🎶 It’s the most busiest tiiiiime of the yearrrrr 🎶 and we’re here to help you make the most of it. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, or all of the above, these are our tips to get out and about in December.
🎄 Christmas Activities
From traditional faves to favorite local traditions, here are our suggestions for the best Christmas bets in town, with something for the whole family — and maybe even a Grinch:
- Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood: It’s in all caps because they’re serious! Cheekwood’s gardens and mansion are completely aglow, plus enjoy a Holiday Marketplace and “seasonal libations,” now through Jan. 5.
- Enjoy a Christmas parade: Metro Nashville doesn’t have an official parade anymore, but the folks in Bellevue have us covered on Dec. 7, rain or shine. Santa’s also on the guest list.
- Visit the Nashville Symphony: From Handel’s Messiah with full chorus to the concert versions of “Elf” and “Home Alone,” holiday options abound at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center all month.
- Dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy: Can you even have Christmas without first watching a small girl beat up a rat with her shoe? Opinions vary. Go see “The Nutcracker” at TPAC, Dec. 6-26.
- Do the Snoopy Dance with The Ornaments: For nearly 20 years, The Ornaments have played the music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from start to finish. Catch this very local Nashville tradition from Dec. 17-22 at Eastside Bowl.
🕎 Hanukkah Activities
Hanukkah aligns with Christmas this year for the first time since 2005. Here are some ways to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights:
- Hanukkah Fest at the Gordon JCC: Shop the Hanukkah Bazaar and enjoy latkes and games, Dec. 15 from 3-6 p.m.
- The Miracle of Light in Franklin: Enjoy music, art, dinner, and warm drinks in the Franklin Town Square on Dec. 30. It’s BYOM — Bring Your Own Menorah.
- Butcher & Bee Hanukkah Meal: This East Nashville destination continues an annual tradition, offering Hanukkah dinner in the Rose Room from Dec. 27-29. This year’s meal will be “Jewish deli” themed, with matzo ball soup, lox, pastrami, and more.
- Light the Metro Menorah: Come together to light our city’s menorah in Public Square Park at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.
🎉 Celebrate the New Year
Be safe and make good choices.
- New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash: Party on the Bicentennial Mall with Keith Urban, Jelly Roll, and thousands of people you don’t know. (Our advice? Watch it on TV.)
- Acme’s First Rodeo of 2025: Follow the call of the disco ball downtown to Acme Feed and Seed and enjoy a blissful Silent Disco on the top floor. Perfect for fireworks!
- Old Crow Medicine Show at the Ryman: Catch the beloved bluegrass band at the Mother Church, Dec. 30-31.
- Hello 2025 at White Limozeen: Tickets include an open bar and complimentary champagne toast, and who wouldn’t want to hit midnight while basking in Dolly vibes for the year ahead?
- Try a Noon Year’s Eve: From the Edmondson Pike Library to East Nashville Beer Works, places all over town are offering you and your kiddos a chance to count it down in broad daylight.
❄️ Prep for Winter
And finally, don’t forget that winter is actually here. Amidst all your celebrating, take a second to get prepped:
- Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor spigots and pipes, where needed
- Close your foundation vents and crawl spaces
- Reach out to NeedLink Nashville for assistance with gas or electric bills
- Don’t wait until everything is sold out: Buy shovels, salt, snow gear, and sleds right now
