Things to Do in Nashville at Christmas: A Holiday Weekend Plan
Nashville does Christmas the way it does everything else: with a soundtrack. Holiday concerts fill the city's famous stages, the honky tonks on Broadway keep the music going all day, and a few of the biggest light displays in the South glow just outside downtown. The weather is usually milder than in northern cities, which makes it easy to spend the evenings outside.
Here are the best things to do in Nashville at Christmas, arranged as a simple two to three day plan you can adjust for your group.
Before you go
When to visit
The holiday season in Nashville runs from around Thanksgiving through the end of December. Early December weekends are a sweet spot, with most events running and fewer crowds than the days right before Christmas. Seasonal events set their own dates and hours each year, so check current details before you lock in your plans.
What to pack
December in Nashville is usually cool rather than frigid, but nights can get cold and rainy days are common. Bring a warm jacket, layers and shoes you can walk in for hours. Snow is possible but not something to count on.
Getting around
Nashville International Airport is a short drive from downtown. Downtown, The Gulch and SoBro are walkable, and rideshare covers the rest. A car helps if you plan to visit Cheekwood, Franklin or the Loveless Cafe. For neighborhood picks and more places to eat, see our Nashville weekend itinerary.
Day 1: Downtown and the music
Morning: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Start with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the best introduction to why this city sounds the way it does. You will see instruments, stage costumes and records from generations of country stars. If you have time, pair it with the Johnny Cash Museum a few blocks away.
Afternoon: The Ryman and Broadway
Walk over to the Ryman Auditorium, known as the Mother Church of Country Music. Daytime tours cover its history as a tabernacle, the long run of the Grand Ole Opry on its stage and the artists who played there. Then head down Lower Broadway, where the honky tonks have live bands playing from midday into the night. Many downtown streets and storefronts are decorated for the season, so it is a good stretch for photos.
Evening: A holiday show
The Ryman hosts holiday concerts throughout December, and the Grand Ole Opry has a long tradition of returning to the Ryman for its winter shows. Other good options are the Nashville Symphony's holiday concerts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Nashville Ballet's Nutcracker at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Popular dates sell out, so buy tickets well ahead.
Finish with hot chicken. Nashville is the home of this fiery fried chicken, and Prince's Hot Chicken and Hattie B's are two of the best known spots. Ask for a milder heat level if you are new to it.
Day 2: Big lights and holiday classics
Morning: The Parthenon
Start the day in Centennial Park at the Parthenon, a full scale replica of the Athens original built for Tennessee's centennial celebration. Inside is an art museum and a towering statue of Athena. It is one of the more surprising sights in the South and a quick, easy morning.
Afternoon: Gaylord Opryland Resort
In the afternoon, drive out to Gaylord Opryland Resort. Even if you are not staying there, its huge indoor garden atriums are worth a walk, and at Christmas they are filled with lights, trees and seasonal decorations. The resort's holiday program has included attractions like a walk through display of carved ice sculptures in past seasons. Some experiences need timed tickets, so check what is running this year before you go.
Opry Mills is right next door if anyone in the group wants to shop. The General Jackson Showboat, a paddlewheel riverboat on the Cumberland River, docks nearby and has offered holiday dinner cruises, which is a fun choice for a group.
Evening: Holiday lights at Cheekwood
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is a historic mansion and botanical garden on the west side of the city. During the holidays it hosts a nighttime walk through the grounds lit with a huge number of lights, with seasonal food and warm drinks along the way. It is one of the most loved holiday traditions in Nashville and a great pick for couples and families. Book a timed entry in advance.
Day 3: Pick your favorite
If you have a third day, choose the holiday experience that fits your group best.
A Dickens Christmas in Franklin
Franklin is about a half hour south of downtown and has one of the most charming main streets in Tennessee. Its Dickens of a Christmas festival fills downtown on a weekend in early December, with carolers and characters in Victorian costume. Even outside the festival, the historic downtown is a lovely place to shop and eat during the season.
Biscuits at the Loveless Cafe
The Loveless Cafe, near the northern end of the Natchez Trace Parkway, has been serving its famous biscuits for generations. Go early, put your name in and browse the shops while you wait. It is the perfect slow breakfast before a drive.
Neighborhood wandering
Spend a relaxed day in the neighborhoods. 12 South is known for boutiques, murals and coffee. East Nashville has a laid back vibe with great restaurants and bars. Germantown has historic brick buildings and some of the city's best dining. Pick one and let the day unfold.
Tips for a smooth holiday weekend
- Book the timed events first. Cheekwood, Opryland attractions and Ryman shows are the first things to fill up.
- Plan by area. Keep downtown sights on one day and the Opryland area on another to avoid crossing the city twice.
- Eat a meat and three. This Southern lunch tradition, one meat with three sides, is a cozy and filling break on a cold day.
- Go to Broadway early. Afternoons are easier for families, and you will still hear great live music.
- Bring a layer for the evening. Light walks are outside, and the temperature drops quickly after dark.
Planning your Nashville Christmas trip in Wander Off
Create an adventure for your Nashville weekend and invite everyone coming along. Add the Ryman, Opryland, Cheekwood and your hot chicken stop to the Plan tab by day, and let the group vote on which show or day trip makes the cut. Our group trip planner guide has more tips for keeping everyone on the same page. Book flights, hotels and things to do in the Tickets tab, and every photo from the trip lands on the right day and place. When you get home, make the adventure public so friends can copy your itinerary for their own holiday weekend.
