The question was “What are your favorite holiday things to do?” The moms made up a list and here are the top picks! (Updated for 2025!)
Christmas Lights
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
Middle Tennessee’s largest drive-thru Christmas light and music show at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon.
http://www.thedancinglightsofchristmas.com/
FrankTown Festival of Lights
Williamson County’s own drive-thru light display at the Ag Expo Center in Franklin.
http://franktownlights.com/
Chad’s Winter Wonderland
Drive-thru Lighting Event: Open every night from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve (weather permitting) on Old Laguardo Rd. in Lebanon.
https://www.facebook.com/chadswinterwonderland/
Drive Thru Christmas Lights at Clarksville Speedway
Drive-thru Lighting Event: Enjoy over one mile and over a three million lights, from the comfort of your car.
https://www.clarksvillespeedway.com/other-events/christmas-lights/
Franklin Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
Sit back, relax, and listen to your favorite holiday music, while enjoying the beautiful lights of Franklin, TN and Williamson County on the Franklin Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. Plan ahead – these book up early!
https://www.hellotrolley.com/holiday-lights-tours
Hoover Lights (1390 Neil Road, Chapel Hill)
A synchronized Christmas light display in front of a single home in Chapel Hill, TN with over 80,000 lights. Viewers are able to watch and listen in their cars as the lights dance to music.
http://hooverlights.com/
Christmas on the Cumberland
Over one million lights along the Cumberland RiverWalk! Free!
https://www.visitclarksvilletn.com/events/holiday/christmas-on-the-cumberland/
Cheekwood Holiday Lights
One million lights illuminating the gardens for the prettiest winter stroll of the season.
https://cheekwood.org/calendar/holiday-lights/
Opryland Hotel
Featuring more than two million lights and festive decor and many activities like ice skating, bumper cars, and a holiday scavenger hunt.
*Park at the mall and walk over to the hotel to avoid parking fees.
*Resort campus access is restricted most days throughout the holiday season starting at 3pm CT; room or event reservation will be required to enter after 3pm. Click here for more details on these restrictions.
https://christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com/
Luminaries in Brentwood
Neighborhoods line their streets with luminaries all over Brentwood on Saturday, Dec 13, 2025, dusk – 9:00pm (weather permitting).
https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/News-articles/Enjoy-a-Merry-and-Bright-Holiday-in-Brentwood-this-December
Holiday Events
Morning with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to The Brentwood Library for Morning with Santa! Kids will be able to meet Santa, enjoy games, and more. The event is free, but participants must have a pass for the magic shows. Passes can be picked up at the Brentwood Library children’s desk. Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:00am – 11:00am.
https://brentwood-tn.libcal.com/event/13911914
Lighting of the Green at Lipscomb University
Free concert, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and cookies, Merry Marketplace shopping, and the lighting of a 30-foot tree in the Allen Arena mall. December 2, 2025 4:00-7:00pm.
https://www.lipscomb.edu/news/events
Merry and Bright Tree Lighting
The tree lighting will take place December 1, 2024 5:30 – 6:30pm at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library. The evening is filled with special music, holiday treats, complimentary hot cocoa, and live readings of The Polar Express in the Brentwood Library Reading Room. The event is free, but you must have a ticket for the reading. Tickets can be picked up at the Brentwood Library children’s desk.
https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/News-articles/Enjoy-a-Merry-and-Bright-Holiday-in-Brentwood-this-December
Tree Lighting on the Square
The Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square is on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00pm on the Public Square. The event will feature a special performance by Matthew West, carols, and photos with Santa.
https://www.franklintn.gov/our-city/christmas-tree-lighting-on-the-square
Tennessee Residence Christmas Tour
Governor and First Lady Lee invite Tennesseans and visitors of all ages to experience the magic of the Christmas season at the historic Tennessee Residence! Tours are self-guided, free of charge, and reservations are required.
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/residence/christmas-at-the-tennessee-residence/christmas-at-the-residence-2023-/schedule-a-christmas-tour-.html
Walk Thru Bethlehem
Live nativity includes costumed actors, live animals, and recreated scenes of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 from 12:00 – 6:00 pm.
https://woodmontchristian.org/walk-thru-bethlehem/
Dickens of a Christmas
Dickens of a Christmas is Middle Tennessee’s largest outdoor Christmas festival, returning this year from December 13 and 14, 2025 in Downtown Franklin.
https://williamsonheritage.org/events/dickens-of-a-christmas/
Great Big Game Show Holiday Edition
If you’re looking for a new holiday outing idea this year – especially something that works for families, teens, adults, friends, OR work groups – Great Big Game Show just launched a brand-new Holiday Edition at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville.
https://greatbiggameshow.com/nashville
Paint Nights
Find free, live holiday-themed paint nights available this season on Facebook Events. Stay home and have a family paint night.
https://www.facebook.com/keepitcolourful
Nashville’s Nutcracker
Nashville Ballet is once again bringing Music City’s favorite holiday tradition to TPAC’s Jackson Hall, November 29 – December 28, 2025. Read more about Nashville’s Nutcracker here.
https://www.nashvilleballet.com/nashvilles-nutcracker
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop
Free photos with Santa, crafts, games, and activities. Reservations are required for photos with Santa.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland
Owl’s Hill Marshmallow Hikes
Join a winter nature hike followed by hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. Select dates Nov 29, 2025 through January 17, 2026. See website for dates and registration.
https://www.owlshill.org/marshmallow-hikes
Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo
Visit the country’s largest Chinese Lantern Festival featuring over 1,000 colorful silk lanterns. Select days, November 13, 2025 – February 8, 2026.
https://www.nashvillezoo.org/zoolumination
Happy Noon Year
Adventure Science Center has the solution for a kid-friendly New Year’s party that gets everyone to bed on time. This is a sell-out event. Purchase tickets in advance.
https://www.adventuresci.org/
