Nashville Annual November Event Guide

From Friday, November 8, 2019, until Wednesday, January 1, 2020, the Gaylord Opryland Resort is host to many holiday events, including lavish displays with more than 3 million twinkling lights. ICE! is an interactive display that tells the tale of the classic holiday movie "A Christmas Story." There's even a 15-foot-high snow tubing hill made up of four lanes.

Every year, Nashville's old antebellum homes (big, elegant and typically plantation houses built before the Civil War) are opened to the public during the holiday season in grandiose style. At Belle Meade Plantation, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Thursday, November 7, 2019, and enjoy an evening of tours, children's crafts, live music, and holiday shopping. This event is free and open to the public.

This annual event at The Fairgrounds Nashville—a tradition since 1961—will be held from Friday, November 15 through Sunday, November 17, 2019. More than 250 merchants and 30,000 shoppers from various parts of the U.S. take part in the festivities; this is a great opportunity to get your holiday presents early. A variety of seasonal gift items on sale will benefit local charities.

Take a look at all of the Nashville attractions and homes each year featuring sparkling, twinkling displays in celebration of the Christmas holiday season. From hot cocoa and holiday tunes to tunnels of light and pictures with Santa, these attractions have it all. Most Nashvillians put their holiday lights on display prior to Thanksgiving.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Holiday LIGHTS is an annual event that displays over 1 million glowing lights throughout the gardens in a mile-long (1.6 kilometer) loop. Festivities from Saturday, November 23, 2019, through Sunday, January 5, 2020, include visits with Santa, crafts, gingerbread workshops, holiday carolers, and more.

Since 1985, rivals of Music Row (where radio stations, record labels, and recording studios are housed) have competed annually on the gridiron in the Music Row Turkey Bowl. This event on the morning of Saturday, November 16, 2019, is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season in Nashville. Part of the proceeds will benefit charities.

Nashville Jewish Film Festival begins in the middle of October and runs through Thursday, November 7, 2019. It offers an extensive and eclectic selection of films from all genres—including art, drama, romance, comedy, animation, and Jewish history—at various Nashville venues. Attendees can also enjoy Opening and Closing Night celebrations, panels, and special guests.

This annual parade takes place in downtown Nashville and pays tribute to all members of the U.S. armed forces. The parade hosted by The Davidson County Coordinating Council goes down Broadway for several blocks and always begins promptly at 11 a.m. on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in connection with the end of World War I in 1918.