IF YOU LIKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES …

Image:  Chris Hardy on Unsplash

Come to St. Nicky’s Cookie Party and let the kids have all the fun of decorating fresh-baked Christmas cookies while you relax and enjoy a beverage—hot cocoa or a festive holiday cocktail. Bonus: somebody else cleans up all the mess! Sunday, December 17 from 12:30 – 2:30pm CST at Nicky’s Coal Fired, 5026 Centennial Boulevard Nashville, TN 37209. Kid’s Ticket includes cookies & decorating, gift bag decorating station, & complimentary hot cocoa. Adult Ticket includes complimentary hot cocoa & two drink tickets for beverages of your choice. Get your tickets.

IF YOU LOVE ELVIS…

Image:  Nashville Elvis Festival

You won’t have a Blue Christmas at the 6th annual Christmas with the King: A Holiday Tribute to Elvis. A Franklin tradition, this special 2-hour show features world champion Elvis tribute artist Cote Deonath, backed by the Infinit-E Tribute Band—the premiere Elvis tribute backing band and the official house band of Nashville Elvis Festival. Costume changes, a visit from Santa, and some Elvis Christmas classics…what’s not to love? December 16 & 17 at the Franklin Theatre. Tickets and info here.

IF YOU WANT TO VISIT THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE…

Image:  TN.gov

You’re invited to experience the magic of the holiday season with a tour of the Tennessee Residence, all decorated for Christmas. “This year’s décor theme,” First Lady Maria Lee says, ‘Heaven and Nature Sing,’ will portray the larger-than-life magic we experience in the delight and merriment of the holiday season, the beauty of Tennessee’s natural landscapes, and the joy of the coming of Christ and the salvation of the world.” The Tennessee Residence will be open to the public for tours Thursday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 10. Tours are free of charge, and reservations are required. Make your reservation here.

IF YOU ENJOY CHRISTMAS-THEMED POP-UP BARS…

Image:  Candy Cane Jane’s at Jane’s Hideaway

And who doesn’t? With fun themes ranging from Elf to Harry Potter, A Christmas Story, and so much more, you can celebrate your favorite things about the season with entertainment, themed cocktails and a lot of fun. Choose from the 10 pop-up bars highlighted here or make plans to visit them all. Have a merry time but please drink responsibly.

See the The Tennessean’s list and plan your outing.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE YOURSELF A SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS…

Image:  Nashville Nightmare Before Christmas

You better watch out. You better not cry. Nashville Nightmare Before Christmas has swapped pumpkins for Christmas lights and zombies for evil elves. Trade your Christmas cheers for Christmas fears and celebrate(?) the holiday in this Christmas-themed immersive haunted house. Don’t forget to take a photo with Krampus! Get your tickets (if you dare).

Speaking of Krampus, if you want to know more about the grimmer yuletide traditions, join Middle Tennessee State lecturer Cory Thomas Hutcheson for Profs & Pints Nashville:  They See You When You’re Sleeping on Wednesday, 12/20. Dr. Hutcheson will introduce you to the roving Christmas witch La Befana, Krampus (of course) as well as the grumpy Belsnickel of Pennsylvania and Iceland’s Christmas Cat, which grows chonk from the consumption of unlucky people. Learn more.

IF YOU PREFER TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS SHOWS AND EVENTS…

Image:  Mike Arney on Unsplash

Nashville Life has you covered. Check out their Upcoming Holiday Events Calendar for info on everything from where to meet Santa and see lights, to holiday festivals and bazaars, concerts, parties and parades. See? There really is something for everyone.

Happy holidays, y’all!

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FRANKTOWN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

The only drive-through holiday lights spectacular in Williamson County! Features over 200 displays that are synchronized to Christmas classics you can listen to on the radio as you enjoy the mile-long route. Check out Walkin’ Wednesdays (Dec. 1, 8, 15), when you can walk the lighted route from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (car tours start at 7:00 ). Proceeds support the work of FrankTown Open Hearts.

Nov. 25 – Dec. 26, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm nightly at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. Learn more.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT CHEEKWOOD

You’ll be walking in a winter wonderland when you stroll through a mile of enchanting holiday lights glowing throughout the gardens. From the Peppermint Path to the interactive Pinnacles of Light display, to the trains, there’s something for everyone—including a Holiday Marketplace and a special mailbox where kids can drop off letters to Santa. Choose between a “Gardens Only” or “Gardens & Mansion” ticket, which adds access to the historic mansion and museum, beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Nov. 20 – Jan. 9, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm nightly at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. Tickets and information.

MUSIC CITY CHRISTMAS LIGHT RIDE

Because it’s hard to drive and look at the lights at the same time, leave the driving to someone else and have a very merry evening with all your kin. The folks behind The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour promise a fun-filled festive adventure featuring merry rednecks, drunken reindeer, and some of the purtiest lights in Music City, be they on double-wides or McMansions. Tour is rated PG-14. BYOCC – Bring your own Christmas Cheer. Coolers containing Christmas Spirits welcomed.

Weekends Dec. 2 – Dec. 30 (no tours Christmas Eve/Christmas Day) Tickets and information here.

GAYLORD OPRYLAND

Even if the weather outside is frightful, inside Gaylord Opryland is delightful this time of year. Explore acres of twinkling lights, plus more than 17 hours of exciting activities, shows, and events. Enjoy ice skating, photos with Santa, ice bumper cars, ice tubing, and an all-new Gaylord Hotels Original Experience, Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf™.

Nov. 12 – Jan.  2. Learn more here.

THE DANCING LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS

Billed as “Tennessee’s largest drive thru light and music show” the Dancing Lights of Christmas is a family-owned and operated event in Lebanon. It features a 2.5-mile route with over two million lights dancing to the music on the radio so each visit is a new experience. Be sure to check out Santa’s Village while you’re there! Note: they tell us weekends can have long wait times, so consider a weeknight outing.

Nov 12 – Jan 2, open Nightly from 5:00 pm at Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. Information and tickets here.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CARRIAGE RIDES

It’s the next best thing to a one-horse open sleigh! Sugar Creek Carriages offers private narrated rides through downtown Nashville in their beautiful horse-drawn carriages. You’ll clip-clop past the sparkling City Christmas Tree along with other decorated hotspots such as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Bridgestone Arena, The Johnny Cash Museum, Riverfront Park, and much more.

Thurs. – Sun., Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.  Book your ride.

However you decide to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, please remember to stay safe out there. Happy holidays!

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