Welcome to the holiday wonderland of Nashville, 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, Music City has something special to offer everyone during the holiday season. We’ll touch on enchanting festivities, vibrant cultural experiences, and heartwarming traditions that make Nashville 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:
- Veterans Day Weekend: November 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Thanksgiving Day / Weekend: November 26-29, 2026
- Hanukkah: December 4-12, 2026
- Christmas Day: December 25, 2026
- New Year’s Eve: December 31, 2026
Nashville Area Holiday Events:
- Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (November 6, 2026 – January 2, 2027): The 43rd annual A Country Christmas returns with a brand-new ice! theme – Home Alone – featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures, frozen slides, and ice tunnels, plus the hotel’s signature over-the-top holiday decor.
- Cheekwood Holiday Lights (mid-November – early January, exact 2026-27 dates TBA): Don’t miss the dazzling Holiday Lights display, typically running from mid-November through the first week of January.
- Heads up – Zoolumination is cancelled for 2026: The Nashville Zoo’s popular Chinese lantern festival, a fixture here for several years, was cancelled this season after visa applications for the visiting Zigong artisans who hand-build the displays were denied. In its place, the zoo has launched a brand-new light show called Glow Wild (November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027), featuring illuminated wildlife displays and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree choreographed to music.
- Opry Country Christmas (select dates in December 2026): The Opry House transforms into a winter wonderland for a run of Christmas-themed shows blending country artists with holiday classics. Check the Opry’s calendar for the exact 2026 lineup and dates.
- Nashville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (early December, exact 2026 date TBA): The parade typically runs 3:00-6:00pm starting at Freedom Drive, followed by the downtown tree lighting.
- Leiper’s Fork Christmas Parade (early-to-mid December, exact 2026 date TBA): A quintessential small-town holiday parade with a big-name Grand Marshal most years. It’s a short, 45-minute drive outside Nashville and well worth it if you’re in town.
- Dickens of a Christmas Festival, Downtown Franklin (December 12-13, 2026): One of our absolute favorite annual events. 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, 2026): College football bowl game at Nissan Stadium, kicking off at 2:00pm CT.
- Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve LIVE: Nashville’s Big Bash (December 31, 2026): Ring in 2027 in Nashville with hours of live music, fireworks, and the signature midnight Music Note Drop at the FREE main stage event at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Headliners are typically announced closer to the date.
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 (Sept-Jan, Nissan Stadium) – Catch the Tennessee Titans in action at Nissan Stadium throughout the fall season. Join the enthusiastic fans and experience the thrill of NFL football.
- Predators Hockey (Oct-April, Bridgestone Arena) – Get ready for some intense NHL action with the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena throughout the fall and winter. The 2026-27 season opens October 1.
Visit a Holiday Pop Up Bar: Yes, bars change over for the season and pop up holiday bars are a thing here. There are too many to list but these have been our favorites in years past (their themes change annually):
- Hidden Bar
- Jane’s Hideaway
- Camp Bobby
- Hampton Social
- Nicky’s Coal Fired Pizza (bar/restaurant)
Meet Santa: Santa makes a lot of appearances throughout Nashville this season. Here are some of the best Santas 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 winter weather is a great season to go walking, hiking or biking and soak in the last of the changing fall foliage. Some of the best views are:
- Warner Parks
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Radnor State Park
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
- Nashville Greenways
- Centennial Park (be sure to visit the Parthenon)
Stroll through some of Nashville’s most popular neighborhoods and people watch: 12 South, East Nashville and Germantown are among our favorites. If you prefer a guided tour instead of venturing through these areas on your own, we suggest the Fat Tire Electric Bike tour.
Nashville’s holiday season is full of 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 Nashville, we would love the opportunity to host you at one of our Nashville Airbnb / vacation rentals. You can view our availability and book directly right here on our website.
PS: Nashville fun isn’t limited to the holidays! Be sure to check out our What to Do Nashville guide for year-round inspiration.
Quick Answers: Nashville for the Holidays 2026
Is Zoolumination happening in Nashville in 2026? No – it’s cancelled for 2026 after visa issues affected the visiting artisans who build the lanterns. The Nashville Zoo has replaced it with a new light show, Glow Wild, running November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
When does Christmas at Gaylord Opryland start in 2026? November 6, 2026, running through January 2, 2027, with a new Home Alone-themed ice! attraction.
What’s the best weekend for Nashville holiday events in 2026? December 12-13 overlaps with Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin, plus Cheekwood and Gaylord Opryland’s displays are both in full swing.
Is there a Christmas parade in Nashville? Yes – the Nashville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting and the Leiper’s Fork Christmas Parade both typically happen in early-to-mid December; exact 2026 dates were not yet announced at time of writing.
NOTE: Dates above reflect confirmed 2026 event schedules where available; a few dates had not yet been officially announced at time of writing and will be updated once released.