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Things to Do in Nashville in December

Updated: März 13, 2024
 By Paul Whitten

This post covers the top things to do in December in Nashville (updated for 2024), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

As local walking tour guides, we have the pleasure of spending our December here in Nashville.

First of all, the weather is generally pleasant, though this will depend on where you are coming from.

High temperatures typically range from the low to mid-50s F (11–13 C) at the beginning of the month to the upper 40s F (8–10 C) toward the conclusion.

Low temperatures at night and early morning hours often range from the mid to upper 30s F (2-3 C), dropping to the low 30s F (-1 to +1 C) toward the end of the month.

And there are so many things to do here that it really requires a full post. So, let's get to it.

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

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN DECEMBER

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

Be sure 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.

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

Rock Concerts

Opera/Classical Music

Holiday Concerts

Concert Venues

Check out even more December Nashville concerts here, or read our post What to do at Night in Nashville.

2. Go to a Sporting Event

Nashville is a competitive city that loves sports, and December is a great time to catch a game.

It is also an excellent way to spend the day with the family.

Football

Hockey

Take a look here at other sporting events happening in December.

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

3. Enjoy a Stage Performance

Music City isn’t just about concerts. You will find many other stage productions in the city.

Musicals/Theatre

  • None in December

Comedy

Holiday

Check here for even more shows on the stage in December in Nashville.

TIP: Check out this list of the best Nashville comedy clubs if you can’t make it to one of the shows we’ve listed.

4. See Backstage Nashville

If you're in Nashville for country music, you won't want to miss this show.

This new and popular event features some of Nashville's hottest upcoming singers as well as the folks who write their songs.

This is the place to visit if you want to catch a rising star or hear from people who have written for the likes of Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and more.

The show takes place at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill on December 16th and on December 30th.

Purchase tickets or learn more here.

5. See the Cheekwood Holiday Lights

Every year, the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens hosts a holiday lighting event throughout the month of December, with more than a million lights spread across 55 acres of botanic gardens!

Guests are invited to follow a one-mile walking path through the gardens and take part in interactive features.

Cheekwood Holiday Lights is open seven nights a week and usually runs from mid-November to mid-January.

Tickets go on sale October 18th.

6. Experience a Gaylord Opryland Christmas

The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center will be hosting several incredible experiences that will help visitors get into the holiday spirit.

There will be ice tubing, a Snowball Build & Blast, ice skating, a riverboat Christmas cruise, a country Christmas breakfast show, a Christmas fountain show, and much more.

There will also be a chance to take photos with Santa and to listen to Mrs. Claus' read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

This is sure to be one of the best family activities in Nashville, so we recommend getting your tickets as soon as possible!

7. FrankTown Festival of Lights

We love a good holiday light display, especially one we can enjoy from the warmth of our car!

The FrankTown Festival of Lights is a half-mile drive past over 200 synchronized displays.

There are also Walkin' Wednesdays where folks can get out of the car and enjoy s'mores and take photos.

This all takes place at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center.

The experience runs from November 17th to December 31st.

For a full list of things to do at night in Nashville, check out our full post here. 

8. Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights

The Nashville Zoo lights up this December with the country's largest Chinese lantern festival, Zoolumination.

There will be over 500 custom-made silk lanterns dotted across 60 acres, including a 200-foot-long dragon!

The display is open nightly from 5:00 - 9:00, on select dates between November 17th and January 7th.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Zoolumination website.

This is truly one event the whole family will enjoy.

9. See The Nutcracker

The Nashville Ballet will perform The Nutcracker December 18th-24th.

This ballet company has a great reputation, and their performance of The Nutcracker is sure to be a wonderful experience.

Tickets can be purchased here.

For more family-friendly things to do in Nashville in December, check out the kids' section below. 

10. Save Money with a Nashville 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.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN DECEMBER

Nashville has some incredible things to do after dark in December, including the concerts at the venues we've listed in our Top Ten section above. 

Here are a few more nighttime activities for the month of December.

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

Find a Film at Belcourt Theatre 

Escape the December cold at the Belcourt Theatre. This is a nonprofit historic movie theater 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.

To see what's on and to buy tickets, visit the Belcourt Theatre website.

Visit a Comedy Club

While most big cities have comedy clubs, each is unique to its 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 its 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. 

Enjoy Singo

Come out every Tuesday to Fat Bottom Brewing for a night of beer, music and bingo.

Along with a great show, there will be plenty of prizes to win as you bingo the night away. It's free to attend and there's no registration necessary!

Learn more about Singo here.

For more free things to do in Nashville, check out our master post here. 

Experience Music City New Year's

Want to celebrate the last day of the year with some great country music and a fun crowd?

Try Nashville's Big Bash, a free event with live music.

The event takes place at Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park, on December 31st.

Be sure to let your friends and family at home know to keep an eye out for you because the event will be filmed and shown live on CBS.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN DECEMBER

Nashville has a bunch of free stuff to do year-round. We've mentioned some in our other sections, like the Beer, Bands, and Bingo event. 

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

Dickens of a Christmas

Historic Downtown Franklin has for almost 40 years hosted a free street festival that takes you back to the time of Charles Dickens.

As you stroll through you'll recognize the beloved characters of Dickens' stories like Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and more! Most of the activities are free, though some do cost a small fee.

There will be carriage rides, vintage craft demonstrations, foods to sample from the era, and more! To learn more, click here.

Take a Sightseeing Tour

There are loads of Nashville Walking Tours that are pay-what-you-wish.

Downtown Nashville is easily walkable, and we suggest starting your trip with a walking tour, whether you take a pay-what-you-like tour or lead yourself on our self-guided walking tour.

Another popular option is to take a bus tour of Nashville. A hop-on hop-off tour is a convenient form of transportation as well as a great source of insider information on Music City.

You can also find fun specialty tours such as a comedy bus tour or party bus.

Mt. Juliet's Vendor and Craft Fair

Now celebrating its 11th year, the Mt. Juliet Home for the Holidays Craft Fair takes place at Mt. Juliet Community center.

There will be over 70 vendors, silent auctions, swag bags, music, and Santa!

The event takes place on November 11th and is free to enter.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER

Nashville is super family-friendly! There are also so many activity options available, there is sure to be something to fit everyone's tastes.

A few activities we've listed above like visiting the museums open late listed in our nighttime section above are perfect for the whole family! 

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

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.

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

Go to a Museum

Indoor activities are preferred on a chilly December day!

There are a lot of great museums in Nashville, some of which kids are sure to enjoy:

Music Related

Attend the Franklin Christmas Parade

In Franklin, just outside of Nashville, there will be a small Christmas Parade.

On December 3rd the parade travels down Main Street, welcoming Santa to their city.

Also in Franklin, there is a Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt on December 7th and 8th.

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About The Author

Paul Whitten

Paul Whitten is an energetic Nashville native and combat veteran with a passion for history. He's a true storyteller, dedicated to preserving the legendary tales that make his hometown so great. From intimate conversations to books and lectures, Paul seeks to bring history alive with contagious enthusiasm and captivating insight. He loves helping others learn more about Nashville, its unique culture, and the countless stories of adventure associated with it.
Updated: März 13th, 2024
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