Things to Do in Nashville in December

Things to Do in Nashville in December

This post covers the top things to do in December in Nashville (updated for 2019), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do in Nashville for even more ideas.

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TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN DECEMBER

This top 10 list has concerts, events, attractions, and festivals to check out during December. Read more »

Things to Do in Nashville in January

Events and Things to Do in Nashville in January

This post covers the top things to do in January in Nashville (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do in Nashville for even more ideas.

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TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY

This top 10 list has concerts, events, attractions, and festivals to check out during January. Don’t forget to check out our popular Nashville posts: 

1) See a Concert

If you’re looking for a concert, Music City is the place to find it.

Click through to see what concerts are happening this January.

 

 

Of course, in Nashville, you can find concerts happening every night of the week!

Check out all the Nashville concerts here, or see what other nightlife you can find on our full post. 

2) Go to a Sporting Event

Nashville is a competitive city that loves its sports! Check out the teams playing in Nashville this January.

 

 

Ice Hockey

Football

Take a look at all the sporting events happening in January here.

For more family-friendly activities, check out our full post. 

3) Enjoy the Theatre

Music City isn’t just all concerts. You can find theatre performances too!

 

 

Hamilton an American Musical has swept the nation by storm and there is constantly high demand for tickets!

It is playing in Nashville through January 19, 2020.  

4) Celebrate the New Year!

Ring in the New Year in Nashville! With a number of parties and events to attend, there’s plenty to do to usher in 2019 with a bang. Some free events to attend:
 

 

 

Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight

This free event has country star Keith Urban headlining and has a lineup of some incredible performers. The event takes place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and gates open at 4:00 pm. 

Walden Bar’s Onesie New Year’s Eve Party

Who says you can’t be comfortable at a New Year’s party? This event encourages guests dressed up in their favorite fuzzy onesie!

This free event takes place at Walden’s Bar from 4:00 pm on December 31 to 2:00 am on January 1, 2020.

It’s free to attend, although you can participate in their beer pong tournament for $30 per team. 

For more things to do at night in Nashville in January, check out our nighttime section below. 

5) Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass

With all the exciting things there are to do in Music City, we suggest getting a tourist city pass for Nashville.

All-inclusive passes are available, and others can include up to 55% discounts on retail prices for select attraction admission, gift shops, and restaurants. 

 

 

Featured on Various Passes: 

See our full tourist attraction discount pass comparison here.

6) Winter Shakespeare: Macbeth

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival puts on performances all year long, and for their winter performance, they will be presenting Macbeth.

Great for the lifelong Shakespeare lover or those just discovering his plays, this one is a true Shakespeare classic.

 

 

  • Dates: January 8 – 12, 14 – 19, 21 – 26, 2020
  • Location: Belmont University’s Troutt Theater

To learn more and get your tickets, click here. 

7) Gathering of the Fork: Food and Music Festival

If you want to get a great taste of local Nashville restaurants, go to Al Menah Shrine Temple on Saturday, January 18, 2020.

 

Gathering of the Fork Food and Music Festival

 

The Gathering of the Fork is a family-friendly food festival for a cause. Each sample-sized dish costs between $1 and $5 and a percentage of the proceeds go to local food pantries.

The event is free to get into and includes live music. You can find more details here.

8) Nashville MLK Day

Celebrate MLK Day in Nashville this January with a number of great activities hosted by the city.

 

 

For one, Nashville hosts one of the oldest Martin Luther King Day commemorative marches in the country, going on 31 years.

Leading up to MLK Day are a number of activities as well, like the Worship Service, Labor Breakfast, and more. 

9) Nashville Restaurant Week

A great way to get to know the cuisine of Nashville is Restaurant Week!

Over 60 local restaurants participate, showcasing a 3-course tasting menu for a set price. 

 

 

This is a great way to support locally-owned restaurants and make for a great date night or treating the whole family.

To learn more and plan your feasting, check out their website here. 

10) Marshmallow Hikes

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary is hosting hikes through the woods this January that conclude with hot chocolate and marshmallows, which we think is the perfect reward for a chilly activity!

 

 

This annual event takes place at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm and tickets are $10 early (online) or $12 the day of.

Dates:

  • Thursday, January 2, 2020
  • Friday, January 3, 2020
  • Saturday, January 4, 2020
  • Saturday, January 11, 2020

To learn more and grab tickets for the hike, click here. 

For more family-friendly activities, check out our kids’ section below. 

 

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THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN NASHVILLE

Nashville has some incredible things to do after dark in January, including the concerts at the venues we’ve listed in our top ten section above.  

Here are a few more night time activities for the month of January.

 

 

For more nighttime activities, visit our post on things to do at night in Nashville. 

Find a Film at Belcourt Theatre

Escape the January cold at the Belcourt Theatre. This is a nonprofit, historic movie theatre and film center that has been in operation since the 1920s. 

You can find showings for big Hollywood movies, small screenings from independent filmmakers, or special re-releases of classics.

Museums Open Late

Indoor activities are preferred on a chilly January night, but it’s not just the bars open after dark.

The George Jones Museum and the Frist Art Museum stay open late! 

The Frist Art Museum is open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and the George Jones Museum open 10:00 am to 10:00 pm most days, and open until 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Visit a Comedy Club

While most big cities have comedy clubs, each is unique to their location. It’s a great way to meet locals and get a sense of a city.

In Nashville, Zanies has been around for over 30 years and it a great place to catch a stand-up routine.

Professional comedians from across the country pass through its doors, and you can catch a show almost every night of the week.

There’s also food and drink available to turn it into dinner and a show. 

Adventure Science Center Star Gazing

Adventure Science Center is a great way to spend a day exploring science!

They also have the incredible Sudekum Planetarium, which is a giant 63-foot dome where you can see the stars and enjoy activities like laser shows, concerts, and even Yoga Under the Stars!

They are open late until 9:00 pm on the second Saturday of every month, so be sure to check out their website for special events. Their website also offers star charts if you want to explore the real stars on your own. 

For more nighttime activities, visit our post on things to do at night in Nashville. 

 

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FREE THINGS TO DO IN NASHVILLE

Nashville has a bunch of free stuff to do year-round. Here are a few more free things to do in Nashville in January.

 

 

For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in Nashville. 

 Arts & Music at Wedgewood-Houston

This free art walk takes place on the first Saturday of each month and is a great way to get out and peruse the pop-ups, the studios, and art galleries in Nashville.

This is a great way to enjoy the evening, as the event starts at 6:00 pm. To see the lineup and plan your visit, click here. 

Sightseeing Tours

Take one of the great walking tours available in Nashville. The tours last 90 minutes and are led by a local Nashvillian.

You’ll get a nice welcome to the city with many recommendations for other things to do and places to eat/drink/dance, but it is light on history.

There is a lot of history in downtown Nashville to cover in 90 minutes so if you’re interested in some of the hidden stories, check out Atlantis Audio Tours self-guided tour to downtown Nashville.

Frothy Monkey Coffee Cuppings

Love coffee? Frothy Monkey Coffee has free “cupping” or coffee tastings every Friday at 2:00 pm.

This is a great way to support a local business and get a little caffeine boost! Learn about coffee and experience new flavors at this event.

While it’s free, they recommend RSVPing to make sure you have a spot in case it gets busy. 

Hatch Show Print

A fun and unique thing to do in Nashville is visiting the Hatch Show Print, which has been in business since the late 19th century.

It’s one of the leading printmaking shops in Nashville, and their posters can be found throughout the city.

Visiting the shop is free, and you can also go on a tour for $13 if you’re interested. 

For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in Nashville. 

 

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THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN JANUARY

Nashville is super family-friendly! 

 

 
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Here are a few more kid-friendly things to do in January.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do with kids in Nashville for even more ideas.

See Secret Soldiers at Nashville Children’s Theatre

From January 16 – February 3, 2020, Nashville Children’s Theatre is putting on Secret Soldier: Civil War Heroines in Disguise.

It is based on over 250 historical accounts of women who fought as Union soldiers and focuses on an injured, undercover female soldier. 

  • Youth 3 – 17: $17
  • Adults: $23
  • Military, Senior, Educator: $19
  • Find tickets here. 

Zoolumination

Visiting the zoo is a great family activity, but this January you can also enjoy over 500 silk lanterns in fun animal-shaped displays at night.

Enjoy the custom Chinese lanterns on January 2 – February 2, 2020, from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Learn more about the schedule here. 

Visit the Tennessee State Capitol

Visiting the Tennessee State Capitol is a great educational way to spend the day, plus it’s free!

Built in 1859, it’s one of the oldest state capitol buildings in the country. You can even go on a free guided tour of the historic State Capitol and the grounds surrounding the building offered by the staff of the Tennessee State Museum.

Tours take place Monday-Friday on the hour from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (skipping 12:00 pm). 

For more free things to do in Nashville in January, check out our free section above. 

Storytime at the Tennessee State Museum

The Tennessee State Museum is a free museum and has the most comprehensive display of the state’s history.

While great for all ages, they also host a storytime for children every Thursday and Saturday.

This event is geared towards children ages 3 to 6, and a staff member will read to the children. Free crafts are also supplied!

Be sure to read our master post on things to do with kids in Nashville for even more ideas.

 

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