Lucky you. You just found NASHtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Nashville each month.
The season of cozy gatherings and holiday markets has arrived. November brings a mix of fall festivals, early winter celebrations, and plenty of ways to enjoy the cooler weather. Bookmark this guide and check back often — it’s updated monthly with new events you won’t want to miss.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Seasonal happenings
El Dia de los Muertos | Saturday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | The annual festival will have music and dancing, art activities, altar displays, and more.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland | Friday, Nov. 7-Saturday, Jan. 3 | Times vary | Gaylord Opryland | Cost varies | Bundle up for this year’s ICE! theme, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and stick around for ice skating, tubing, and holiday shows.
The Dancing Lights of Christmas | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Jan. 4 | James E. Ward Agricultural Center, Lebanon | $35 per vehicle | Drive through this synchronized light and music show.
Zoolumination | Thursday, Nov. 13-Sunday, Feb. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | Nashville Zoo | Cost of admission | Wander through silk lantern displays and enjoy live entertainment, festive food and drinks, ice skating, and visits with Santa.
Santa Express Excursion | Select dates, November and December | Times vary | Tennessee Central Railway Museum | $43+ | Take a festive ride on a restored passenger train with Santa and his elves, complete with photo ops and a 2.5-hour layover in Watertown.
Holiday LIGHTS | Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Jan. 4 | 4:30-10 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | Experience Cheekwood’s gardens transformed into a winter wonderland with over a million lights, festive mansion decor, and holiday treats.
Food and drink fun
Turnip Green Festival | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nashville Farmers’ Market | Free admission | Purchase a plate of braised greens, catfish, and cornbread + enjoy music, family activities, and local vendors around the farmers market.
Wine Down Main Street | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7-10 p.m. | Downtown Franklin | $92+ | Stroll along Main Street while sampling wine and bites from local restaurants.
Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken + JAM Festival | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | Gordon Jewish Community Center | Cost of purchase | Spice up the afternoon with hot chicken tastings, live performances, and vendor shopping.
Taste of Bellevue | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 4-7 p.m. | Ford Ice Center Bellevue | $25+ | Sample signature dishes from Bellevue-area restaurants.
Real Ale Round Up | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 12-4 p.m. | The Picnic Tap at Nashville Farmers Market | $40 | Sip and savor cask ales and rare brews in the company of fellow beer enthusiasts.
Root for the home team
MLS Playoffs: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 6:30 p.m. | GEODIS Park | $80+ | Cheer on the Boys in Gold as they face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in the postseason.
Filip Forsberg Bobblehead Night | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 2:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $50+ | Be one of the first 10,000 people at the Preds vs. Stars game for a free Filip Forsberg bobblehead.
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 12 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $26+ | The Titans host their division rival in a key AFC South matchup.
See it on stage
“Beauty and the Beast” | Tuesday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 9 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $67+ | Be enchanted by this Broadway classic filled with music, magic, and romance.
Panel Discussion: Making Music in Muscle Shoals | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Cost of admission | Marlin Greene, Linda Hall, Clayton Ivey, and Candi Staton will discuss life and making music in Muscle Shoals.
“The Color Purple” | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | TPAC’s Polk Theater | $49+ | Experience the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s story.
“Gabby’s Dollhouse” | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 6 p.m. | Opry House | $38+ | Join Gabby and the Gabby Cats for a song-packed stage adventure featuring colorful puppets.
CMA Awards | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $344+ | Country music’s biggest night is back for the 59th year with live performances and award reveals.
Guerrero’s Return | Thursday, Nov. 20-Friday, Nov. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | $29+ | Giancarlo Guerrero returns to the Schermerhorn as Music Director Laureate, leading the Nashville Symphony and trumpeter Pacho Flores in a high-energy program.
“Nashville’s Nutcracker” | Saturday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $53+ | The cherished tale has been reimagined for Music City and features live music by the Nashville Symphony.
Markets and shopping
Nashville Vintage Market | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 12-6 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $8+ | Peruse vintage clothing, collectibles, and antiques from vendors across the region.
Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | oneC1TY | Free admission | Browse handmade art and goods from regional makers while snacking on food truck eats.
Nashville Holiday Market | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 9 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $10+ | Explore a marketplace filled with independent artists and makers sharing their creations in home decor, fashion, art, design, and food.
Holiday Shop Hop | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 9 | Times vary | Music Valley Village | Cost of purchase | Kick off your holiday shopping at Music Valley Village, where you can park once and explore a variety of local, family-owned shops.
Christmas Village | Friday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 16 | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $15+ | Shop hundreds of vendors at one of the city’s longest-running holiday markets.
MADE SOUTH Holiday Market | Saturday, Nov. 22 | Times vary | The Factory at Franklin | $11+ | Shop Southern-made goods to gift during the holiday season.
Holiday Market at the Mansion | Saturday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 23 | Times vary | Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage | Cost of purchase | Find one-of-a-kind gifts and seasonal treasures at the 5th annual outdoor artisan and craft market.
Shop Small Holiday Market | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Golden Slipper | Cost of purchase | Shop 35+ vendors and sip on hot cocoa in Germantown.