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.
December brings a mix of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, festive concerts, light displays, and more. 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 fun
Zoolumination | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Feb. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | Nashville Zoo | $21+ | Stroll through glowing pathways filled with 1,000+ handcrafted lanterns, festive entertainment, and a few late-night animal sightings.
Holiday LIGHTS | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Jan. 4 | 4:30-10 p.m. | Cheekwood | $20+ | Experience this holiday tradition on a one-mile walk through Cheekwood’s gardens and tour the festively decorated mansion.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland | Thursday, Dec. 4-Saturday, Jan. 3 | Gaylord Opryland | Cost of purchase | Explore millions of lights, the larger-than-life ICE! walkthrough, and outdoor activities like ice skating and tubing.
The Dancing Lights of Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Jan. 4 | James E. Ward Agricultural Center, Lebanon | $35 | Drive through synchronized lights and towering displays choreographed to holiday music.
Nashville Ballet: Nashville’s Nutcracker | Saturday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $53+ | Experience the classic ballet reimagined with Nashville-inspired scenes and live music by the Nashville Symphony.
Santa Express Excursion | Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 | Tennessee Central Railway Museum | $43+ | Ride a vintage train decked out for the season as Santa visits passengers along the route.
Rink Under Broad at Nashville Yards Holidays | Select dates in December | Times vary | The Ascension Saint Thomas Landing | $10+ | Lace up for a holiday skate at Nashville Yards, then stick around for movie nights, carolers, and seasonal beverage pop-ups depending on the day.
Holiday Cruises | Select dates in December | 6-8 p.m. | General Jackson Showboat | $73+ | Cruise along the Cumberland River with live holiday entertainment and a meal.
Porter Flea Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville | Free admission | Check off your shopping list from 200+ curated makers and designers offering art, apparel, home goods, and handcrafted gifts.
Festive food and drinks
Cookie Decorating | Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Stompin’ Grounds Restaurant at JW Marriott Nashville | $45 per child | Kids can decorate sugar cookies with festive icing and toppings alongside the JW Marriott pastry team.
Teddy Bear Tea | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Four Seasons Hotel Nashville | $40+ | Gather for an afternoon tea service with seasonal treats, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa.
Gingerbread House Decorating | Saturday, Dec. 13 + Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3-7 p.m. | Grand Hyatt Nashville | $45 | Decorate a gingerbread house kit crafted by the Grand Hyatt pastry team and take part in a Santa meet-and-greet.
On stage and screen
“Elf” in Concert | Wednesday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | $54+ | Relive this modern holiday favorite with a full orchestral performance accompanying the movie.
Nate Bargatze’s “Big Dumb Eyes” Tour | Friday, Dec. 12-Saturday, Dec. 13 | Times vary | Bridgestone Arena | $41+ | Catch the comedian’s hometown show packed with new material.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” | Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | Jackalope Brewing Co. | $30 | Settle in for a festive screening of the quotable holiday comedy with plenty of beer and popcorn to go around.
Sports
Nashville Predators: API Music Heritage Night | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 8:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $21+ | Be one of the first 5,000 fans in attendance to receive a collectible poster.
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 12 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $80+ | The Titans take on the Chiefs in their penultimate home game of the season.
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 4:30 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $56+ | College football returns to Nissan Stadium for a postseason matchup to close out the year.
Seasonal concerts
Opry Country Christmas | Select nights in December | Grand Ole Opry House | Be in the audience to hear festive songs and see big seasonal moments on the Opry stage.
Amy Grant & Vince Gill: Christmas at the Ryman | Wednesday, Dec. 10-Saturday, Dec. 20 | Ryman Auditorium | Catch the duo’s 15th annual holiday residency, featuring matinee and evening performances filled with music and storytelling.
LeAnn Rimes | Friday, Dec. 12 | Ryman Auditorium | Experience an intimate holiday concert as Rimes takes the stage for seasonal songs and fan-favorite tunes.
Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays | Sunday, Dec. 14 | CMA Theater | Expect a mix of original holiday songs, classic Christmas favorites, and other hits from his career.
New Year’s Eve happenings (by category)
🎇 Nashville’s big event
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, Free
The city’s annual outdoor celebration returns to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park with performances by Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, Bailey Zimmerman, Cece Winans, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Plus, it wouldn’t be NYE with the midnight Music Note Drop and fireworks.
🥂 Midnight toasts on rooftops
White Limozeen, $220+
The Graduate hosts The Astral Hour, a multi-venue bash with burlesque karaoke at Cross-Eyed Critters, DJ sets at White Limozeen, and aerialists, stilt walkers, grazing tables, and an open bar from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the hotel’s ballroom.
The Westin’s L27 Rooftop Lounge, $50+
Panoramic skyline views meet DJ sets at this sky-high celebration. Tickets include rooftop access, a midnight toast, and the option to book an overnight Cheers to 2026 hotel package.
COA at Canopy by Hilton, $165+
Be among the first to experience The Gulch’s newest rooftop before its official opening in March with open bar service, chef-curated tapas, and city views. Tiered tickets and VIP hotel packages are available.
Waymore’s Tall Tales Rooftop Bar, $150
Plan out your outfit for Midnight on the Mountain, a denim-on-denim party with an open bar, ski-inspired canapés, and a DJ spinning classic country before a midnight toast.
Grand Hyatt Nashville, $275
Ring in the new year at Bubbles Over Broadway, the rooftop celebration at lou/na. Tickets include a welcome drink, light bites, desserts, and a midnight champagne toast.
Play Playground, $155
Get playful at this full-scale playground for adults with unlimited games, snack stations, an open bar, rooftop fireworks viewing, and a take-home disco cup.
🍽️ Seal the year with a meal
888, $100+
Opt for a cash bar or an open bar experience, and ring in the new year with passed appetizers and a champagne toast.
Tailor Nashville, $150+
The newly minted Michelin Recommended restaurant will host its first-ever NYE dinner with a steakhouse-style tasting menu highlighted by Bear Creek Farm ribeyes and a martini cart.
Maíz de la Vida, $500 for 4-6 guests
Join chef Julio Hernandez for a suckling pig feast with salad, tortillas, sides, a complimentary bottle of bubbles, and the traditional ceremonial breaking of porcelain plates.
Blue Aster, $150+
Conrad Nashville’s Mediterranean restaurant will transform into an Ibiza-inspired party that kicks off with a four-course dinner, followed by live music, fortune teller stations, and a 360-degree photo booth.
Sushi | Bar, $375+
End the year with an intimate omakase experience enhanced by caviar, truffles, sake or wine pairings, and a complimentary champagne toast.
V Modern Italian, $115+
Make reservations for Dec. 31 to experience The Masquerade Affair, a one-night-only pre-fixe menu with main dish choices such as black truffle pasta, salmon, chicken piccata, short rib, and a 12-ounce ribeye.
Marquee Nashville, $200
Guests will be treated to a complimentary welcome cocktail, a shrimp cocktail appetizer bar, a pre-fixe dinner, desserts, and a late night snack bar — the big band is just a bonus.
🎶 Move to the music
The Twelve Thirty Club, $375+
Sam Fox and Justin Timberlake’s venue will once again host an all-inclusive cocktail party featuring live music, bottomless drinks, and gourmet food stations. If you’re going with a group, take things up a notch with your pick of five VIP tiers.
Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, $295+
The New Year’s Eve Ball in the fifth-floor Grand Ballroom promises glitz and glamour with an open bar, live music, and a midnight champagne celebration.
The Parthenon, $250+
Dance beneath Athena at this celebration featuring live performances, immersive experiences, and DJ sets, plus an open bar and curated bites. Black tie attire is encouraged.
The Factory at Franklin, $125
Ring in 2026 inside Liberty Hall with live music by The Smoking Section Band, trivia, hors d’oeuvres from Edley’s Bar-B-Que and Slim + Husky’s, and a midnight toast.
✨ Start the celebration early
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, included with admission
Families can create their own miniature mirrorballs inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “mirrorball” on Sunday, Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fat Bottom Brewing, Cost of purchase
Ring in the new year with a family-friendly afternoon of food, brews, crafts, and giveaways. The celebration includes a 4 p.m. ball drop, bowl games on TVs, and VIP upgrades available for those who want to make it extra festive.
Killjoy Booze-free Beverage Shop - East, $13
A ticket gets you entry to the party and a glass of zero-proof bubbly for the New Year’s Eve countdown at 10 p.m.