The holiday festivals of Tennessee

There is no US state that puts on a festive show quite like Tennessee from Thanksgiving to New Year.  

Expect dazzling Tennessee Christmas light shows, Yuletide music and festive food in Nashville and towns right across the state.

Drive through “Let it Glow” at Discovery Park in Union City: “Let it Glow” at Discovery Park of America is a seasonal exhibition that illuminates the park with lights and installations. The park becomes a magical wonderland, where intricate light arrangements captivate visitors. Guests can drive through a pathway of shimmering arches, sparkling trees and i light sculptures. Families can enjoy a range of seasonal activities, including interactive light shows, live entertainment and festive treats. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the “Let It Glow” Walk-thru and available for photos with guests on several select dates throughout the holiday season..

Christmas in Collierville: Enjoy Collierville Town Square during the holiday season with festive events and a quarter-million holiday lights in the historic district from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Each year Collierville goes all out to help create a magical Christmas season for  families and guests. On Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas families can visit Santa in the Gazebo (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and enjoy special music performances. Tuesday evenings in December feature live music in the Town Square Gazebo from the likes of McKenna Bray and Will Tucker and singer/songwriter Alexis Jade. There are horse drawn carriage ride from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 30.

Gaylord Opryland ICE! In Nashville: Gaylord Opryland hosts its signature holiday attraction ICE!, from Nov. 10 to Jan. 1. This year the attraction will feature ice sculptures from scenes in the beloved movie “The Polar Express.” These are hand-carved by skilled artists from Harbin, China from more than two million pounds of ice. Colored ice, clear ice and LED lights are all used to create a breathtaking display. The holiday celebration continues with a brand-new Christmas dinner show and a variety of festive activities including ice skating, ice tubing, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more.

Holidays at The Hermitage in Nashville: On Saturday Dec. 2, get artistic at The Hermitage’s two-day DIY Christmas wreath workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to craft a holiday-inspired wreath using a grapevine form with berries and foliage from the grounds at The Hermitage. Tickets include access to the Hermitage grounds, a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with wildlife, hiking trails, field quarters, historical markers and more. On Saturday, Jan. 6 The Hermitage hosts Winter Frolic, influenced by Andrew Jackson’s 1835 White House Christmas Frolic. This event welcomes guests to play the same games the family did – including an artificial snowball fight. The event will feature festive food and drink and live music. It will conclude with a Yule Log Ceremony.

Holidays in Clarksville with Christmas on the Cumberland: Over one million lights will illuminate McGregor Park and the Cumberland Riverwalk, creating a captivating display from Nov. 18 to Jan. 2, with free admission for all. The city will also introduce its new, German-inspired Christkindl Market, an open-air craft market offering food, beverages, Santa meet-and-greets and a variety of artisan vendors. Following the County’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Downtown Commons, the Lighted Christmas Parade takes place, with this year’s theme being Classic Holiday Tunes. At the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, visitors can see the Holiday Train Exhibit, one of the most extensive model train displays in the region, decked out in festive decorations.

Candy Land Christmas in Johnson City:  Named Top Christmas Tree Display in America by Fox News, Candy Land Christmas returns to downtown Johnson City in Northeast Tennessee. This free, family-friendly event magically transforms the historic district into a winter wonderland with 160 brightly lit, 12-feet Christmas trees plus new displays throughout downtown. This year’s event will run Nov. 25 through Jan. 7.

Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City in Chattanooga: Christmas spirit shines bright at Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights. From Nov. 17 to Jan. 6, over one million LED lights illuminate Lookout Mountain’s most iconic attraction. Take a picture with Santa at the North Pole Village through Dec. 23 and decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga.

Hunt for the Elf on the Shelf in Knoxville: The Elf on the Shelf is a cherished holiday tradition celebrated in households around the world. For a seventh straight year, Santa will send some of these magical Scout Elves from the North Pole to Knoxville to be adopted by over two dozen downtown businesses. Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little Scout Elves have landed each night on a holiday scavenger hunt. Scout Elves land in Knoxville to begin the scavenger hunt on Nov. 24. To help guide them through the adventure, children are invited to pick up a North Pole Pass  at the Knoxville Visitors Center or Mast General Store.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas in Pigeon Forge: The spirit of Christmas shines bright during at Dollywood from Nov. 5 – Jan. 6, and the new Joyful drone show adds even more holiday fun. The 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event boasts more than six million lights throughout the park. The newest ones will fly above the park each evening as part of a stunning holiday drone show. This larger-than-life display embraces the season with hundreds of drones soaring in the air.

Bristol’s Speedway in Lights:  This is a holiday spectacle that illuminates the Bristol Motor Speedway, transforming it into a winter wonderland. As visitors drive through the speedway’s grounds, they are greeted by two million twinkling lights, forming intricate displays. They range from vibrant holiday-themed exhibits to whimsical characters. In addition to the light displays, Bristol’s Speedway in Lights often features special themed nights, and live entertainment.

Tennessee is a unique famed for its music, live entertainment, scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history. TNvacation.com for more.