Things to do in Nashville at Christmas

Nashville, Tennesee, might not be your first thought as a great place to celebrate Christmas, but Nashville has so much Christmas cheer, decorations, and activities for anyone in a festive mood.

Here are some of the best things to do in Nashville during the holiday season:

Visit The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

This huge hotel is known for its elaborate Christmas decorations and attractions, with more than two million lights, 15-foot trees, and large ice sculptures. Enjoy their Winter Wonderland shows, fun rides, and interactive activities.

This is a don’t-miss at Christmas! The Gaylord Opryland has over 19 hours of Christmas fun for you and your family. My family stayed there this past December and truly enjoyed all the Christmas programming and activities. Here are the things we recommend:

Tree lighting and carolers

Every evening at 5 minutes to five, there is a countdown to the tree lighting for the evening. Carolers dressed in Victorian finery serenade the group, and carriages arrive to drive people around the beautiful light displays.

Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise

This quarter-mile-long river actually runs through the hotel, and you can get out and explore on the Delta Riverboat.

The Christmas cruise has the song “12 Days of Christmas” sung uniquely, and lots of fun things to look for along the route.

Decorating a Gingerbread House

If you don’t want to construct your own gingerbread house this year, you can have fun decorating an already-constructed one! Our family really enjoyed this activity on a rainy afternoon.

Fountain shows

The Delta Atrium’s large fountain has Christmas shows from 6 pm until 9 pm. The fountain and the lights above it work in synchronicity to create a fabulous show.

Ice skating

You can go ice skating outside in Nashville! Who would have thought? Through some sort of alchemy, there is an ice skating rink outside the Gaylord. You can rent skates, spin on the ice, or even take lessons.

Life Size Nativity

The large all-white nativity that is on the Magnolia lawn at the Gaylord is beautiful. Christmas music plays while you walk around to see all the different figures telling the story of the birth of Christ.

Bumper Cars

In keeping with the ice theme, there are bumper cars on ice at the Gaylord. They are right next to the ice rink and are tons of fun for kids and grown-ups alike. The cars are shaped more like toboggans, and you will slip and slide around in a way regular bumper cars don’t!

There were lots of other activities, but these were the ones that we enjoyed the most.

Attend the Grand Ole Opry Nashville Christmas Show

This live holiday performance brings together some of Nashville’s best musical talent for a one-of-a-kind show featuring country, bluegrass, and gospel music.

You must get tickets well ahead of time if you want to be able to see this awesome show.

 

Zoolumination at Nashville Zoo

Visit the Nashville Zoo for their Zoolumination light show. This spectacular event is held annually and features over a thousand silk Chinese lanterns. These lanterns are shaped to look like different characters and objects and make the entire zoo look enchanted. You can also enjoy the North Pole Village and all the decorations there. If you are lucky, you can see Santa as well!

Country Music Hall of Fame Christmas 

Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum during its special Christmas events. This iconic museum offers a variety of performances and exhibits related to Christmas during this time of year, including seasonal favorites performed by local musicians. There are also craft projects and a holiday tree-lighting ceremony that you won’t want to miss!

Free photos with Santa are available on the weekends, and most of the Christmas activities are free with admission.

 

Christmas at the Ryman Auditorium

Get into the holiday spirit with Amy Grant and Vince Gill during their 12 festive shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium! Experience a cozy night of singing, from classic carols like Silent Night to more modern hits such as White Christmas. These two beloved country music stars will surely bring cheer your way this season.

 Cheekwood Estates Christmas in Nashville

Illuminate your holiday season with a visit to Cheekwood Estates for one of the best Christmas light displays in Nashville! Step into tunnels of colorful twinkling lights, bask beneath glistening snowflakes and wander along meandering paths through enchanting gardens.

More than 750,000 lights are strung throughout the extensive gardens, and the mansion is open and decorated for Christmas as well.

Don’t miss out on this magical experience – plan your trip soon, as it’s anticipated to fill up quickly.

The Dancing Lights of Christmas

The Dancing Lights of Christmas is a festive event that takes place in December at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Enjoy the over 1 million Christmas lights synchronized to your favorite holiday classics and popular holiday songs while driving through this drive-thru extravaganza. Make sure you bring some hot cocoa, cookies, and a thermos of eggnog for the ride!

The Dancing Lights take around 45 min- 1 hour to drive through (depending on the traffic) and is a great activity for the whole family.

General Jackson Christmas Cruise

Head out on the Cumberland River this holiday season and take in the sights of Nashville’s illuminated skyline. General Jackson Showboat offers a special Christmas cruise to put you in the spirit of the season. Enjoy traditional carols, hot cocoa with marshmallows, and dancing as you glide along one of Tennessee’s most beautiful rivers.

Top-notch entertainers from the Nashville area will sing and dance for you while you enjoy a delicious dinner.

The North Pole Express

Make your Christmas holidays in Nashville truly unforgettable by hopping on the North Pole Express at Tennessee Central Railway Museum. Join Santa Claus and his elves as they take you through Watertown, where you can find charming stores to explore or grab a bite of sumptuous local cuisine that’ll make for great photos!

Handmade Nashville Holiday Market

This event occurs at Red Caboose Park, a great place to shop locally for Christmas presents. You will find art, jewelry, clothing, holiday decorations, and more. Plus, you can enjoy food vendors and live music!

East Nash Bash

You can’t miss the East Nash Bash when talking about Christmas Gifts. This is a festive holiday shopping event that takes place in early December. You will find a variety of vendors selling unique, handmade items and gifts to bring joy to your Christmas celebrations.

It is a fun activity for the whole family with live music, crafts, dancing, letters to Santa, tree lighting, and some great food.

 

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So, if you are looking for Christmas fun in Nashville, these are the events you should not miss. From magical light shows to music and shopping, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Plan your trip early and prepare for festive fun in Nashville this holiday season!