Nashville’s Winter Bucket List

Nashville is a vibrant city full of music, culture, delicious food, and exciting events. Winter is a fantastic time to visit Nashville because of its gorgeous holiday lights, festive activities, and unforgettable performances. Nashville’s winter bucket list features enthralling attractions, can’t-miss events, and irresistible food for all ages.

Dazzling Holiday Lights

Lose yourself in the wondrous holiday bliss this winter. Each year, Nashville becomes a delightful dreamland with twinkling light displays such as:

• Cheekwood Lights: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens hosts a magical holiday light show each winter between late November and early January. Walk through Cheekwood’s mile-long illuminated gardens, tour the Historic Mansion, and browse a holiday marketplace for a joyful experience.
• Nashville Zoo Zoolumination: Thousands of spectacular lanterns fill Nashville Zoo during Zoolumination, which runs from mid-November through the first week of January. Grab a hot cocoa and marvel at over 1,000 lanterns, some reaching 50 feet tall and 100 feet long.
• Christmas at Gaylord Opryland: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center transforms into a festive wonderland between early November and January. Each year brings a new experience with themed ice sculptures, live dinner shows, and seasonal activities such as gingerbread decorating, bumper cars, and ice tubing.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a classic winter pastime you can enjoy with friends, family, or a special someone. Glide around one of the following rinks for a memorable experience:

• Nashville Sports Complex: Centennial Sportsplex Ice Arenas opens two full-size rinks for public skating during the holiday season.
• Pop-up ice skating rinks: Visit a pop-up rink for a special holiday skating experience. Pop-up rinks often feature hot beverages, food, and festive music to make your skating experience extra special.
• Gaylord Opryland: You can also skate or take a private ice skating lesson on Gaylord Opryland’s 9,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink. Try your skills on the ice or catch a live ice skating show featuring champion skaters.

Holiday Markets and Festivals

Holiday shopping is more fun at Nashville’s charming markets and festivals such as the following:

• Christmas Village: The Fairgrounds Nashville hosts Christmas Village, an annual event that takes place in mid-November. Shop from local merchants and food vendors for an amazing time with friends or family.
• Holiday Bash: Holiday Bash takes place in East Nashville’s Five Points Neighborhood. This can’t-miss December event features local artisans, holiday cocktails, live music, campfires, and a community tree-lighting ceremony.
• Porter Flea Holiday Market: Nashville’s Porter Flea Holiday Market takes place each December at The Fairgrounds Nashville. This indoor, heated pop-up market features the region’s most creative and diverse vendors for a unique holiday shopping experience.
• Franklin Makers Market: Franklin Makers Market takes place in mid-November and features over 75 artisans and craft vendors. Support Nashville’s small businesses while enjoying tasty treats and craft cocktails.
• Festive pop-ups in the Gulch: The Gulch is one of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods featuring local shops and small businesses. In the winter, you can visit various pop-ups such as vendor booths, live music, and holiday activities.

Must-See Live Performances

As the country’s Music City, Nashville is known for its exciting live performances. Catch the following must-see shows and performances during the winter season:

• Grand Ole Opry: The Grand Ole Opry hosts Opry Country Christmas each December, featuring live holiday music performances from big stars and special guests. You can also attend Grand Ole Opry shows throughout the winter to enjoy live music from country legends and rising stars.
• Nashville’s Nutcracker: Nashville Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” each holiday season, taking audiences on a magical journey through this reimagined classic tale.
• Nashville Symphony: Experience an unforgettable music journey at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Various shows feature music by today’s leading composers and classical masters. From beloved classical music to pops, smooth jazz, and live movie series orchestras, there’s a show for every generation.

Museums

Dive into fascinating history, music legends, art, and science at Nashville’s unique museums. Our top recommendations are:

• Musicians Hall of Fame: Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum features the interactive Grammy Museum Gallery™ with captivating exhibits and memorabilia honoring history’s most talented musicians.
• Frist Art Museum: The Frist Art Museum features art from local, regional, state, and international artists. Experience rotating exhibitions to learn about various art styles, cultures, and historical art movements.
• Nashville Parthenon: Nashville Parthenon is the world’s only full-size replica of Greece’s original Parthenon. Inside, you can find incredible art exhibitions and enriching activities for all ages.
  
• Adventure Science Center: Explore interactive exhibits, engaging learning experiences, and full-dome planetarium productions at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center.

Sports

Nashville is home to incredible sports teams and arenas. Catch one of the following games during your next trip:

• Tennessee Titans games: Catch a Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium to cheer on the city’s fantastic professional football team.
• SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament: Attend the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in March for an exciting single-elimination competition featuring all league schools.
• Music City Bowl: The Music City Bowl is an annual college football game that takes place at Nissan Stadium in December.
• Nashville Predators games: Winter is the perfect season to catch an exhilarating Nashville Predators hockey game at Bridgestone Arena.

Warm, Cozy Food and Beverages

Warm up or unwind with the following delicious food and drink experiences in Nashville:

• Cafes: Warm up with a coffee or hot cocoa from one of Nashville’s many cozy cafes.
• Music and dining: The Bluebird Cafe is one of Nashville’s most iconic listening rooms. Enjoy delicious food and hear music from the industry’s up-and-coming songwriters and artists.
• Festive cocktails: Enjoy festive cocktails at Nashville’s fantastic cocktail bars. You can try unique cocktails at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, or sip on a festive drink around a campfire at Bobby Hotel’s winter rooftop lounge.
• Wine: Belle Meade Winery is Nashville’s first and oldest winery. Historic tours, elegant wine tastings, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres make this incredible winery an unforgettable winter experience for your Nashville bucket list.
• Delicious hot chicken: Winter in Nashville isn’t complete until you try the city’s famous hot chicken. This spicy fried chicken originated in Nashville and is a must-try dish while you’re here.

Visit a Professional Nashville Plastic Surgeon at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute

Nashville is home to incredible winter activities. From charming holiday light displays to exciting ice skating rinks, you can enjoy a dazzling time in this electrifying city. 

Nashville is also the perfect place to seek reconstructive or plastic surgery because it’s home to SPRSI’s Dr. Brought and his team of world-class providers. Dr. Brought is board-certified in plastic surgery, and his team specializes in constructive and cosmetic procedures such as laser liposuction, breast surgery, abdominoplasty, and thigh reduction.

SPRSI strives to provide holistic, comprehensive care to enhance our patients’ health and wellness. Schedule an online consultation to learn more about our services and how we can help you look your best.