The most magical month of the year is here! Let the time of gift-giving, Christmas decorating, and shopping til you drop begin! Holiday LIGHTS is back, as are other local favorites such as the Frosty Fun Run and A Dickens of a Christmas Festival. New festivals and events are also popping up so make sure to mark your calendars and prepare yourself for a whole lot of fun!
December 1: 12th Annual St. Nicolas Ball
Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club | Hendersonville
This elegant affair benefits one of Parks’ favorite charities – Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. Featuring cocktails, a seated dinner, and dancing with a live band, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season. Bring your checkbook to participate in the silent auction!
December 1 – December 31: Holiday LIGHTS
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens | Nashville
One million lights will fill the trees and surround the gardens and ponds of the beautiful Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. Kids will enjoy visiting with Santa’s reindeer and s’mores pits while adults can enjoy the beverage stations on the way to the mansion where carolers in period costume fill the home with holiday favorites.
December 5 – 6: Home Alone in Concert
Schermerhorn Symphony Center | Nashville
Enjoy this hilarious, heartwarming, classic holiday film like you’ve never experienced it before! The Nashville Symphony and Nashville Symphony Chorus will perform John Williams’ delightful score live while the movie is shown on the big screen.
December 8: Frosty Fun Run
Stones River Country Club Golf Course | Murfreesboro
Participants can choose a two or four and a half mile course for a chilly run through Stones River Golf Course. Warm up after with waffles, coffee and hot chocolate provided by Waffle House and get your picture taken with Santa. All proceeds benefit CASA and Parks Christmas for the Children.
December 8 – 9: A Dickens of a Christmas
Historic Main Street | Franklin
Entering its 34th year, this Christmas festival is the largest in Middle Tennessee! Two hundred musicians, dancers, and characters in period Dickensian costume will flood the streets and snow (yes!) will fill the air. Enjoy Victorian era treats and demonstrations and peruse the arts and craft vendors before ending the day with carols!
December 8 – 9: Music City WinterFest
Centennial Park | Nashville
Visit Centennial Park for holiday cheer for the whole family! Shop this holiday market for unique gifts from Nashville craft artisans, enjoy live music by local performing groups, and treat yourself at some food trucks, s’mores stations, pet portraits, a beard competition, and tons more!
December 28: Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium | Nashville
The annual bowl game in Nashville pits an SEC team against an ACC or Big Ten team in a holiday celebration at Nissan Stadium! This game is televised nationally to millions of viewers on ESPN. There will be plenty of pre and post game festivities taking place, so prepare for a full day of fun!
December 31: Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight
Bicentennial Mall | Nashville
This free New Years Eve celebration features a stellar musical lineup including Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Judah & The Lion, Caitlyn Smith, Devon Gilfillian, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers! Watch the iconic music note drop as the clock ticks down to midnight and ring in the New Year with fireworks beneath the State Capitol building.
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