Looking for things to do in Nashville this winter? The neon lights and live music in downtown Nashville beckon anytime of year, but in the winter months, Nashville burns even more brightly, with light displays, party-friendly igloos and lots more.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best winter activities in Nashville, sure to ensure that the holiday season is merry and bright — whether you’re entertaining a crowd, or looking for a place to escape the family mayhem.

Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood

Voted the Best Local Event/Festival in the 2019 Nashville Scene, Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood is an annual tradition that has delighted Middle Tennesseans from one to 92 for the last five years.

Featuring over one million lights on a mile-long path throughout the Cheekwood grounds, the Holiday LIGHTS display is the perfect outing for couples and families alike. Be sure to check out the ticket bundles like Merry and Bright (which includes admission for two adults plus two drink tickets and a s’mores kit) or the Family LIGHTS package (admission for two adults and two children, plus two pairs of Holiday Specs 3D Glasses, which turn the festive displays into 3D worlds of wonder).

Cheekwood is honoring our servicemen and -women this season with Military Mondays (offering discounts to active and retired military personnel and first responders), and also offers a late-night admission discount to all visitors arriving after 8:30 p.m.

Holidays LIGHTS is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. through Sunday, January 5. Advance tickets are not required, but strongly encouraged, since most nights will sell out. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Cheekwood website, or at the door upon arrival.

GLOW Nashville at First Tennessee Park

High on our list of new things to do in Nashville this winter, GLOW Nashville is taking First Tennessee Park (soon to become First Horizon Park) by storm in 2019, offering an interactive holiday wonderland that spans the entirety of the facility, with Nashville’s tallest Christmas Tree taking center stage.

The robust mix of winter activities constructed within the Park include ice skating, snow tubing, Santa’s Workshop for little ones, plus a Winterfest Market featuring more than 25 local craft vendors for anyone who needs to wrap up some last-minute holiday shopping. The Band Box is also open during GLOW Nashville’s run, serving specialty cocktails amongst fire pits and igloos.

Tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children, but stop by on Value Days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) to receive $4 off admission. Both ice skating and snow tubing require an additional ticket. For pricing information and to purchase tickets, visit the GLOW Nashville website.

Imbibe in Holiday Spirits

Ah, the simple and pure joy of a perfectly mulled wine or spiced cider. When family commitments and seasonal obligations reach a fever pitch, there’s no better way to blow off steam than holiday themed pop-up bars. A few of our Nashville favorites:

Reindeer Games at Headquarters Beercade is back again this year, and numerous Instagram-ready backdrops plus picture-perfect themed cocktails make this a can’t-miss spot. Kids are welcome to explore the winter wonderland from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday. For 21-and-up visitors, doors are open until 3 a.m. nightly.

Miracle at Hidden Bar in the Noelle Hotel is open through Tuesday, December 31, and the entire secret space is decked in kitschy-chic Christmas decor. To find Hidden Bar, start at the Makeready entrance on Church Street, head down the stairs, then take a left and double back until you’ve reached a mirror and storage closet. Push your way through the closet doors like the Pevensies, and emerge into speakeasy Narnia.

Nordic Winter Village at The Bobby Hotel has a new twist this year: Up on the rooftop, you won’t find reindeer pausing or Santa Claus disembarking from his sleigh, but you will find two new cedar cabins in addition to the heated igloos that catapulted The Bobby to Insta-Christmas fame last year. Bonfires, blankets and specialty cocktails abound in this themed space, perfect for cozying up next to a few pals. To make reservations and view food and beverage minimums, visit The Bobby’s website.

Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland

As joyful and triumphant as ever, the Gaylord Opryland holiday extravaganza this year features ICE! sculptures depicting iconic scenes from A Christmas Story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Musical (which brings the beloved characters to life for a 90-minute performance), snow tubing, ice skating, and of course, an immense festival of lights. Locals and visitors flock to the property annually to admire the holiday decor. For the snowbirds among us, Gaylord Opryland offers a unique opportunity to marvel at holiday decorations inside a climate-controlled greenhouse. To purchase tickets and view information on packages and pricing, visit the Gaylord’s website.

Porter Flea at The Fairgrounds

Check your list twice, then stop by Porter Flea — Nashville’s premiere holiday shopping exhibition featuring independent makers — to check everything off your list. A jury-selected group of vendors ensures offerings that exceed in both variety and quality, from apparel to furniture, and art to children’s gifts and home goods. We’ve also heard whispers that Sean Brock will be signing copies of his newest cookbook South at Friday’s preview night, so if you missed his book tour stop in October at Parnassus Books, you have another chance to snag a signed copy for the home chef in your life.

Friday, December 13th 6 – 9 p.m.: $25 ticket, includes two drink tickets (Jackalope beer, cocktails and mocktails available), access to complimentary Braid + Beard Bar courtesy of Scout’s Barber Shop, first access to wares from over 200 independent artisan vendors and free parking (Friday night is a 21+ event).

Saturday, December 14th 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Free admission, access to more than 200 independent artisan vendors, plus food trucks on site. Parking at the Fairgrounds is $5.

Catch The Opry at The Ryman

Each year, beloved radio institution The Grand Ole Opry returns to its former home at The Ryman Auditorium, offering country music lovers a chance to catch some of their favorite artists performing at the historic Mother Church of Country Music. The Opry’s Ryman residence runs until January 25, and artists are continually added to the performance roster, so be sure to check the schedule often for updates.

A Night at the Nashville Symphony

The holiday spirit feels tangible in the halls of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and like many a Christmas season past, the Nashville Symphony has created a December lineup to warm even the coldest hearts. For the Christmas purists: performances of Handel’s Messiah. For the young at heart: showings of Home Alone, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony performing John Williams’ iconic score. Other holiday concerts throughout December include appearances from special guests Kellie Pickler, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Dave Barnes, Drew & Ellie Holcomb, and Michael W. Smith, all performing alongside the Nashville Symphony. Tickets for all Symphony concerts can be purchased in advance on their website.

Get Out of the Cold with Warm Soup

After a grueling, over-heated summer, soup season is finally upon us! Luckily, Nashville has many stellar soup dishes scattered throughout the neighborhoods, with enough variety to please even the pickiest of palates. Some of our favorites found on menus around town: ramen at Two Ten Jack or Otaku Ramen; chicken tortilla soup at Mas Tacos Por Favor; soupe a l’oignon at Liberty Common; she-crab soup at Kitchen Notes; and the lemon and artichoke soup at Midtown Cafe. If the only parties you’re hosting this season are at home in your pajamas, stop by the soup counter at Turnip Truck next time you brave the weather for fabulous take-home options made from scratch each day.

If comfort food sings to your soul like it does ours, check out our roundup of our favorite Comfort Food dishes from last winter.

Take a Walk Eat Nashville Tour

If food is the way to your heart too, gather up your gang and head out on a Walk Eat Nashville tour this winter. Each tour includes a mile to mile and a half of walking, stretched across three hours, and offers the perfect opportunity to get out of the house without spending too much time out in the elements. You’ll sample five different tastings and have a chance to interact with the chefs, owners and managers credited with pioneering the Nashville food scene. Whether in historic East Nashville, in Midtown surrounding Vanderbilt University or Downtown amid all the Music City sights, there’s a Walk Eat Nashville tour perfect for everyone.

Volunteer at a Local Non-Profit

Serving our community shouldn’t just be resigned to the holiday season, of course, but there’s no better way to give back than volunteering your time at a local non-profit. Some favorites that are making a major impact in the lives of Nashvillians: The Nashville Food Project, Second Harvest Food Bank and ShowerUp. For more information on how to get involved, simply click each organization’s name.

Hanukkah at Butcher & Bee

Executive chef Bryan Lee Weaver and his Bee team are the holiday heroes we need, but don’t deserve. For each night of Hanukkah, Butcher & Bee is offering a special tasting menu at dinner, along with select staple menu items. No tickets are required for this series, but reservations are strongly encouraged. Dinner service begins at 5 each evening, and the special Hanukkah tasting menu will be available Sunday, December 22 through Sunday, December 29, with the exception of Christmas Day, when Butcher & Bee will close to allow staff to spend time with their families.

And yes, there will be latkes.

Looking for a way to explore the best food in Nashville? Walk Eat Nashville walking food tours make it easy — covering East Nashville, Midtown and SoBro/Downtown, each tour includes tastings at multiple restaurants/shops and behind-the-scenes interactions with chefs and owners. Learn more about Walk Eat Nashville food tours.