Kid-Friendly Holiday Activities and Events in Nashville

December 16, 2024 | Advertising Disclosure | Our Partners may be mentioned in this article.

The holidays in Nashville are magical, especially for children. Over the years, more and more kid-friendly activities and events have been added to the Nashville line-up. See below for a list of the very best things to do with kids in Nashville this holiday season.

Kid-Friendly Cheat Sheet (Save for later!)

Kid-Friendly Holiday Activities

Zoolumination

November 14, 2024 – February 9, 2025

Photo Credit: Nashville Zoo / Zoolumination

Zoolumination will return to the Nashville Zoo nightly (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from November 14, 2024, to January 5, 2025, and on Thursdays through Sundays (5:00pm to 9:00pm) from January 9, 2025, to February 9, 2025. This event features over 1,000 large-than-life, custom-made silk lanterns. In addition to mythical creatures and fantastical beasts, Santa will visit nightly from November 24th to December 24th. *NEW* in 2024 is the Smashville Ice Rink, you can purchase tickets in advance or at the rink to ice skate for 45-minutes ($10 for members / $12 for non-members).

Buying tickets in advance is required. Single-night tickets are $25 for adults and teens and $21 for kids (ages 2-12 years old), members save $5 off single-night tickets. Platinum Passes (unlimited visits) are $39 for adults and teens and $29 for kids (ages 2-12 years old). Parking is $10 for nonmembers and free for members. Children under age 2 are FREE. Ice skating tickets need to be purchased in addition to the regular admission.

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Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood

November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood is open seven nights a week from November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Enjoy over one million twinkling lights while you walk the 55-acre grounds of Cheekwood. From s’mores stations to holiday drinks for grown-ups, this is a wonderful holiday outing for the whole family. Holiday LIGHTS is a timed-ticketed event from 4:30pm to 10:00pm. The exhibit admission prices range depending on membership status, time, and date.

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Christmas at Gaylord Opryland

November 8, 2024 – January 4, 2025

Over three million lights turn the Opryland Hotel and Resort into a magical destination. You can visit Opryland for free any day between November 8, 2024, to January 4, 2025, just to see the interior and exterior lights, or you can pay to do other fun activities. And, of course, you could stay the night for the ultimate experience!

Highlights during Christmas at Gaylord Opryland include: 

  • Ice! Featuring Frosty the Snowman (begins November 8, 2024)
  • A Country Christmas Dinner Show 
  • Outdoor fun including ice tubing, ice skating, and ice bumper cars
  • Millions of lights
  • Carriage rides
  • Photos with Santa
  • Gingerbread Decorating Corner
  • Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruises
  • Snowball Build & Blast
  • Merry & Bright Skating Spectacular live show
  • Build-A-Bear Workshop
  • Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt
  • Mrs. Claus’ North Pole Breakfast

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Dancing Lights of Christmas (Drive-Thru)

November 8, 2024 – January 4, 2025

Photo Credit: Dancing Lights of Christmas

The annual Dancing Lights of Christmas will take place at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. The light show will run from November 8, 2024 – January 4, 2025. Pile in the car and drive through an incredible dancing light show! Tickets are $30+ per family vehicle with prices increasing for limousines and party buses. Also, admission to Santa’s Village will be included in the light show admission—expect the opportunity to visit Santa and see animals at the petting zoo. The show opens nightly at 5:00pm.

Address: 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087 (use entrance across from Dollar General)

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Franktown Festival of Lights

November 22, 2024 – December 31, 2024

Photo Credit: Emily Smeykal

Franktown Festival of Lights is a nightly light display running from November 22, 2024, to December 31, 2024, at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in Franklin. Relax in your vehicle and wind through over 200 light displays and listen to synchronized Christmas tunes on your radio. Walkin’ Wednesdays will return this year with tickets reserved for people who would like to walk through the light display on select Wednesdays from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. The display is open from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Ticket prices vary from $34.69-$106.79.

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Kid-Friendly Holiday Pop-ups

Saint Nicky’s

Begins November 30, 2024

Saint Nicky’s, a holiday-themed dining experience, will begin Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Nicky’s Coal Fired in The Nations. Guests can expect holiday cocktails, lights, decor, Christmas trees, ornaments, and tons of festive fun.

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The Rink Above Broadway at Grand Hyatt Nashville

Begins November 22, 2024

The Rink Above Broadway opens Friday, November 22, 2024, at Grand Hyatt Nashville. Head up to the 5th-floor rooftop to experience this magical winter wonderland with ice skating—the “glice” eco-friendly synthetic ice rink offers affordable fun for the entire family! Reservations aren’t required but are recommended for skating. Complimentary valet parking is available for two hours and skates are provided. The cost is $10 per person Monday through Thursday and $15 per person Friday through Sunday.

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Who’s Tavern at Pancake Pantry

November 7, 2024, through December 28, 2024

Who’s Tavern at Pancake Pantry will take place Thursdays through Saturdays from Thursday, November 7, 2024, through Saturday, December 28, 2024. The pop-up will be situated at Pancake Pantry’s location in the SoBro/Downtown neighborhood. The hours will be from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. Expect themed cocktails and delicious festive food. All ages are welcome.

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Kid-friendly Holiday Events

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