Visits with Santa, live reindeer, millions of dazzling lights and heartwarming concerts take place throughout the month of December in Tennessee. For a complete list of events, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.
Ongoing
Bristol – Speedway in Lights has a stunning display through Jan.
6, 2018 of more than 1 million lights and hundreds of displays that can be viewed by car. Make a reservation to bring your group through by bus.
Chattanooga – SCUBA Claus makes his dives and swims among the fish in the River Journey building 11 a.m. ET Saturdays and 2 p.m. ET Sundays through Dec. 17 at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville – Smoky Mountain Winterfest is hosted in the gateway towns to the Smokies that turn into a winter wonderland with dazzling displays of more than 5 million lights and special events through Feb. 28, 2018.
Memphis – Christmas at Graceland has traditional lights and decorations, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and much more originally displayed by Elvis through Jan. 6, 2018.
Nashville – Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas has sensational decorations, entertainment, and food, Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Grand Ole Opry and more through Jan. 1, 2018 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Nashville – Guests can receive free admission on Mondays when they bring a nonperishable food item for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee through Dec. 18 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Pigeon Forge – Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is the ultimate Smoky Mountain family Christmas destination with more than 4 million lights, Parade of Many Colors, fun rides and attractions, plus award-winning shows through Jan. 3, 2018.
Dec. 1
Baxter – "A Rocky Top Christmas" is the theme of this year's Baxter Christmas Parade 7 p.m. CT at the Baxter Depot Museum & Visitors' Center.
Knoxville – The WIVK Christmas Parade includes bands, dancers, floats, characters, and Santa Claus as they parade 7 p.m. ET down Gay Street.
Dec. 1-2
Clinton – Candlelight Christmas is an evening tour of the pioneer village decorated in old-fashioned, Appalachian Christmas decorations, a live Nativity scene, carols, animals, wagon rides and more 5-8:30 p.m. ET at the Museum of Appalachia.
Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
Savannah – Christmas on Main features ice skating, lights, Santa and family-friendly activities in downtown Savannah.
Dec. 1-3, 8-10
Spring City – Catch a performance of Annie: The Musical 7:30 p.m. ET Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. ET Sundays at the Tennessee Valley Theatre.
Dec. 1-10
Memphis – Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera plays to audiences 8 p.m. CT Dec. 1-2, 8-9; 2 p.m. CT Dec. 2, 9; 1 p.m. CT and 6:30 p.m. CT Dec. 3, 10; and 7:30 p.m. CT Dec. 5-7 at the Orpheum Theatre.
Dec. 2
Chattanooga – Shop for artisan gifts at the Chattanooga Holiday Market 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Sundays each weekend in December at Chattanooga Convention Center.
Cookeville – Enjoy caroling, games, holiday goodies, photos with Santa, and a “Polar Express” theme during the Cookeville Depot Christmas Open House 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at the Cookeville Depot Museum. (Note: Santa takes a cookie break noon to 1 p.m. CT).
Goodlettsville – Enjoy Christmas cheer at Yulefest, an annual historic celebration 5-8 p.m. CT at Mansker’s Fort & the Bowen Plantation House.
Humboldt – The Christmas Open House includes a pop-up shop with handcrafted pottery, jewelry, crafts and more, a matinee movie 1 p.m. CT at the Humboldt Plaza 3 Theater, pictures with Santa and more in downtown Humboldt.
Jackson – The fun-filled Christmas in the City includes Santa, live reindeer, homemade baked goods, holiday characters and more noon to 4 p.m. CT in downtown Jackson. Later on, attend the magical family-friendly concert, Jackson Symphony Holiday Pops 7:30-9:30 p.m. CT at Carl Perkins Civic Center.
Knoxville – Enjoy a free Family Fun Day with activities, crafts, tours and more 1-4 p.m. ET at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.
Knoxville – Kathleen Madigan performs her comedic routine 8 p.m. ET on the U.S. Cellular Stage at the Bijou Theatre. Chris Tomlin performs his tour “Chris Tomlin Christmas: Christmas Songs of Worship” 8 p.m. ET at the Tennessee Theatre.
Memphis – The Holiday Open House features unique handmade gifts, spiced cider and hot chocolate noon to 4 p.m. CT at the Metal Museum.
Memphis – The St. Jude Memphis Marathon is a Boston-qualifying, 26.2-mile race that traverses through the neighborhoods of Memphis and ends at AutoZone Park.
Monterey - The Town of Monterey kicks off their Christmas celebrations at 8 a.m. CT with Christmas Home & Hearth Market and Santa at the Depot with arts, crafts, baked goodies, unique gifts and more. The day’s festivities conclude with the annual Monterey Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Nashville – Meet princesses and take photos during Meet Me at the Zoo: Snow Sisters 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at Nashville Zoo.
Nashville – The Nashville Flute Choir presents their Holiday Concert 1 p.m. CT in the Grand Lobby of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Nashville – Street Corner Symphony, Gabe Dixon & Friends Christmas Show will be 7:30 p.m. CT at the James K. Polk Theater.
Nashville – See work from Anne Siems’ latest exhibition “Inquiry” during the Art Crawl 5-8 p.m. CT at David Lusk Gallery.
Portland – The annual Portland Christmas Festival & Parade includes live music, Santa, cookie decorating, Christmas crafts, food, face painting and more 3-5:30 p.m. CT with the parade at 5:30 p.m. CT beginning at Freedom Drive in downtown Portland.
Union City – The David Johnson Chorus sings Christmas carols all afternoon in the Dinosaur Hall at Discovery Park of America. Santa visits the park noon to 5 p.m. CT Dec. 2, 9, 16.
Dec. 2, 9, 16
Collierville – Christmas in Collierville celebrates the holidays with music, carriage rides, and visits from Santa on Collierville’s historic square.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23
Knoxville – The Market Square Holiday Market is an outdoor market with artisans, food producers, food trucks, and farmers 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Market Square in downtown Knoxville.
Dec. 2-23
Nashville – Nashville’s Nutcracker celebrates its 10th year with more magic, characters and more 2 p.m. CT Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16, 21-23; 7 p.m. CT Dec. 9, 15-16, 21-23; and 1 p.m. CT and 6:30 p.m. CT Dec. 17 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall.
Dec. 3
Cookeville – Join thousands to experience Cookeville’s Christmas in the Park Kick-Off that includes the annual tree lighting ceremony, ice skating, Santa sightings, and sledding 6 p.m. CT at Dogwood Park.
Dec. 4
Columbia – The Main Street Christmas Parade includes marching bands, church and school groups, lighted floats and more.
Jackson – The festive Christmas parade comes to town with floats, lights, Santa and more in downtown Jackson.
Dec. 5
Lewisburg – See Winter Witness – An Evening of Christmas Music with Jerry Holt which also includes hors d’oeuvres and hot apple cider 7 p.m. CT at Connelly Dream Center.
Dec. 6
Knoxville – The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Tour 2017 comes 7:30 p.m. ET to the Tennessee Theatre.
Nashville – Slow-Food Night is a chance to dine on burgers for a cause as a percentage of sales will go to the Middle Tennessee chapter of Slow Foods in support of community grants 6-10 p.m. CT at Hopdoddy.
Dec. 7
Cookeville – Enjoy Cookeville’s Christmas on the Square featuring an open house with food and hot drinks, free Christmas goodies, restaurant and retail specials, antiques, art, family photography specials and more.