It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and there is a fa-la-la-la-lot of holiday cheer in Music City (and beyond). Grab a hot chocolate, don your finest ugly holiday sweater, and set out dashing through the snow, because we’ve rounded up some festive and fun light displays that Saint Nick himself would approve of.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT CHEEKWOOD
Experience one of Nashville’s favorite holiday traditions now through Jan. 8, as glistening lights illuminate the night sky at Cheekwood’s legendary Holiday LIGHTS display. Featuring more than a million lights twinkling throughout 55 acres of beautiful botanical gardens, holiday lovers of all ages will enjoy a whimsical walk through this real-life winter wonderland. Embark on a magical one-mile walking path exploring sparkling interactive features that set the gardens aglow, and a 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the adorned historic mansion. Cheekwood also offers seasonal favorites such as s’mores stations, seasonal drinks, the Dancing Lights of TRAINS! exhibit, a holiday marketplace, and more. (1200 Forrest Park Dr.; cheekwood.org)
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND
No holiday season is complete without a visit to Gaylord Opryland where the magic of Christmas is on full display throughout the massive resort. Running through Jan. 1, celebrate the season with dozens of family-friendly activities and events, not to mention more than four million brilliant lights on display. Towering elaborately themed Christmas trees, unforgettable fountain and light shows, and over-the-top décor deck the halls (and the grounds) throughout the resort for an immersive holiday experience to brighten up even the coldest winter night. And this year marks the highly anticipated return of ICE!, the resort’s signature attraction that brings the magical world of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to life using more than two million pounds of ice carved by a team of expert ice artisans to create larger-than-life sculptures of everyone’s favorite characters. The resort also features nightly tree lightings, seasonal dining and drinks, thrilling outdoor activities at the Appalachian-esque village Pinetop, and so much more. (2800 Opryland Dr.; christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com)
ENCHANT
Prepare to be truly enchanted as First Horizon Park sparkles through the season at Enchant presented by Hallmark. Having visited numerous cities nationwide, Enchant has quickly become one of the fastest growing live entertainment concepts in North America, attracting more than three million visitors to the world’s largest holiday light event. Running through Dec. 30, this extravagant 10-acre attraction features a dazzling walk-thru light maze comprised of over four million twinkling lights and a soaring 100-foot-tall holiday tree. Guests can also enjoy an ice-skating trail, live entertainment, Santa visits, interactive games, and a charming village marketplace offering crafts and gifts from local artisans plus festive food and drinks. (19 Junior Gilliam Way; enchantchristmas.com)
CHRISTMAS IN COLUMBIA
Less than an hour drive from Nashville, there is plenty of winter wonderment to discover in Columbia. For a quintessential small-town holiday experience that feels straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, bundle up to see the 40-foot tree on the Courthouse Square aglow. (Trotwood/W. 7th St. split, Columbia; itschristmasincolumbia.com)
JINGLE BEAT
Jingle all the way into America’s first immersive holiday multiverse experience, Jingle Beat. This family-friendly activation transforms the Nashville Fairgrounds into three themed multiverse worlds of indoor and outdoor wonderment. A sensory experience unlike any other, guests can expect incredible interactive installations, holiday themed food and cocktails curated specifically for each multiverse world, live performances, breathtaking light and video spectacles, and more in this one-of-a-kind holiday experience that is truly out of this world. (401 Wingrove St.; jinglebeat.com/nashville)
FRANKTOWN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Franklin’s annual drive-thru holiday light display returns with festive fun the whole family can enjoy, right from the comfort of your very own car. Running through Dec. 31, the light spectacular transforms the Williamson County Agricultural EXPO Park with over 200 displays synchronized to Christmas classics to be listened to over the radio as you drive along this magnificent, newly expanded, mile-and- a-half-long route. Cap off the night by snapping a picture with the giant sparkling Christmas tree, toasting s’mores over the fire pit, and cozying up with your crew as the lights dance before your eyes. Tickets start at $30 and proceeds benefit FrankTown Open Hearts, a nonprofit ministry servicing at-risk youths in Franklin. (4215 Long Ln., Franklin; franktownfestivaloflights.com)
CHAD’S WINTER WONDERLAND
As a lifelong Christmas lights fanatic, Chad Barnard certainly knows how to capture the beauty of the season. Since he was 12 years old, he has been crafting magical displays with handmade wood cutouts, loads of lights, and even more heart, soul, and creativity. In this annual 12-acre Lebanon drive-thru display, which Chad changes every year, visitors are transported into a true winter wonderland with nearly three million lights, a nativity scene, Santa’s workshop, and more. The joyous holiday journey costs $20 per car and runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. (791 Old Laguardo Rd. E., Lebanon; facebook.com/chadswinterwonderland)