Nashville holiday lights for 2026: Gaylord Opryland from Nov. 6, the zoo's new Glow Wild from Nov. 13, Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS from Nov. 20, plus Santa visits.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. Dates come from each organizer’s own page: Cheekwood, Gaylord Opryland, the Nashville Zoo, Porter Flea and the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. The city tree lighting and parade have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Nashville’s holiday light season opens Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Gaylord Opryland, which runs its Christmas program to Jan. 2. The Nashville Zoo’s new Glow Wild follows on Nov. 13, and Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS, more than a million lights on a one-mile garden path, opens Nov. 20. All three run into the first days of January and sell timed or nightly tickets. Metro information: 311 (615-862-5000).

At a glance

  • Gaylord Opryland: Nov. 6 to Jan. 2.
  • Glow Wild, Nashville Zoo: Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, 5 to 9 p.m. nightly. Santa nightly Nov. 27 to Dec. 24.
  • Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS: Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, 4:30 to 10 p.m.
  • City tree lighting: date not yet announced; see our tree lighting page.

Light displays

Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS, Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, 4:30 to 10 p.m.

  • More than a million lights along a one-mile walking path: the Peppermint Path, the Star Field and a 28-foot Pixel Pine over the Bradford Robertson Color Garden.
  • Dancing Lights of TRAINS!, a holiday version of Cheekwood’s permanent model train exhibit.
  • Inside the mansion, An Enchanted Noel, a French-inspired installation by former White House chief floral designer Laura Dowling (also open in the daytime, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
  • Firepits with s’mores kits, a Holiday Marketplace in the Frist Learning Center and, new this year, heated outdoor igloos for groups of up to eight.
  • Public tickets went on sale Oct. 13.

Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo, nightly Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, 5 to 9 p.m.

  • The zoo’s new holiday light show, with glowing wildlife displays and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree in the Holiday Square.
  • Some animal exhibits stay open late, including the Sumatran tiger, Andean bear, flamingos and Unseen New World.
  • The Smashville Ice Rink, presented by the Nashville Predators, is an add-on.
  • Tickets are required for every guest, including children under 2.

Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027

  • ice! featuring “Home Alone,” scenes from the film carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice.
  • More than 5 million lights through the resort’s atriums.
  • Ice tubing, ice skating, a gingerbread decorating corner and a new holiday cirque show, “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance.”
  • Most attractions are ticketed separately on the resort’s site.

Santa visits

  • Nashville Zoo: Santa is in the Glow Wild Holiday Square nightly, Nov. 27 to Dec. 24 (zoo).
  • Gaylord Opryland: Photos with Santa during the Christmas season, ticketed (resort).
  • Cheekwood: Daytime Visits with Santa in the Historic Stable and Tack Room, Dec. 12-24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends; bring a letter for Santa’s mailbox. On Dec. 13 and Dec. 22 Santa moves outdoors for Dog Visits with Santa. Included with gardens admission (Cheekwood events).
  • We will add other Santa visits, including library and Metro Parks events, as organizers post them.

Holiday markets

  • Christmas Village, Nov. 13-15, The Fairgrounds Nashville, more than 250 merchants, free parking.
  • Porter Flea Holiday Market, The Fairgrounds Nashville: ticketed preview 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11; main market 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
  • Cheekwood’s Holiday Marketplace is open during Holiday LIGHTS, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Store hours for the season are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Hanukkah and menorah lightings

Metro and the Jewish community hold a City Menorah Lighting each year. In 2025 it was on the second night of Hanukkah, Monday, Dec. 15, listed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4. The 2026 city lighting date had not been posted when we checked; we will add it here.

What this means for you

  • Want one night out? Cheekwood and the zoo both sell tickets by date, so book before you go.
  • Small children: Glow Wild runs earliest (5 p.m.) and has Santa nightly from Nov. 27.
  • Christmas trash pickup: Friday, Dec. 25, routes move to Monday, Dec. 28 (trash and recycling).

Related guides: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve, Black Friday and holiday shopping and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When do the Cheekwood Christmas lights start in 2026?

Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS run Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, from 4:30 to 10 p.m., with more than a million lights along a one-mile walking path. Tickets went on sale Oct. 13.

When does Christmas at Gaylord Opryland start?

Nov. 6, 2026, and it runs to Jan. 2, 2027, with ice! featuring “Home Alone,” more than 5 million lights, ice tubing, skating and photos with Santa.

Does the Nashville Zoo have Christmas lights?

Yes. Glow Wild, the zoo’s new holiday light show, runs nightly Nov. 13 to Jan. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m., with an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree and an outdoor ice rink.

Where can kids see Santa in Nashville?

Santa visits Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo nightly from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, Cheekwood hosts daytime visits Dec. 12-24 (with dog visits Dec. 13 and 22), and Gaylord Opryland sells photos with Santa.

Is there a menorah lighting in Nashville?

Yes, each year with the city. In 2025 the City Menorah Lighting was Dec. 15; the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville had not posted 2026 details when we checked.