December is always a busy month, but as soon as you take a glance at this calendar of 28 joyous happenings, we know that you will be filled with excitement and holiday cheer! Catch 1 million lights at Cheekwood, experience classic ballet at Nashville’s Nutcracker, shop a multitude of holiday markets, and that’s just the beginning! ‘Tis the season to enjoy the final days of 2018 with your family and friends when you check out these festive holiday happenings!
Find holiday fun for the whole family at Music City Winterfest! Image: Music City Winterfest
November 30-December 2, 2018: Winter Warmer
Welcome December with a weekend of events that will keep you warm. On Friday, enjoy unlimited whiskey pours from 35 select distilleries at Whiskey Tabernacle. On Saturday, peruse an incredible selection of brews at the Craft Beer Spectacular. And on Sunday, recover from the weekend with mimosas, Bloody Marys and morning bites at High Life Brunch at Urban Grub in 12South. Tickets range from $60 to $75 per day. thewinterwarmer.com
Through December 2, 2018: Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Head to the Gatlinburg Convention Center for one special week to shop unique handcrafted gifts made by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community! Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., find gorgeous quilts, old-fashioned straw brooms with hand carved handles, exquisitely woven baskets, hand-dipped scented candles, Victorian ceramic pitchers, pottery, dulcimers, stuffed bears, leather vests and more from talented local artisans! Enter for free to attend this festive holiday shopping event! gatlinburg.com
Through December 22, 2018: A Christmas Story at the Nashville Repertory Theatre
Ralphie is back at the Nashville Repertory Theatre for the tenth and final year! In celebration of this Nashville holiday tradition, enjoy a hilarious, interactive winter treat November 23 through December 22 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater. With a coveted BB gun, a ballet tribute to an iconic Leg Lamp and a visit with Santa gone awry, the show more than delivers on its promise of laughs and heart-warming charm. Get your ticket now, starting at $25. See the performance at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. nashvillerep.org
Through December 28, 2018: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
From now through December 28, Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns to Gaylord Opryland for a holiday spectacular! Back by popular demand, this talented cast of singers, dancers and cirque talent create a dazzling masterpiece that you won’t want to miss. Give the gift of an incredible theatrical performance and head to any one of the varying showtimes throughout the holiday season for fun that the whole family will love. Tickets are on sale now and range from $24.99 to $89.99. cirquedreamsholidazetn.com
Through December 29, 2018: Franktown Festival of Lights
Stay bundled in the warmth of your car as you cruise through a mile of more than 50 gorgeous Christmas light displays in Franklin! The festival kicks off Thanksgiving night at 6 p.m. and continues every night through December 29. Get your ticket now for $25 per car with proceeds benefiting Franktown Open Hearts. eventbrite.com
Through December 30, 2018: Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
You don’t want to miss your chance to take part in the cherished tradition of Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS! November 23 through December 30, bring the whole family to see one million lights illuminate the beautiful gardens. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven nights per week, head to Cheekwood for the brightest holiday stroll in Nashville. Reserve your tickets now! cheekwood.org
December 1-23, 2018: Nashville’s Nutcracker
Experience the true magic of the ballet with one of our favorite holiday traditions, Nashville’s Nutcracker. From December 1 to 23, the Nashville Ballet brings you this beautiful and timeless performance, following the adventures of Clara as she explores the Nutcracker dreamland in an event that the whole family will love. Get your tickets now for performance opportunities in the afternoons and evenings. cart.tpac.org/single
December 1, 2018: The Wonderful Life Foundation Annual Holiday Fundraiser
Join The Wonderful Life Foundation on December 1 at 5 p.m. for a holiday fundraiser and screening of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life! After the movie screening, share some festive snacks and refreshments, dance the night away with musical guest David Ball and raise money with a silent auction and wine pull. Proceeds from the event support locally-treated children and their families while they undergo chemotherapy and other treatments. Tickets for the event are $25 (children under 16 may attend for free). wonderfullifefoundation.
December 1, 2018: 12South Winter WarmUp
The Annual 12South Winter WarmUp 6K and 12K race kicks off at Sevier Park at 8 a.m., taking runners through the streets of the 12South neighborhood. The 1K race for kids will take place at 7 a.m. before the main race. Children ages 5 to 13 are welcome! Registration fees range from $30 to $45. This year’s race benefits Hands On Nashville and the Waverly Belmont Backpack program. Sign up, grab your layers and get ready for this fun family tradition! 12southwinterwarmup.racesonline.com
December 1, 2018: 65th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade
Bring your whole family to enjoy the magic of the Nashville holiday tradition that dates back to 1927! This year’s parade will feature Bill Anderson, LeAnn Rimes, Mallory Ervin, the Street Corner Symphony and many more. Tickets start at $20, and the day kicks off promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of North First Avenue & Brandon Street! nashvillechristmasparade.com
December 1, 2018: First Saturday Art Crawl, Presented by FirstBank
Kick off your month with the wonder of the First Saturday Art Crawl! This monthly event features art galleries through town as they host over 1,000 people and open their doors to beautiful displays from both local and world-famous artists. Admission is free for this event as you are able to explore the diverse and inspiring exhibits in downtown Nashville and gain a new appreciation for artwork in our city. Most galleries will serve refreshments as you journey through magnificent stops. Check out the map and check out this month’s featured galleries! nashvilledowntown.com
December 1, 2018 — Holiday Shop & Sip at Southernaire Market
Knock out your holiday shopping at the Shop & Sip at Southernaire Market taking place from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy a mimosa and munch on brunch bites from Fin & Pearl while you shop! Southernaire Market is located downtown at the corner of Second Avenue and Demonbreun, so you can catch the Nashville Christmas Parade and then head over. southernairemarket.com
December 4, 2018: Gus Mayer’s Fall Fashion Series ft. Carol Phillips Fails, Sponsored by Cross Chair at Lipscomb University
Don’t miss your chance to meet and learn from jewelry designer Carol Phillips Fails at Gus Mayer on Tuesday, December 4. In this last installment of Gus Mayer’s Fall Fashion Series, in partnership with Cross Chair at Lipscomb University, Carol will be discussing design, her inspirations, precious gemstones and the background to jewelry making, while answering any questions you may have. The free event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Questions begin at 7 p.m. RSVP here: docs.google.com
December 5-7, 2018: E.J. Sain’s Holiday Open House & Singer Estate Sale
Mark your calendar for three days in December to see incredible jewelry at E.J. Sain’s Holiday Open House & Singer Estate Sale! On December 5, kick off the Open House when you check out collections from celebrities like Prince, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Basinger and more at the Singer Estate Sale, and then on December 6 and 7, see collections by Sal Praschnik Jewels, American Pearl and E.J. Sain’s in-house designer Timothy Stammen. Head to the E.J. Sain Showroom at 4009 Hillsboro Pike #212 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 5 through 7! ejsain.com
December 6, 2018: Woods Aesthetics Holiday Open House
Mark your calendar for Woods Aesthetic’s Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 6. From noon to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., stop by the Belle Meade office space to enter giveaways, enjoy special once-a-year discounts and celebrate the season with community! woodsaesthetics.com
December 6-9, 2018: Couture Christmas at King Jewelers
Head to King Jewelers December 6-9 for Couture Christmas, an exclusive holiday shopping experience with some of the most prestigious jewelry designers as they give back to our community. Sip champagne and enjoy festive craft cocktails while you shop for fine jewelry treasures from brands like Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, Elizabeth Locke, Fred Leighton, David Yurman, JB Star, Kwiat and more. A portion of the proceeds from all purchases will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Head to the store at 4121 Hillsboro Pike during normal business hours to check out the gorgeous collections of fine holiday gifts! kings1912.com
December 6-16, 2018: Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays
Join Governor Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy for the 8th annual Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays open house event held at the Tennessee Residence. This year’s theme is “Tennessee Tourism,” and the festive holiday decor will highlight all the many ways that people are attracted to visit the state through entertainment, hospitality, education and culture. Reserve your spot for free now! tn.gov
December 7, 2018: Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival
Get in the holiday spirit(s) with tidings of cognac and gin! On December 7, enjoy sips of festive cocktails at Franklin’s Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival. Your $30 ticket includes 10 sipping-size cocktails and an evening from 6 to 9 p.m. to enjoy live music, a visit from Santa and plenty of savoring the merry times with friends! Event proceeds benefit TennGreen. holidayspiritstn.com
December 7, 14 & 21, 2018: Nathan Belt & The Buckles’ A Rockin’ Christmas at Acme
Acme Feed & Seed’s in-house record label, Acmeville Records presents Nathan Belt & The Buckles’ live performance of their Christmas album, A Rockin’ Christmas for three days this December. Listen to the album on all digital streaming services as you prepare for the shows on December 7, 14 and 21. Hear the band perform your holiday favorites like “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” and “White Christmas” in a festive night of music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Acme. acmeradiolive.com
December 7 & 8, 2018: Porter Flea Holiday Market
Nashville’s favorite holiday shopping tradition is back! The Porter Flea Holiday Market returns in December to showcase hundreds of new and returning vendors, thousands of the region’s best handmade wares, the city’s finest food trucks and, of course, a surprise or two. The festivities begin on Friday, December 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Preview Market, a $25 ticketed event and continue on Saturday with the free market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the full lineup of vendors and head to the Nashville Fairgrounds for yet another year of this cherished holiday event! porterflea.com
December 8 & 9, 2018: Holiday Lights Carriage Tours
December brings bright and stunning displays of holiday lights. What better way to see the lights and gorgeous homes than to tour the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood via carriage? The Holiday Lights Carriage Tours take you through the heart of this Nashville neighborhood in horse-drawn carriages. Enjoy live music, carols, hot cider and refreshments during this festive, 30-minute clip-clopping tour. Reserve your tour and be sure to wear your warmest winter attire! Individual tickets are $23.50 (group tickets are $22 per person for groups of 10). hwen.org
December 8, 2018: Holiday Market at Inner Light Yoga
Celebrate the holiday season with local makers, businesses and artists at the Inner Light Yoga Holiday Market! On December 8 from 3 to 6 p.m., shop for precious holiday gifts with products from around Nashville in an evening featuring light snacks and drinks in the lobby, all while you groove to holiday tunes! Head to 2227 10th Ave St. for the sweetest local market with entry free and welcome to all. innerlightyoganashville.com
December 8 & 9, 2018: Music City Winterfest
Make your way to Centennial Park for two days of holiday family fun at Music City Winterfest! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, shop the holiday market of local artisan goods, enjoy live music, indulge at food trucks, make yourself a warm s’more and check out the beard competition! Daily general admission tickets for adults are $5 each (or $12 for two days) and kids 17 and under enter for free. Don’t forget to check out Breakfast with Santa on Saturday and Onesie Brunch on Sunday for some extra fun (tickets sold separately). musiccitywinterfest.com
December 8 & 9, 2018: Dickens of a Christmas
Held in Historic Downtown Franklin, this free street festival will take you back 150 years to the time of Charles Dickens. See some of your favorite characters from Dickens’ stories, including Ebenezer Scrooge, Marley the Ghost, Tiny Tim, Father Christmas and more. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday for carriage rides, vintage craft demonstrations, Victorian eats and treats, photo ops, a petting zoo and more. Also, check out the new app for the breakdown of events and festivities! historicfranklin.com
December 19, 2018: “The Longest Night,” A Celebration of the Winter Solstice
Join OZ Arts Nashville for a unique multicultural and multidisciplinary celebration of the Winter Solstice on December 19, as part of OZ Arts’ popular TNT | Local Artist Spotlight series. “The Longest Night” brings together more than 40 Nashville-based artists, musicians, dancers and dramatists in a performance curated by Jason Shelton of the Portara Ensemble. The evening begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children 12 and under. ozartsnashville.org
December 20, 2018: Science of Beer
The Adventure Science Center isn’t just for kids! In fact, for one night this month, it is only for adults. The Annual Science of Beer event offers tastings of more than 80 local and international craft beers and beer-science demonstrations and activities. General admission tickets are $60 and include access to all exhibits and activities, unlimited tastings and a souvenir pint glass. adventuresci.org
December 31, 2018: Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville
Celebrate your New Year with thousands around Nashville as you see Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Judah & the Lion and more perform for free at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park! This New Year’s Eve event features live music, fireworks, confetti cannons and the “Music Note Drop®.” visitmusiccity.com
December 31, 2018: NYE Champagne Dinner in the Winery
Ring in the New Year at City Winery’s NYE Champagne Dinner! The intimate, candlelit seated dinner will feature a delicious four-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Donald Counts paired with a sommelier-curated selection of sparkling wine and champagne with each course. Your $125 ticket will include the full meal, table-side service wine pairing and valet parking. When you choose the 6 p.m. t0 8 p.m. dinner time, complete your evening with an NYE show with Marc Broussard and full band in the urban winery’s main venue. Should you choose the 10 p.m. to midnight mealtime, enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne to welcome the new year at midnight! citywinery.com/nashville
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For more December events, including many trunk shows and more festive gatherings, be sure to check out our Daily Happenings. Stay tuned for a full listing of NYE events!
