23+ Can’t Miss Occasions You’ll Love

There are few issues as magical as a Tennessee Christmas. Guests and residents alike embrace the vacations with hospitality, music and a childlike surprise. Positive, there are locations with extra snow or extra glamour, however there’s one thing particular about spending the vacations on this wonderful southern state.

The wonderful thing about Tennessee is that they’ve loads of particular occasions and actions to maintain you and your crew entertained! You’ll by no means run out of issues to do to have fun the season right here.

Able to expertise Christmas in Tennessee? Learn on for one of the best occasions occurring throughout the state!

NASHVILLE

The capital of Tennessee is dwelling to nation music and the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. Nashville beckons guests from throughout to decelerate and embrace the center of Christmas. 

Whether or not you wish to see spectacular Christmas mild reveals, a basic ballet or an icy wonderland, Nashville is the place to do it. 

Learn Extra: 35 Unforgettable Issues To Do in Nashville With Youngsters

NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER

The Nashville Ballet places on a premiere efficiency of The Nutcracker. The annual manufacturing is bound to develop into a practice for your loved ones, because it’s a surefire option to get into the Christmas spirit. 

Full with elaborate costumes, symphony music, and unique choreography, the Nashville Nutcracker earns a spot on any Christmastime bucket checklist. 

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

Once I let you know that the Gaylord Opryland Lodge goes all out for Christmas, I imply it. The sprawling resort has all the time been a go-to vacation spot for vacation mild viewing, however they get an increasing number of further about it yearly. 

This implies there’s something new to do each Christmas, whether or not you’re in search of romance or household enjoyable. 

The highest attraction is ICE!, an over-the-top ice sculpture expertise that includes well-known Christmastime characters. There’s additionally a Christmas-themed dinner present, breakfast with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating. 

Take into account reserving a keep on the Opryland Resort for a really immersive Christmas expertise. 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT CHEEKWOOD ESTATE

Cheekwood Property & Gardens is a magical place to discover any time of yr. You may wander alongside a winding pathway via a botanical backyard and discover world-class artwork galleries. However Christmastime is when Cheekwood actually glows. 

The mile-long path within the property is ready aglow with festive lights, and so they full the expertise by providing smores, cocktails, and interactive options. 

You should buy a ticket only for the outside mild present, or select to enter each the gardens and the mansion, which can also be embellished for the Christmas season. 

FRANKLIN

If you wish to expertise some small-town appeal throughout your Nashville Christmas getaway, head out to Franklin, the place their annual Dickens of a Christmas will ignite a childlike surprise in anybody. 

The Victorian-style road competition is without doubt one of the state’s greatest vacation traditions. It contains carolers, meals distributors, mild shows, a whiskey lounge and a children’ zone. And, in fact you’ll see a few of Charles Dickens’ most well-known characters as they stroll via the historic city. Fagin from Oliver Twist will attend, together with Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim. 

Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin, Tennessee is free to attend, so make sure you assist the city by purchasing at its many shops and craft distributors. Franklin is a couple of half hour away from Nashville. 

Keep right here: Hyatt Place Nashville Franklin

BRENTWOOD

Between Nashville and Franklin, you’ll discover the city of Brentwood, an prosperous suburb with a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

Able to expertise Christmas to the fullest? Take a look at the Morning with Santa on the John P. Holt Brentwood Library. There’s a photograph sales space, a craft station to make or take a Christmas present, refreshments, a magic present, and the jolliest Santa you’ll see outdoors the North Pole. 

Brentwood Academy additionally hosts an annual occasion referred to as “Christmas in Brentwood.” The competition contains a Christian music efficiency, a nativity scene with reside animals, a craft truthful, and meals vans. 

Keep Right here: 4 Factors Nashville Brentwood

MEMPHIS

When you reside in or go to West Tennessee, you’re in luck. There’s a festive mixture of vacation actions accessible in Memphis, which is able to assist you might have a rockin’ and rollin’ vacation season. 

From Graceland to Shelby Farms, you’ll discover countless lights, music and enjoyable throughout the town. 

STARRY NIGHTS AT SHELBY FARMS PARK

That includes over 3 million lights, the Starry Nights occasion is a stunning show of Christmas Cheer. That is Shelby Farms Park’s greatest fundraiser annually, and guests of all ages adore it. 

Starry Nights is often a drive-thru occasion, with ticket charges charged per automotive. However there are additionally a choose variety of stroll or bike nights, through which households can get energetic beneath the spectacular mild shows. 

Wish to actually run with the Christmas Spirit? There’s additionally a glow run towards the top of the month. And people in search of one thing slower-paced can take a dreamy horse-drawn carriage journey via the lights. 

CHRISTMAS IN COLLIERVILLE

The Memphis suburb of Collierville actually will get within the Christmas Spirit, so make sure you add their festive occasions to your Vacation itinerary. 

Come to the city sq. for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting or Christmas Parade, or take a self-guided Christmas Lights tour. The annual Collierville Vacation Gentle Tour options dozens of houses which have registered with City Officers, and so they’re all on a map for the general public to get pleasure from. 

Different Collierville occasions embody carriage rides via the historic district and photos with Santa within the city gazebo. 

HOLIDAY WONDERS AT THE GARDEN

Able to see much more Christmas Lights? Head over to the Memphis Botanic Backyard, the place you’ll discover shows, actions, and outside enjoyable spanning over eight acres. 

There are additionally themed nights, starting from Sundays with Santa to adults-only evenings. We’re all concerning the pet-friendly “Paw-liday Wonders” evening, although we is perhaps tempted to go on Ugly Sweater or Pajama day. 

ENCHANTED FOREST FESTIVAL OF TREES

Every year, the Museum of Science & Historical past’s Pink Palace turns into a wonderland of elaborately embellished bushes. Everybody from skilled designers to native companies decorates bushes for the competitors, and admission tickets profit Le Bonheur Kids’s Hospital. 

Along with the various bushes on show, you’ll additionally have the ability to meet Santa, try an unbelievable toy practice exhibit, and take within the candy sights on the Gingerbread Village. 

CHRISTMAS AT GRACELAND

When you’ve by no means visited Graceland earlier than, Christmas is the time to make your first journey out to this historic home. Already walked via the house of Elvis Presley? It’s positively value returning to through the season. 

You’ll start by having a Blue Christmas as you enter via the blue-lit driveway, however issues get merrier as you tour the house and grounds. There are a number of Christmas bushes, a life-size nativity scene, and Presley Household Christmas artifacts on show. 

Ebook a particular Christmas tour ticket to get a personalised guided tour with unbelievable tales of Elvis’s Christmases at Graceland and past. 

Keep Right here: The Visitor Home at Graceland

BRISTOL

Bristol, Tennessee, holds an annual nighttime Christmas parade that actually captures the city’s vacation appeal. However for a really distinctive vacation expertise, head over to the Bristol Motor Speedway, the place Meals Metropolis Speedway In Lights units the raceway aglow over a five-mile route. 

There are greater than 250 shows on the Pinnacle in Lights, together with a symphony present set to music and a galactic-themed tunnel. 

Wish to stretch your legs? Take a look at the walk-through vendor village or skate on the Tri-Cities Airport Ice Rink at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tickets for the Pinnacle Speedway in Lights profit Bristol Speedway Kids’s Charities. 

Keep Right here: Hampton Inn Bristol

KNOXVILLE

Vols Nation, rejoice! The Christmas spirit is alive and robust in Knoxville, the place countless vacation enjoyable awaits all who enterprise right here through the vacation season. Learn on to find a number of the prime Knoxville points of interest throughout December. 

Keep Right here: Graduate Knoxville

CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE

When the town of Knoxville illuminates its 40+ foot Christmas tree downtown, the town skyline additionally lights up with a particular glow because of the various bushes perched on rooftops. Head downtown to take a look at the cool sights. 

Wish to immerse your self in Knoxville’s Christmastime magic? Embark on the Peppermint Path, which is able to lead you thru an assortment of shops, bars and coffeehouses providing peppermint-themed objects. 

There may be additionally Ice Skating in Market Sq., together with particular vacation markets that includes native crafts and distributors. 

KNOXVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY TRAILS

Throughout COVID, the town of Knoxville created a Christmas lights map that allowed merrymakers to view Christmas lights from their automobiles. Although the town hasn’t formally hosted a vacation lights map since 2020, the present information will nonetheless let light-seekers discover the best-lit neighborhoods in Knoxville. 

LEBANON

Whereas there may be a lot of Christmas magic to be present in and round Nashville, one of many state’s greatest points of interest is in Lebanon. Simply half-hour outdoors of Nashville, The Magical Dancing Lights of Christmas is a 2.5-mile journey via flashing, festive enjoyable, all set to vacation music. 

That is the state’s largest synchronized drive via Christmas manufacturing. It contains an opportunity to get out of your automotive to go to Santa and reside animals. Meals, drinks, and inflatables are additionally accessible at an extra price. 

Admission relies per automotive. The Dancing Lights of Christmas is on the Wilson County Fairgrounds. 

Keep Right here: Consolation Suites Lebanon

CHATTANOOGA

It’s the house of locomotives and mountain views. Chattanooga is a comfortable place to expertise Christmas, whether or not you’re younger or young-at-heart. An assortment of actions await festive guests, and it’s all set in one in all Tennessee’s most outdoorsy cities. 

Keep Right here: Chattanooga Choo Choo

NORTH POLE LIMITED CHRISTMAS TRAIN

The Tennessee Valley Railroad hosts one in all Chattanooga’s most magical and standard vacation occasions. The North Pole Restricted Christmas Practice is a magical expertise for small children who will love the onboard sing-alongs and storytelling.  

The perfect half is when Santa boards the practice – he visits and will get a photograph with every baby. 

Again in 2024: For these ages 21+, check out the Nightcap with St. Nick practice journey! This 1-hour practice journey contains two drinks, a scrumptious candy and savory deal with field, a memento bell, souvenir boarding go, and a go to from Santa.

REINDEER ON THE RIVERFRONT & LIGHTED BOAT PARADE

Have a magical time on the Chattanooga Riverfront through the metropolis’s annual Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade. This free occasion options reside reindeer, visits with Santa, foods and drinks distributors and native artists. 

As soon as it’s darkish, greater than 20 boats will cruise alongside the water within the Vacation Lighted Boat Parade. The grand finale of this distinctive occasion is a firework present over the river. 

Reindeer on the Riverfront and Lighted Boat Parade is Downtown on the Chattanooga Inexperienced and Ross’s Touchdown.

ROCK CITY ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS

you’re presupposed to See Rock Metropolis, however you haven’t seen something till you’ve visited throughout Christmastime. The Rock Metropolis Backyard of Lights is one in all Chattanooga’s must-do vacation points of interest. 

This walk-through occasion options a number of shows, every of which is able to take you into a brand new realm of magic. 

There are a number of restaurant choices onsite, together with Santa’s Workshop & Kitchen.

Learn Extra: Your 2024 Information to the Superior Rock Metropolis Christmas: Enchanted Backyard of Lights

RUBY FALLS

Rejoice Christmas on the mountain at Ruby Falls! Collect household and return to a less complicated time with a basic Christmas on the mountain that includes magical views, lovely vacation lights on the Village Plaza, and loads of festive cheer in historic Ruby Falls Fortress.

Cease by for an expert souvenir household photograph with Santa on choose dates. Take pleasure in time collectively throughout a cave journey and linger longer by the café’s cozy fire with an informal meal, festive deal with, scorching cocoa, and native craft beer. 

Learn Extra: Ruby Falls: A Breathtaking Pure Marvel in Chattanooga You’ve Received To See

GATLINBURG

Few locations really feel as Christmassy as Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Perhaps it’s the serene mountaintop setting or its sturdy German affect, however I’ve felt merry and vibrant even throughout my summertime visits. 

Are you heading to the Nice Smoky Mountains throughout Christmas? Be sure you try a number of the nice occasions occurring in Gatlinburg and past. 

Keep Right here: Greystone Lodge On The River

PIGEON FORGE WINTERFEST

It’s the winter wonderland getaway all of us dream of – a comfortable mountain setting with small-town appeal and frosty air, however there’s additionally tons to do for your entire household. The spotlight of your Gatlinburg Christmas? Pigeon Forge Winterfest. 

This annual celebration extends all through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Sevier County. It brings collectively the communities and their guests via mild shows, reveals, and memorable experiences at a number of the space’s greatest points of interest. 

Able to deep-dive into your Smoky Mountain Christmas Plans? Take a look at the Winterfest website right here to be taught all concerning the taking part points of interest.  Don’t neglect to obtain the free map of the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights to see greater than 5 million lights all through probably the most festive areas of city. 

25 DAYS OF OBER

Ober Gatlinburg all the time seems like a wintery wonderland, because of its year-round indoor ice skating and comfy village vibe. However throughout December, the mountainside amusement park is bound to get you within the Vacation Spirit. 

Along with its wintertime snow tubing and snow zone, Ober may also function carolers, youngsters’s crafts, smores by the hearth, and a nightly studying of Twas the Evening Earlier than Christmas. 

Ober Gatlinburg is accessible by automotive or by way of an aerial tram from downtown. 

Learn Extra: Ober Gatlinburg, Winter Magic & Gatlinburg’s Greatest Winter Pleasure

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS AT ANAKEESTA

Gatlinburg guests can ascend right into a Christmas wonderland at Anakeesta. The 70-acre park lights up throughout December with magnificent mild shows and particular occasions. Santa makes an look on choose days, or you possibly can e-book a spot for one in all their Breakfast with Santa occasions. 

Entry to Anakeesta is on the market on their 600-foot Chondola journey, or the Ridge Rambler passenger vans. 

FANTASY OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE

The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is without doubt one of the most festive vacation parades you’ll discover. The occasion stretches throughout the town and is broadcasted on stations throughout the nation. 

Discover a spot alongside the Gatlinburg strip and watch as vibrant, festive floats go by, delivering magic to each coronary heart. Along with floats, the parade options reside music from completed nation musicians and native highschool marching bands. 

The Gatlinburg Christmas Parade runs from Visitors mild #3 to #10 and also will mark the lighting of the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree. 

PIGEON FORGE

After all, your Smoky Mountain journey isn’t full with no go to to Pigeon Forge, the place there actually is one thing for everybody. And Christmas is when this touristy-yet-downhome city actually shines. 

The place will you discover probably the most vacation cheer in Pigeon Forge? You would possibly want to remain some time to find all of the magic in retailer for you right here. 

Learn Extra: Christmas in Pigeon Forge: 15+ Enjoyable Methods to Rejoice the Season

DOLLYWOOD’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

Whether or not you wish to stroll beneath 6 million lights or catch a reside Christmas Present, Dollywood is the place to be through the holidays. The Pigeon Forge theme park outdoes itself with its Smoky Mountain Christmas, a month-long occasion that provides magic to each nook of the park. 

You’ll in fact wish to take a practice journey via the sunshine shows, and calm down throughout one in all their famend reside reveals. Little ones can see if their names land on the naughty or good checklist whereas getting a novel photograph in entrance of Santa’s workshop. 

Dollywood additionally affords distinctive meals and beverage choices throughout its Christmas occasion. All of this takes place amidst the rides and points of interest that make the park such a particular place. 

Keep Right here: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa

THE ISLAND IN PIGEON FORGE

You’ve acquired to make your option to The Island in Pigeon Forge for his or her implausible Winterfest occasion. The 23-acre property lights up with hundreds of thousands of lights, illuminating your time purchasing and eating on this enjoyable spot. 

At evening, the fountains are choreographed with lights, music, and 40-foot Christmas bushes to create an immersive present that can make anybody jolly. Don’t neglect to absorb the sights from atop the 200-foot-tall Smoky Mountain Wheel. 

The Island in Pigeon Forge can also be one of the best place to finish all of your vacation purchasing. 

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