11/18/2021
There’s plenty of fun to be had in Nashville any time of year, but in winter, Music City hits a high note. With the temperature around 50 degrees during the day and low 40s to upper 30s at night, Nashville is sufficiently wintery, but not so much that you can’t still get out and enjoy all the city has to offer. Here, we share ideas for families, couples, friends, and everyone in between.
What To Do in Nashville in Winter
You’re only limited by your time and imagination when it comes to doing things in Music City in winter. Nashville is a city that likes to have fun! With that said, here are some of our top picks (in no particular order):
Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas
There is perhaps no more of an immersive holiday experience in Nashville than Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas, which runs from November 12 to January 2. Not only is the entire hotel decked out, but the Magnolia Lawn alone has an amazing display of more than three million holiday lights plus an outdoor nativity scene. What’s more, there’s ice skating, ice tubing, reindeer encounters, holiday dining, and hotel guests can also enjoy the Soundwaves indoor water park.
Cheekwood
This 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate is a Nashville favorite, especially in winter when it comes alive at night. From November 20 to January 20, Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS features miles of glowing lights throughout the gardens, an interactive Tunnel of Lights, s’mores stations, a fantastic model train exhibit, a children’s wonderland, and more!
Live Music
You can’t visit Music City without enjoying some live music, and there is plenty to choose from in the winter. There’s the Grand Ole Opry, Music City Christmas with the Nashville Symphony, Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Bridgestone Arena, a variety of holiday shows at the Ryman Auditorium — and that’s just a start.
Performing Arts
There’s plenty of talent aside from music in Nashville, too. This winter, you’ll find Rhythmic Circus at the Franklin Theatre, The Elves and the Shoemaker at Nashville Children’s Theatre, as well as A Christmas Story, Nashville’s Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Disney’s The Lion King — all at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
The Food Scene
Nashville is quickly becoming a culinary destination. Of course, you have to try Prince’s Hot Chicken, The Loveless Cafe, and at least one of our award-winning BBQ joints, but there is so, so much more for your taste buds to enjoy in the Nashville food scene.
Festivals
Do winter like a local – enjoy a festival in one of Nashville’s neighborhoods, like the East Nashville Holiday Bash or the 36th Annual Dickens of a Christmas in downtown Franklin. Or, explore what makes popular Nashville neighborhoods like Germantown, The Nations, and more so distinct.
Learn More About Music City
Nashville has so much history to explore, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Historic RCA Studio B, Hatch Show Print, Nashville Parthenon, National Museum of African American Music, and Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. And quite honestly, walking down Broadway taking in all the honky-tonks is an experience in and of itself!
Sports
Winter in Nashville is full of sports events, but of course, our favorites are Titans football and Nashville Predators hockey. For college football lovers, the Music City Bowl is always a fun event, too!
Ring in The New Year
Nashville’s bash rivals any in the United States. From hours of live music to fireworks to the unique music note drop, it’s guaranteed to be a New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t forget. This year’s event features Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, Sam Hunt, Fisk Jubilee Singers, and more.
Where To Stay in Nashville in Winter
Since you will be busy planning all of these fun things to do in Nashville in winter, we’ll make finding a place to stay easy for you. Yes, there are more hotels in Nashville than you can count, but they tend to book up far in advance and can be pricey, certainly for the amount of space in your room. We’d rather you spend your hard-earned money experiencing all Nashville has to offer instead. Music City Loft features vacation rentals in the heart of downtown Nashville at an affordable price with unmatched luxury and comfort.
Rent one of our 1- or 2-bedroom lofts for your trip to Nashville in winter! Or, learn more about Music City Loft today.
