# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 12 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-parades/
- Christmas break (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-break/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/llms.txt

## Christmas parades

- **Goodlettsville Christmas Parade** at Delmas Long Community Center to Goodlettsville Plaza, Goodlettsville. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 4 p.m. Price: Not listed. This year’s theme is Dolly’s All-American Christmas. Official page: https://www.goodlettsville.gov/803/Christmas-Parade (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Holidays in the Vue Parade** at Bellevue, Bellevue. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 10 a.m. Price: Not listed. A morning parade, so it works well for little ones who nap later. Official page: https://holidaysinthevue.com/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Franklin Christmas Parade** at Historic Downtown Franklin, Main Street, Franklin. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 1 p.m. Price: Free. 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. Official page: https://downtownfranklinrotary.com/christmas-parade/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Deck the Hulls Christmas Boat Parade** at Drakes Creek past Mallard Park to Sanders Ferry Park, Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 5:30 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://holidayfesttn.org/events/hendersonville-tn-christmas-boat-parade/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **HolidayFest Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting** at Main Street to Memorial Park, 151 E Main St, Hendersonville. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: 2–6 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://holidayfesttn.org/events/christmas-parade-and-tree-lighting-2/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade** at West Wilson Middle School to East Division Street, Mt. Juliet. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 11 a.m. Price: Free. 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: https://www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/426/Christmas-Parade (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Spring Hill Christmas Parade** at Spring Hill, Spring Hill. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 5 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://springhilltn.org/881/Christmas-Parade (checked 2026-10-28)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting** at Smyrna Train Depot, Smyrna. When: Tue, Nov 24, 2026. Time: 6–8 p.m. Price: Free. Music, treats and performances at the depot until the town tree lights up. Official page: https://www.townofsmyrna.org/live/christmas_tree_lighting_ceremony.php (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Nashville Yards Tree Lighting** at Ascension Saint Thomas Landing, Nashville Yards, Downtown Nashville. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5 p.m. Price: Not listed. Holiday Central runs Nov 21–Jan 3 with free photos with Santa and free holiday movie nights. Official page: https://www.nashvilleyards.com/holidaycentral (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Madison Library Holiday Tree Lighting** at Madison Branch Library, Madison. When: Thu, Dec 3, 2026. Time: 4:30–7:30 p.m.; lighting about 6:30. Price: No tickets listed. 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: https://events.library.nashville.org/cal/event/eventView.do?calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal&guid=CAL-8a3e8e4c-a0b0e5be-01a0-c5458e79-00006ec5demobedework%40mysite.edu&recurrenceId= (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Hermitage Tree Lighting** at Hermitage Branch Library, Hermitage. When: Thu, Dec 3, 2026. Time: 4–7:30 p.m.; lighting 6:30. Price: No tickets listed. 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: https://events.library.nashville.org/cal/event/eventView.do?calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal&guid=CAL-8a3e8e4b-a0814cd4-01a0-8c53afb4-000055c0demobedework%40mysite.edu&recurrenceId= (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Brentwood Christmas Tree Lighting** at John P. Holt Brentwood Library, Brentwood. When: Mon, Dec 7, 2026. Time: Polar Express reading 4:45 p.m.; lighting 5:30 p.m. Price: No tickets listed for the lighting. 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: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/About-Us/Events-Listing/Christmas-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-30)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Nashville Yards Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/events/nashville-yards-tree-lighting-ascension-saint-thomas-landing/): next dates Nov 28, 2026
- [Goodlettsville Christmas Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/events/goodlettsville-christmas-parade-delmas-long-community-center/): next dates Dec 5, 2026
- [Holidays in the Vue Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/events/holidays-in-the-vue-parade-bellevue/): next dates Dec 5, 2026

## 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.
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## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Nashville in 2026?
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.

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Nashville?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/nashville/christmas-tree-lighting/).

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Nashville free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).