Welcome to the holiday wonderland of Leiper’s Fork, where the temperatures are cool but still remain pleasantly mild compared to the frosty states North of us. Whether you’re traveling with the whole family or planning an adult getaway, middle Tennessee has something special to offer everyone during the holiday season. We’ll touch on enchanting festivities, vibrant cultural experiences, and heartwarming traditions that make Leiper’s Fork a top destination for holiday cheer. So, put on your boots and get ready for a warm and festive adventure in the heart of Tennessee!
Holiday Weekends in November/December:
- Veteran’s Day Weekend
- Thanksgiving Day / Weekend
- Hanukkah
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
Leiper’s Fork & Surrounding Area Holiday 2026 Events:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (November 6, 2026 – January 2, 2027): Visit the larger-than-life ICE! sculptures, frozen slides, and explore ice tunnels. Inside the hotel, they have stunning holiday decorations.
Cheekwood Holiday Lights (2026 dates TBA — the 2025–26 season ran mid-November through early January, so expect a similar window): Don’t miss the dazzling Cheekwood Holiday Lights display.
Country Christmas at the Opry (dates TBA — typically late November through mid-December): The show series that turns the Opry House into a winter wonderland, bringing country artists together for a run of Christmas-themed nights of music.
Franklin Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (dates TBA — typically early December): Downtown Franklin’s parade and tree lighting kicks off the holiday season.
Leiper’s Fork Christmas Parade (December 12 — the second Saturday of December, 2 PM): A quintessential small-town holiday parade with a big-name Grand Marshal most years. This is a short, 45-minute drive outside of Nashville but well worth it if you’re in town.
Dickens of a Christmas Festival, Downtown Franklin (December 12–13): One of our absolute favorite annual events, held in historic Downtown Franklin’s Victorian-themed outdoor street festival. Dickens of a Christmas recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop, with musicians, dancers and Dickens characters filling the streets.
Music City Bowl (December 30, 2 PM CT, Nissan Stadium): College football bowl game played annually in Nashville.
Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve LIVE: Nashville’s Big Bash (December 31): Ring in the new year in Nashville with hours of live music, fireworks, and the signature midnight Music Note Drop at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park — free to attend. 2026 headliners hadn’t been announced as of this writing.
Heads up: Zoolumination, previously listed here, is cancelled for 2026. Nashville Zoo has replaced it with a new holiday lights event, Glow Wild.
More Holiday Happenings:
Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it here during one of the festivals (or if they’re already sold out). There’s still plenty of things to do that aren’t date specific.
Catch a Game: Professional sports teams are in the thick of their season this time of year, offering exciting games in November/December.
- Tennessee Titans Football (September – January, Nissan Stadium) — catch the Titans in action throughout the season.
- Predators Hockey (October – April, Bridgestone Arena) — NHL action with the Nashville Predators throughout the fall and winter.
Meet Santa: Santa makes a lot of appearances throughout Nashville this season. Here are some of the best Santa spots we’ve seen that aren’t event-based:
- The Big Event (seated, scheduled photos with Santa. This is our favorite Santa but you have to book in advance. Once you’ve taken your photo, walk around the Christmas store next door).
- Cheekwood Estate
- Green Hills Mall
- Bass Pro Shop
Walk, Hike or Bike: The mild weather is a great season to go walking, hiking or biking and soak in the last views of colorful fall foliage. Some of the best views are:
- Natchez Trace State Park
- Timberland Park
- Owl’s Hill Sanctuary
The Middle Tennessee holiday season is brimming with exciting events and things to do that will create lasting memories for you and your friends and family. If you are still in the planning phases of booking your trip to Leiper’s Fork, we would love the opportunity to host you at our Leiper’s Fork Airbnb / Vacation Rental Home, Lyric at Leiper’s Fork. You can view our availability and book directly right here on our website.
PS: Leiper’s Fork fun isn’t limited to the holidays! Be sure to check out our What to Do Leiper’s Fork guide for year-round inspiration.
Quick answers:
When is the Leiper’s Fork Christmas Parade in 2026? December 12, 2026, at 2 PM — it’s held the second Saturday of December every year.
Is Zoolumination happening at Nashville Zoo in 2026? No, Zoolumination is cancelled for 2026. Nashville Zoo has replaced it with a new holiday lights event called Glow Wild.
How cold does it get in Leiper’s Fork, TN for Christmas? Daytime highs typically run in the 40s to 50s°F in December — cold enough to feel festive but mild compared to states further north.