Christmas In Nashville, TN
There's lots to do and see (and hear!) around Nashville during the holiday season.
Nashville Hotels: See special offers.
Orpryland puts on gala Christmas shows for visitors. Historic antebellum homes are decorated and open for tours. Christmas light displays brighten the evenings. And you can even take a holiday riverboat tour.
Plus, there's all the music expect to find in Nashville. Be sure to pay a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Things to Do
Christmas Village
This huge Christmas market is held each year at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The event is organized by the Nashville Pi Beta Phi Alumni Club and benefits their philanthropies. Over 200 merchants sell seasonal and gift items. The Christmas Market takes place November 9 - 11th, 2018.
Opryland's "A Country Christmas"
Gaylord Opryland Resort hosts a bunch of special events throughout the holidays. November 9, 2018 - January 1, 2019.
The whole place is lit up with lights for the holidays, plus there are horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating. There are special dinner shows and performances at the Grand Ole Opry House. You could keep yourself pretty busy just staying on their property.
ICE! returns for 2018, featuring Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. ICE! is a walk-through attraction with 2 million pounds of ice carvings and four ice slides.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze takes over the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House (the Opry music show moves to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville for the season).
Also, a new Christmas dinner show features Trace Adkins performing songs from The King's Gift.
The Nashville Christmas Parade
This year's Nashville Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 1, 2018. The parade has a 8:30 a.m. morning start and the route starts at the intersection of North 1st Avenue and Brandon Street and travels south towards Broadway, where it turns right onto Broadway and ends at North 8th Avenue & Broadway.
Ice Skating at Ascend Amphitheater
A public ice skating rink is avialble at the Asend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville from November 16 - January 6th. Details.
Plantations and Homes Tours
The historic homes in and around Nashville are always interesting to visit, and they're particularly beautiful when they're decorated for the holidays.
The Hermitage has special holiday evening tours. Belle Meade Plantation decorates for the holidays. Cheekwood has special Holiday at Cheekwood activities on the weekends and a holiday lights display. Belmont Mansion is decorated for the season and offers musical performances and special Christmas meals.
Holiday Cruises on the General Jackson Showboat
The General Jackson Riverboat offers special holiday cruises. With a lunch or dinner cruise, you'll enjoy a holiday meal and musical performances as you cruise the Cumberland River. A neat way to see the lights of the city.
The Country Music Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame hosts lots of special holiday performances throughout the season. Check out their extensive list of happenings.
New Year's Eve Music City Midnight
Nashville's annual Music City Midnight street party/concert is place to be to ring in the new year. The event happens on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. Big-name performers play the night away, and since Nashville's all about the music, there's a "music note drop" as the clock counts down to midnight. A fireworks show brings in the new year with a bang.
The performer lineup for December 31, 2018 free New Year's Eve Celebration includes Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Judah & The Lion, Caitlyn Smith, Devon Gilfillian, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Hotels
Nashville Hotels - Choose from a full selection of hotels in and around Nashvile.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - Opryland goes all out for the holidays with decorations, ICE!, diner shows, and Cirque Dreams Holidaze.
Hotels near the County Music Hall of Fame - Stay downtown, close to the Hall of Fame. Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, shops, and restaurants can also be found in this area.
Nashville hotels with free breakfast - List of hotels that provide free on-site breakfast for their guests.
Holiday Shows
Nashville Ballet Presents Nashville's Nutcracker
The Nashville Ballet's version of the Nutcracker is set in Nashville with local historic characters. Clara's adventure begins with her visit to the Tennessee Centenial Exposition in 1897. Everything is set to Tchaikovsky's traditional score of The Nutcracker Ballet, performed by the Nashville Symphony. December 1 - 23, 2018 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Jackson Hall.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
The big special holiday show at Opryland for 2018 is "Cirque Dreams Holidaze." The show will be on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry from November 16th through December 28th, 2018.
The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman
During the Christmas season, while special holiday shows occupy the Opryland stage, the Grand Ole Opry returns to its old home at the Ryman Auditorium. It's a good chance to enjoy county music in the historic music hall. Visit the Grand Ole Opry website for the full concert schedule.