christmas in Nashville.
1. Let your belly ache with laughter at The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
What’s a Nashville Christmas without some holiday cheer to liven the mood up? Bringing you joy and laughter this season is the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour, one of the most entertaining Christmas events in Nashville. This hilarious experience takes you around the best of Nashville, all while providing humor and background on what a redneck really is. Feel like a local by getting to know the vibrant city through this unique tour. All they ask is that you bring a good sense of humor, and you’re all set for a delightful Christmas experience in Nashville!
The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour
Address: 4117 Hillsboro Pike #103, Nashville, TN 37215, United States (mailing address only)
Website: The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour
2. Join a holiday cruise at General Jackson Showboat
Showboats, or floating theaters, might be a thing of the past in the United States but definitely not for Nashville. General Jackson Showboat continues to bring entertainment to the city with its holiday cruises, most notably the Music City Christmas Evening Holiday Cruise. While you travel down Cumberland River, you’ll be welcomed with flashy entertainment at the Victorian Theater and served with tasty goodness of authentic Southern dishes. Let the tour leave a mark on you by witnessing the grand performances highlighting the magnificence of Nashville.
General Jackson Showboat
Address: 2812 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States
Website: General Jackson Showboat
3. Enjoy a haunted holiday at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
You have to leave it up to Nashville to give you the most obscure holiday experiences ever. Spice up your Christmas, move away from the holiday cheer, and instead, join the Haunted Holiday Tour at The Hermitage. At this plantation that used to be owned by former US President Andrew Jackson, spine-tingling explorations will be the highlight of the tour, along with a visit to the cemetery and retelling of ghost stories that occurred on-site. The Haunted Holiday Tour is definitely not a festive experience, so if a spooky Christmas is right up your alley, come through!
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage
Address: 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076
Website: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 9am - 6pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
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4. Witness the Jingle Beat at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Bring your entire family to Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville this holiday season to witness the grandeur of Jingle Beat. This 2-mile (3.21 km) drive-thru lights and sounds event is open to everyone. Jaws are guaranteed to drop after experiencing the flashy, coordinated visuals paired with upbeat holiday music. You don’t have to scramble through a crowd, your own vehicle is your front-row seat to this one-of-a-kind Christmas activity in Music City. Nashville ups their holiday game every year; be sure to not miss any of it!
Jingle Beat
Address: 625 Smith Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
Website: Jingle Beat
5. Shop for gifts at Christmas Village in Nashville
Posted by Christmas Village on Friday, 9 November 2018
Plan to enjoy a great Christmas shopping experience by visiting Christmas Village when holidaying in Nashville. Around 30,000 shoppers and 260 merchants throughout the country are known to participate in this renowned event that is considered the oldest consumer function in the capital of Tennessee. Shop for a variety of things, such as seasonal gifts, beautiful jewelry, collectibles, toys, pottery, clothing for adults and kids, delicious foods, and many more. Have fun shopping for presents here.
Christmas Village
Address: The Fairgrounds Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Website: Christmas Village
Opening hours: 12 - 13 November 2021: 9am - 6pm; 14 November 2021: 12pm - 6pm
6. Step into the marvelous winter wonderland at Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Have you purchased your Holiday LIGHTS tickets for this weekend? Get into the spirit this holiday season by taking a...
Posted by Cheekwood on Friday, 7 December 2018
Enjoy the most beautiful winter stroll by visiting Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville during your upcoming holidays to Tennessee’s capital city. Feel the festive spirit the moment you enter the premises, where the gardens and a mile-long path is adorned by a million sparkling lights. Do not miss seeing Santa’s trustworthy companions and be sure to pose for a picture with two of his reindeers, Jolly and Joy. Kids will enjoy meeting Santa and admiring the marvelous poinsettia tree that features more than 500 poinsettias.
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Address: 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, USA
Website: Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Opening dates: 20 November 2021 - 09 January 2022
7. Be amazed by the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Public Square Park
Make your plans now: Metro Christmas Tree Lighting this Friday at 6PM on Public Square with special guests Jason Isbell...
Posted by Nashville.com on Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Do not miss the splendid event of Metro Nashville’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony during your winter excursion to the capital of Tennessee. This mesmerizing tree lighting is one of the most popular Nashville Christmas events that takes place at Public Square Park in Downtown Nashville. Take your kids along, as they will surely enjoy the presence of Santa and delight in the tasty treats available from various food trucks. Listen to the pleasant music and admire the performances by talented local choirs. Witnessing the lighting at the park is one of the most memorable Christmas activities in Nashville.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Public Square Park
Address: Union St & 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37243, United States
8. Have fun at Music City Winterfest at Centennial Park
If you are looking for festive music during your winter holidays in Nashville, plan to visit Music City Winterfest at Centennial Park. Here you’ll find a fabulous holiday market where you can shop for crafts and local goods, listen to amazing live music, and devour scrumptious food from the various food trucks. Have fun meeting Santa and taking photos with him. You and your loved ones will surely have a great time and a memorable winter holiday experience at this Christmas show in Nashville.
Music City Winterfest at Centennial Park
Address: The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
Website: Music City Winterfest
9. Explore ICE - an indoor winter wonderland at Gaylord Opryland Resort
Visit Gaylord Opryland Resort’s ICE with your kids and explore this fascinating indoor winter wonderland. This incredible event features a two-story-high ice slide, an amazing walk-through attraction, two million pounds (907,184 kilograms) of hued ice sculptures, hand-carved scenes from ‘A Christmas Story, a holiday movie, and a separate space in clear ice devoted to the Nativity. Learn about the family tale of A Christmas Story by viewing ice displays and interactive ice sculptures. Have a unique experience at this venue.
Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas
Address: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States
Website: A Country Christmas
Opening dates: 12 November 2021 - 02 January 2022
10. Race down the sprawling tube park at Reindeer Run Tube Park
Posted by Nashville Sounds on Saturday, 7 September 2019
One of the most outstanding winter attractions that you simply can’t miss visiting when holidaying in Nashville is Reindeer Run Tube Park. It welcomes people of all ages, so be sure to visit it with your family and kids. Get a tube and glide down this impressive, 32-foot (9.75-meter) tall tube slide. If you’re not too tired, hike to the top of the park to catch a spectacular view of the splendid skyline.
Reindeer Run Tube Park
Address: 19 Jr Gilliam Way, Nashville, TN 37219, United States
11. Give back to charity by attending Christmas 4 Kids Benefits at The Ryman
Enjoy going to this charity concert this December while holidaying in Nashville. Christmas 4 Kids is a famous non-profit organization and, for many years, it has taken pleasure in bringing the joy of Christmas to kids staying in Middle Tennessee by hosting this event. Attend this praiseworthy concert at the Ryman and contribute to the fundraising efforts of this benefit to help spread joy to these children.
Christmas 4 Kids Benefits at The Ryman
Address: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, United States
Website: Christmas 4 Kids
Opening date: 22 November 2021
12. Celebrate Christmas at Deck the Hall of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Join us FRIDAY for our annual Deck the Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by Balsam Hill and featuring Cassadee...
Posted by Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday, 19 November 2018
Have fun attending this event at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This Nashville Christmas event usually begins with a tree lighting ceremony. If you and your kids visit during the weekends, you can enjoy taking photos with Santa. Have fun decorating a cookie, showing your creativity at ornament-making, and attending various holiday programs organized here.
Deck the Hall at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Address: 222 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
13. Attend Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall
Make your Christmas in Nashville more enjoyable by booking tickets to see this classic ballet, Nutcracker, at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall. Watch Clara and her journey with her wonderful, magical friends through a scenic dreamland. Admire the concept, music, set, story, and choreography at this amazing production.
Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall
Address: 505 Deaderick St, Nashville, TN 37243, United States
Website: TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall
Opening hours: 15 - 24 December 2021
14. Enjoy the North Pole Express with Santa at Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Go for a fun, festive train ride with Santa Claus and his elves by boarding the North Pole Express which you can find at Tennessee Central Railway Museum. Take great photos during your journey to make your Christmas holidays in Nashville more memorable. Enjoy shopping at the stores in Watertown, and feast on scrumptious food at local restaurants.
North Pole Express with Santa at Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Address: 220 Willow Street, Nashville, TN 37210
Opening hours: 11 December 2021: 9am onwards
Price: 22 - 85 USD
15. Drive through dazzling displays of pure Christmas joy at Dancing Lights of Christmas
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Dubbed as “Tennessee’s Largest Drive Thru Light and Music Show”, Dancing Lights of Christmas allows you and your family to really get into the holiday spirit by driving along a spectacle of bright and colorful lights dancing in sync to jovial Christmas melodies. The more than 1.5 million LED dancing lights are also featured in traditional displays such as Christmas trees, nativity scenes, snowmen, reindeers, and of course, jolly ‘ol St. Nick!
The fun doesn’t end there as Dancing Lights of Christmas also features “Santa’s Village”, which features different holiday-themed activities at the end of the main attraction. Here, your kids will surely have a great time with fun activities such as kiddie train rides and pony rides, and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and get their pictures taken. So if you’re looking for fun things to do in Nashville during Christmas with your kids, you should definitely check this out!
Dancing Lights of Christmas
Address: Wilson County Fairgrounds/Ward Ag Center, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087
Website: Dancing Lights of Christmas
Price: from 30 USD
Spend a memorable Christmas in Nashville
Nashville is a beautiful city full of charm, and Christmas celebrations here are full of life. Numerous family-friendly events and attractions greet tourists and help enhance their winter holiday experience. Exciting activities and events will not only please you but your kids too. From the best staycation spots to live music clubs that serve food, there’s something for everyone. So pack your bags, book an accommodation, head out the capital of Tennessee, and enjoy a fun-filled vacation by checking out these best things to do in Nashville during Christmas.
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