2025 Lights, Concert events & Occasions in Music Metropolis

Searching for the proper solution to rejoice the vacations in Nashville this 12 months? Music Metropolis transforms right into a winter wonderland each December, with occasions that go means past your typical fare.

Whether or not you are a longtime resident or new to the Nashville life-style, the vacation season provides one thing particular. From dazzling shows of lights to world-class performances, uncover the must-see Nashville Christmas occasions occurring round city.

Nashville December Occasions Preview

• Christmas at Gaylord Opryland: Discover 5 million indoor lights throughout 9 acres of glass atriums, plus the separate “ICE!” exhibit that includes colossal ice sculptures.
• Nashville’s Nutcracker: Watch the Nashville Ballet’s skilled manufacturing of this basic ballet at TPAC’s Jackson Corridor.
• Zoo Lights (Zoolumination): Stroll a mile-long path by means of the Nashville Zoo after darkish to see over 1,000,000 lights and big glowing animal sculptures.
• Nashville Village Vacation Market: Store a European-style Christmas market in Stroll of Fame Park, that includes picket huts that promote crafts, native items, and specialty meals.
• Holidays at The Hermitage: Tour Andrew Jackson’s historic residence, embellished in a 1800s-style Christmas theme, with candlelight excursions and historic demonstrations.
• Fifth + Broadway Howdy Holidays: Downtown Nashville’s premier vacation buying celebration options an enormous Christmas tree, ice skating rink, reside live shows, and extra
• Musical Performances: We’re known as Music Metropolis for a purpose. Catch exhibits from artists like Little Large City, Trisha Yearwood, Ricky Skaggs, and extra.
• The Dancing Lights of Christmas: Drive by means of 3 million synchronized lights at Tennessee’s largest drive-thru mild and music present in Lebanon.

A Nation Christmas at Gaylord Opryland

Gaylord Opryland Resort, one among Nashville’s high sights, goes all out for Christmas. We’re speaking 5 million indoor lights, actual ice sculptures, and elaborate shows unfold throughout 9 acres of glass atriums.

The property, located simply exterior East Nashville, is remodeled into a number of themed areas. You will discover every little thing from a rustic Christmas village to whimsical winter gardens. The ice shows alone are definitely worth the journey—grasp carvers create detailed nativity scenes and figures from large blocks of ice.

Do not miss the nightly “ICE!” exhibit. It is a separate ticketed attraction the place you stroll by means of rooms saved at 9℉ (they supply parkas!) full of ice sculptures and slides carved solely from ice. The theme modifications yearly—the theme for the 2025 season is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and options beloved scenes from the present.

Different highlights embody the Delta River Flatboat Experience by means of the embellished atriums and seasonal eating experiences. You need not keep on the resort to go to, however packages the place you spend the evening embody particular perks, equivalent to breakfast with vacation characters.

Guide tickets early for “ICE!” and take into account visiting on weeknights to keep away from the largest crowds.

Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC

The Nashville Ballet’s manufacturing of The Nutcracker has been a vacation custom since 2008. This is not a small neighborhood theater present—it is a full skilled ballet carried out at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Corridor in downtown Nashville.

The manufacturing options elaborate units, attractive costumes, and gifted dancers bringing Tchaikovsky’s rating to life. Even for those who’ve by no means been to a ballet, The Nutcracker works. The story is simple to comply with, the music is gorgeous, and children benefit from the magical parts, such because the rising Christmas tree and dancing snowflakes.

Exhibits run all through December, that includes each matinee and night performances. Matinees work nicely for households with youthful kids (the present runs about two hours with an intermission). Tickets vary from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy, orchestra-level seats.

Purchase tickets straight by means of Nashville Ballet’s web site. Saturday exhibits promote out first, so ebook early for those who want that particular day.

Zoo Lights (Zoolumination) on the Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo, situated 6 miles south of downtown and simply throughout I-65 from the Oak Hill neighborhood, turns into an after-dark expertise with Zoolumination. The mile-long strolling path options over 1,000,000 lights, animated shows, and larger-than-life animal sculptures made solely of colourful lights.

The zoo is already one of many high kid-friendly locations in Nashville, however combining zoo visits with lights takes the expertise to an entire new stage. You will see glowing elephants, giraffes, and different creatures alongside conventional vacation scenes. Reside animal viewing is proscribed (some nocturnal animals are seen), however the mild shows make up for it.

The enjoyable occasion contains vacation treats, scorching drinks, and photograph alternatives all through the path. It is utterly open air, so costume heat. Strolling the total path takes 45-60 minutes at a leisurely tempo.

Zoolumination on the Nashville Zoo runs nightly from Thursday, November 13, 2025, by means of Sunday, January 4, 2026. From January 8 by means of February 8, it’s open Thursdays by means of Sundays.

Go early within the season for smaller crowds. For an additional splash of cheer, guests can meet Santa at Zoolumination from November 28 to December 24!

Nashville Village Vacation Market at Stroll of Fame Park

Need one thing totally different from typical vacation buying? Nashville Village Vacation Market brings a European-style Christmas market to Stroll of Fame Park within the vibrant SoBro neighborhood. Suppose picket vendor huts, handmade crafts, and the scent of roasted chestnuts filling the air.

Native artisans promote distinctive items you will not discover on the mall—handcrafted jewellery, pottery, woodwork, and specialty meals. It is good for locating one-of-a-kind presents whereas supporting native makers.

The market contains reside leisure, tempting treats, and a festive ambiance that makes buying truly pleasant. Children can go to with Santa and revel in actions whereas adults browse distributors or seize a heat beverage from the bar.

Free admission makes it simple to pop by a number of instances—particularly for many who work downtown or reside within the SoBro neighborhood.

Vacation Spirits on the Hermitage Lantern Tour

Andrew Jackson’s historic residence will get embellished for an old school Christmas. The Hermitage exhibits what the vacations appeared like within the 1800s, with period-appropriate decorations all through the mansion and grounds.

Past simply decorations, the property hosts particular occasions together with candlelight excursions, historic demonstrations, and seasonal workshops. It is a quieter, extra instructional vacation expertise.

Its location within the Hermitage neighborhood, named for Jackson’s historic property, additionally helps preserve guests away from the largest crowds. Moreover, it’s conveniently situated close to fashionable Nashville suburbs, equivalent to Mount Juliet, permitting residents to go to with out having to drive into town middle.

The grounds are stunning in winter, and the mansion excursions embody tales about how the Jackson household celebrated Christmas. It is particularly attention-grabbing for historical past buffs or anybody looking for a extra genuine glimpse into Tennessee’s vacation traditions.

Fifth + Broadway Howdy Holidays 2025

One of many high (and latest) locations throughout Nashville’s downtown neighborhoods, Fifth + Broadway, throws a festive vacation occasion yearly.

Fifth + Broadway’s Howdy Holidays encompasses a large Christmas tree, photograph alternatives with Santa, reside music, and complimentary cookie dough samples multi functional location.

Free live shows are held on the out of doors plaza all through December, that includes native musicians performing a variety of music from nation to jazz. The buying middle stays open late with particular hours, and eating places supply seasonal menus.

Situated proper downtown, it is easy to mix with dinner or different festive actions. Parking is out there within the connected storage.

December Musical Performances

Musical heritage and performances high the record of issues Nashville is thought for, and the reside music scene will get further festive each December.

Little Large City Christmas on the Ryman

Little Large City returns to the Ryman Auditorium for his or her annual Christmas live shows. These vacation exhibits promote out yearly for good purpose—4 unbelievable voices, stunning harmonies, and a setlist mixing vacation classics with their very own hits.

The Ryman’s acoustics make it good for Christmas music. The venue’s historic ambiance, which helped create Nashville’s “Music Metropolis” nickname, provides a particular contact that you do not discover at bigger arenas. Plus, Little Large City treats these exhibits as hometown celebrations, typically bringing out shock company.

Trisha Yearwood with the Nashville Symphony

Trisha Yearwood joins the Nashville Symphony for particular vacation performances at Schermerhorn Symphony Middle. This collaboration brings collectively her highly effective nation vocals with a full orchestra—one thing you do not typically hear.

The present mixes conventional Christmas songs with a few of Trisha’s hits, all organized for symphony accompaniment. The result’s attractive music in one among Nashville’s most stunning venues.

The Schermerhorn Symphony Middle, one among Nashville’s finest music venues, is price seeing by itself. The acoustics are unbelievable, and the structure is gorgeous. The costume code is informal to dressy—put on what makes you comfy.

Restricted efficiency dates imply tickets transfer shortly. Test the Nashville Symphony web site for the precise schedule and pricing.

A Charlie Brown Christmas at Rudy’s Jazz Room

Rudy’s Jazz Room, situated in The Gulch, presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in an intimate jazz membership setting. A reside band performs Vince Guaraldi’s iconic rating whereas scenes from the beloved TV particular play on display screen.

This is not an enormous manufacturing—it is a cozy membership expertise with gifted musicians bringing the basic soundtrack to life. The music sounds totally different reside, and listening to these acquainted songs in a jazz membership provides new appreciation for the preparations.

Rudy’s serves dinner and drinks throughout the present. It is undoubtedly an grownup night out, although some family-friendly matinees can be found. Area is proscribed, so reservations are required.

Rudy’s is among the high jazz bars in Nashville, and visiting throughout the holidays is a should.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas at The Fisher Middle

Ricky Skaggs brings bluegrass Christmas music to The Fisher Middle for the Performing Arts. This Grammy-winning artist is aware of mix conventional vacation songs with the vitality of bluegrass.

The Fisher Middle is situated on Belmont College’s campus, which is on the border of Music Row and Edgehill. It offers glorious acoustics for bluegrass music. It is a smaller, extra intimate venue than a few of the different efficiency areas on this record, which implies you are nearer to the motion.

Anticipate high-energy selecting, stunning harmonies, and possibly some gospel favorites blended into the set. Skaggs typically shares tales between songs, making the live performance really feel private somewhat than only a efficiency.

The Dancing Lights of Christmas (Lebanon)

One of the beloved vacation traditions in Center Tennessee, The Dancing Lights of Christmas has a brand new residence on the James E. Ward Agricultural Middle in Lebanon, about 30 miles east of downtown Nashville.

This spectacular drive-through show options greater than 3 million synchronized lights, all set to festive music you possibly can tune in out of your automobile radio. The route winds by means of dazzling tunnels, animated shows, and big Christmas bushes — good for folks in search of a comfortable solution to benefit from the season with out braving the chilly.

Tickets are offered per car, not per individual, and the present runs nightly from late November by means of early January. Weeknights are usually much less crowded, so plan forward and buy tickets on-line for the smoothest expertise.

Planning Your Nashville Vacation Season

Nashville’s vacation occasions unfold throughout the whole metro space. Downtown venues cluster collectively, making it simple to mix a number of actions in a single journey. Opryland is situated northeast of downtown, whereas the zoo is located south of town.

With so many choices throughout Nashville, you would exit each week in December and nonetheless not hit every little thing. Decide just a few must-sees based mostly in your pursuits, whether or not that is music, lights, household actions, or quieter cultural experiences.

Nashville brings a lot Christmas and vacation spirit. Town’s nation music heritage shines by means of in particular live shows, whereas sights create experiences you will not discover wherever else. Begin planning now—December shall be right here earlier than you understand it!

If the alternatives of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Actual Property Group of RE/MAX Benefit with Nashville’s MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in contact with native actual property brokers who will help discover the proper Nashville residence for you immediately.