Make the Holidays Happy with This Week’s Tennessee Tourism Round Up

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Christmas plays, festivals, holiday markets and more keep the calendar full and family and friends happy this holiday season. For a complete list of events, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.

Ongoing

Memphis – Christmastime has come to the Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll in a big way. Make holiday memories at Holiday Wonders at the Garden now through Dec. 30 at Memphis Botanic Garden; SunTrust Zoo Lights now through Dec. 31 at The Memphis Zoo; Enchanted Festival of Trees through Dec. 31 with late hours 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays in December at the Pink Palace Museum; Santa Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops through Dec. 24 at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid and, of course, Christmas at Graceland now through Jan. 6, 2018.

Memphis – Take the family and your friends to a holiday play while in Memphis like Peter Pan on stage through Dec. 17 at Playhouse on the Square; Take the Soul Train to Christmas now through Dec. 17 at Hattiloo Theatre; and kids will love Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells now through Dec. 23 at Circuit Playhouse Inc.

Murfreesboro – Have some holiday fun with 25 Days of Discovery, a series of hands-on Christmas fun 11 a.m. CT on weekdays and 2 p.m. CT on weekends at Discovery Center.

Dec. 7

Brownsville – Harbert Alexander shares West Tennessee stories from his sixth book “Echoes and Footprints” 4-6 p.m. CT at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

Nashville – Nashville House Concerts continue with Mandy Barnett, Brooke Eden, David Fanning and more at War Memorial Auditorium.

Dec. 8

Algood – Enjoy a night of winter whimsy with the Algood Christmas Parade + Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. CT in Algood.

Knoxville – Christmas at Chilhowee includes live music, the Christmas tree lighting, building gingerbread houses, train rides for all ages, pictures with Santa Claus and more 6-9 p.m. ET at Chilhowee Park. 

Nashville – A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage is an adaptation of the animated television special bringing Peanuts characters to life 7 p.m. CT at the James K. Polk Theater.

Dec. 8-9

Counce – Christmas in the Park features hundreds of animated figures, more than 100,000 lights, free hot cocoa and cookies, Santa’s Workshop, horse-drawn carriage rides and more 6-9 p.m. CT at Pickwick Landing State Park.

Knoxville – John Doyle performs Irish and original songs 8 p.m. ET at the Laurel Theater. Tennessee Schmaltz performs historic Klezmer music - a mix of East European wedding tunes, Yiddish theater and music hall and cantorial singing - 8 p.m. ET at the Laurel Theater.

Dec. 8-10

Jackson – The Nutcracker is the classic tale filled with holiday magic 7 p.m. CT Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. CT Sunday at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

Dec. 8-11

Selmer – Bring the kids to the funny Christmas play “Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!” 7:30 p.m. CT Friday, Saturday and Monday and 2 p.m. CT Sunday at the Latta Theatre.

Dec. 9

Cookeville – Christmas festivities continue in downtown Cookeville with the Cookeville Christmas Parade 6 p.m. CT, routing from the historic Putnam County Courthouse through the WestSide Cultural District and ending at the Cookeville Depot Museum.

Hendersonville – The Sumner County Christmas Boat Parade “sets sail” with decorated boats on display 5:30-9 p.m. CT at Drake’s Creek Marina.

Knoxville – The Funky Holiday Hang ft. Three Star Revival, King Super & The Excellents, and Tree Tops is a show not to be missed 8 p.m. ET at The Mill & Mine.  

Murfreesboro – Parents’ Night Out: Ice, Ice, Baby includes dinner, museum exploration, hands-on activities and a themed snack and film for kids while parents enjoy a night out 5:30-9:30 p.m. CT at Discovery Center.

Nashville – Backstage Nashville continues to bring Nashville’s songwriters to the forefront featuring Steve Dean, Mark Narmore, Ray Stephenson and Melody Guy 12:30 p.m. CT at 3^rd and Lindsley.

Dec. 9-10

Franklin – Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian-themed Christmas with more than 200 costumed characters reenacting the work of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Knoxville – The second annual Broadway Studios and Gallery Holiday Art Market Sale features 11 artists and their original artwork and custom products 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Dec. 9 and noon to 5 p.m. ET Dec. 10 at Broadway Studios and Gallery.

Nashville – Bring a toy for a family in need and receive one free zoo admission ticket to support the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Mountain Patrol Division’s Christmas Basket Program at Nashville Zoo.

Dec. 9-10, 16-17

Nashville – See the Grassmere Historic Home decked out in Christmas cheer with a Yuletide Tour through the home at Nashville Zoo.

Dec. 9-11

Hendersonville – Enjoy an Appalachian Christmas Dinner featuring a traditional dinner with moonshine, wine and stack cake, storytelling, music and more 6-9 p.m. CT at Historic Rock Castle.

Dec. 9, 16

Nashville – Kids can meet their favorite Star Wars characters Dec. 9 and Santa Claus with Mrs. Claus Dec. 16 for pictures and more at Nashville Zoo.

Dec. 10

Clarksville – A Merrie Olde Christmas concert performed by Red River Breeze takes place 2 p.m. CT at the Roxy Regional Theatre.

Dec. 12

Jonesborough – Let’s Swing! A 1940’s Christmas Party features the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece live band, dancing and more 6 p.m. CT at the McKinney Center.

Nashville – Taste of Tennessee includes free tastings of locally-made chocolates, jams and other food items to kick off holiday shopping 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT at the Tennessee State Museum.

Dec. 12, 14

Chattanooga – Doyle Dykes performs 7 p.m. Dec. 12 while Shooter Jennings and Jason Boland perform 7 p.m. ET Dec. 14 at Songbirds Guitar Museum.

Dec. 13

Knoxville – Somewhere Wonderful is a play that tells what happens when unwanted toys inspire senior residents, presented by The O’Connor Silver Stage Players 1 p.m. ET at the John T.O. Connor Senior Center.

Memphis – The Family Fun Holiday Celebration 2017 has arts and crafts, table games, holiday treat decorating, mini tours and more 5-9 p.m. CT at the Stax Museum. Then, a special holiday concert, The MD’s In The Christmas Spirit features the classic Booker T And the MGs Christmas album and more MGs hits 7 p.m. CT at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Nashville – The Led Zeppelin Experience by Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, keeps the music alive 8 p.m. CT at James K. Polk Theater.

Dec. 14

Jackson – The Jackson Theatre Guild presents Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, the telling of Marley’s behind-the-scenes efforts to save Ebenezer Scrooge, 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday at The NED.

Knoxville – Puddles Pity Party marries laughter with sad and emotional anthems 8 p.m. ET on the U.S. Cellular Stage at the Bijou Theatre.

Nashville – The Contrarian Ensemble featuring Bruce Baxter (accordion), John Hedgecoth (mandolin), Mike Teaney (guitar), and Svend Thomsen (fiddle) performs dance music from the 1300s and traditional songs from the U.S., Europe and the British Isles 6-8 p.m. CT in the Frist Center Cafe at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Nashville – Enjoy the Luxury Cellar Tasting Experience: Ridge Wines, the first-ever private cellar tasting experience, 6:30 p.m. CT at City Winery.

Dec. 14-17

Nashville – Handel’s Messiah features the resounding Hallelujah Chorus performed by the Nashville Symphony & Chorus 7 p.m. CT Dec. 14, 8 p.m. CT Dec. 15-16 and 3 p.m. CT Dec. 17 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Dec. 15

Maryville – Smoky Mountain Storytellers Sheri Liles, Jean Davidson, Kathleen Mavournin, Millie Sieber tell Christmas stories that will entertain the whole family with hot coffee and sweet desserts 6-7:30 p.m. ET at Vienna Coffee House.

Memphis – Merry Christmas Baby is a soulful holiday concert presented by STAX Music Academy 7:30 p.m. CT at Harris Concert Hall.

Dec. 15-17

Memphis – More than 100 dancers, children, musicians and vocalists come together to put on the Christmas classic Ballet Memphis’ Nutcracker, a favorite tradition, 7:30 p.m. CT Dec. 15-16 and 2 p.m. CT Dec. 16-17 at Orpheum Theatre.

Dec. 17

Chapel Hill – Have lunch at the Governor’s Table 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT and stay for cookies, crafts and pictures with Santa 2-4 p.m. CT at the Henry Horton State Park.

Cookeville – Did you know Santa rides a Harley? Well, he does in Cookeville! Join Harleys in Whoville, a parade of motorcycles riding for a reason each holiday season, benefiting Cookeville Police Department charity programs.

Memphis – Sunday with our Sculptures focuses on the Sculptures Bright section of the Holiday Wonders at the Garden, highlighting the growing sculpture collection that is lit up for the season at Memphis Botanic Garden.

Dec. 18

Knoxville – Seether brings to life their songs famous for big riffs, melodies, crunchy tones and atmosphere 8 p.m. ET at The Mill & Mine.

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