Welcome back to the Nashville Bar Bike Blog, we are so excited to have you here again. Just can’t get enough of Nashville, yeah? Well that’s something we have in common and at Nashville Bar Bike, we are always ready to share more information with you. Whether this is your first trip, or you are a seasoned veteran to Music City, there is something for everybody at the Nashville Bar Bike Blog. Much better than your average Google search, Nashville Bar Bike is dedicated to only sharing the best with you and we are particularly thrilled to have you reading along with us for this holiday inspired piece!
Here in Nashville, any time of the year is a great time to visit but Christmas is special. When the city takes any chance to dress up, you know that holiday themes can get outrageous around here. For many years, Nashville has been home to light displays, tours, insane music acts and more, with each passing season making the last look pathetic. If there are any limits to what Christmas spirit can do around here, no one would pay attention anyway. Keep on reading if you’re planning a visit for the holidays but haven’t settled on any activities just yet. You might be shocked to find that your favorite musician is hosting a special show for the season or that ice skating is available indoors. Read through until the end to find out where to catch a photo with Santa this year!
THINGS TO DO IN NASHVILLE IN DECEMBER:
Before you go, here is a list of locations in the area where you can find Santa Clause for that Christmas card photo opportunity. The Big Guy is always excited to see you and invited kids of all ages to come out and say hello! Be sure to check online for hours and availability, Santa has a lot to get done around this time of year. Even pet parents are encouraged to come out and spread the holiday cheer. What looks better than a Christmas card featuring you, Santa Clause, and the kids?
Cheekwood Holiday Lights
4.7 ★
You might remember last year’s mention of the Cheekwood Holiday Lights display at Cheekwood Estates & Gardens and with great reason. Spanning 55 acres, with most of that covered in lights, this walk through event runs through early January so you have plenty of time to check it out before (and even after) the season ends. Be prepared to walk a mile by the time you’ve finished and reached the s’mores pit or had a chance to pet the reindeer.
Nashville Nutcracker Ballet
4.7 ★
Known and loved throughout the city, Tennessee Performing Arts Center has made quite the name for themselves with their rendition of The Nutcracker. Featuring choreography by Paul Vasterling, this performance made it’s debut in 2008 and has remained a tradition to locals and visitors alike. Paired with musical styling of the Nashville Symphony, this dynamic retelling is loved by all who get to experience it. Don’t miss out on an incredible version of this classic story while you’re in town.
Redneck Comedy Bus Holiday Light Tour
4.7 ★
Meeting at Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour is fun anytime you’re in the area. If you’ve ever taken a ride with these guys, you will know that the only way to improve this experience is by adding Christmas decor to the mix. Feel free to bring some of your own “Holiday Cheer” in a cooler decked out with candy canes and get ready to see some of Nashville’s aesthetic beauty, while sharing some laughs on the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour. Warning: Uncontrollable laughter is a guaranteed side effect caused by taking a ride on this bus.
East Nashville Holiday Market
4.7 ★
Community is important to us here at the blog and we believe that shopping in Nashville is more fun when you know the stores are locally owned. Running until 12/19/21 the East Nashville Holiday Market is your one stop shop for gifts that came straight from Nashville. Come on out and be a part of what makes this place so special!
38th “A Country Christmas” at Opryland
4.8 ★
Something must be going right if people have come back for 38 years for A Country Christmas at the Opryland Resort. Ice skating, Christmas Caroling and holiday themed shows are only a small handful of what you can expect at the Opryland Resort Indoor Wonderland. Every year, their selection of activities expands and improves. Even the worst of Scrooge’s are bound to find the Christmas cheer at Opryland. Enjoy these festivities until 01/02/2022 no matter what the weather is like outside!
North Pole Express Train Ride
4.5 ★
Ride the train with Santa and his elves amongst carolers while drinking hot chocolate with your loved ones of the North Pole Express Train Ride through December 18th. Taking off from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, this is a family friendly event made for everyone on a restored, classic train. Perfect date idea for the history lovers in your life, the North Pole Express Train Ride can be just as educational as it is fun.
Snow Globe at JW Mariott
4.8 ★
Weekends only, wander downtown to the JW Mariott for an experience that is unlike anything you have ever tried before. Rather than purchasing an overpriced snow globe from a chain store, put yourself right in the middle of one. Specialty festive cocktails only add to the ambiance of literally being inside of a snow globe. If for some reason, becoming a real life Christmas ornament has been a dream of yours, now is the moment.
Stephens Valley Festival of Trees
4.4 ★
When you are on the search for a family friendly, free event that encompasses the giving nature of Christmas, you won’t have to search past Stephens Valley Festival of Trees. Only asking that you bring a donation for the Bellevue Community Food Bank, the Stephens Valley Festival of Trees is a way for the community to show off their tree decorating skills. Wander through an array of trees decorated by locally own businesses and get a sense of why we call Nashville our home.
Home Alone at Hidden Bar
4.5 ★
When you are on the search for a family friendly, free event that encompasses the giving nature of Christmas, you won’t have to search past Stephens Valley Festival of Trees. Only asking that you bring a donation for the Bellevue Community Food Bank, the Stephens Valley Festival of Trees is a way for the community to show off their tree decorating skills. Wander through an array of trees decorated by locally own businesses and get a sense of why we call Nashville our home.
Christmas at the Ryman
4.8 ★
Amy Grant and Vince Gill return once again for another Christmas at the Ryman with your favorite holiday hits from Let It Snow to Tennessee Christmas. Known for being the type of performance that will make you cry, don’t forget your tissues and check the website to find out what show times are open each weekend throughout December. As if you needed another reason to visit the historic Ryman Auditorium, a staple to historic Nashville. One visit to this historic venue and you won’t question why we mention the location so often in our Nashville Guides.
Stroll Down Broadway
4.7 ★
Broadway is one of those downtown streets in Nashville that is full to the brim with life, history and music at most hours, day or night. For the adventurous bar hopper, a walk down Broadway is the way to dive headfirst into what makes people leave here with Music City on the mind. Any night in December (or any other month) is a solid night to go out for drinks on Broadway.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live at TPAC
4.7 ★
No holiday season is truly complete without sitting down to watch the Peanuts special attached to it. This year, amp up that old tradition by watching the live version at James K. Polk theater. From December 16-22 only, you will want to go ahead and book tickets to this one of a kind show. All of your favorite jokes and forgotten lines are brought to life (like any other performance) by the Tennessee Performing Arts Center at A Charlie Brown Christmas Live.
SANTA PHOTO LOCATIONS IN NASHVILLE:
Before you go, here is a list of locations in the area where you can find Santa Clause for that Christmas card photo opportunity. The Big Guy is always excited to see you and invited kids of all ages to come out and say hello! Be sure to check online for hours and availability, Santa has a lot to get done around this time of year. Even pet parents are encouraged to come out and spread the holiday cheer. What looks better than a Christmas card featuring you, Santa Clause, and the kids?
Bass Pro Shops
4.7 ★
The Streets of Indian Lake
4.5 ★
The Avenue Murfreesboro
4.5 ★
Opry Mills Mall
4.7 ★
Country Music Hall of Fame
4.5 ★
Pets Mart
4.3 ★
Open Locations in Nashville on Christmas:
Just because you’ve made it this far through the post, we have compiled a list of restaurants that will remain open on Christmas day here in Nashville. You’d be surprised to find out that a large portion of the city does remain open for the holidays and is ready to host your party for Christmas day. We hope you find the perfect match for your family/friends at one of our favorite restaurants. Don’t forget to take a look back at past posts of ours to find out more about restaurants, venues and landmarks that you can visit year round, there’s always plenty going on in the city and we can’t wait to tell you more about it all! Just because Nashville looks even prettier in the snow doesn’t change how gorgeous the scenery is year round.
(Check with each restaurant’s website for holiday hours to find out what specific time frames to plan, some locations are only open for breakfast or dinner)
Two Ten Jack
Chic, modern outpost featuring Japanese small plates, ramen & sushi, plus craft cocktails & a patio.
Pinewood Social
4.5 ★
Trendy hangout featuring New American cuisine, cocktails & bowling in an industrial-chic space.
Ellington’s Midway Grill
4.4 ★
Nostalgic restaurant with red checked tablecloths & a selection of timeless American dishes.
M. L. Rose
4.5 ★
Bustling eatery serving a variety of craft beers along with down-home burgers & sweet potato fries.
Bourbon Steak
4.6 ★
Savor the finest cuts of beef, market-fresh salads and sides, and a wide selection of seasonal shellfish.
Denim
4.6 ★
The casual menu features fresh salads, wood-fired pizzas, and finely roasted meats, served with sweeping skyline.
Yolan
4.5 ★
Polished, stylish Italian restaurant specializing in avant-garde entrees, plus a large wine list.
Commons Club
3.7 ★
An eclectic menu with reinvented takes on contemporary American dishes. Bringing culinary delight to Nashville
The Nashville Grange
4.1 ★
Tennessee-to-table crafted from the highest quality ingredients, unique Southern flavors and distinct modern twist.
Game Terminal
4.7 ★
Colorful venue with a lounge & a huge arcade offering cocktails, straight shots & classic bar food.
Melrose Billiard Parlor
4.3 ★
Laid-back joint offering classic pub grub & cold beer plus pool, ping pong, darts & shuffleboard.
Morton’s
4.3 ★
Upscale chain for aged prime beef, seafood & other traditional steakhouse fare in a clubby space.
Urban Grub
4.5 ★
Stylishly rustic eatery with an extensive raw bar serving Southern & seafood specialties.
The Eastern Peak
4.5 ★
Contemporary tavern featuring Japanese, Thai & Asian fusion fare & sushi, plus a full bar.
Chateau West
4.4 ★
Charming eatery serving French fare, wine & Sunday brunch in an upscale-casual setting.
Misfit Bar
4.8 ★
Order a snack, grab a Christmas cocktail, cosy up by a fire pit & get in the Christmas spirit!
Conclusion
Thank you so much for coming to the Nashville Bar Bike Blog in the midst of your Google searches while planning a vacation to Nashville. Even though there are plenty of options on this list, you can still keep an eye out for concerts, parades, pop up bars and more. When you take a trip to Nashville, the city seems to open up with opportunity to do anything you could possibly imagine. Christmas shows, tree farms and anything your family might want to experience is waiting for you in Nashville this Christmas season.
While you’re here, take a moment to explore our FAQ page and find out how to book a tour on the #BarBike. Nashville Bar Bike is proud to host tours that are Eco-Friendly and an absolute blast to experience with your greatest friends. Though we have plenty of information here on the blog, our #BarBike hosts are truly the number one resource. When you book a tour with us, you gain access to a local host who lives the dream with us here in Nashville and are happy to share their experiences and favorite hang out spots. Check the route as much as you’d like, you never quite know what will you end up with once you decide to take a ride with us.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Nashville Bar Bike! We can’t wait to meet you!