Visit These Top Holiday Communities in Tennessee and Kentucky

Nashville, Tennessee | Brandon Jean

Tennessee and Kentucky boast towns and cities renowned for their holiday charm, featuring enchanting light displays, vibrant community events, and plenty of festive fun. Let’s look at some top holiday communities in Tennessee and Kentucky to prioritize for your next seasonal getaway. 

Nashville, TN

Nashville, Tennessee’s capital and largest city, is known for its live music scene, delicious eateries, and lively nightlife. While it is a popular destination year-round, you won’t want to miss all that this community provides over the holidays. 

Nashville’s offerings include citywide holiday markets, a dazzling array of light displays, and seasonal performances. Nashville’s Nutcracker ballet is scheduled for December 8th through 24th this year, and A Country Christmas Breakfast Show runs from November 22nd through December 30th. Also, visitors should stick around for New Year’s to experience Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, a rowdy celebration that will usher in 2024 with style.

Franklin, TN

Franklin, famed for its historical architecture and gorgeous streets, is a charming community south of Nashville. This bustling city, known for hosting lively community events, certainly lives up to its reputation during the holidays. 

Downtown Franklin celebrates Holiday Magic on Main with festive decorations throughout, including a massive Christmas tree, and nightly shows and events. This year, it runs from November 28th through December 31st. Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas, Middle Tennessee’s largest Christmas festival, features live shows, characters in Victorian-era costumes, and more. This can’t-miss spectacle takes place December 9th through 10th.

Columbia, TN

Columbia, with its charming town square and lively Main Street, is the perfect place to spend your holidays. The Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, the city’s signature seasonal event, features classic holiday characters and a merry atmosphere. Also, visitors can enjoy seasonal shopping at pleasant local shops or indulge in tasty treats at the city’s top-notch restaurants and cafes. 

Georgetown, KY

The gorgeous city of Georgetown presents centuries-old architecture, classic Kentucky bourbon distilleries, and nearby horse farms. It is a unique holiday destination with its historic downtown, lit up to celebrate the holidays, complemented by its scenic natural beauty that shines even in the crisp winter weather. Georgetown ushers in the holiday season with a myriad of events in its Home for the Holidays lineup. Celebrations include the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, from November 24th through December 31st, and an annual parade and tree lighting on December 2nd. Also, Georgetown offers excellent dining options and a vibrant live music scene to complete your holiday experience.

Versailles, KY

Looking for a quaint small town for your next holiday escape? Consider Versailles, Kentucky. With bluegrass landscapes and bourbon distilleries, it is a quintessential Kentucky destination. The town’s magnificent architecture draws visitors in, and the city embraces the season’s spirit by adorning its historical buildings in brilliant holiday lights. A Wonderful Woodford Christmas, the city’s signature lineup of Christmas events, presents an all-out celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Scheduled events include a parade, a tree lighting, horse and carriage tours, an ice-skating rink, and children’s activities. 

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