With December lurking around the corner, the annual post-Thanksgiving barrage of Christmas tunes, decorations and events has begun. ‘Tis the season to make merry, so we thought we’d give you a heads up on a few of Nashville’s annual holiday traditions happening this week. Bundle up and join in!
Lighting of the Green. Tuesday, November 30 at Lipscomb University, 1-8pm.
Lipscomb’s annual Christmas bash is open to the community and certainly worth checking out. The Merry Marketplace will be open all day (1-8pm) with oodles of unique holiday gifts. Take the kids to get free photos with Santa from 3:30-7pm and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies in Williamsburg Village (beginning at 4:30pm) before the big tree-lighting ceremony and free concert at 5:30pm. This year’s concert features Susan Ashton, selected cast of the 2010 Black Nativity produced by the Amun Ra Theatre and Dave Barnes joining annual host Amy Grant. And it’s free!
Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Wednesday, December 1 at Riverfront Park, 4:30pm.
Mayor Karl Dean will light the Nashville Riverfront Menorah and share a special Hanukkah message on the first day of the Festival of Lights. There will be gelt! There will be dreidels! There will be doughnuts!
30th Annual Rudolph Red-Nose Run. Friday, December 3 in downtown Nashville, 6pm.
When you’re pulling out your finest winter running gear, don’t forget the blinking Rudolph noses, elf hats and jingle bells. The 30th annual Rudolph Red-Nose 5k Run/Walk will once again take place before Nashville’s annual Christmas parade downtown. Runners and walkers will travel the parade route to benefit Big Brothers of Nashville, and costumes are welcomed. Pre-register by the 2nd for $25, or register the day of for $30. For more race info and to register, click HERE.
58th Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Friday, December 3 in downtown Nashville, 7pm.
Cap off the week of festivities Friday night at Nashville’s annual Christmas parade and tree lighting, expected to draw 75,000 people to the streets of downtown. Mayor Karl Dean, Piedmont Natural Gas CEO, Thomas Skains and parade Grand Marshal, Gerry House will light Nashville’s Christmas tree in Public Square Park before hopping on a float and parading through the streets. Once again sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas, the Christmas parade will feature over 60 floats, balloons and participants and will be following a brand-spanking-new parade route (we’ll let you know about road closures later this week) down 2nd Ave and Broadway.
Photo by stephenyeargin.
Related posts:
- Christmas Parade With Red Noses & John Rich [Road Closures]
- Skip The Superstores, Shop Local This Holiday Season [Deck The Halls]
- Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town… Tomorrow
- The Weekendist: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
- Suit Up: Santa Rampage Spreading Christmas Jeer This Saturday