Holidays And The New Year In This Week’s Tennessee Tourism Round Up

  • Thursday, December 14, 2017
  • Amanda Stravinsky

Wrap up the holiday season with Tennessee’s ongoing Christmas celebrations and ring in 2018 with nationally-acclaimed events throughout the state. For a complete list of events, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.

Ongoing

Bristol – Speedway in Lights has a stunning display through Jan.

6, 2018 of more than 1 million lights and hundreds of displays that can be viewed by car. Additionally, you can make a reservation to bring your group through by bus.

Chattanooga – SCUBA Claus makes his dives and swims among the fish in the River Journey building 11 a.m. ET Saturdays and 2 p.m. ET Sundays through Dec. 17 at the Tennessee Aquarium.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville – Smoky Mountain Winterfest is hosted in the gateway towns to the Smokies that turn into a winter wonderland with dazzling displays of more than 5 million lights and special events through Feb. 28, 2018.

Knoxville – Holidays on Ice is an outdoor ice skating rink illuminated in Christmas lights with music 4-9 p.m. ET Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Fridays-Saturdays; 1-9 p.m. ETSundays on Market Square.

Lewisburg – Andrews Springs Farms’ Holiday Activities include Christmas tree sales, Santa, animals, hay rides and more through Dec. 24 at Andrews Springs Farms.

Memphis – Christmas at Graceland has traditional lights and decorations, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and much more originally displayed by Elvis through Jan. 6, 2018.

Nashville – Bring donations of new items to benefit Safe Haven Family Shelter as part of 12 Days of Giving through Dec. 22 at City Winery. Donors receive a drink token for a free taster of red or white wine.

Nashville – Guests can receive free admission on Mondays when they bring a nonperishable food item for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee through Dec. 18 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Nashville – Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas has sensational decorations, entertainment and food, Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Grand Ole Opry and more through Jan. 1, 2018 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Pigeon Forge – Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is the ultimate Smoky Mountain family Christmas destination with more than 4 million lights, Parade of Many Colors, fun rides and attractions, plus award-winning shows through Jan. 3, 2018.

Dec. 15-16

Savannah – Enjoy the final weekend of Christmas on Main featuring an ice skating rink, lights, performances, Santa’s workshop, movies and more in downtown Savannah.

Dec. 16

Gallatin – Attend the Museum Mingle for refreshments and tour the 1830's home 4-6 p.m. CT at the Sumner County Museum.

Greeneville – Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter Laura Story brings beloved Christmas classics 7:30 p.m. ET to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center stage.

Statewide – Wreaths Across America is a program where wreaths are placed at national cemeteries across the U.S. to remember fallen veterans at Stones River National Battlefield, Shiloh National Military Park, and Andrew Johnson National Cemetery among others.

Dec. 16, 23, 30

Nashville – Discover the physics of winter sports, the natural wonder of the aurora borealis and more during Winter Wonders Weekends at Adventure Science Center.

Dec. 18

Nashville – The Providence Pipes play a wide range of music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the early Baroque and contemporary periods with Christmas and Hanukkah music 2 p.m. CT in the Frist Center Grand Lobby of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Dec. 19

Knoxville – Great Russian Nutcracker celebrates the 25th anniversary tour featuring over-the-top production and world-class Russian artists 7 p.m. ET at the Tennessee Theatre.

Dec. 20

Memphis – Miracle on 34th Street is a family-friendly movie about a man claiming to be Santa Claus and the lawyer who defends him in court, playing on screen 7 p.m. CT at the Orpheum Theatre.

Nashville – The Gingerbread House & Wine Tasting Party marries DIY gingerbread kits with wine, Christmas music and fun at City Winery.

Dec. 22

Jackson – The 3rd annual Our Jackson Home Holiday Show features holiday fun and local music taking place 6:30 p.m. CT at the Carnegie Center for Arts and History.

Memphis – Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas features Drew and Ellie Holcomb and The Neighbors as they bring original holiday tunes and fan-favorite Holcomb songs 8 p.m. CT to the Orpheum Theatre.

Dec. 26

Memphis – On My Last Nerve is part of Holiday Wonders at the Garden for those who still have house-guests and need ideas for what to do, featuring fresh air, post-Christmas lights and activities at Memphis Botanic Garden.

Dec. 26-30

Cookeville – Polar Play Zone is a winter playground with Snowzilla Ski Slope Slide, Everest Climb & Slide, Polar Golf, Snowman Bouncy and Snowmazing Maze House 2-8 p.m. CTTuesday-Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. CT Friday-Saturday in the Fleming Avenue parking lot across from Dogwood Park.

Dec. 28

Nashville – Experience the music phenomenon of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis featuring magical renditions of holiday classics 7:30 p.m. CT at Andrew Jackson Hall.

Dec. 29

Memphis – New Year’s at Noon is full of activities for children including fun characters, a dance party with a DJ, a themed craft, temporary tattoos and a balloon drop 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at the Children’s Museum of Memphis.

Dec. 30

Nashville – May the Zen be with you during Yoga Under the Stars, an outward-focused session with universe visuals on the dome 9 a.m. CT in the Sudekum Planetarium at Adventure Science Center.

Dec. 31

Chattanooga – Spend New Year’s Eve with Unknown Hinson as they perform 8 p.m. ET at Songbirds Guitar Museum.

Gatlinburg – New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show welcomes the New Year in grand style with this family-friendly celebration that is one of the largest organized New Year’s Eve events in the nation.

Knoxville – New Year’s Eve is a free event with a traditional ball drop at midnight, music by Bicho Brothers, family-friendly activities and food on Market Square.

Memphis – The 10th annual New Year’s Eve Guitar Drop has music, fun, food and entertainment with a stunning guitar drop welcoming 2018 at midnight for thousands of attendees on Historic Beale Street near Hard Rock Cafe Memphis.

Nashville – GRAMMY-winner Keith Urban will headline the free event Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville along with Maren Morris, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Carly Pearce, Jonny P, and Cheap Trick leading up to the midnight Music Note Drop beginning 4 p.m. CT at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

Nashville – Ring in the “noon” year with New Year’s Eve-themed science activities and crafts leading up to a balloon drop as part of Happy Noon Year at Adventure Science Center.

Union City – The Magi Band gets the house rocking as attendees ring in 2018 with food and fun at the New Year’s Eve Party beginning 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. CT at Discovery Park of America. 

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