Nashville Unscripted · Christmas in Nashville
Nashville at Christmas is one of the best holiday destinations in the South — 3 million lights at Gaylord Opryland, a million more at Cheekwood, Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Ryman, Broadway in full holiday mode, and a New Year’s Eve that draws 150,000 people. Here’s the complete guide.
Christmas in Nashville runs from mid-November through New Year’s Day — six weeks of the city at its most festive. The Gaylord Opryland Resort is the headline act but it’s far from the only reason to visit Nashville during the holidays. Here’s everything worth doing, organized by what kind of trip you’re planning.
Staying in Nashville for Christmas?
Book Your Hotel Before the Holidays Fill Up
Nashville hotels during the holiday season book up fast — especially December weekends and New Year’s Eve. Lock in your rate now.
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🚌 Hop On Hop Off Trolley · 6,121 Reviews · $53.72 → 🌮 Food Tour · 3,064 Reviews · Badge of Excellence →The Best Christmas Events in Nashville
A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Mid-November – January 1 · 2800 Opryland Dr · The Big One
The headline Nashville Christmas event — and one of the best holiday experiences in America. The Gaylord Opryland Resort transforms into a winter wonderland with over 3 million lights, 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures in the ICE! attraction, ice tubing, ice skating, carriage rides, photos with Santa, holiday dining, fountain shows, and live entertainment across nine acres of indoor garden atriums.
ICE! is the must-do experience — a walk-through attraction featuring massive ice sculptures and slides carved from 2 million pounds of colored ice. The theme changes annually. It sells out — book tickets well in advance.
The resort has won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event 15 consecutive years. You do not need to be a hotel guest to visit — day tickets are available for all experiences. Parking is $35 for non-guests; free parking is available at Opry Mills Mall with a walk across the street.
Dates: Mid-November through January 1 annually.
Tickets: christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com — buy in advance.
See our complete Gaylord Opryland Christmas guide →
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
Mid-November – Early January · 1200 Forrest Park Dr · 1 Million Lights
Nashville’s other great Christmas light tradition — over 1 million lights illuminating the 55-acre Cheekwood Estate & Gardens along a mile-long walking path. Cheekwood is a stunning property year-round but the holiday lights transform it into something genuinely magical.
The experience includes the illuminated gardens, a 28-foot Pixel Pine Tree, s’mores stations, hot chocolate, visits with Santa, and the historic Cheekwood Mansion fully decorated for the holidays. Real reindeer and train displays make it excellent for families with young children.
Dates: Mid-November through early January annually. Hours 5-10pm daily.
Tickets: cheekwood.org — timed entry, book in advance.
Location: 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville — about 15 minutes from downtown.
Amy Grant & Vince Gill’s Christmas at the Ryman
December · Ryman Auditorium · Nashville’s Most Beloved Holiday Show
The most beloved Christmas tradition in Nashville — Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s annual December residency at the Ryman Auditorium. A 12-concert run typically spanning two weeks in December, this is the show Nashville residents return to year after year. The combination of Amy Grant’s Christmas catalog, Vince Gill’s musicianship, and the Ryman’s legendary acoustics makes for one of the most genuinely special holiday concerts in America.
Tickets sell out fast — often within hours of going on sale. Check ryman.com in late summer for on-sale dates. If you’re planning a Nashville Christmas trip around this show, book hotel and tickets simultaneously.
Dates: Multiple December dates annually — check ryman.com for current season.
Tickets: ryman.com — set a reminder for on-sale day.
Nashville Christmas Parade
Early December · Downtown Nashville · Free
Nashville’s annual Christmas parade winds through downtown in early December — floats, marching bands, local celebrities, and Santa Claus. Free to attend and a genuinely fun community event. One of the best free things to do in Nashville during the holiday season for families.
Dates: Early December annually — check nashvillechristmasparade.com for exact date.
Cost: Free to attend.
Enchant Nashville
Late November – Late December · First Horizon Park · 4 Million Lights
The world’s largest holiday light maze — 4 million lights at First Horizon Park (home of the Nashville Sounds) with larger-than-life Christmas elements, a skating trail, Santa’s village, and a Christmas market. Enchant Nashville is a ticketed experience that has become one of the city’s fastest-growing holiday traditions.
Dates: Late November through late December annually.
Tickets: enchant.com — book in advance, sells out on weekend evenings.
Dickens of a Christmas — Franklin
Early December · Franklin, TN · Free · 30 Minutes South
One of the best Christmas events near Nashville — the historic downtown Franklin square transforms into a Victorian Christmas village with 150+ craft and artisan vendors, period costumes, live entertainment, vintage demonstrations, and free admission. About 30 minutes south of Nashville and worth the drive for a completely different holiday experience from the big Nashville events.
Dates: Early December weekend annually — check historicfranklin.com.
Cost: Free to attend. Parking available in surrounding lots.
Grand Ole Opry Christmas Shows
December · Grand Ole Opry House · Country Christmas Tradition
The Grand Ole Opry hosts special Christmas programming throughout December — holiday-themed shows featuring country music stars performing their Christmas favorites alongside their hits. A genuinely special way to experience the Opry during the most festive time of year. See our Grand Ole Opry guide for tickets and what to expect.
Dates: Multiple December dates — check opry.com for current season lineup.
Nashville Predators Holiday Games
November–December · Bridgestone Arena · NHL Hockey
The Nashville Predators play a packed home schedule through the holiday season — including a Halloween game October 31, a Black Friday game November 27, and New Year’s Day at home January 1. A Predators game at Bridgestone Arena in December is one of the most fun Nashville holiday outings — great energy, central downtown location, and steps from Broadway for a pre-game dinner. See our Predators parking guide for game day logistics.
New Year’s Eve — Bash on Broadway
December 31 · Lower Broadway · Free · 150,000 People
Nashville’s Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway draws 150,000 people to Lower Broadway for free live music, a fireworks show over the Cumberland River, and a Music Note Drop at midnight. The biggest free NYE party in the South. See our complete Nashville NYE guide →
Nashville Christmas: What to Know Before You Go
- Book everything in advance — ICE! at Gaylord Opryland, Amy Grant & Vince Gill at the Ryman, and Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS all sell out. Don’t assume you can walk up on the day.
- December weekends are the busiest — if you have flexibility, visit mid-week in November or early December for smaller crowds at every event.
- Gaylord Opryland is not downtown — it’s 8 miles east near the airport. Plan rideshare or parking separately. Free parking at Opry Mills Mall is the hack.
- Broadway is festive all month — the honky tonks and bars on Broadway decorate for Christmas and the open container energy doesn’t stop. A Broadway night in December is a genuinely great time.
- The weather is cold — Nashville December temperatures average 35-50°F. Layer up for Cheekwood and Opryland outdoor experiences. ICE! is literally below freezing — they provide parkas but wear warm layers underneath.
- Hotel prices spike in December — book well ahead especially for weekend stays and NYE. Downtown is the most convenient base for hitting multiple events.
Where to Stay for Christmas in Nashville
Downtown Nashville is the best base for a Christmas trip — central to Broadway, easy rideshare to Gaylord Opryland and Cheekwood, walking distance to the Ryman. Germantown is a quieter, more neighborhood alternative that’s still close to everything.
- SongTeller Hotel — Dolly Parton’s own hotel at 211 Commerce Street, steps from Broadway. Opens September 2026. The most uniquely Nashville Christmas hotel experience. See our SongTeller Hotel guide →
- Gaylord Opryland Resort — the ultimate Nashville Christmas hotel. You’re literally inside the light display. Expensive but worth it for the full experience — especially with kids. Rooms from $300-600+ in December.
- Downtown Nashville hotels — walk to Broadway, Ryman, and easy rideshare to Gaylord and Cheekwood. Browse Nashville hotels →
- Nashville VRBOs — for families and groups, a VRBO with a kitchen and living space makes a multi-day Christmas trip significantly more comfortable. Browse Nashville VRBOs →
Plan Your Nashville Christmas Trip
Hotels, VRBOs & Experiences
Nashville Christmas sells out — hotels, tickets, and experiences all book up early. Start planning now.
Browse Nashville Hotels → Browse Nashville VRBOs →→ Christmas at Gaylord Opryland: Complete Guide to ICE! & A Country Christmas
→ Nashville NYE: Bash on Broadway Guide
→ Grand Ole Opry Nashville: Tickets & What to Expect
→ Nashville Predators Parking: Bridgestone Arena Game Day Guide
→ Things to Do in Nashville: The Complete Guide
→ Nashville Broadway Bars: What’s Inside Every Honky Tonk
Event dates, ticket prices, and hours are subject to change annually. Always verify current information at each venue’s website before your visit. This post contains affiliate links.