Things to do with kids in Nashville, TN
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Nashville time)
Coming up in Nashville: Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Waddle (Nov 26), Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (from Nov 13), Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (from Nov 20) and 2 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Nashville Zoo at Grassmere and Adventure Science Center. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Nashville
Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Waddle
- When
- Thu, Nov 26
- Cost
- 1-mile Waddle $45; 5K $65
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk and 1-mile Waddle at Nissan Stadium. Every participant gets a shirt and finisher medal; leashed dogs welcome.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nightly Nov 13–Jan 3) · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Single-night admission $27 per person (members save $5); children under 2 free; parking $10
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Nashville Zoo’s new holiday light show with glowing wildlife displays and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree in the Holiday Square. Santa visits nightly Nov 27–Dec 24; ice skating, the carousel and the zip line cost extra.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nov 20–Jan 3 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)) · 4:30–10pm
- Cost
- Separate timed ticket; prices vary by night (see site)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Cheekwood’s gardens and historic mansion lit and decorated for the season, with this year’s French-inspired “Enchanted Noel” mansion décor and a holiday marketplace.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holidays in the Vue Parade (Bellevue)
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 10am; lasts 60–90 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Bellevue’s family-oriented holiday parade: about 60 floats, vehicles, walking groups, bands and performers on a 1.2-mile route from Bellevue Middle School along Hwy 70 South and Sawyer Brown Road to One Bellevue Place, with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring chairs or blankets; no parking at the school, so use street parking near the route. Rain or shine.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Story Time with Wishing Chair Productions at the Main Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 22 (Tuesdays through Dec 22) · Tuesdays 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30am (about an hour each)
- Cost
- Free and open to the public
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
A weekly favorite for children of all ages: Library Pete, Dr. Ev and Mr. B sing, juggle and read lots of books, with puppet friends popping up in the Puppet House. Three sessions each Tuesday morning.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
- Price
- Dated tickets vary by day; Any Day tickets: adults and teens $24, children (2–12) $20, under 2 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Zoo with the Grassmere historic home and farm; Glow Wild holiday lights run nightly Nov 13–Jan 3
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Adventure Science Center
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on science center with a planetarium in the pyramid building near downtown; Mon, Thu and Fri 9am–3pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5pm; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Botanical garden and 1930s mansion; Tue–Sun 9am–5pm; holiday hours Nov 3–Jan 29 add evenings 4:30–10pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
Frist Art Museum
- Price
- Adults $20; ages 18 and younger free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art museum in the old downtown post office with the hands-on Martin ArtQuest gallery; Mon, Fri and Sat 10am–5:30pm, Thu 10am–8pm, Sun 1–5:30pm; closed Tue–Wed
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Tennessee State Museum
- Price
- Free and open to the public
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
State history museum next to the Nashville Farmers’ Market at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Lane Motor Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Quirky car and vehicle museum; free vehicle demonstrations at 11am on Saturdays and Sundays
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Nashville this weekend?
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Adventure Science Center and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens are open most days, but we don't have a Nashville event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Waddle (Nov 26) and Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nov 13).
What time is trick-or-treating in Nashville?
Sunset on Halloween in Nashville is at 5:51 p.m. Nashville doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Nashville?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place and 2 upcoming events in Nashville, including Tennessee State Museum, Holidays in the Vue Parade (Bellevue, Sat, Dec 5) and Story Time with Wishing Chair Productions at the Main Library (Nov 3 – Dec 22).
Where can kids play indoors in Nashville when it's too cold or rainy?
We list 4 indoor places in Nashville: Adventure Science Center, Frist Art Museum (kids 18 and younger free), Tennessee State Museum (Free and open to the public) and Lane Motor Museum.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Nashville?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Nashville: Music City Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Waddle (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Nashville area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Nashville?
We list 2 events with Santa in Nashville, 1 free: Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nov 13 – Jan 3) and Holidays in the Vue Parade (Bellevue, Dec 5). Our Santa guide for the Nashville area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Nashville?
We list 2 holiday light events in Nashville: Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nov 13 – Jan 3) and Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (Nov 20 – Jan 3). Our holiday lights guide for the Nashville area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Nashville?
We list 1 everyday program in Nashville: Story Time with Wishing Chair Productions at the Main Library (Tuesdays through Dec 22).
What are the big family attractions in Nashville?
The best-known family attractions we list in Nashville are Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (kids 2–12 $20) and Adventure Science Center. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Nashville family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Nashville: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (adult $24, kids 2–12 $20) and Frist Art Museum (adult $20, kids 18 and younger free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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