Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the Nashville lifestyle, the holiday season offers something special. From dazzling displays of lights to world-class performances, discover the must-see Nashville Christmas events happening around town.

Nashville December Events Preview

• Christmas at Gaylord Opryland: Explore 5 million indoor lights across nine acres of glass atriums, plus the separate "ICE!" exhibit featuring colossal ice sculptures.
• Nashville's Nutcracker: Watch the Nashville Ballet's professional production of this classic ballet at TPAC's Jackson Hall.
• Zoo Lights (Zoolumination): Walk a mile-long trail through the Nashville Zoo after dark to see over a million lights and giant glowing animal sculptures.
• Nashville Village Holiday Market: Shop a European-style Christmas market in Walk of Fame Park, featuring wooden huts that sell crafts, local goods, and specialty foods.
• Holidays at The Hermitage: Tour Andrew Jackson's historic home, decorated in a 1800s-style Christmas theme, with candlelight tours and historical demonstrations.
• Fifth + Broadway Howdy Holidays: Downtown Nashville's premier holiday shopping celebration features a huge Christmas tree, ice skating rink, live concerts, and more
• Musical Performances: We're called Music City for a reason. Catch shows from artists like Little Big Town, Trisha Yearwood, Ricky Skaggs, and more.
• The Dancing Lights of Christmas: Drive through 3 million synchronized lights at Tennessee’s largest drive-thru light and music show in Lebanon.

A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland

Gaylord Opryland Resort, one of Nashville’s top attractions, goes all out for Christmas. We're talking 5 million indoor lights, real ice sculptures, and elaborate displays spread across nine acres of glass atriums.

The property, situated just outside East Nashville, is transformed into multiple themed areas. You'll find everything from a country Christmas village to whimsical winter gardens. The ice displays alone are worth the trip—master carvers create detailed nativity scenes and figures from massive blocks of ice.

Don't miss the nightly "ICE!" exhibit. It's a separate ticketed attraction where you walk through rooms kept at 9℉ (they provide parkas!) filled with ice sculptures and slides carved entirely from ice. The theme changes yearly—the theme for the 2025 season is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and features beloved scenes from the show.

Other highlights include the Delta River Flatboat Ride through the decorated atriums and seasonal dining experiences. You don't need to stay at the resort to visit, but packages where you spend the night include special perks, such as breakfast with holiday characters.

Book tickets early for "ICE!" and consider visiting on weeknights to avoid the biggest crowds.

Nashville's Nutcracker at TPAC

The Nashville Ballet's production of The Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition since 2008. This isn't a small community theater show—it's a full professional ballet performed at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall in downtown Nashville.

The production features elaborate sets, gorgeous costumes, and talented dancers bringing Tchaikovsky's score to life. Even if you've never been to a ballet, The Nutcracker works. The story is easy to follow, the music is beautiful, and kids enjoy the magical elements, such as the growing Christmas tree and dancing snowflakes.

Shows run throughout December, featuring both matinee and evening performances. Matinees work well for families with younger children (the show runs about two hours with an intermission). Tickets range from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy, orchestra-level seats.

Buy tickets directly through Nashville Ballet's website. Saturday shows sell out first, so book early if you need that specific day.

Zoo Lights (Zoolumination) at the Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo, located 6 miles south of downtown and just across I-65 from the Oak Hill community, turns into an after-dark experience with Zoolumination. The mile-long walking trail features over a million lights, animated displays, and larger-than-life animal sculptures made entirely of colorful lights.

The zoo is already one of the top kid-friendly destinations in Nashville, but combining zoo visits with lights takes the experience to a whole new level. You'll see glowing elephants, giraffes, and other creatures alongside traditional holiday scenes. Live animal viewing is limited (some nocturnal animals are visible), but the light displays make up for it.

The fun event includes holiday treats, hot drinks, and photo opportunities throughout the trail. It's completely outdoors, so dress warm. Walking the full trail takes 45-60 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo runs nightly from Thursday, November 13, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026. From January 8 through February 8, it’s open Thursdays through Sundays.

Go early in the season for smaller crowds. For an extra splash of cheer, visitors can meet Santa at Zoolumination from November 28 to December 24!

Nashville Village Holiday Market at Walk of Fame Park

Want something different from typical holiday shopping? Nashville Village Holiday Market brings a European-style Christmas market to Walk of Fame Park in the vibrant SoBro neighborhood. Think wooden vendor huts, handmade crafts, and the smell of roasted chestnuts filling the air.

Local artisans sell unique gifts you won't find at the mall—handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and specialty foods. It's perfect for finding one-of-a-kind presents while supporting local makers.

The market includes live entertainment, tempting treats, and a festive atmosphere that makes shopping actually enjoyable. Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy activities while adults browse vendors or grab a warm beverage from the bar.

Free admission makes it easy to pop by multiple times—especially for those who work downtown or live in the SoBro neighborhood.

Holiday Spirits at the Hermitage Lantern Tour

Andrew Jackson's historic home gets decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas. The Hermitage shows what the holidays looked like in the 1800s, with period-appropriate decorations throughout the mansion and grounds.

Beyond just decorations, the estate hosts special events including candlelight tours, historical demonstrations, and seasonal workshops. It's a quieter, more educational holiday experience.

Its location in the Hermitage community, named for Jackson’s historic estate, also helps keep visitors away from the biggest crowds. Additionally, it’s conveniently located near popular Nashville suburbs, such as Mount Juliet, allowing residents to visit without having to drive into the city center.

The grounds are beautiful in winter, and the mansion tours include stories about how the Jackson family celebrated Christmas. It's especially interesting for history buffs or anyone seeking a more authentic glimpse into Tennessee's holiday traditions.

Fifth + Broadway Howdy Holidays 2025

One of the top (and newest) destinations across Nashville’s downtown neighborhoods, Fifth + Broadway, throws a festive holiday party every year.

Fifth + Broadway's Howdy Holidays features a massive Christmas tree, photo opportunities with Santa, live music, and complimentary cookie dough samples all in one location.

Free concerts are held on the outdoor plaza throughout December, featuring local musicians performing a range of music from country to jazz. The shopping center stays open late with special hours, and restaurants offer seasonal menus.

Located right downtown, it's easy to combine with dinner or other festive activities. Parking is available in the attached garage.

December Musical Performances

Musical heritage and performances top the list of things Nashville is known for, and the live music scene gets extra festive every December.

Little Big Town Christmas at the Ryman

Little Big Town returns to the Ryman Auditorium for their annual Christmas concerts. These holiday shows sell out every year for good reason—four incredible voices, beautiful harmonies, and a setlist mixing holiday classics with their own hits.

The Ryman's acoustics make it perfect for Christmas music. The venue's historic atmosphere, which helped create Nashville’s “Music City” nickname, adds a special touch that you don't find at larger arenas. Plus, Little Big Town treats these shows as hometown celebrations, often bringing out surprise guests.

Trisha Yearwood with the Nashville Symphony

Trisha Yearwood joins the Nashville Symphony for special holiday performances at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This collaboration brings together her powerful country vocals with a full orchestra—something you don't often hear.

The show mixes traditional Christmas songs with some of Trisha's hits, all arranged for symphony accompaniment. The result is gorgeous music in one of Nashville's most beautiful venues.

The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, one of Nashville’s best music venues, is worth seeing on its own. The acoustics are incredible, and the architecture is stunning. The dress code is casual to dressy—wear what makes you comfortable.

Limited performance dates mean tickets move quickly. Check the Nashville Symphony website for the exact schedule and pricing.

A Charlie Brown Christmas at Rudy's Jazz Room

Rudy's Jazz Room, located in The Gulch, presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in an intimate jazz club setting. A live band performs Vince Guaraldi's iconic score while scenes from the beloved TV special play on screen.

This isn't a huge production—it's a cozy club experience with talented musicians bringing the classic soundtrack to life. The music sounds different live, and hearing these familiar songs in a jazz club adds new appreciation for the arrangements.

Rudy's serves dinner and drinks during the show. It's definitely an adult evening out, though some family-friendly matinees are available. Space is limited, so reservations are required.

Rudy’s is one of the top jazz bars in Nashville, and visiting during the holidays is a must.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas at The Fisher Center

Ricky Skaggs brings bluegrass Christmas music to The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. This Grammy-winning artist knows how to blend traditional holiday songs with the energy of bluegrass.

The Fisher Center is located on Belmont University’s campus, which is on the border of Music Row and Edgehill. It provides excellent acoustics for bluegrass music. It's a smaller, more intimate venue than some of the other performance spaces on this list, which means you're closer to the action.

Expect high-energy picking, beautiful harmonies, and maybe some gospel favorites mixed into the set. Skaggs often shares stories between songs, making the concert feel personal rather than just a performance.

The Dancing Lights of Christmas (Lebanon)

One of the most beloved holiday traditions in Middle Tennessee, The Dancing Lights of Christmas has a new home at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, about 30 miles east of downtown Nashville.

This spectacular drive-through display features more than 3 million synchronized lights, all set to festive music you can tune in from your car radio. The route winds through dazzling tunnels, animated displays, and giant Christmas trees — perfect for people looking for a cozy way to enjoy the season without braving the cold.

Tickets are sold per vehicle, not per person, and the show runs nightly from late November through early January. Weeknights tend to be less crowded, so plan ahead and purchase tickets online for the smoothest experience.

Planning Your Nashville Holiday Season

Nashville's holiday events spread across the entire metro area. Downtown venues cluster together, making it easy to combine multiple activities in one trip. Opryland is located northeast of downtown, while the zoo is situated south of the city.

With so many options across Nashville, you could go out every week in December and still not hit everything. Pick a few must-sees based on your interests, whether that's music, lights, family activities, or quieter cultural experiences.

Nashville brings so much Christmas and holiday spirit. The city's country music heritage shines through in special concerts, while attractions create experiences you won't find anywhere else. Start planning now—December will be here before you know it!

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