Family guides for Tennessee
Hand-checked family events and always-open places in Tennessee, city by city, with dates, costs and official links. All times are local Central Time (Eastern Time in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas).
Coming up: holiday & seasonal highlights
- Smoky Night Lights at Zoo KnoxvilleKnoxville · Nov 13 – Dec 27 · General admission $15.95–$22.95 depending on date (members $11.95–$15.95)
- Glow Wild at Nashville ZooNashville · Nov 13 – Dec 26 · Single-night admission $27 per person (members save $5)
- Memphis Zoo Lantern FestivalMemphis · Nov 13 – Dec 26 · $25 per person ($23 members)
- Holiday LIGHTS at CheekwoodNashville · Nov 20 – Dec 26 · Separate timed ticket
- Asian Lantern Festival: Wildlife Wonderland at Chattanooga ZooChattanooga · Nov 20 – Dec 26 · Non-members $23.50 adults, $17.50 ages 3–12
- Christmas at ChilhoweeKnoxville · Fri, Nov 20 · Free Admission
Seasonal guides
- Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Nashville (2026)4 listings
- Holiday lights near Nashville for families (2026)4 listings
- Where to see Santa near Nashville (2026)4 listings
- Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Memphis (2026)5 listings
- Holiday lights near Memphis for families (2026)3 listings
- Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Knoxville (2026)4 listings
- Where to see Santa near Knoxville (2026)4 listings
- Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Chattanooga (2026)4 listings
Nashville area
- Things to do with kids in Nashville, TN11 listings
- Things to do with kids in Murfreesboro, TN11 listings
Memphis area
- Things to do with kids in Memphis, TN14 listings
Knoxville area
- Things to do with kids in Knoxville, TN16 listings
Chattanooga area
- Things to do with kids in Chattanooga, TN11 listings
Frequently asked questions
Which Tennessee cities have Little Outings family guides?
Our 5 city guides in Tennessee cover Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville and Murfreesboro. All times are local Central Time (Eastern Time in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Tennessee?
We list 11 holiday light events across 5 cities in Tennessee, 2 free, including Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival (Memphis), Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nashville) and Asian Lantern Festival: Wildlife Wonderland at Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga). See our Nashville and Memphis holiday lights guides.
Where can kids see Santa in Tennessee?
We list 11 events with Santa across 5 cities in Tennessee, including Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nashville), Asian Lantern Festival: Wildlife Wonderland at Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga) and Christmas at Chilhowee (Knoxville). See our Nashville and Knoxville Santa guides.
What Thanksgiving events can families go to in Tennessee?
We list 6 Thanksgiving events across 5 cities in Tennessee, including Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Waddle (Nashville) and Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run (Knoxville). See our Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga Thanksgiving guides.
What are the big kids' attractions in Tennessee?
Zoos, aquariums and children's museums on our Tennessee guides include Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (Nashville), Zoo Knoxville (Knoxville), Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga), Memphis Zoo (Memphis) and Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga). See all 7 in the city guides.
What is free for families in Tennessee?
4 places on our Tennessee guides have free admission according to the official site, including Coolidge Park (Chattanooga), Tennessee State Museum (Nashville), Stones River National Battlefield (Murfreesboro) and Cannonsburgh Village (Murfreesboro).
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