by Eileen Thai

Created on: November 18, 2009

Cities and towns are adorned with garland and ornaments, and illuminated with special lights. Christmas music fills the air. The holidays are here! This year the highlights of Christmas events in Nashville include:

A Country Christmas
The Gaylord Opryland is a unique hotel and resort, with nine acres of indoor tropical gardens, complete with waterfalls and a waterway. Over the Christmas holidays, the resort is transformed into a magical winter wonderland, when it is decorated with nearly two million lights. With the spectacular display of holiday lights and a multitude of Christmas events and activities, it is no wonder Travel Channel's Extreme Christmas called Opryland Resort "the most Christmassy hotel in the nation." Some of the Christmas events include:

Louise Mandrell's "Joy to the World" Christmas Dinner and Show
Nov 21 - Dec 25, 2009
General Admission: $35 for child, $67 for adults, children under 3 are free

ICE, A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz
Nov 20 - Jan 2, 2010
General Admission: $13-15 for child, $22-24 for adults, children under 4 are free

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
America's favorite holiday show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, has in recent years become a Nashville tradition. Featuring the Radio City Rockettes, famed for their flawless precision and choreography, the show is packed with action, which will dazzle you and rekindle your Christmas spirit. Fun for the entire family!
Nov 20 - Dec 27
Admission: $35-$84

Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort
A Country Christmas begins Nov 20, 2009 to Jan 2, 2010
Christmas Lights Display
Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Weekends: 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
No admission charge

Nashville's Annual Christmas Parade
Nashville kicks off the Christmas season with a tree lighting ceremony at the Public Square (2nd Ave and Union St), followed by a parade that begins in front of Sommet Center (6th and Broadway.)
Downtown Nashville
Friday, Dec 4th (parade starts at 7 pm)

Dickens of a Christmas
Replete with southern charm and hospitality, Franklin, twenty miles south of Nashville, hosts an old-fashioned Victorian holiday festival every year. A 24-year holiday tradition, this festival features costumed characters including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and ghosts of Christmases past from Dicken's "A Christmas Carol." This free street festival is opened to the public, and showing up in costume is highly encouraged! Dancers and street musicians can be found all over the streets to entertain you. You can shop for that unique gift at the arts and crafts bazaar. There are food vendors offering roasted chestnuts and sugar plums, among other authentic Victorian treats. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to tour the town of historic Franklin. On Sunday at 5 p.m., you are invited to join in the singing, complete with candles and song sheets.

Downtown Franklin
Sat Dec 12, 10 am - 5pm
Sun Dec 13, noon - 5pm
Admission: free

Season of Celebration
A visit to Cheekwood Mansion (of Maxwell House fame) will put you in a festive mood. The mansion and garden will be all decked out and artfully decorated. From November 27 to January 3, there are many Christmas events from concerts and Christmas carols to Breakfast with Santa and Gingerbread Workshop. Other Christmas activities include Holiday Art Activities and Cookie Decorating.

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Tues - Sat: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:30 pm

Have a joyous and merry Christmas!

Learn more about this author, Eileen Thai.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.