Christmas parades 2026Nashville · Music City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Nashville, 2026.

In 2026, Christmas parades near Nashville run Dec 5 through Dec 12. One of them is a parade of lights. Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade is Dec 5 and is free to watch. Franklin Christmas Parade is Dec 5 and is free to watch.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Goodlettsville Christmas Parade: Dec 5 · 4 p.m. Plus 6 more.7 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting: Nov 24 · 6–8 p.m. Plus 4 more.5 lightingsIs it free?6 of 12 are free to watch; the rest list a price.6 freeDaytime or after dark?4 daytime, 8 in the evening. Each card is marked.8 evening

Last checked · 12 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

24NovTueSmyrna Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · 6–8 p.m.28NovSatNashville Yards Tree LightingTree lighting · 5 p.m.3DecThuMadison Library Holiday Tree LightingTree lighting · 4:30–7:30 p.m.3DecThuHermitage Tree LightingTree lighting · 4–7:30 p.m.5DecSatGoodlettsville Christmas ParadeParade · 4 p.m.5DecSatHolidays in the Vue ParadeParade · 10 a.m.5DecSatFranklin Christmas ParadeParade · 1 p.m.5DecSatDeck the Hulls Christmas Boat ParadeParade · 5:30 p.m.6DecSunHolidayFest Christmas Parade and Tree LightingParade · 2–6 p.m.7DecMonBrentwood Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · Polar Express reading 4:45 p.m.12DecSatMt. Juliet Christmas ParadeParade · 11 a.m.12DecSatSpring Hill Christmas ParadeParade · 5 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Nashville

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Dec5Sat

Franklin Christmas Parade

Historic Downtown Franklin, Main Street · Franklin

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
1 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: An afternoon parade down Main Street that ends with Santa, held the same weekend as Franklin's tree lighting. The 2026 route runs in reverse, starting at 11th Avenue and West Main and heading east to the Square, so check the spectator map before you stake out a curb.

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Dec5Sat

Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade

Drakes Creek past Mallard Park to Sanders Ferry Park, Old Hickory Lake · Hendersonville

ParadeFreeEvening
Time
5:30 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: Lit-up boats cruise out of Drakes Creek after dark. Mallard Park, where the judges sit, is a good spot for little ones to watch from the shore.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec6Sun

HolidayFest Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Main Street to Memorial Park, 151 E Main St · Hendersonville

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
2–6 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: More than 80 floats and dancers roll down Main Street at 2 under a "Storybook Christmas" theme, with Santa bringing up the rear. The crowd then moves to Memorial Park for the tree lighting.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec12Sat

Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade

West Wilson Middle School to East Division Street · Mt. Juliet

ParadeFreeDaytime
Time
11 a.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: A late-morning parade that suits nap schedules, about 1.4 miles long, with a "Holly Dolly Christmas" theme this year. If it rains out, it moves to Sunday, Dec 13 at 1 p.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec12Sat

Spring Hill Christmas Parade

Spring Hill · Spring Hill

ParadeFreeEvening
Time
5 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: An evening parade run by Spring Hill Parks & Recreation that goes ahead rain or shine unless the weather turns dangerous. Bundle the kids up, because it's after dark by the end.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Nashville

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov28Sat

Nashville Yards Tree Lighting

Ascension Saint Thomas Landing, Nashville Yards · Downtown Nashville

Tree lightingEvening
Time
5 p.m.
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Holiday Central runs Nov 21–Jan 3 with free photos with Santa and free holiday movie nights.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec3Thu

Madison Library Holiday Tree Lighting

Madison Branch Library · Madison

Tree lightingEvening
Time
4:30–7:30 p.m.; lighting about 6:30
Price
No tickets listed

Good to know: Kids can decorate a stocking from 4:30 to 6. Then the St. Joseph's choir sings, Santa stops by and the tree goes on around 6:30. Hot chocolate is served.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec3Thu

Hermitage Tree Lighting

Hermitage Branch Library · Hermitage

Tree lightingEvening
Time
4–7:30 p.m.; lighting 6:30
Price
No tickets listed

Good to know: This is the sixth year for the branch's lighting, with food trucks, free refreshments, kids' activities and Santa. Bring pantry items or a toy to donate.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec7Mon

Brentwood Christmas Tree Lighting

John P. Holt Brentwood Library · Brentwood

Tree lightingEvening
Time
Polar Express reading 4:45 p.m.; lighting 5:30 p.m.
Price
No tickets listed for the lighting

Good to know: It starts with a reading of The Polar Express. Seats are limited, and tickets come out in early November at the children's desk. After that there's hot chocolate from the library Friends, carols with the choir and the countdown at 5:30.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s added

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Nashville

Nashville Yards Tree LightingNext: Nov 28, 2026Goodlettsville Christmas ParadeNext: Dec 5, 2026Holidays in the Vue ParadeNext: Dec 5, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Nashville

November: things to do in NashvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NashvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in NashvilleFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree 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 pricesIce skating in NashvilleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in NashvilleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in NashvilleKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in NashvillePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in NashvilleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in NashvilleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursTree lighting in NashvilleDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in NashvilleWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in NashvilleStarting prices, ages and what’s includedYouth soccer and basketball in NashvilleSoccer and basketball for kids under 6, with sign-up datesMore things to do with kids in Nashville this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas parades in Nashville: the FAQ

Goodlettsville Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4 p.m. (Goodlettsville). Holidays in the Vue Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 10 a.m. (Bellevue). Franklin Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 1 p.m. (Franklin). Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 5:30 p.m. (Hendersonville). Plus three more on this page.

Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting at Smyrna Train Depot: Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 6–8 p.m. Nashville Yards Tree Lighting at Ascension Saint Thomas Landing, Nashville Yards: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5 p.m. Madison Library Holiday Tree Lighting at Madison Branch Library: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 4:30–7:30 p.m.; lighting about 6:30. Hermitage Tree Lighting at Hermitage Branch Library: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 4–7:30 p.m.; lighting 6:30. The full list is on the tree lighting page.

Six of the 12 we list are free to watch: Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting, Franklin Christmas Parade, Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade and HolidayFest Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Holidays in the Vue Parade, Franklin Christmas Parade and HolidayFest Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

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