15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Nashville (2026)

Searching for the best things to do in Nashville at Christmas? You have picked one of America's most joyful holiday destinations. Music City doesn't just decorate for the holidays — it performs them, with country Christmas concerts, glowing light displays, and decked-out Broadway honky-tonks.

December daytime highs average in the low 50s, so you can enjoy every light trail and outdoor market without a deep freeze. Between Gaylord Opryland's famous displays and the Ryman's holiday concerts, it's one of the best Christmas city breaks in the South.

This guide covers the 15 best things to do in Nashville at Christmas in 2026 — for families, music lovers, and budget travelers.

Last updated: September 22, 2026

Jump to: Christmas Lights | Concerts and Shows | Broadway and Nightlife | Family and Day Trips | Planning Tips | FAQ

Christmas Lights and Displays

Nashville's light displays are the heart of the season.

1. Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas. The resort's famous atriums fill with millions of lights, soaring trees, and a floating fountain show. Add ICE! — hand-carved ice sculptures and slides kept at 9 degrees — plus ice tubing and gingerbread decorating.

2. Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS. One million lights trace a one-mile walking path through the estate gardens, with a decorated mansion, 20-foot poinsettia tree, and s'mores stations.

3. Dancing Lights of Christmas. Tennessee's largest drive-through light and music show runs November through early January at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. One price covers the whole carload, with Santa's Village at the end.

4. GLOW Holiday Festival. A drive-through light experience around First Horizon Park downtown, with displays choreographed to holiday songs — perfect to pair with a night on Broadway.

Holiday Concerts and Shows

This is Music City — the Christmas calendar is stacked with one-of-a-kind concerts. Book early; the big shows sell out.

5. Christmas at the Ryman. Amy Grant and Vince Gill settle into the "Mother Church of Country Music" for a tender Tennessee Christmas. The holiday event locals love most, typically mid-December.

6. Opry Country Christmas. The Grand Ole Opry gets a festive makeover as top country artists perform holiday classics — a memory-maker for any country fan.

7. Nashville's Nutcracker. The Nashville Ballet performs its beloved Nutcracker with live Nashville Symphony music at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center — elegant costumes and Tchaikovsky's score.

8. Nashville Symphony holiday concerts. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center hosts "Home Alone" in Concert with live orchestra and Handel's Messiah — a refined contrast to the honky-tonk side of Christmas.

Broadway and Festive Nightlife

After dark, Nashville's Christmas spirit moves to Lower Broadway and the booming holiday pop-up scene.

9. Broadway honky-tonks at Christmas. Lower Broadway's neon-lit honky-tonks dress up with festive decor and live country bands. Walk the strip in an ugly Christmas sweater and hop between famous spots.

10. Holiday pop-up bars. Nashville's pop-up scene explodes each December: glittering cocktail dens, Christmas rooftops with heated igloos, Grinch teas, and Sippin' Santa bars. Themes are announced in early November.

11. General Jackson Showboat Christmas cruise. A Christmas-themed dinner cruise down the Cumberland River with live entertainment and holiday hits from Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey. A favorite for couples and groups.

Family Days Out and Day Trips

From ice skating to a Dickens-style street festival.

12. Winterfest ice skating. Gaylord Opryland's 9,000-square-foot outdoor rink opens for the season with rentals and lessons — the most festive skating in Middle Tennessee.

13. Christmas parade and tree lighting. Downtown's annual parade brings marching bands, giant balloons, floats, and Santa, while the Public Square tree lighting kicks off the season with food trucks and live music.

14. Holiday markets. Shop local at the Nashvillage Holiday Market along the riverfront — crafts, gifts, treats, and a tree lighting — or Christmas Village at The Fairgrounds Nashville.

15. Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas. Twenty-five minutes south, historic Franklin's Main Street becomes a Victorian Christmas village: costumed carolers, a tree lighting, a holiday market, and falling snow. The perfect day trip.

Tips for Planning Your Nashville Christmas Trip

For Families with Kids

Build your trip around Gaylord Opryland (ICE!, ice tubing, carriage rides), Cheekwood's light trail, and Winterfest skating.

For Music Lovers

Prioritize Christmas at the Ryman, an Opry Country Christmas show, a night on Broadway, and the Country Music Hall of Fame's holiday programming.

Free and Budget-Friendly

The parade, tree lighting, Broadway displays, and neighborhood light drives are free. Drive-throughs charge one price per carload, so pack the car.

FAQ: Christmas in Nashville

When is the best time to visit Nashville at Christmas?
The first three weeks of December, when every major event is running. Opryland's displays start in early November if you want to beat the crowds.

Is Nashville good at Christmas?
Yes. Mild weather, a world-class live music scene, famous light displays, and family attractions like Gaylord Opryland make it a top Christmas destination in the South.

Do I need tickets in advance?
Strongly recommended. ICE! and Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS are timed-entry and sell out on December weekends.

Does it snow in Nashville at Christmas?
Rarely — only an occasional December dusting. Real snow is more common in January and February.

What is free to do at Christmas in Nashville?
The downtown parade, the tree lighting, Broadway's holiday displays, neighborhood light tours, and church candlelight services cost nothing.

What should I wear?
Layers. December highs average in the low 50s Fahrenheit with chilly evenings in the 30s — a warm jacket outdoors, a lighter layer indoors.

More Christmas Inspiration

Planning a holiday city break elsewhere? Check out our guide to the 15 best things to do at Christmas in Chicago, the 15 best things to do at Christmas in San Francisco, and our collection of 40 best New York Christmas captions for Instagram.