- December 14th through 24th
- TPAC
- Nashville’s beloved tradition is back! See the Nashville Ballet’s spectacular version of The Nutcracker come to life! Use code EMERSONROSED for 15% off
- November 12th through January 2, 2022
- Gaylord Opryland
- With classic holiday activities like photos with Santa, engaging shows like The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas In Tennessee Dinner Show, thrilling experiences like ice bumper cars, and our all-new Gaylord Hotels Original Experience Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf™, there is something for everyone, and you can do it all with So. Much. Christmas. at Gaylord Opryland Resort.
- November 20th through January 9th, 2022 Timed-ticketed event
- Cheekwood
- Savor the sights and sounds of the season at Cheekwood and make lasting holiday memories with fun activities for all ages. Our enchanting Holiday LIGHTS experience is Nashville’s favorite holiday tradition, with one mile of lights glowing throughout the gardens. Santa will not be on-site during Holiday LIGHTS, but children can still get their wish lists to him. Visit the Frist Learning Center where kids can drop off their letters in a special mailbox for Jolly Ole St. Nick.
Studio Tenn Holiday Performances
- Throughout December
- It’s a Wonderful Life (Jamison Theater), A Christmas Carol (Franklin Theater)
- Get in the holiday spirit with live performances of It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol.
- Wednesday, December 1st from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Reserve your spot)
- Loveless Cafe
- Please bring a new toy donation for a child in need and receive free photos with Santa. A complimentary hot chocolate bar will be available throughout the event.
- Sunday, Dec. 4th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Anzie Blue
- Santa is coming to Anzie Blue on December 4 (9-10AM). Need a Holiday card photo?! Get your kids/friends/family/pets ready in their Holiday outfits and bring your camera. We will have hot chocolate and cookies for the kids.
- Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th
- Historic Downtown Franklin
- The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s 36th Annual Dickens of a Christmas is Middle Tennessee’s largest outdoor Christmas festival, returning this year from Saturday, December 11, 2021 – Sunday, December 12, 2021. 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.
- Sunday, December 11th (Gates open at 5 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m.)
- Muletown Farm (6720 Old Zion Rd Columbia, TN 38401)
- Free concert! Hot cocoa, cider, s’mores and pictures with Santa. Bring your own chairs and blankets
- November 12th through January 2nd, 2022
- James Ward Agricultural Center (945 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon)
- Family owned The Dancing Lights returns for it’s 11th consective season with Tennessee’s largest synchronized light and music show with a 2.5 mile route and over two million lights dancing to upbeat Christmas music through your car stereo. Open rain or shine and on ALL holidays. $30 per family vehicle.
The Mall at Green Hills Santa Experience
- November 12th through December 24th
- Mall at Green Hills
- *Reservations suggested! Step inside Santa’s 22-foot tall sleigh and experience the magical snowfall. Masks are optional during photos with Santa, but are recommended before and after your visit. Sit with Santa for your photos or remain socially-distanced Heightened cleaning protocols and hand sanitizer provided. Make your reservation here.
- Thanksgiving Night through December 26th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Williamson County Ag Expo
- The 3rd Annual Festival of Lights opens Thanksgiving Day! Enjoy driving through this holiday tradition that benefits local at-risk children.
Pancakes and Pictures with Santa
- December 10th, 11th and 12th
- Blue Barn 2710 Bristow Road, Columbia
- Stop by the Blue Barn for a visit to Santa’s Snowshop with pancake or cookie decorating, children’s crafts, food trucks, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more. Purchase your tickets here. Benefits Kid’s Place
North Pole Express Santa Excursion Train
- Saturdays November 20th through December 18th
- Tennessee Central Railway Museum (220 Willow Street, Nashville)
- Enjoy a ride on a restored classic streamlined stainless steel passenger train with Santa and his Elves! Refreshments and souvenirs also available.
- November 6th through December 24th
- Bass Pro Shop (Opry Mills Mall)
- Experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland! Free photo with Santa!
- Sunday, November 28th and Sunday, December 5th
- Sugar Drop (574 Franklin Road, Suite 110 Brentwood, TN 37027)
- Sugar Drop will be open Sunday, November 28th and Sunday, December 5th for this exclusive private, one-day-only event! Join Sugar Drop for a photograph and cookie decorating experience! Guests sign up for a 30-minute window. Guests will not be able to enter the store until 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time slot. Each family will have 5 minutes with Santa and Amy Connors Photography. Guests will receive digital images of their session after the event. While families are waiting, they can enjoy cookie decorating with Mrs. Clause, ornament decorating, sip on a holiday cotton candy drink, and fill out a Sugar Drop Wish List to hand to Santa! $100.00 includes the experience and photos for a family of up to 4 children. Sign up additional students for 20.00 each, a max of six people per family. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. A max of six people per family is allowed in at a time.
WinterFest at Fountains at Gateway
- November 19th through January 3rd
- Fountains at Gateway in Murfreesboro
- Winterfest is back for another fun season of ice skating! Skate rentals are available or you’re able to bring your own! Check hours of operation and rates here.
- November 27th, December 23rd, 28th through 31st, January 8th and 15th
- Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
- Enjoy a hike in the winter woods followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows. Register here.
Bows and Ballcaps Breakfast with Santa
- Saturday, November 27th 8:30 a.m.
- Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club 550 Johnny Cash Parkway Hendersonville, TN 37075
- 15th Annual Breakfast with Santa to benefit Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Guests will enjoy breakfast, visits from special guests, crafts for the kids and pictures with Santa. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for children in the hospital. Purchase your ticket here.
- Friday, December 10th and Saturday, December 11th
- 1646 Sunset Road, Brentwood
- Enjoy a drive-thru nativity with real animals and thousands of Christmas lights.
- Sunday, December 5th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Brentwood Academy
- Brentwood Academy is pleased to announce Christmas in Brentwood, Sunday, December 5, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This community-wide celebration featuring Christian recording artist Point of Grace will be a fun and festive way to ring in the Advent season. This free event, organized and hosted by Brentwood Academy, will feature family-friendly Christmas activities, culminating with the lighting of the Great Brentwood Academy Christmas Tree. Festivities include: Santa and Elves, Interactive Petting Zoo, Trackless Train, Bounce Houses, Christmas Arts and Crafts and Food Trucks and Coffee Bar.
- December 12th and 18th at 4 p.m.
- Buchanan Log House (2910 Elm Hill Pike Nashville, TN 37214)
- Step into a Candy Land Christmas Wonderland at Santa’s enchanting Log House! Children will find their names on the nice list and have an exclusive opportunity for a keepsake photo with Santa. A special reading of “Twas The Night Before Christmas” will be performed by Santa’s head elf as a curated selection of delicious handmade tea sandwiches and tarts will be served. Guests will also enjoy tasty scones with clotted cream and jam and the most scrumptious signature Christmas treats! The amazing food will be paired with the finest hot cocoa bombs, served in luxurious bone china tea cups to make this the most spectacular Christmas affair.
- Various dates in December
- Stephens Valley Neighborhood
- Stephen’s Valley is celebrating the holidays with several events including a Festival of Trees, Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Market, Pictures with Santa and Christmas Movies in the Park!