Karyn Kipley, Nashville Ballet
This post contains affiliate links in which NowPlayingNashville will receive compensation for purchases after clicking the links.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! There are many ways to celebrate the season in Middle Tennessee with tree lightings, holiday lights, parades, pub crawls and more. Begin planning your holiday fun with these 18 events:
GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT
Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas is back this winter! Come enjoy this Nashville holiday tradition with the whole family! Enjoy exclusive holiday events to get you in the spirit of the season – including The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas in Tennessee Dinner Show Soundwaves
NOVEMBER 11 – JANUARY 1
Photo Courtesy of Cheekwood | Caitlin Harris Photography
CHEEKWOOD ESTATE & GARDENS
Delight in the joy of the holiday season during Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood. Nashville’s favorite tradition returns with ONE MILLION LIGHTS illuminating our gardens for the prettiest winter stroll of the season.
NOVEMBER 19 – JANUARY 8
LIGHTHOUSE ARTSPACE
For nearly 130 years, The Nutcracker has enchanted children around the world. Now your family can experience the timeless holiday tale like never before – brought to life on a majestic scale! Your family will be enchanted by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music, including iconic selections like “The March of the Toys” and “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” as they are immersed in holiday wonder!
NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 31
FIVE POINTS IN EAST NASHVILLE
East Nash Holiday Bash is an annual event held in the Five Points area. It is a free event for all ages and features a holiday market with a curated selection of local artisans, kids activities and crafts, a community tree lighting, food vendors and holiday cocktails.
DECEMBER 1 – 3
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER
This hilarious and heartwarming holiday tradition is perfect for the whole family. Experience John Williams’ delightful score performed live while Kevin McCallister’s Christmas misadventures play on the big screen!
DECEMBER 2 – 4
Country Music Association
TV / ABC
Hosted by Country Music star Carly Pearce, “CMA Country Christmas” features performances by Steven Curtis Chapman, Dan + Shay, Scotty McCreery, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Pearce, Molly Tuttle, and The War And Treaty. “CMA Country Christmas” airs Thursday, Dec. 8 (9:00-10:01 PM/EST) on ABC and next day on Hulu and Disney+.
DECEMBER 8
TPAC’S ANDREW JACKSON HALL
Experience the unforgettable magic of Music City’s favorite holiday tradition and rediscover your favorite characters like Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Madam Bonbon, and more! With stunning choreography by Paul Vasterling, dreamy costumes, and glittering sets, Nashville’s Nutcracker is a can’t-miss holiday event.
DECEMBER 9 – 24
FISHER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
A Music City Holiday Tradition Returns! Join Dave Barnes for a special Christmas performance at the new Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University.
DECEMBER 10
Heritage Foundation of Williamson County
DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN
The festival will recreate 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.
DECEMBER 10 – 11
RYMAN AUDITORIUM
One of Music City’s most treasured traditions will return in 2021 with Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s beloved “Christmas at the Ryman’ residency. In years past, the husband and wife duo have filled the show with Christmas favorites such as “Let It Snow,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Tennessee Christmas,” “O Holy Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Traditionally, the show closes with one of the most emotional moments of the night with a rendition of “‘Til the Season Comes ‘Round Again.”
DECEMBER 12 – 21
BRIDGESTONE ARENA
Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) announced the dates for its highly anticipated 2022 winter tour, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More presented by Hallmark Channel.
DECEMBER 14
Nashville Symphony
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER
Celebrate the most magical time of year with country music star Mickey Guyton as she joins your Nashville Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez for a night of holiday fun amid the splendor of the Schermerhorn. This one-of-a-kind symphonic spectacular will feature dancers, Broadway singers and some very special guests, including Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.
DECEMBER 15 – 18
OPRY HOUSE
Be part of Nashville’s can’t-miss holiday show series – Opry Country Christmas Show. Enjoy a night of festive fun with special guests, spotlight artists, and nonstop surprises at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. There is no better place to spend your Music City holiday.
DECEMBER 1 – 22
The Ornaments
EASTSIDE BOWL
The Ornaments will once again present Vince Guaraldi’s classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Led by by pianist Jen Gunderman, accompanied by bassist James Haggerty and drummer Martin Lynds, The Ornaments play the classic Guaraldi record live from beginning to end.
DECEMBER 16 – 20
TPAC’S JAMES K. POLK THEATER
Just like the 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf is a modern-day holiday classic sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 1
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER
Drew and Ellie Holcomb and their band The Neighbors return to the Schermerhorn for a celebration of holidays, family, friends, and music. Enjoy an evening of Christmas standards and original holiday tunes with Holcomb favorites like “Fire & Dynamite,” “American Beauty,” and more.
DECEMBER 22
RYMAN AUDITORIUM
Celebrate this Christmas with the one and only NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet! Featuring brand new over-the-top production and world class artists. Larger than life Puppets, Nesting Dolls and gloriously hand-crafted costumes bring the Christmas spirit to life. Gather the family and see why the press is raving. Bringing a message of Peace and Unity, the tour will spread goodwill in over 150 cities across the US and Canada.
DECEMBER 24
TPAC’S ANDREW JACKSON HALL
GRAMMY Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The program celebrates the group’s recent anniversary of 35 years since the first Christmas album and includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.
DECEMBER 30
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
English
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Kurdish (Kurmanji)
Spanish
Vietnamese
[…] 18 Things to Do this December to get in the Holiday Spirit (NowPlayingNashville) It’s the most wonderful time of the year! There are many ways to celebrate the season in Middle Tennessee with tree lightings, holiday lights, parades, pub crawls and more. […]
[…] 18 Things to Do this December to get in the Holiday Spirit (NowPlayingNashville) It’s the most wonderful time of the year! There are many ways to celebrate the season in Middle Tennessee with tree lightings, holiday lights, parades, pub crawls and more. […]
View less