What to do with kids in Nashville over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus 12 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Gaylord Opryland Resort, Delta Atrium · 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
Good to know: Photos are in the Delta Atrium, and the ticket page lists those four packages plus tax.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens · Nashville, TN
Good to know: Santa is outdoors on Dec. 13 and 22 for dog visits, and guests without dogs may prefer another day.
Dancing Lights of Christmas · 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087
Good to know: The vehicle ticket includes Santa's Village and a visit with Santa, and the show is open Thanksgiving.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere · 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN
Good to know: Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 during the light walk.
The Mall at Green Hills · 2126 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville, TN 37215
Good to know: The booking page confirms a Nov. 7, 2026 opening and does not list hours or photo prices.The booking calendar runs Nov 7–Dec 24, 2026, and Nov. 26 is not on it.
Opry Mills · 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
Good to know: The booking page confirms a Nov. 6, 2026 opening and does not list hours or photo prices.The booking calendar runs Nov 6–Dec 24, 2026, and Nov. 26 is not on it.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens · Nashville, TN
Good to know: Late Night LIGHTS on non-peak Monday–Thursday nights is $20 for nonmember adults or youth.
1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087
Good to know: The drive-through is open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere · 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN
Good to know: The walk includes an 85-foot tree, and Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.
Gaylord Opryland Resort · 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
Good to know: The resort lists displays, treats, holiday shows, and activities, and this page does not state a single admission price.
Williamson County AG Expo Park · 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
Good to know: The page describes a mile-and-a-half drive of synchronized lights and does not list a vehicle price.
Vivid Lightscapes · 1184 Ithaca Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Good to know: The page says the show is always free, with music on 88.5 FM and a 75-foot light tunnel.
Goodlettsville Branch Library · Goodlettsville
Good to know: Dancing, a photo booth and crafts, then a countdown right at noon. It's planned for kids and families, but anyone can come.
Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, Atrium and Children's Story Theatre · Clarksville
Good to know: Families can do crafts, dance and have treats before a countdown to noon with a balloon drop. All ages are welcome.
Williamson County Public Library, Franklin Main Library, Meeting Room · Franklin
Good to know: Families make crafts and listen to music before counting down to noon to welcome 2027.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens · Nashville, TN
Good to know: Late Night LIGHTS on non-peak Monday–Thursday nights is $20 for nonmember adults or youth.
1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087
Good to know: The drive-through is open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere · 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN
Good to know: The walk includes an 85-foot tree, and Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.
Gaylord Opryland Resort · 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
Good to know: The resort lists displays, treats, holiday shows, and activities, and this page does not state a single admission price.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in NashvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NashvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in NashvilleFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in NashvilleFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in NashvilleIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Ice skating in NashvilleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in NashvilleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in NashvilleKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in NashvilleParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in NashvillePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in NashvilleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in NashvilleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Tree lighting in NashvilleDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsBirthday party places in NashvilleStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth soccer and basketball in NashvilleSoccer and basketball for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Nashville this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Of the four places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Lane Motor Museum, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Frist Art Museum and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.
Open with posted hours: Frist Art Museum (Closes at 3 p.m.). On the calendar: Photos With Santa at Gaylord Opryland, Daytime Visits with Santa at Cheekwood, Santa at the Dancing Lights of Christmas and Santa at Glow Wild.
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.
On the calendar for Jan 1: Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood, Dancing Lights of Christmas, Glow Wild and A Country Christmas. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood, Dancing Lights of Christmas, Glow Wild, A Country Christmas and FrankTown Festival of Lights. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
The month’s dated listings are on the December page, and rink dates and skate aids are on the ice skating page.
Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the tree lighting page.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
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