Plan your festive itinerary in Jackson with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. Whether you're deeply connected to Jackson or just making connections, this guide illuminates the seasonal offerings.
One highlight of the holiday season is the enchanting Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, where stunning decorations and elaborate displays create a magical atmosphere. The incredible Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights showcases breathtaking larger-than-life light installations that celebrate cultural artistry. And the Lights Over Gatlinburg is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a dazzling display that brings the beauty of the Smoky Mountains to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Jackson Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Jackson
- Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (Nashville)
- Lights Over Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg)
- Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights (Nashville)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure (Sevierville)
- The Dancing Lights of Christmas (Lebanon)
- NoogaLights at Choo Choo (Chattanooga)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Johnson City)
- Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens (Nashville)
- Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga)
- Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees (Memphis)
See these and even more events listed below!
Jackson Holiday Light Displays
Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with thousands of colorful lanterns.
Description:
At Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights, explore over 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns in stunning scenes featuring mythical creatures and wildlife. Enjoy live entertainment, festive food, and meet Santa in North Pole Village.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music show with Santa's Village activities.
Description:
The Dancing Lights of Christmas is a drive-thru light and music show featuring stunning displays and classic Christmas carols. Admission includes access to Santa's Village, where you can visit Santa, pet animals in the petting zoo, and enjoy various holiday treats.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: The Dancing Lights of Christmas
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
What to Expect:
Over a million lights illuminate a one-mile walking path through Cheekwood's gardens.
Description:
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens presents a one-mile walking path through its gardens illuminated by over a million lights. The event features s'mores stations, seasonal libations, and a holiday marketplace with a wide range of gifts and decor. The historic mansion is specially decorated by former White House florist Laura Dowling, showcasing themes of candy canes and gingerbread.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
FrankTown’s Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized lights and holiday music drive-thru display.
Description:
FrankTown’s Festival of Lights features a nightly mile-and-a-half drive-thru holiday light display with over 200 synchronized lights, holiday music, and festive activities like taking selfies by the stunning Christmas tree and making s’mores by the fire pits.
Where: Franklin | More Info: FrankTown’s Festival of Lights
Chad’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with live animals and costumed characters.
Description:
Chad's Winter Wonderland is a spectacular drive-thru holiday light display featuring over 2 million lights, 350 pieces of Christmas scenery, and unique exhibits like a drive-thru Santa's workshop and a Christmas train. The event includes synchronized lights, live animals, and costumed characters.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: Chad’s Winter Wonderland
Lights Over Gatlinburg
What to Expect:
Thousands of new Christmas lights and a record-breaking SkyBridge tunnel of lights.
Description:
Lights Over Gatlinburg features thousands of new Christmas lights, a 38-foot tall Christmas tree, and a famous tunnel of lights spanning the record-breaking Gatlinburg SkyBridge. Explore the park during the day for best views of Gatlinburg and return at night to immerse yourself in the winter lights.
Where: Gatlinburg | More Info: Lights Over Gatlinburg
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with family activities.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure features a drive-through light show with synchronized lights and music, accompanied by family-friendly activities and a visit to Snowy Mountain Village for more fun and photo opportunities.
Where: Sevierville | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
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 synchronized lights, towering walls of lights, and Christmas trees up to 50 feet tall. The event includes three drive-through RGB tunnels and offers a fun-filled journey through the East TN mountains with activities like sledding, tent camping, and rock climbing.
Where: Johnson City | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Christmas on the Cumberland
What to Expect:
Grand opening with a 2nd annual Holiday Market featuring local vendors.
Description:
Over one million lights illuminate McGregor Park and Cumberland Riverwalk, showcasing holiday traditions and global cuisines.
Where: Clarksville | More Info: Christmas on the Cumberland
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through light displays with festive activities.
Description:
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park features a 2-mile drive-through of twinkling Christmas lights and holiday displays, including elaborate light shows and festive activities.
Where: Memphis | More Info: Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
NoogaLights at Choo Choo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show in historic gardens.
Description:
NoogaLights at the Choo Choo features a Halloween-themed walkable light show from October 1st to November 3rd and a Christmas-themed walkable light show from November 15th to December 31st, both showcasing synchronized music and themed lighting in the historic gardens.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: NoogaLights at Choo Choo
Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo
What to Expect:
Interactive lantern displays with dynamic lighting effects.
Description:
The Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo features over 40 hand-crafted Asian lanterns showcasing dinosaurs, rainforest animals, and other immersive decorations. The event includes dynamic lanterns that move, expel fog, change color, and more. Interactive displays and games encourage touching, swinging, and playing. Exclusive gift shop items are available, and Santa Claus appears on certain dates.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo
Jackson Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Village Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with 140 vendors and free family photos.
Description:
The Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market is an indoor event at Camp Jordan Arena, featuring over 140 vendors, free pictures with the Grinch and Santa, and a variety of food options.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Christmas Village Holiday Market
Chriskindlmarkt at Mountain Arts Community Center
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday market with German-European inspired decorations and unique treasures.
Description:
The Christkindlmarkt at Mountain Arts Community Center is a traditional holiday market featuring charming booths with intricate crafts, unique treasures, and German-European inspired decorations. Enjoy the aroma of gingerbread, the sound of carols, and famous glühwein along with other amazing foods and drinks.
Where: Signal Mountain | More Info: Chriskindlmarkt at Mountain Arts Community Center
Jackson Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Bethel University Renaissance Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Dynamic music and beautiful costuming bring this classic story to life.
Description:
Bethel University Renaissance Theatre presents a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, featuring dynamic music, exciting choreography, and beautiful costuming. This classic story, written by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens, is a fantastic show for the whole family to enjoy.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Bethel University Renaissance Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol
The Heartbeats – Classics of Motown, R & B, Disco, Funk, Pop & More
What to Expect:
Classic hits from legendary Motown and R&B artists.
Description:
The Heartbeats – Classics of Motown, R & B, Disco, Funk, Pop & More features a lineup of iconic artists like Smokey Robinson, Four Tops, Earth Wind & Fire, and Hall & Oates, performing timeless hits that have shaped the music landscape.
Where: Jackson | More Info: The Heartbeats – Classics of Motown, R & B, Disco, Funk, Pop & More
Tyler Braden LIVE in Jackson, TN
What to Expect:
High-energy country-rock performance with emotional storytelling.
Description:
Tyler Braden LIVE in Jackson, TN features charismatic singer-songwriter Tyler Braden and special guest Sophia Scott, performing high-energy country-rock music with emotional storytelling and dynamic musical approaches.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Tyler Braden LIVE in Jackson, TN
Christmas Around the World Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday music celebration with family-friendly matinee.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with multicultural music traditions and hometown favorites at the Christmas Around the World Holiday Pops. This event features a matinee performance perfect for families and a full evening concert for all to enjoy.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Christmas Around the World Holiday Pops
Christmas at the Dixie
What to Expect:
LOLO's performance brings a unique blend of music and community spirit.
Description:
Join The Dixie for a special holiday event featuring LOLO, a renowned artist, songwriter, and actress, as she performs in "Christmas at the Dixie." This event is a community favorite, showcasing dynamic music and festive spirit.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Christmas at the Dixie
Mandy Barnett “Winter Wonderland”
What to Expect:
Grand Ole Opry member performs classic country and pop music.
Description:
Mandy Barnett brings her mesmerizing voice and classic country-pop style to the stage, showcasing her extensive musical career.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Mandy Barnett “Winter Wonderland”
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland features spectacular holiday lights, ICE exhibits, and various festive activities like ice skating, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Jackson Other Holiday Activities
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Animated forest characters and holiday attractions.
Description:
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees features beautifully decorated trees, animated characters, and holiday attractions like a gingerbread village and penguin pond, all benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.