Charlotte Figler, '27
As the holiday season approaches, people all over Nashville are looking for fun and festive activities. Nashville is full of great things to do in the winter months, and here are just a few for all price ranges.
Christmas Open House at Rock Castle and Parade and Christmas on Main Street Celebration - White House
Not all Christmas activities have to be expensive. Middle Tennessee is full of multiple free events that are just as fun as the pricey ones, the first being a Christmas Open House at Rock Castle. There, you will find a variety of holiday themed refreshments along with a special appearance of Santa Clause. The Open House includes a free tour of Rock Castle, which is the oldest home in Middle Tennessee, and a chance to purchase merchandise at the holiday-themed gift shop. This incredible opportunity is free and comes with lifelong memories. Another low-budget option for holiday fun is the parade and Christmas on Main Street Celebration at White House. This celebration consists of activities that will entertain people of all ages. Activities include hot cocoa, popcorn, and cookies, to photos with Santa and Santa’s workshop stations. Throughout the whole event, live music will be played to keep the festive atmosphere. Both of these events will take place in December, 2023 and cannot be missed!
Gaylord Opryland
Opryland has many winter options ranging from ice skating to meet and greets with Santa. First, walk through the ICE! exhibit featuring The Polar Express. Experience multiple hand-carved ice sculptures from more than 2 million pounds of ice, featuring scenes from The Polar Express movie. This event starts at $22.99 per child and $31.99 per adult. ICE! is open Friday & Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-8pm, and Monday-Thursday 12pm-8pm. Opryland also features additional add-ons for an extra cost like ice tubing down a fifteen feet high four lane tubing course. This high speed, thrilling experience is fun for all ages, and can be ridden multiple times. Prices for tubing start at $23.99 and run Friday and Saturday from 10am-10:30pm, Monday-Thursday from 12pm-8:30pm, and Sunday from 10am-8:30pm. Finally, experience the classic winter activity of ice skating at Opryland. Enjoy a beautiful outside rink, and sign up for lessons if you are more interested in learning how to skate. Skating prices start at $23.99 and run Friday and Saturday from 10am-10:30pm, Monday-Thursday from 12pm-8:30pm, and Sunday from 10am-8:30pm. Want to do it all? Packages are available online!
Find out more details here: https://tickets.gaylordopryland.com/?category=39
Cheekwood Lights
Experience a festive one-mile walk of colorful lights and displays. There is a mansion tour that contains a tour with historic period piece rooms and beautiful poinsettia arrangements. Close by is a marketplace with nutcrackers, reindeers, and other assorted gifts. For just the garden, it is $26-$29 for adults, and $20-$23 for children. For the gardens and the mansion, it is $28-$31 for adults, and $22-$25 for children. Both are free for children 2 and under, and members can enjoy a discount. The lights run from 5pm-10pm, but check the online calendar for available dates. While it is pricey, the Cheekwood lights are an experience that is both fun and interactive.
Find out more details here: https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-lights/