A Very Merry Nashville: Where Winter Magic Meets Holiday Cheer
Celebrate the holidays Nashville style with all the sparkle, magic, and fun you'd expect from Music City. Whether you've been naughty or nice, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Image: Gaylord Opryland
Presented by our sponsors (listed at the end of this article)
‘Tis the season, y’all, and no one serves up Southern holiday spirit quite like Nashville. From seasonal concerts to dazzling light displays, you’ll find everything you need to feel merry and bright. We’ve made your list (and checked it twice) of the best Nashville Christmas activities to enjoy in and around Music City. Who knows? You may find a new family tradition!
Gaylord Opryland
If Santa were Southern, we’re pretty sure Gaylord Opryland would be his home base! During the holidays, this grand resort becomes the stuff of sugarplum dreams, with plenty of entertainment and unforgettable seasonal traditions for the whole family!
The fun kicks off with the 43rd Annual A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, running from November 6 through January 2. At the heart of this year’s celebration is ice! featuring Home Alone, a signature holiday attraction hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice. Thrill-seekers can dive into non-stop excitement with indoor ice skating, ice tubing, bumper cars, and the Secret Santa’s Scavenger Hunt, or unleash their creativity at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner.
The holiday spirit shines even brighter with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, an award-winning family spectacular. Blending the spectacle of cirque, the magic of Broadway, and the warmth of Christmas, this captivating show features gravity-defying acts, mesmerizing magic, jaw-dropping costumes, and enchanting storytelling.
Whether you are marveling at millions of twinkling lights, gliding across the ice, or taking in world-class performances, Gaylord Opryland offers an immersive holiday experience that creates lifelong family memories.
Nashville Zoo
Let your holiday spirit “Glow Wild” as the Nashville Zoo transforms into a festive wonderland. From November 13 through January 3, you’ll enjoy a brand-new holiday light show featuring glowing wildlife, sparkling displays, and a towering 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree that anchors the entire square.
The tree serves as the backdrop to the Smashville Ice Rink, presented by the Nashville Predators, where you can lace up your skates and take a spin. Little ones won’t want to miss a visit with Santa at The Holiday Square on Festival Field, available November 27 through December 24 for unforgettable holiday photos.
Looking for even more cheer? For a small additional fee, you can catch a holiday movie in the 4D theater, take a whirl on the carousel, or glide through the night sky on the Soaring Eagle zipline. While most animals turn in at dusk, you can still spot the Sumatran tiger, Andean bear, and flamingos out until 8:30 p.m., or explore the Unseen New World exhibits all evening long. It’s a bright, joy-filled holiday tradition for the whole family!
Grand Hyatt Nashville
Celebrate the season in grand style at Grand Hyatt Nashville, where you’ll find holiday magic around every corner.
Grab your jolly crew and head to the fifth-floor terrace for Curling Over Broadway — because who doesn’t love a little friendly holiday competition? Go all out and book a cozy Holiday Cabana for up to 10 of your closest friends, complete with s’mores, a 45-minute curling lane rental, and more.
Bringing the kids? Explore the charming Christmas Village or make some sweet memories together at The Nashville Grange with Gingerbread House Decorating on December 19. With live Christmas carolers and guest appearances by Santa himself, the festive vibes are non-stop all season long.
Speaking of Santa, take a cue from the big guy and head straight to the roof, where Lou/Na will be transformed into The Grand & Gilded Holiday Pop-Up Bar. Located on the 25th floor, this holiday hot spot is the place to be for elevated evening entertainment with seasonal sips and skyline views.
Whether you are planning a cozy family outing or a glamorous night above the city lights, Grand Hyatt Nashville delivers with plenty of ways to make unforgettable holiday moments.
LeQuire Gallery Holiday Invitational
If you’re searching for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for someone special on your list, or you just want to add to your own art collection, the LeQuire Gallery 2026 Holiday Invitational is the place to be. Partnering with local favorites like The Clay Lady Campus, Contemporary Collective, and the West Nashville Art Crawl, it’s a festive celebration of community and craft you won’t want to miss.
Anchored by renowned sculptor Alan LeQuire, this beloved West Nashville gallery is celebrating 24 years of adding to the art and soul of Music City. This year’s show, inspired by the work of the late Olen Bryant, features an extraordinary mix of more than a dozen international masters and emerging talents, at price points to accommodate everyone from the serious collector to the art newbie.
A rare selection of works by Bryant in both clay and wood will be available, alongside other artists’ unique collections of glass, raku, stone, and oil and acrylic canvases. While you’re there, make sure to check out LeQuire’s iconic bronze and terra cotta sculptures, which are always on view.
Whether you’re gifting or receiving, this exhibition is a wonderful way to support local artists and celebrate the city’s creative spirit.
Peg Leg Porker
Looking for a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends? Mix and mingle at Peg Leg Porker in The Gulch, the original Nashville barbecue joint from 2026 Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee Carey Bringle. Here, you’ll find plenty of reasons to be jolly, starting with a plate of West Tennessee-style barbecue served with zero pretension and plenty of Southern warmth, along with more than 30 local drafts to wash it down.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Pop into Bringle’s Smoking Oasis in The Nations for live-fire hospitality that feels like gathering around the holiday hearth. From December through the end of February, the outdoor pavilion at the Oasis will be transformed into The Smoking Chalet, a cozy ski lodge perfect for relaxing with good friends and great drinks.
And speaking of drinks, swing by the Peg Leg Porker Spirits Tasting Room to sample some of PLP’s award-winning bourbon. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list while you’re at it.
Whether you’re snacking, sipping, or simply enjoying a happy hour holiday hang, Peg Leg Porker delivers barbecue, fire, and whiskey with a distinctly Nashville spin. It’s THE place to gather for good barbecue and bourbon … not just during the holidays, but all year long.
Nashvillage Holiday Market
Downtown Nashville is about to get a lot more festive! The Nashvillage Holiday Market is back at Walk of Fame Park, and this year it’s stretching across two weekends: December 3-6 and December 10-13. Even better? Entry is free!
The celebration kicks off on Thursday, December 3, with the Nashvillage Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m. (a special guest will flip the switch). Once the tree is all aglow, stick around and start your holiday shopping. Local makers and artisans will be on hand at the event, so you’re sure to find something special for everyone on your list.
Between shopping stops, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Both weekends are packed with family fun, from photos with Santa to kids’ activities, a holiday movie night, and a silent disco party you won’t soon forget!
Craving a grown-up night on the town? The Holiday Cocktail Bash on Saturday, December 5, brings handcrafted cocktails from local favorites, a hot chocolate bar, and an Ugly Sweater Contest. Get tickets for this 21+ event here. Keep the holiday fun going with Sunday fitness activations on December 6 and 13, offering a chance to get moving between all the festivities.
Grab your people, bundle up, and make a new tradition! Visit the website for tickets and details.
Happy holidays, y’all!
This article is sponsored by Gaylord Opryland, Nashville Zoo, Grand Hyatt Nashville, LeQuire Gallery, Peg Leg Porker, Nashville Downtown Partnership, and Visit Music City – Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp.
Bonny Osterhage
Bonny Osterhage is a professional journalist with more than 25 years of experience in both print and digital media. An avid fitness fanatic, when she isn't exploring the next trending topic, Bonny can be found cycling, running, and leading classes at SolidCore. Find more of her work at Mind Body Green, The List, Business Insider, and more.
