Caitlin Harris
The December holidays, like all of 2020, are going to be a little different this year.
We probably won’t have those jam-packed weekends of one party after another. The office holiday celebration is not going to be a rager (can you rage on Zoom?). Even the annual Nashville Christmas Parade is virtual. You know what is a completely safe, socially distanced, time-honored holiday tradition? Drive-thru Christmas light displays!
Pile your quarantine pod into your car with a third row of seats; grab the masks, the sanitizer, and the hot chocolate; fill up the tank; and check out our guide to the best places to see lights dance before your eyes.
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND
Gaylord Opryland
The mammoth hotel, as always, has family-friendly festivities planned for the whole season, including three million lights twinkling at you. If you want to stay in the car, you can drive through the resort to see the trees adorned in white lights from the exterior facing Briley Parkway. If you’re comfortable being out-and-about, you can buy a timed ticket (to assure social distancing and reduced capacity) for snow tubing, ice bumper cars, ice skating, and, new this year, I Love Christmas Movies, an immersive, walk-thru experience where you’ll feel like you are inside your favorite holiday movies, such as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Bundles start at $44 for adults; $39.20 for kids. christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com
DANCING LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS
If you want the Christmas light experience, but want it to be a little different, these synchronized bulbs are just the ticket. Now in its 11th year, these 2.5 miles of lights create tunnels, dancing trees, candy canes and more to songs that are familiar, but with a different tune. Imagine a reggae “Jingle Bells” or “I Want to be Santa Claus” to the tune of “Macho Man” playing on your radio as you drive around. The festivities take place at Wilson County’s James E. Ward Agricultural Center. Lines can be very long on Saturday nights, so if you have more flexibility in your schedule these days (as many of us do), come earlier in the week. The $25 per car fee is a lower price than last year—seriously, when does that happen? Return revelers, note that there will not be a Santa’s Village this year due to COVID-19 concerns. thedancinglightsofchristmas.com
CHAD’S WINTER WONDERLAND
Chad Barnard really loves Christmas lights. For 39 years—since he was 12 years old—he’s been putting on displays, with handmade wood cutouts, lots of lights, and plenty of creativity. His day job is as an appliance repairperson so he knows what to do when a particular light won’t come on. Get ready to wind your way through a 14-acre display in Lebanon with about three million lights, including a drive-thru nativity scene and a Santa’s Workshop. Barnard changes the displays every year, so even if you have been before, it’s worth revisiting for the 65-foot computerized tunnel and more. $15 per car, $20 for commercial vans and limos. facebook.com/chadswinterwonderland
FRANKTOWN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Franklin’s beloved drive-thru light spectacular returns to the Williamson County Ag Center for its third year. You’ll take in more than 200 light displays from the safety of your own car, listening to synchronized Christmas carols and more. The event, which costs $25 per car, benefits Franktown Open Hearts, a nonprofit that serves inner-city at-risk youth and their families in Franklin. Thanks to a variety of corporate sponsorships, all of the proceeds go to the charity. franktownfestivaloflights.com
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT DRAKES CREEK
Hendersonville’s Memorial Park is the starting point for an expanded holiday light show this year, one that includes the community, too. In addition to the official display, the HolidayFest board selected 10 homes from the neighborhood submissions and published a map of the winners. Drive your own vehicle through the local displays as well as the official one. There’s no charge for this self-guided light tour, so it is a great budget-friendly option. holidayfesttn.org
If the idea of being stuck in your car with the same people you’ve been stuck in the house with for nine months is not your idea of holiday cheer, see below for some themed options that allow you to stretch your legs while getting into the spirit.
CHEEKWOOD
Caitlin Harris
The botanical garden is partnering with the Nashville Ballet this year to present a collection of traditional and non-traditional nutcrackers and costumes from Nashville’s Nutcracker in its mansion, in addition to its display of a million lights in the garden. Highlights include the Children’s Wonderland, with custom-made LED trees and the bonus of the Chihuly at Cheekwood exhibit, which features artist Dale Chihuly’s famous brightly colored glass art. Tickets are $28 adults, $22 children for non-members. Advance timed tickets are required to assist with maintaining limited capacity for COVID-19 precautions. cheekwood.org
WESTIN NASHVILLE
Digital Love
L27, the hotel’s rooftop, is going 27 Below for its wintery theme. We’re in Tennessee, so, thankfully, it won’t actually be that cold. But the bar will offer a play on a winter ice cave with specialty cocktails to go with the theme. l27nashville.com
VIRGIN HOTELS NASHVILLE
BRND House
If you aren’t headed to the slopes this winter and want to pretend like you are, the Lodge at The Pool Club Nashville, the rooftop bar at the new Virgin hotel, is the place to go. The space has been transformed into a ski chalet with fire pits, twinkling string lights, frosted pine trees, faux snow, and boozy hot chocolate and hot toddies. virginhotels.com/nashville
BELMONT MANSION
Ed Houk
If you want a more traditional experience, Belmont Mansion decks its halls in Victorian season style. Take an after-hours tour, separate from the standard walk-thru, that talks about the period celebrations that would have taken place in the mansion’s heyday. Tours are $20, $10 for kids. belmontmansion.com/christmas-at-the-mansion
REINDEER GAMES AT HEADQUARTERS BEERCADE
The SoBro arcade bar known for its holiday-themed pop-up bar is ready to help grown-ups (age 21 and older only, please) celebrate with its annual Reindeer Games décor. The two-story bar will include a giant sleigh ride for photos-op, plenty of lights and themed displays with scenes from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and more. hq-nashville.com/reindeer-games
BOBBY HOTEL
Lisa Diederich Photography
Even before we were trying to keep ourselves sealed up in a bubble, the city went crazy for the Bobby’s rooftop igloos. The Instagram-ready igloos are back for their third year, now with the added benefit of giving us a social distancing barrier. Each igloo will seat up to five people this year. Sip seasonal cocktails in this cozy winter wonderland. Make reservations in advance to make sure your pod gets a spot. bobbyhotel.com