# Christmas break with kids in Nashville, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 4 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 19 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **Lane Motor Museum**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “We are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday.” Source: https://www.lanemotormuseum.org (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Nashville Zoo at Grassmere**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Year's Day” Source: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/visit (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Frist Art Museum**: Christmas Eve Closes at 3 p.m.; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Christmas Eve: Close at 3:00 p.m. Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day: Closed” Source: https://fristartmuseum.org/location-hours-admission/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Cheekwood Estate & Gardens**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Cheekwood is closed Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day.” Source: https://cheekwood.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-21)

## Christmas Eve

- **Photos With Santa at Gaylord Opryland** at Gaylord Opryland Resort, Delta Atrium, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. When: Nov. 10–Dec. 24, 2026. Time: Reserved time slots. Price: Tree Package $44.99; Christmas Package $59.99; Santa Package $84.99; Gaylord Holiday Special $99.99, plus tax. Photos are in the Delta Atrium, and the ticket page lists those four packages plus tax. Official page: https://tickets.gaylordopryland.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=226 (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Daytime Visits with Santa at Cheekwood** at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Nashville, TN. When: Dec. 12–24, 2026. Time: Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Price: Included with Gardens Only or Gardens and Mansion admission. Santa is outdoors on Dec. 13 and 22 for dog visits, and guests without dogs may prefer another day. Official page: https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/daytime-visits-with-santa/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Santa at the Dancing Lights of Christmas** at Dancing Lights of Christmas, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087. When: Nov. 7, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu 5–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–11 p.m. Price: Included with the $35 family-vehicle ticket. The vehicle ticket includes Santa's Village and a visit with Santa, and the show is open Thanksgiving. Official page: https://www.thedancinglightsofchristmas.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Santa at Glow Wild** at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN. When: Nightly Nov. 27–Dec. 24, 2026. Time: During Glow Wild, 5–9 p.m. Price: Included with Glow Wild; $27 per person, members save $5, under age 2 free with a ticket required. Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 during the light walk. Official page: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/glow-wild (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Santa Photos at The Mall at Green Hills** at The Mall at Green Hills, 2126 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville, TN 37215. When: Nov 7–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). 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. Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0945 (checked 2026-11-10)
- **Santa Photos at Opry Mills** at Opry Mills, 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. When: Nov 6–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). 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. Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0275 (checked 2026-11-10)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood** at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Nashville, TN. When: Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: 4:30–10 p.m. Price: Adults $26–$32 and youth 3–17 $20–$26 by date and ticket; ages 2 and under free; $2 advance fee or $3 walk-up; parking $5. Late Night LIGHTS on non-peak Monday–Thursday nights is $20 for nonmember adults or youth. Official page: https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-lights/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Dancing Lights of Christmas**, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087. When: Nov. 7, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu 5–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–11 p.m. Price: $35 per family vehicle, tax included. The drive-through is open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Official page: https://www.thedancinglightsofchristmas.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Glow Wild** at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN. When: Nightly Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: 5–9 p.m. Price: $27 per person; members save $5; under age 2 free with a ticket required; parking $10. The walk includes an 85-foot tree, and Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Official page: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/glow-wild (checked 2026-11-09)
- **A Country Christmas** at Gaylord Opryland Resort, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. When: Nov. 6, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027. The resort lists displays, treats, holiday shows, and activities, and this page does not state a single admission price. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordopryland.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **FrankTown Festival of Lights** at Williamson County AG Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064. When: Nightly Nov. 20–Dec. 31, 2026. Time: 5–9 p.m.; walkers 5–6:30 p.m. and vehicles at 7 p.m. on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 9, and 16. The page describes a mile-and-a-half drive of synchronized lights and does not list a vehicle price. Official page: https://franktownsfestivaloflights.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Vivid Lightscapes Light Show** at Vivid Lightscapes, 1184 Ithaca Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. When: Nov. 27–Dec. 27, 2026. Time: Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.; Christmas week Dec. 20–27 until 10 p.m. Price: Free. The page says the show is always free, with music on 88.5 FM and a 75-foot light tunnel. Official page: https://vividlightscapes.com/lightshow (checked 2026-11-09)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Noon Year's Eve at Goodlettsville Library** at Goodlettsville Branch Library, Goodlettsville. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–noon. Price: No tickets listed. Dancing, a photo booth and crafts, then a countdown right at noon. It's planned for kids and families, but anyone can come. Official page: https://events.library.nashville.org/cal/event/eventView.do?calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal&guid=CAL-8a3e8e4b-a117bb3f-01a1-184fe209-000025acdemobedework%40mysite.edu&recurrenceId= (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library** at Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, Atrium and Children's Story Theatre, Clarksville. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–1pm. Price: Free. Families can do crafts, dance and have treats before a countdown to noon with a balloon drop. All ages are welcome. Official page: https://mcgtn.libcal.com/event/15565074 (checked 2026-11-12)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Franklin Main Library** at Williamson County Public Library, Franklin Main Library, Meeting Room, Franklin. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free; no registration. Families make crafts and listen to music before counting down to noon to welcome 2027. Official page: https://williamsoncounty-tn.libcal.com/event/17871179 (checked 2026-11-12)
- **Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood** at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Nashville, TN. When: Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: 4:30–10 p.m. Price: Adults $26–$32 and youth 3–17 $20–$26 by date and ticket; ages 2 and under free; $2 advance fee or $3 walk-up; parking $5. Late Night LIGHTS on non-peak Monday–Thursday nights is $20 for nonmember adults or youth. Official page: https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-lights/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Dancing Lights of Christmas**, 1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087. When: Nov. 7, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu 5–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–11 p.m. Price: $35 per family vehicle, tax included. The drive-through is open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Official page: https://www.thedancinglightsofchristmas.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)
- **Glow Wild** at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN. When: Nightly Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Time: 5–9 p.m. Price: $27 per person; members save $5; under age 2 free with a ticket required; parking $10. The walk includes an 85-foot tree, and Santa visits nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Official page: https://www.nashvillezoo.org/glow-wild (checked 2026-11-09)
- **A Country Christmas** at Gaylord Opryland Resort, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. When: Nov. 6, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027. The resort lists displays, treats, holiday shows, and activities, and this page does not state a single admission price. Official page: https://www.christmasatgaylordopryland.com/ (checked 2026-11-09)

## More holiday outings in Nashville

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Nashville](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Nashville](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in Nashville with kids?
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.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Nashville?
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.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Nashville?
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Nashville?
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.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Nashville?
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.

### Where are the rest of the December plans in Nashville?
The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/ice-skating/).

### When is the tree lighting in Nashville?
Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### How do you check these holiday hours?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).