Numerous activities for all kinds of people are happening throughout the holiday season in Nashville and surrounding areas, all gleaming with lights and filled with cheer.
Firstly, holiday lights at Cheekwood are displayed Nov. 21 through Jan. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. At this event, visitors are welcomed by a 28-foot tree followed by a one-mile walking trail surrounded by over a million lights. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the path, warm up with provided hot cocoa, roast s’mores by a fire, and explore the holiday marketplace which is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.. In addition, the Truist Holiday Gift drive at Cheekwood is open Nov. 21 through Dec. 14 where guests may purchase an item from any of Cheekwood’s three shops – the Holiday Marketplace, Museum Shop, or Garden Shop – to give as part of the holiday gift drive for military families. Cheekwood ticket prices range from $13 to $33 depending on time of the season, age of visitor, and sites wished to be visited.
Furthermore, Zoolumination is the Nashville Zoo’s festival of lights which holds the title of the country’s largest lantern festival, featuring more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns. Zoolumination takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m Nov. 3 to Jan. 4 nightly. In addition, Jan. 8 to Feb. 8 Thursday – Sunday. At the zoo, in addition to the some 100 feet long and 50 feet high lanterns, visitors are also allowed to meet wildlife like never before through radiant displays. As well, they may visit the Northpole village, a festive area full of lights, trees, and holiday fun where Santa will visit each night from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24. Lastly, visitors get to enjoy skating under lantern-lit skies on the outdoor ice rink. Tickets are $21 to $39.
Another opportunity for a fun Christmas activity is ICE! at Gaylord Opryland. ICE! features 12 scenes sculpted from 6,700 huge blocks of ice weighing a total of 2 million pounds. In addition, multiple 20-feet high interactive slides created from pure ice. Together, these make the classic tale, “A Charlie Brown Christmas!” come to life. To create these extravagant scenes, artisans travel from China and spend 12,000 hours using all kinds of tools to sculpt the ice that attracts over one million visitors each year. Overall, ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a “dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels,” reviews claim. Tickets cost $30-$50, depending on the day and time.
In addition, many shows are performed throughout the holiday season such as The Nutcracker at the Nashville Ballet, Opry Country Christmas show, and the Franklin Christmas Parade. The Nutcracker is a unique production of the classic ballet featuring live music from the Nashville Symphony, performed at various times Nov. 29 to Dec. 28 with tickets costing anywhere from $50-200. The Opry County Christmas show is a holiday show at the Grand Ole Opry with performers including Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and more. Show times are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 21, 22, and 23. Tickets to this show range from about $75 to $200. The Franklin Christmas parade is a free, family-friendly event that takes place in Downtown Franklin and features Santa, holiday traditions, and community spirit that took place Dec. 6 at 1 p.m..
Some other festive experiences include the FrankTown festival of lights, a drive-thru event in Franklin featuring over 200 synchronized light displays and music, a Christmas Village, a long-running holiday shopping tradition with over 250 merchants, and Dickens of a Christmas, a festival in Franklin that recreates the Victorian era with costumed characters, music, and dancers. Furthermore, the Nordic Winter Village at Bibby Hotel features heated igloos, bonfires, and festive food and drinks on the rooftop, and the North Pole Express presents a festive train ride experience.
In all, throughout the next several weeks there will be numerous fun, festive events surrounding the area that people are welcome and encouraged to check out.
