Caitlin Harris Photography
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Nashville!
From festive holiday bar takeovers and Christmas-themed concerts to mesmerizing light shows and immersive family-friendly experiences, there's something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season in Music City.
See below for a running list of holiday happenings that are sure to leave you feeling merry and bright.
27Below Rooftop Activation
L27 at The Westin Nashville | Dec. 4 - Mar. 1, 2021
Digital Love
In a play on winter ice caves this holiday season, The Westin Nashville will activate a "27Below" theme at the signature rooftop restaurant, L27. The holiday pop-up will be adorned with blue and white décor accentuated by furs and everything you'd expect for a '27Below' theme with specialty food and drinks, of course. l27nashville.com
A Country Christmas
Gaylord Opryland | Nov. 13 - Jan. 3, 2021
There's no better way to celebrate the holiday season in Nashville than by gathering your family for safe, holiday fun during A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. In addition to acres of twinkling lights and decorations, this year's A Country Christmas will feature ice skating and ice tubing, as well as the all-new I Love Christmas Movies™ pop-up experience and The Oak Ridge Boys "Christmas in Tennessee" Dinner Show. christmasatgaylordopryland
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
James E. Ward Agricultural Center | Nov. 13 - Jan. 3, 2021
The Dancing Lights of Christmas returns for its 11th season to Wilson Country and the James E. Ward Agricultural Center. The two and a half mile course features more than two million lights synchronized to upbeat, traditional, and rockin' Christmas tunes that blast through your car radio. It's the perfect socially-distanced evening that the whole family can enjoy. thedancinglightsofchristmas.com
Festive Holiday Concert Series
The Listening Room | Every Tuesday in December
BRND House
The Listening Room is spreading cheer across Nashville this winter with a month-long holiday celebration. The live-music series will feature special holiday performances from Nashville-based singers/songwriters each Tuesday in December at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Performances will be holiday-themed with Christmas tunes sung throughout. A holiday-themed menu showcasing three Christmas-inspired cocktails will also be offered throughout the duration of the series. listeningroomcafe.com
Franktown Festival of Lights
Williamson County Ag Expo Center | Nov. 26 - Dec. 26
Supplied
Explore over a mile of seasonal splendor at the 3rd Annual Franktown Festival of Lights. You'll have the opportunity to take in more than 200 light displays all from the safety of your own car. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit FranktownOpen Hearts, a nonprofit that serves inner-city at-risk youth and their families in Franklin. franktownsfestivaloflights.com
Christmas at The Hermitage
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage | Dec. 4
Join Andrew Jackson's Hermitage for Christmas at The Hermitage, an evening of merry-making that the whole family will love. With Christmas carols led by choirs on the back lawn of the mansion, holiday shopping in the Museum store, tours of the Hermitage mansion, photos with Father Christmas, children's activities, a bonfire and food and drinks, this is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season in Nashville. thehermitage.com
Holiday Lights
Cheekwood | Nov. 20 - Jan 10, 2021
Caitlin Harris Photography
Cheekwood's beloved Holiday Lights festival returns to the botanical gardens through Jan. 10, 2021. Featuring over a million lights, the carefully planned course offers holiday experiences designed to appeal to all ages. New this year, Cheekwood has partnered with the Nashville Ballet to present a collection of nutcrackers and costumes from Nashville's Nutcracker throughout its Historic Mansion and Museum. Also new this year, Holiday Lights will be presented alongside the works of artist Dale Chihuly with Chihuly at Cheekwood. cheekwood.org
Winter Igloos
Bobby Hotel | Nov. 13 - Jan. 2021
Lisa Diederich Photography
The heated igloos are officially back at Bobby Hotel's Rooftop Lounge. As in previous years, hotel guests and locals alike can reserve the igloos and enjoy Bobby's delicious seasonal cocktails and bites in a cozy, outdoor setting. The Rooftop will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with igloo reservations available for 90 minutes for up to five people with a $250 food and beverage minimum. bobbyhotel.com
JINGLE BEAT
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Dec.4 - Dec. 31
JINGLE BEAT presented by EAMOTION is bringing a COVID-19-safe, outdoor holiday sound and light experience to the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Visitors will be immersed in the spirit of the season as they drive through large scale, multi-sensory installations that dance rhythmically to a fresh remix of holiday classics. A family-friendly event, JINGLE BEAT features timed-entry, zero-contact ticketing, with one ticket covering the admission of all passengers in a single vehicle. eamotion.com/jinglebeat.
The Lodge
Virgin Hotels Nashville | Nov. 20 - Feb.1, 2021
BRND House
Virgin Hotels Nashville is extending rooftop season into winter with the launch of The Lodge, a ski chalet-inspired winter pop-up at The Pool Club. Situated on the 14th floor of the hotel, the indoor-outdoor space transports guests to a magical winter escape in the heart of Music City complete with festive decor, fire pits and heaters, comforting dishes, hot cocktails, and more. virginhotels.com
Misfit Bar
The Fairlane Hotel | Dec. 4- Jan. 5, 2021
The Fairlane Hotel has completely transformed their Rooftop Penthouse into a month long Christmas pop-up called, The Misfit Toy Bar. The pop-up bar is open from 5:00pm to 11:00pm daily and features live dancers from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Misfit Toy Bar has a cocktail and food menu that includes seven craft holiday cocktails, beer, Love & Exile wine, and sweet and savory snacks. fairlanehotel.com
Nashville Christmas Parade
The first-ever virtual Nashville Christmas Parade will air on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. on News 2. The one-hour virtual program will feature entertainment from CeCe Winans, Danielle Bradbery, for KING & COUNTRY, Jimmie Allen, Louis York and The Shindellas, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lauren Alaina, Melinda Doolittle, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Sandi Patty, Shy Carter, Benita Washington and Radio Disney Country Artist Runaway June, who will be introduced by Radio Disney Country special correspondent Lindsay Ell. Dolly Parton will also give a special holiday greeting during the parade program. nashvillechristmasparade.com
Nashville's Nutcracker
Virtual | Dec. 18
The Nashville Ballet has partnered with NewChannel 5 to present a free televised premiere of "Nashville's Nutcracker" this holiday season for the first time in company history. Take a sparkling—and socially distant—journey through the Land of the Sweets and Music City's glittering past right from the comfort of your own home. The special two-hour production will feature all-new elements, including an introduction and narration by former Tennessee Titan Eddie George. nashvilleballet.com
Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas
The Ryman | Dec. 10
Robert Earl Keen’s ninth annual Christmas show, Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas, is coming to the Ryman Auditorium on December 10th, 2020. Hear what musical gifts Robert and his band plan to unwrap in this Secret Santa set. As always, the evening will include fan favorites and some holiday delights in this family-friendly night of music. ryman.com
Tiki Tidings
The Lookout at Ole Red | Nov. 12 - Dec. 31
The Lookout at Ole Red is hosting Tiki Tidings, a tropical-themed holiday bar takeover now through Dec. 31. Tiki Tidings will include plenty of fancy Hawaiian holiday cocktails and eats, live music each weekend, and festive photo ops that will make you think you're celebrating Christmas in the Caribbean (safely distanced with COVID-19 protocols). olered.com
Reindeer Games
Headquarters Beercade | Nov. 20 - Jan. 2021
The holidays are alive in downtown Nashville, thanks to the opening of HQ Beercade's annual Reindeer Games Pop-Up. With hundreds of shining lights, hot cocoa, cheerful cocktails, and classic Christmas movie nights, Reindeer Games is a holiday tradition not to be missed. Take a ride through the North Pole in Santa’s Sleigh, sit upon your very own Naughty or Nice throne, or enjoy a photo op with colorful gifts, wrapped and stacked high. hq-nashville.com
Whobar Holiday Pop-Up
DREAM Nashville | Thursday - Sunday in Dec.
Lisa Field for BRND House
This holiday season, Parlour Bar inside the DREAM Hotel has transformed into a magical Whoville world, complete with festive cocktails, custom decor, and spiced punch bowls. The Whobar Holiday Pop-Up will be open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to close and Friday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to close. dreamhotels.com/nashville/whobar
Winter Wonderland
Fable Lounge | December 1 - January 6, 2021
Fable Lounge will transform into a magical winter wonderland equipped with twinkling lights and wintry Instagrammable photo ops through Jan. 6. The winter-themed pop-up will also feature various holiday events including a Sweater Party on Dec. 11 and a NYE Masquerade Ball on Dec. 31. fablelounge.com