Holiday Happenings

Things to do, see and experience in Nashville this season

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN AND JANET KURTZ

ELF THE MUSICAL

The Nashville Repertory Theatre brings beloved Buddy the Elf to life with Elf the Musical. In a show based on the book and movie of the same name, local actors bring the audience along as Buddy and Jovie redecorate Macy’s department store, explore Central Park, help Buddy discover who he is and show the grumpiest cotton-headed ninnymuggins the true meaning of Christmas. Fun for the entire family, Elf the Musical ushers in a new era of holiday theater for the Nashville Rep. nashvillerep.org

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Get your tickets early for the beloved — and frequently sold-out — nighttime exhibit at Cheekwood. Your season will be merry and bright after taking a onemile stroll through the gardens glowing with more than one million twinkling bulbs and elegant and creative light displays. Along the way, stop by one of the s’mores or bar stations before heading to the Mansion to see the 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree on display through Jan. 8, 2023. cheekwood.org. ENCHANT

If you haven’t gotten your fill of lights yet, be sure to head to First Horizon Park for Enchant. The Nashville Sounds’ home field is one of only eight cities in the country to welcome this extraordinary attraction, which boasts four million lights, a walk-through maze, ice skating trail, larger-than-life displays and more. The popular VIP tickets guarantee visitors an Elf Guide to show them around, but only until Dec. 30. enchantchristmas.com.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Actor-writer-director Mark Cabus brings Charles Dickens’ classic tale of transformation of the human spirit to life in a new way at The Franklin Theatre. In a show presented by Studio Tenn, the spectacular Cabus brings the story to life while performing more than 18 characters, including Scrooge, Marley’s ghost and Tiny Tim telling the tale of love, greed and redemption. franklintheatre.com

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

This holiday season, The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts will play host to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang for A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage. The performance brings the holiday classic to life as the gang prepares for the all-important Christmas pageant. A story for young and old told in a new medium, the production will include all-new immersive sets, lighting, choreography and more. thefishercenter. com/2022/07/19/a-charlie-brown-christmas/

HOME ALONE

Kevin McAllister is back again, foiling bumbling burglars and growing to understand the meaning of family with Home Alone at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Enjoy this family-friendly holiday classic on the big screen as the Nashville Symphony, led by Jason Seber, performs the beautiful score by John Williams. nashvillesymphony.org/homealone

ICE!

The longtime holiday tradition returns to Gaylord Opryland Resort with a tribute to the animated television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Visitors can see favorite characters Clarice, Bumble, Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Elf and Rudolph himself, depicted in 12 scenes, all carved from ice. In addition to zipping down the tunnel and arches of the two-story-tall ice slides, there are a host of family-friends activities to take part in through Jan. 1, 2023. christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com. ZOOLUMINATION

The stupendous Chinese lantern festival is making a grand comeback to Nashville Zoo with more than 1,000 custom-made silk Chinese lanterns displayed along the zoo pathways. These one-of-a-kind structures feature animals, mythical beasts, dragons and more. At North Pole Village, there are lights, trees, holiday fun and even Santa. Ol’ Saint Nick has to leave on Dec. 24, but guests can view the lanterns through Feb. 4, 2023. nashvillezoo.org.

NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER

Newly adorned with an Emmy Award for the televised adaptation, Nashville’s Nutcracker returns with the Nashville Ballet Company cast and a new snow scene created by designer Campbell Baird “designed to look as if you are staring into a piece of mica stone.” Known for stunning costumes and adorable young dancers who scurry across the stage as mice or play, as children do, at a party, Nashville’s Nutcracker is a tradition enjoyed by all generations. nashvilleballet.com

THE WIZARD OF OZ

For those looking for a family activity outside of the holiday themes, the Nashville Children’s Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz is an ideal solution. Based on the novel and the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz tells the story of lonely Dorothy Gale, her dog Toto and their adventures in the magical land of Oz, where Dorothy learns the value of using her brain, finding courage and opening her heart to save her friends. nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/wizard-of-oz-2022