Create your perfect holiday schedule in Columbia! Our guide has all the best festive events and activities. From Columbia devotees to first-time explorers, our guide is your gateway to seasonal celebrations.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights, an enchanting display that showcases stunning lanterns and cultural performances. With its dazzling lights and immersive atmosphere, it’s truly a sight to behold. Christmas on the Cumberland captivates visitors with its riverfront festivities and beautifully decorated displays. And the Christmas at Gaylord Opryland is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring elaborate decorations and festive activities throughout the resort. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Columbia
- Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (Nashville)
- Christmas on the Cumberland (Clarksville)
- Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights (Nashville)
- NoogaLights at Choo Choo (Chattanooga)
- Clarksville Speedway's Drive-Thru Christmas Lights (Clarksville)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure (Sevierville)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Johnson City)
- Wonders of Light Christmas Village (Pigeon Forge)
- Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens (Nashville)
- A Very Maury Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Columbia Holiday Light Displays
Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with colorful lanterns and live performances.
Description:
Explore Nashville Zoo in a new light with over 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns, festive scenes, and live Chinese acrobats and entertainers.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with interactive village activities.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure features a drive-through light show with synchronized lights and music, showcasing Santa's workshop and reindeer training. After the show, visit Snowy Mountain Village for activities like bounce houses, carnival games, and photo opportunities with Santa.
Where: Sevierville | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
Christmas on the Cumberland
What to Expect:
Over one million lights and a diverse holiday market.
Description:
Clarksville's Christmas on the Cumberland features over one million lights at McGregor Park and Cumberland Riverwalk, with a free Holiday Market showcasing local vendors and global cuisines.
Where: Clarksville | More Info: Christmas on the Cumberland
Clarksville Speedway's Drive-Thru Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Unique holiday light display with special admission nights for various groups.
Description:
Clarksville Speedway's Drive-Thru Christmas Lights features over three million lights displayed along one mile of track, creating a spectacular holiday display from the comfort of your car.
Where: Clarksville | More Info: Clarksville Speedway's Drive-Thru Christmas Lights
NoogaLights at Choo Choo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show in historic gardens.
Description:
NoogaLights at the Choo Choo features a Halloween walk-thru light show from October 1st to November 3rd and a Christmas walk-thru light show from November 15th to December 31st. Both events showcase synchronized music and themed lighting in the historic gardens of the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: NoogaLights at Choo Choo
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
What to Expect:
Elaborate custom decorations by a world-famous florist.
Description:
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens presents a spectacular holiday display featuring over one million twinkling lights, 120 decorated trees, s’mores stations, seasonal libations, and a Holiday Marketplace. The Historic Mansion is specially decorated by former White House florist Laura Dowling, adding an extra layer of holiday charm.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music show with Santa's Village and petting zoo.
Description:
The Dancing Lights of Christmas is Tennessee's largest synchronized light and music show, featuring a 2.5-mile route with over two million lights dancing to upbeat, traditional, and rockin' Christmas tunes. The event includes admission to Santa's Village, visiting with Santa, and petting animals in the petting zoo.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: The Dancing Lights of Christmas
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with multiple drive-through RGB tunnels.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at the Appalachian Fairgrounds features acres of lights synchronized to music, including a new display theme, Santa's Mountain. The event offers a dynamic drive-through experience with three RGB tunnels, towering walls of lights, and 50-foot tall Christmas trees. It also includes an adventure through the East Tennessee mountains with activities like sledding, tent camping, and rock climbing.
Where: Johnson City | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays with over 3.5 million lights.
Description:
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park features dazzling light displays with over 3.5 million lights, offering a festive drive-through holiday event for families.
Where: Memphis | More Info: Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
Candy Land Christmas
What to Expect:
Decorated natural trees in downtown Johnson City.
Description:
Downtown Johnson City transforms into a vibrant holiday setting with over 180 natural trees decorated by area businesses and non-profit organizations. The holiday trees will span downtown, transforming King Commons to Cupcake Commons and Founders Park to the Gumdrop Forest.
Where: Johnson City | More Info: Candy Land Christmas
Christmas in Collierville
What to Expect:
Quarter-million holiday lights and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
Collierville Town Square transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with quarter-million lights, festive events, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Families can visit Santa in the Gazebo and enjoy special music performances.
Where: Collierville | More Info: Christmas in Collierville
Columbia Holiday Markets and Shopping
Wonders of Light Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Free holiday market with over 35 vendor booths.
Description:
The Wonders of Light Christmas Village at Patriot Park features 35 booths with artisans and crafters selling seasonal and gift items, including holiday goodies. The event includes more than one million LEDs and 20 displays, including walk-thru arches, a colorful 52-foot-long caterpillar, and larger-than-life flowers.
Where: Pigeon Forge | More Info: Wonders of Light Christmas Village
Columbia Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland features spectacular holiday lights, ICE featuring Frosty the Snowman, and a variety of festive activities including ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Columbia Other Holiday Activities
A Very Maury Christmas
What to Expect:
Regional holiday celebration with festive activities and shopping.
Description:
A Very Maury Christmas is a regional holiday event featuring festive activities, shopping, and entertainment in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. The event includes a preview party and various holiday happenings.
Where: Columbia | More Info: A Very Maury Christmas
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with decorated trees and animated characters.
Description:
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace Museum features beautifully decorated trees, animated characters, and a gingerbread village, all benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.
Where: Memphis | More Info: Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Spring Hill (11 miles)
- Franklin (23 miles)
- Brentwood Estates (32 miles)
- Brentwood (32 miles)
- Shelbyville (34 miles)
- La Vergne (38 miles)
- Smyrna (39 miles)
- Murfreesboro (40 miles)
- Nashville (41 miles)