Who’s up for a hike to take in the remaining fall foliage? | Photo by @elizabeth.goff_lifeincolor
Whether you’re searching for a Black Friday alternative or wish for a post-shopping outdoor adventure, Tennessee State Parks is bringing back its annual Day After Thanksgiving Hikes.
Many of the free, guided hikes are suitable for all ages and abilities and range from peaceful strolls to off-trail excursions. Here are a few of the Nashville-area options:
The country’s largest lantern festival, right here in Nashville
Presented by Nashville Zoo
Zoolumination® is presented by Stella Artois, and the crowd-favorite Smashville Ice Rink is presented by Nobody Trashes Tennessee. | Photos provided by Nashville Zoo
You read that right.Zoolumination® at the Nashville Zoo is the largest lantern festival in the US, featuring 1,000+ handcrafted silk sculptures. Think: giant illuminated creatures, dazzling scenes, and glowing walkways.
Visitors can also enjoy:
Ice skating at the Smashville Ice Rink
A North Pole Village featuring Santa Claus himself from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24
Nightly performances (dancers, jugglers, and acrobats, oh my) at the Ajax Turner Amphitheater
Food and drinks, including adult beverages + hot chocolate
Bonus: Several exhibits will stay open late, including Tiger Crossroads, Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear, Flamingo Lagoon, and the Unseen New World.
Zoolumination® is running every night 5-9 p.m. now through January 4, and will continue Thursdays through Sundays Jan. 8-Feb. 8.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $21 for youth, and free for children under two. Read on to learn how to save by becoming a Zoo member or purchasing a Platinum Pass.
Nashville Used & New Music will permanently close soon after 50 years in business. The shop on Nolensville Pike cited industry changes and an ending lease as reasons for closing. It’ll remain open through Tuesday, Dec. 23 as it liquidates inventory, with most items currently 20% off.
Traffic
NDOT plans to reduce speed limits along Gallatin Pike to support the department’s Vision Zero goals. Drivers will see message boards starting Monday, Dec. 1, and the new speed limits take effect the week of Dec. 15. View the impacted sections.
Announced
Nashville Zoo’s cougar brothers, Kokanee and Rainier, were relocated to Tiger Haven, a big cat sanctuary designed for aging felines in Kingston, TN. The 14-year-old siblings have been at the zoo since 2012, and their former habitat will eventually be incorporated into the zoo’s upcoming Asian-inspired area.
List
The Catbird Seat + Locust made Robb Report’s list of the 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century, landing at No. 55 and No. 78, respectively. The rankings were determined by 250 industry leaders evaluating the “quality of the dining experience, influence, and staying power,” among other factors.
Plan Ahead
Nashville Celebrity Comic Con has shifted back a week and is now scheduled for Feb. 7-8. This year’s guests include Elijah Wood, Priscilla Presley, Susan Sarandon, Danielle Fishel, and more. See the lineup.
Travel
82 million. That’s how many Americans are projected to travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving — a new AAA record. Pro tip: Make the road trip more enjoyable by pressing play on these Thanksgiving tunes hand-picked by NASHtoday readers.
Seasonal
As the eternal starchy advice of Samwise Gamgee goes, “boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew.” But if you’re looking for more from your potatoes this Thanksgiving, the New York Times has some delicious ideas. However you choose to cook them, Nashville’s farmers markets are the way to go.
Athleta’s full site is 30% off for Black Friday, happening right now through Saturday, November 29. From sunrise workouts to Sunday strolls, these are the pieces you’ll reach for on repeat. Grab 30% off today.*
Category
Watch
🍿 Nashville enters its Hallmark era
If you’re feeling inspired by “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” snag tickets to Opry Country Christmas shows, as pictured above. | Photo by Chris Hollo via Grand Ole Opry
If you plan to queue up holiday movies this season, a few new titles have Nashville ties. Here’s a quick rundown on each before you reach for the remote:
“A Grand Ole Opry Christmas”
When Gentry Wade (Nikki DeLoach) returns to the Opry for a tribute to her late father, a touch of holiday magic sends her back to 1995 to finish the song she abandoned decades ago. Look out for cameos by Brad Paisley, Megan Moroney, Mickey Guyton, and more.
Premieres Saturday, Nov. 29 on Hallmark and streams on Hallmark+ the next day
“Music City Mistletoe”
A songwriter and a widowed consultant go head-to-head over a struggling music publishing office, only to find sparks of a different kind as the holidays near. It was filmed locally earlier this year, and you may even spot familiar faces.
Available to rent or buy today, Nov. 25 on Prime and Apple TV
“Christmas North of Nashville”
A fired Music City marketing pro leaves town to revive her hometown’s Christmas carnival and unexpectedly rekindles her holiday spirit alongside a familiar friend. Fun fact: The movie was filmed in North Carolina.
Now streaming on GFam+
The Buy
Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale features thousands of deals. Don’t spend hours sorting through them — we already did that for you. Here are three you can’t miss:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Have records on your holiday shopping list? Friday, Nov. 28 happens to be Record Store Day Black Friday, meaning there will be some extra cool titles out there for gift giving this year. Just keep in mind availability varies by shop.
}})
