It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and what better way to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year than with the best light displays 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 our festive favorites that Saint Nick himself would approve of.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT CHEEKWOOD
Experience one of Nashville’s favorite holiday traditions now through Jan. 9, 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. New this year, visitors can embark on the Peppermint Path featuring clusters of candy cane coated cylinders. Then, make your way through the interactive Tunnel of Lights while the arches in the Bradford Robertson Color Garden come alive. Cheekwood also offers seasonal favorites such as real reindeer, s’mores stations, the Dancing Lights of TRAINS! exhibit, a holiday marketplace, and more.
(1200 Forrest Park Dr., cheekwood.org)
NATHAN ZUCKER
THE DANCING LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS
Tennessee’s largest drive-thru light and music show is back every night through Jan. 2 at Wilson County’s James E. Ward Agricultural Center. Beat the winter blues (and temps) with a family friendly outing you can enjoy without leaving the coziness of your car. But this isn’t your typical light show. Drive through 2.5 miles of lights taking the shape of vibrant tunnels, dancing trees, candy canes, and more synchronized to familiar Christmas tunes with a twist. Classic lyrics the whole family can sing along to pump through the speakers of your radio to unexpected rhythms that make for a delightfully unexpected rendition complementing the wonderous sights beyond your car windows. Tickets are $30 per vehicle and weekend wait times can get lengthy, so stop by on weeknights to beat the rush.
(1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon; thedancinglightsofchristmas.com)
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. 2, celebrate the season with dozens of family-friendly activities and events, not to mention more than three million brilliant lights on display. Unforgettable fountain and light shows, towering Christmas trees, 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. Whether you’re strolling the Magnolia Lawn watching the nightly tree lighting while singing Christmas carols; climbing aboard the Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise winding through the resort; or stepping into the world of Buddy the Elf in the all-new Gaylord Hotels Original Experience, Mission Save Christmas featuring Elf, there is something for every age and interest to enjoy.
(2800 Opryland Dr.; christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com)
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The beloved 52nd annual Hendersonville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is back with free fun for the whole family. On Dec. 5, starting at 1 p.m. at Drakes Creek Park, this lively parade features marching bands, horse-drawn floats, and everyone’s favorite Christmas characters brought together by local families, businesses, and community organizations. The Christmas cheer continues after the parade with the annual Hendersonville Tree Lighting Ceremony at Memorial Park. In recognition of Brenda Lee, the 2021 Honorary HolidayFest Chair, this year’s theme “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” lives up to its name as a rockin’ way to celebrate the season.
(Drakes Creek Park, 120 E. Main St., Hendersonville; holidayfesttn.org)
COLUMBIA MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS PARADE & TREE LIGHTING
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 for the annual Columbia Main Street Parade and Tree Lighting on Dec. 4. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a festive parade marching down W. 7th St. and into downtown Columbia. Further lighting up the night, the parade will be followed by an extravagant Christmas tree lighting where Santa himself will light the tree; in addition, enjoy live entertainment, the announcement of parade winners, and more to keep the whole family enthralled.
(Trotwood/W. 7th St. split, Columbia; itschristmasincolumbia.com)
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. 26, the light spectacular transforms the Williamson County Agricultural Center with over 200 displays synchronized to Christmas classics to be listened to over the radio as you drive along this magnificent mile-long route. Before you hit the road, snap a picture with the 30- foot Christmas tree adorned with more than 3,000 lights, grab some festive concessions like a s’mores kit or hot chocolate, and cozy up with your crew as the lights dance before your eyes. Tickets cost $25 per car and all proceeds benefit FrankTown Open Hearts, a nonprofit ministry servicing at-risk youths in Franklin.
(4215 Long Ln., Franklin; franktownfestivaloflights.com)
BOBBY HOTEL
Cozy up in these Instagramable igloos atop the roof of the Bobby Hotel for sparkling views of the lit-up Nashville skyline from 10 stories above. This year’s winter pop-up experience titled “Camp Bobby” takes visitors back to the good ol’ days in this 70’s inspired campsite featuring ice skating on the city’s only rooftop “frozen pond,” personal campfires to gather around with snacks and seasonal cocktails, and plenty of festive fun. Campfire igloo reservations are available for parties up to six, so rally your Christmas crew for some picturesque holiday hangs. (230 4th Ave. N.; bobbyhotel.com/rooftoplounge)
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 14-acre Lebanon display, which he changes every year, visitors are transported into a true winter wonderland with nearly three million lights, a drive-thru nativity scene, Santa’s workshop, and more. The joyous holiday journey costs $20 per car and runs from Thanksgiving to New Years.
(791 Old Laguardo Rd. E., Lebanon; facebook.com/chadswinterwonderland)