taytrum travels

Whether you are a Nashville, Tennessee local, stopping by on a cross country road trip, or just flying in for the holidays, Nashville has plenty to offer in the winter. Though it’s a bit chilly, the weather in most cases isn’t bad enough to force you inside. This list features a mix of indoor and outdoor options at a variety of price points. Some of the Nashville things to do on this list are totally free, while others could cost you a few hundred dollars per ticket.

Nashville, the state capital of Tennessee, is located in middle Tennessee. It’s well known for its country music, live shows, whiskey, and hot chicken.

I’ve been going back to Nashville every winter for the holidays for about the last five years now, so I’ve gotten a pretty good sampling of family-oriented winter activities. Here are some of my favorite Nashville winter experiences:

1. Music City Bowl

The Music City Bowl is an annual event in Nashville that usually occurs in late December. It’s held at Nissan Stadium where the Tennessee Titans play. Each year, different college football teams from around the country are matched up to play. The marching bands of the schools perform fun and creative routines, adding to the experience.

Tickets cost roughly $50-200, depending on your seats and you’ll need to account for parking and snacks too. Tickets need to be booked in advance in most cases, which makes planning for the weather hard. One year there was sunny, perfect weather, the next it was freezing cold and windy.

Titan Stadium, which will be getting a brand-new stadium soon, has a great view of the Nasville skyline from across the Cumberland River. This view, plus a fun college football game make the Music City Bowl a great winter option.

2. Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo

During the holiday season, the Nashville Zoo puts up a dazzling display of lights and festive attractions throughout the zoo grounds. Many of the light displays are themed around Chinese mythology. They also change the displays every year. You might get lucky and see some of the more nocturnal animals active. One year, the tiger was particularly active and roaring.

As a primarily outdoor stroll, you should dress warm. Hats, gloves, long pants, a warm jacket, and good socks should be worn at a minimum. The cold can be managed though too by ducking into the reptile house where you can quickly warm back up.

There are usually food and beverage vendors offering holiday treats, hot beverages, and snacks throughout the event. You can get hot chocolate, spiked hot chocolate with your choice of liquor, kettle corn, soft pretzels, and more.

Admission to Zoolumination requires a separate ticket from regular zoo admission. Tickets are usually available for specific time slots or evenings. Purchasing tickets in advance, especially for popular nights, is recommended. Tickets are about $20 per person with an additional $8 parking fee.

After January 2nd, crowds tapper off, so if you can attend after the holiday rush, you’ll probably find it more enjoyable. I attend Zoolumination every year and find attending after New Year’s to be least crowded time. Of course, the Christmas specific lights and displays may be more meaningful closer to Christmas, but you should expect some crowds.

3. The Tennessee State Museum

The Tennessee State Museum covers a wide range of history and culture in the state. Its new location opened in 2018, meaning this museum has new and engaging displays. From a Civil War prosthetic leg, among the first of its kind with an adjustable, mobile knee joint, to Dolly Parton instruments and wardrobe, the museum starts its state history story all the way back in the hunter and gathering period of human history. This is a great, kid-friendly thing to do in Nashville.

Best of all, this state-of-the-art museum is totally free, and you can even get a guided tour free of charge.

Nearby the museum you can see the state capitol building on the hill and find a cool, large map of Tennessee in the plaza. If you get hungry, the Farmer’s Market (listed below) is a good place to head next door.

4. Nashville Farmer’s Market

Located in downtown, this indoor food court offers a wide variety of food and local market products. Top things to try here are Farm City Coffee’s Bourbon Vanilla Latte and Succulent Taco’s vegan Nashville Hot “Chicken” tacos. Other vendors include crepes, boba, Mexican, Indian, Greek, wood-fired pizza, and BBQ. There are frequently live singers and guitar players performing inside.

In the winter, the farmer’s market is decorated with holiday lights, wreathes, and sparkling streamers.

5. National Museum of African American Music

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is a cultural institution in Nashville, Tennessee, dedicated to celebrating and preserving the contributions of African American musicians and their influence on various music genres. Visitors can explore different galleries that focus on specific genres, artists, historical periods, and musical movements.

It is one of the most interactive museums I’ve ever been to and because of that, it ranks among my all-time favorite museums. One of my favorite things about NMAAM are the interactive tables where you can explore different music based on the theme of a given room. It connects particular artists with related musicians and the origins of their inspirations. Best of all, you can build a playlist that you can then send to your Apple or Spotify account at the end of the museum tour.

This is great option for colder weather or a rainy day. Plus, there are great food options located nearby at 5 & Broadway, a new mixed-use development that features Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and more.

6. Frist Art Museum

The Frist Art Museum, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a prominent cultural institution known for its diverse art exhibitions. The museum hosts a diverse range of temporary exhibitions featuring a wide spectrum of visual arts, including paintings, sculptures, photography, multimedia installations, and more. The exhibitions often rotate, so it’s advisable to check the museum’s website for the current and upcoming shows. Notably, the Frist Art Museum does not have a permanent collection, so there is something new to see every winter.

Their hours can be a little wonky, with somewhat narrow hours on most days and being fully closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to check their website for the most up to date information.

7. Predator’s Game at Bridgestone Arena

A fun thing to do in the winter is to see a hockey game. Whether you are a fan of the NHL or not, Predator games are always entertaining. If you’re lucky, you may catch the moment a fan throws a catfish onto the ice. The tradition of throwing catfish onto the ice at Nashville Predators games has become a unique and famous part of the team’s culture and home game experience. The origin of this tradition goes back to 2003 during a Predators’ playoff run. Inspired by the Detroit Red Wings’ tradition of throwing an octopus onto the ice, some Nashville fans decided to bring a catfish to the game as a way to show support for the Predators.

Tickets to Predators games generally range from around $20 to $200 or more per ticket for regular-season games. Seats closer to the ice tend to be more expensive, especially for high-demand games or matchups against popular opponents.

8. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are usually must-see sites in Nashville. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, memorabilia, costumes, instruments, and interactive exhibits that showcase the history and evolution of country music. Exhibits sometimes rotate, so there’s always something new to explore. You should plan to spend a few hours at the museum.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. Prices may vary based on age, with discounts available for seniors, youth, and military personnel.

The museum is an especially good activity on cold Nashville days. It will likely be busier close to New Year’s Eve and Christmas as the city receives an influx of tourism for the holidays.

9. Brewery Trivia Nights

While not the biggest craft beer scene in the country, Nashville’s growing city is also supporting more diversified breweries. Many breweries host special events like trivia during weekdays. Nerdy Talk Trivia is a popular trivia host in Tennessee.

Yazoo is one of Nashville’s most well-known and established breweries. They offer a variety of year-round and seasonal beers, including their popular Yazoo Pale Ale and Sue, a smoked porter. Head to Yazoo on a Thursday night for trivia. On Sundays, you can find trivia at TN Brew Works. On Mondays, Hops and Crafts in the Gulch hosts trivia night. Another cool neighborhood in Nashville is Germantown, where you can find Monday Night Brewing hosting trivia on Mondays.

Related: San Diego Brewery Guide

10. New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash

Nashville’s New Year’s Eve event includes live music performances by top headliners, fireworks, and food vendors. Concerts are hosted across several venues throughout downtown with one main stage in Bicentennial Park. Best of all, the concert in Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is totally free. In the past, the major headliners have been Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, and Elle King.

Thousands of people attend the event and many gather at the main stage hours in advance to get the best spot. This is an outdoor event, so you’ll need to dress extra warm if you plan to stay at the main stage.

At midnight, Nashville drops a red music note to count down to the new year. Earlier in the evening, the stage hosts a more kid friendly celebration if you are interested in attending with children before the main event at midnight.

11. Concerts at the Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman Auditorium, also known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” was originally built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. It gained prominence as a venue for religious revivals before becoming a popular concert hall. Over the years, the Ryman has hosted countless legendary performers from various music genres, including country, bluegrass, rock, gospel, and more. Notable artists such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton have graced the stage at this National Historic Landmark.

During the holiday season, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville often hosts special concerts. Some holiday concerts may feature surprise guest appearances or special collaborations between artists, adding to the excitement and uniqueness of the performances. One of the frequent performances in recent years has been Amy Grant and Vince Gill.

Due to the popularity of these seasonal events and the limited seating capacity of the Ryman, tickets for holiday concerts can sell out quickly. It’s advisable to check the Ryman’s official website in advance for ticket availability and to secure your seats early.

12. Cheekwood Holiday Lights

Cheekwood is a historic estate and garden located in Nashville. It’s recognized as both a historical landmark and a cultural attraction. The Cheekwood Mansion was built in the 1920s for the Cheek family, who made their fortune through the Maxwell House Coffee brand. During the winter, the Cheekwood estate is beautifully decorated with an array of lights, creating a festive atmosphere. Visitors can explore the illuminated gardens at their own pace and walk along pathways adorned with twinkling lights.

The Holiday Lights event at Cheekwood typically runs from late November through the holiday season into early January. The Holiday Lights display at Cheekwood is designed to be family-friendly, catering to visitors of all ages. It’s a great outing for families, couples, and individuals looking to enjoy the festive spirit, especially if you have good weather. As it is a light show, the event is best after sunset so you should dress warm.

Prices vary based on age and entry level of ticket. For example, for a higher price you can also tour the mansion in addition to the gardens. Garden only adult tickets cost $25-30. There is special military pricing on Monday nights.

13. Holiday Menus at Marathon Village

Marathon Village is a historic and bustling mixed-use area located in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s situated in the Marathon Motor Works complex, which was once a thriving automobile manufacturing plant in the early 20th century. The company ceased operations in the 1910s. In the early 2000s, the area underwent extensive renovation and was repurposed into a mixed-use development that now houses a variety of businesses, including retail shops, art studios, event spaces, and more.

Today, there is a small museum with historic cars and machinery on one side of the street. In Marathon Village, you can find the small shops decked out for the holidays and many offer season menu items. One of my favorite spots in Marathon Village is Corsair Artisan Distillery. They offer a holiday menu with cocktails like “Mama’s Spiked Peppermint Hot Mocha” and “Frostline Fizz.”

At the other end of the building, the large Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Marathon Village offers tours where visitors can learn about the history of the distillery, the whiskey-making process, and sample some of their spirits. You can also find a “I Love Nashville” mural on the street here.

14. Holiday Themed Goat Yoga

Goat Yoga Nashville hosts a fun and unique yoga class for all skill levels. Even if you’ve never done yoga before, you should consider this quirky activity. The small goats have a habit of jumping for the nearest high ground so they frequently jump on attendees’ backs. Sometimes they even jump from person to person. While you may not get the best work out or yoga flow due to distractions (namely, goats), the baby goats steal the show and everyone in class is laughing and smiling.

This family run business houses their mini goats on their home property and has converted space into a large yoga studio. Mats are provided. During the winter, the goats are dressed up in holiday themed costumes originally intended for dogs, but they fit the goats perfectly too. Goat yoga may seem silly, but it is a lot of fun for the whole family. You can also see how well cared for the animals are on the farm. Classes need to be booked in advance.

Nashville Winter Weather

You can expect chilly temperatures in Nashville during the winter. In some cases, you can even get snow in late December and early January. On average, winter temperatures range from a low of 30 °F to a high of 65 °F. It’ll most likely be grey and cloudy with a mild chance of rain, but most days are pretty dry.

Check the weather in advance as winter weather in Nashville can really fluctuate quickly on a day-to-day basis. As a general rule for winter in Nashville, pack a warm jacket or puffer, a sweater, and long pants. You might also like to have a beanie, gloves, scarf, and warm socks if you’re out at night or if it’s a windy day.

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