Christmas in Nashville with kids.
Christmas in Nashville is a big deal. Gaylord Opryland goes all out, with ICE!, ice tubing, and holiday shows. The zoo has Glow Wild, Cheekwood lights up its gardens, and there's a holiday train and a drive-through light show nearby.
You'll want a car, because the best events are spread around town. Book the ticketed ones early.
Before you go
- At Gaylord, arrive before 3pm on peak dates to see the decor without a ticket.
- Gaylord parking is $37 a day. Park at Opry Mills next door and walk over.
- ICE! is kept at 9°F. Parkas are provided, but bring hats and gloves.
- At Glow Wild, babies under 2 are free but still need a ticket.
- You'll need a car for the zoo, Cheekwood, and Gaylord.
Family Christmas events in Nashville
27 events
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- Holiday festivalsChristmas lights Good for toddlers
A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 2 · Daily. On busy dates, only hotel guests and ticket holders can enter after 3pm (Fri-Sat from Nov 20, Nov 23-26 and Dec 18-31).
- Where
- Gaylord Opryland Resort, Opryland / Music Valley
- Price
- Free to walk the decorated atriums. ICE! and other activities cost extra. Self-parking $37.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ICE! and activity tickets ahead. You don't need a hotel room.
The huge resort fills its glass atriums with lights and decor. The big draw is ICE!, rooms of giant ice carvings with a Home Alone theme this year. Ice tubing and gingerbread decorating cost extra.
Parent tip: ICE! is kept at 9°F. They hand out parkas, but bring hats and gloves. A small stroller or a carrier works best inside.
- Zoo lights Good for toddlers
Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo
- Dates
- Nov 13 - Jan 3 · Nightly, 5-9pm
- Where
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Grassmere (south Nashville)
- Price
- $27 a person. Under 2 free, but they still need a ticket. Parking $10.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online and get a free ticket for babies under 2
The zoo's new holiday light show has glowing animal displays and an 85-foot Christmas tree that lights up in time to music.
Parent tip: It's all outdoors and you'll walk a fair bit, so dress warm and bring the stroller.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 3 · Nightly, 4:30-10pm, with timed entry
- Where
- Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, West Nashville (near Belle Meade)
- Price
- Timed tickets. Prices change by date. Parking costs extra for non-members.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Book a time slot ahead
Cheekwood's gardens are lit up for an evening walk around the historic estate. It's one of the city's best-loved holiday outings.
Parent tip: December weekend slots go first, so book early if you need a Friday or Saturday.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Nashville's Nutcracker
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 27 · Most shows at 2pm or 7pm. Extra shows Dec 21-23.
- Where
- TPAC Jackson Hall, 505 Deaderick St., Downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. Prices vary by seat.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through two acts with a break · Buy ahead online
Nashville Ballet's yearly Nutcracker plays downtown at TPAC through Christmas week. There are daytime shows on most dates.
Parent tip: Pick a 2pm show for younger kids. Evening shows end past bedtime.
- Christmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
- Dates
- Nov 7 - Jan 3 · Nightly, 5-10pm (to 11pm Fri-Sat), holidays included
- Where
- Wilson County Fairgrounds / Ward Ag Center, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon (east of Nashville)
- Price
- $35 per family car. Santa's Village is included.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Priced per car. Check the site for tickets.
Drive a long route of lights from your warm car, then park at Santa's Village. Visiting Santa and the petting zoo are part of the ticket.
Parent tip: Little ones can stay in pajamas for the drive. Save Santa's Village for the end.
- Christmas marketsSanta visits
Nashville Christmas Village
- Dates
- Nov 13-15 · Fri Nov 13 9am-9pm, Sat Nov 14 9am-6pm, Sun Nov 15 noon-6pm
- Where
- The Fairgrounds Nashville, Fairgrounds (south of downtown)
- Price
- $15 online. Kids 9 and under free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy tickets online
A big holiday gift and craft market fills the Fairgrounds for one weekend in November. Santa is there for photos all three days.
Parent tip: Strollers and wagons aren't allowed, so bring a carrier. Parking is free.
- Shows and Nutcracker Good for toddlers
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
- Dates
- Nov 14 - Jan 3 · Nov 14-Jan 3. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- Nashville Children's Theatre, 25 Middleton St., Downtown (south)
- Price
- Ticketed. Call the box office for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Ages 3-8 · Buy ahead online or call 615-252-4675
A stage show based on Eric Carle's picture books, made for kids ages 3 to 8. It's a gentle first trip to the theater.
- Shows and Nutcracker Good for toddlers
'Twas the Night Before Christmas at Nashville Children's Theatre
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Dec 27 · Nov 21-Dec 27. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- Nashville Children's Theatre, 25 Middleton St., Downtown (south)
- Price
- Ticketed. Call the box office for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online or call 615-252-4675
The city's children's theater stages a Christmas Eve play based on the classic poem. It's billed for all ages.
Parent tip: Got kids of different ages? The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show runs at the same theater for the little ones.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
Dickens of a Christmas
- Dates
- Dec 12-13 · Sat Dec 12 10am-6pm, Sun Dec 13 11am-5pm
- Where
- Main Street, Downtown Franklin, Franklin (about 30 minutes south)
- Price
- No ticket price listed. It's a street festival.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Franklin's Main Street goes old-time English for a weekend. Costumed Dickens characters and carolers walk the street, and Father Christmas hands out treats to kids.
Parent tip: Downtown parking is tight. If you take the park-and-ride shuttle, bring a stroller that folds.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Opry Country Christmas
- Dates
- Nov 30 - Dec 22 · Select nights at 7pm: Nov 30; Dec 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 22
- Where
- Grand Ole Opry House, 600 Opry Mills Dr., Opryland / Music Valley
- Price
- Ticketed. Kids under 4 free if they sit on your lap.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
The Grand Ole Opry's holiday show, with country singers and special guests doing Christmas songs.
Parent tip: Shows start at 7pm, so it's a late night for little ones. Strollers have to fold and get checked at the door.
- Holiday trainsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Santa Express at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Dec 19 · Saturdays Nov 28, Dec 5, Dec 12 and Dec 19. The trip takes about 1.5 hours.
- Where
- Tennessee Central Railway Museum, 220 Willow St., Nashville
- Price
- Ticketed. See the museum site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
The local railway museum runs Santa-themed train trips on four Saturdays before Christmas.
Parent tip: With only four dates, these can sell out. Book as soon as you know your Saturday.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Frozen (Nashville Rep at TPAC)
- Dates
- Dec 4-20 · Dec 4-20. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- TPAC Polk Theater, 505 Deaderick St., Downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. Ask the box office about lap tickets for babies.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
Nashville Rep stages the Frozen musical downtown in December. It's not a Christmas story, but it's a wintry pick for Elsa fans.
Parent tip: A good choice if your kids would rather sing along than watch ballet.
- Santa visitsHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Open House at Belle Meade
- Dates
- Nov 12 · Thu Nov 12, 5-8pm
- Where
- Belle Meade Historic Site, 110 Leake Ave., Belle Meade (west Nashville)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Free, but reserve a spot through the site
The historic Belle Meade mansion opens for one holiday evening. Kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and carolers sing on the grounds.
Parent tip: It's one night only and early in the season. Book your free spot as soon as you know you're going.
- Ice skatingFree
The Rink Under the Giant Guitar
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 18 · Daily 4-8pm. Longer hours Dec 21-28 (noon-10pm). Christmas Eve noon-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
- Where
- Under the Giant Guitar sign, Wedgewood Houston, Wedgewood-Houston
- Price
- Free to skate. Skate rental $10.
- Ages and booking
- All ages. Skates start at toddler size 9. · Walk up. Free timed tickets are handed out in person, first come, first served.
A new outdoor ice rink sits under a giant guitar sign south of downtown. Sessions last 45 minutes, and there's hot chocolate nearby.
Parent tip: Kids under 7 need an adult with them. Tickets are first come, first served, so arrive close to opening.
- Ice skatingSanta visits Good for toddlers
Holidays at Nashville Yards (Rink Under Broad)
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Jan 3 · Nov 21-Jan 3. The rink is open all season. Check the site for daily hours.
- Where
- Nashville Yards, 21 Platform Way S., Downtown
- Price
- Skating is ticketed (prices not posted yet). Santa photos are free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy skating tickets online once they go on sale
Nashville Yards runs a real-ice skating rink, the Rink Under Broad, for the season. There are also free Santa photos and free holiday movie nights.
Parent tip: The Santa photo and movie dates aren't posted yet. Check the site before you plan around them.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Home Alone in Concert (Nashville Symphony)
- Dates
- Dec 4-6 · Fri Dec 4 at 7:30pm, Sat Dec 5 at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sun Dec 6 at 2pm
- Where
- Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the symphony site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who know the movie (it's rated PG) · Buy ahead online or call 615-687-6400
The full Home Alone movie plays on a big screen while the symphony plays the music live. A youth choir sings too.
Parent tip: Pick a 2pm show for younger kids. Watch the movie at home first so they know the slapstick parts are coming.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Elf in Concert (Nashville Symphony)
- Dates
- Dec 2 · Wed Dec 2 at 7:30pm
- Where
- Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Downtown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the symphony site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who know the movie (it's rated PG) · Buy ahead online
The movie Elf plays on a big screen while the orchestra plays the music live. It's one night only.
Parent tip: It starts at 7:30pm on a Wednesday, so it suits older kids best.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Christmas at Belmont
- Dates
- Nov 20-21 · Fri Nov 20 at 7:30pm, Sat Nov 21 at 2pm and 7:30pm
- Where
- Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, 2020 Belmont Blvd., Belmont / Hillsboro
- Price
- Ticketed. Call the box office at 615-460-2255 for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through a concert · Buy ahead
More than 600 Belmont music students sing and play carols and holiday music. It's a big, traditional Christmas concert.
Parent tip: The Saturday 2pm show is the easiest pick with kids.
- Christmas marketsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Franklin Makers Holiday Market
- Dates
- Nov 14 · Sat Nov 14, 11am-4pm
- Where
- The Lake at Westhaven, 157 Front St., Franklin (Westhaven)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
An outdoor holiday market by the lake at Westhaven, with local makers and food. Santa is there for free photos.
Parent tip: It's outside in mid-November, so pack layers for the kids.
- Christmas markets Good for toddlers
MADE SOUTH Holiday Market
- Dates
- Nov 21 · Sat Nov 21, 9am-5pm (the Friday night party is 21+)
- Where
- Liberty Hall, The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd.
- Price
- Ticketed for adults. Kids 13 and under free on Saturday.
- Ages and booking
- All ages on Saturday · Buy adult tickets online ahead
A big indoor market of Southern makers at The Factory in Franklin. Saturday is the all-ages shopping day.
Parent tip: Kids 13 and under get in free on Saturday, so only the grown-ups need tickets.
- Christmas marketsFree Good for toddlers
Holiday Market at the Mansion
- Dates
- Nov 21-22 · Sat Nov 21 10am-4pm, Sun Nov 22 10am-3pm
- Where
- Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, 4580 Rachel's Lane, Hermitage (east of the airport)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
An outdoor craft and gift market on the grounds of the Hermitage. Local artists sell gifts, and there's food too.
Parent tip: It's outdoors in late November, so dress the kids in layers.
- Christmas markets Good for toddlers
Porter Flea Holiday Market
- Dates
- Dec 11-12 · Main market Sat Dec 12, 10am-5pm. Ticketed preview night Fri Dec 11, 6-9pm.
- Where
- Nashville Fairgrounds, 320 Wedgewood Ave., Wedgewood-Houston
- Price
- Preview night is ticketed. Check the site for Saturday entry. Parking $10 cash.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up on Saturday. Buy preview tickets online.
A large indoor handmade market at the Fairgrounds, with more than 200 local sellers. The hall is heated.
Parent tip: Bring cash for parking. The Friday preview night is ticketed and runs late, so Saturday is the better pick with kids.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
Hendersonville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
- Dates
- Dec 6 · Sun Dec 6. Parade at 2pm. Tree lighting right after.
- Where
- Main Street, then Memorial Park (151 E. Main St.), Hendersonville (about 25 minutes northeast)
- Price
- No ticket price listed. It's a street parade.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets. Find a spot along Main Street.
A Sunday afternoon parade with more than 80 floats and groups goes down Main Street. Santa comes at the end, and the city tree is lit after.
Parent tip: An afternoon start makes this easy with toddlers. You can still be home for an early bedtime.
- Parades and tree lightingsChristmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 5:30-8pm
- Where
- Old Hickory Lake, from Drakes Creek past Mallard Park to Sanders Ferry Park, Hendersonville (about 25 minutes northeast)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets
Boats covered in Christmas lights cruise along Old Hickory Lake after dark. You watch from the shore.
Parent tip: It gets cold by the water at night. Bring blankets and a thermos, and pick a spot near Mallard Park, where the judges sit.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
Murfreesboro Christmas Parade
- Dates
- Dec 13 · Sun Dec 13, from 2pm
- Where
- Historic East Main Street, Murfreesboro (about 40 minutes southeast)
- Price
- No ticket price listed. It's a street parade.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets
Murfreesboro's yearly Christmas parade rolls down historic East Main Street on a Sunday afternoon.
Parent tip: Pair it with the old-time village at Cannonsburgh if you go on a Friday or Saturday that month.
- Christmas lightsHoliday festivals Good for toddlers
A Charming Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village
- Dates
- Dec 4-19 · Fridays and Saturdays, Dec 4-19, 4-8pm
- Where
- Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro (about 40 minutes southeast)
- Price
- $5 per person. Ages 5 and under free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online or at the gate. Tickets can't be refunded.
A small pioneer-style village fills its old buildings with candlelight and holiday decor. Expect lights, carolers, crafts and a spot to write letters to Santa.
Parent tip: It costs little and kids 5 and under get in free, so it's an easy first evening outing for little ones.
- Santa visitsHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers
Christmas at Patterson
- Dates
- Dec 18-19 · Fri Dec 18, 6-8pm, and Sat Dec 19, 4-6pm
- Where
- Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Murfreesboro (about 40 minutes southeast)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A free city Christmas party with Santa and his sleigh for your own photos. Kids can decorate ornaments, eat cookies and hear a story from Mrs. Claus.
Parent tip: Bring your own phone or camera. The Santa photos are do-it-yourself.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in Nashville, including parades and tree lightings.
Shopping for gifts? Compare the Christmas markets in Nashville, with hours, costs and tips for going with kids.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in Nashville, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Going to the ballet? Compare every Nutcracker in Nashville, with run times, age tips and sensory-friendly shows.
Planning the whole trip? See our full guide to Nashville with kids.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in Nashville for Christmas with kids?
See A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, walk Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo, and visit Cheekwood's Holiday LIGHTS. Ride the Santa Express train or drive through the Dancing Lights of Christmas.
Little kids love The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Nashville Children's Theatre.
Do you need tickets to see the Christmas decorations at Gaylord Opryland?
You can walk the decorated atriums for free. But on busy dates (Fridays and Saturdays from November 20, plus November 23-26 and December 18-31), only hotel guests and ticket holders are guaranteed entry after 3pm.
ICE! and the other activities need tickets.
How much is Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo?
Single-night tickets are $27 per person in 2026. Kids under 2 are free but still need a ticket. It runs nightly from November 13 to January 3.
What are the best Christmas events in Nashville for toddlers?
Glow Wild, Cheekwood's lights early in the evening, the Dancing Lights drive-through, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.
Look for the "Good for toddlers" label in the list.
Christmas in other cities
- Christmas in New York
- Christmas in Chicago
- Christmas in Boston
- Christmas in Washington, DC
- Christmas in Seattle
- Christmas in Denver
- Christmas in San Diego
- Christmas in San Francisco
- Christmas in Los Angeles
- Christmas in Atlanta
- Christmas in Houston
- Christmas in San Antonio
- Christmas in Gatlinburg
- Christmas in Philadelphia
- Christmas in Pittsburgh
- Christmas in Las Vegas
- Christmas in Orlando
- Christmas in Miami
- Christmas in New Orleans
- Christmas in Charlotte
- Christmas in Kansas City
- Christmas in Dallas
- Christmas in Austin
- Christmas in Phoenix
- Christmas in St. Louis
- Christmas in Tampa
- Christmas in Cincinnati