Where to see Santa near Nashville (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Dec 24 · All times are local Central Time
We list 4 ways to see Santa around Nashville for Oct 28 – Dec 24: 2 Santa sets open most days and 2 events on select days. 1 list free admission. Hours change and Santa takes breaks, so check the linked schedule before you go.
Santa most days through Christmas Eve
Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Thu, Dec 24 (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
A Charming Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 19 (Fridays and Saturdays Dec 4–19) · 4–8pm
- Cost
- $5 per person; ages 5 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Candle-lit village buildings with rustic holiday decor, light displays, carolers, live music, letters to Santa, holiday crafts and demonstrations. Tickets online or at the gate.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa on select days: parades, tree lightings and more
Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 6–8:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated (activities, hot cocoa and Santa photos are free; carriage rides offered)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Choirs, kids’ crafts and free hot cocoa around the courthouse from 6pm, stage performances 6:30–7:30pm, then Santa arrives on stage to light the tree. Free pictures with Santa inside the courthouse afterward.
✓ 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
Frequently asked questions
When does Santa arrive near Nashville in 2026?
Santa is at 2 spots on our list from these dates: Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo (Nashville, from Nov 13) and A Charming Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village (Murfreesboro, from Dec 4).
Where can kids see Santa for free near Nashville?
Holidays in the Vue Parade (Bellevue, Nashville) says it's free on the official page (1 of our 4 Santa listings). 2 listings have a cost: Glow Wild at Nashville Zoo and A Charming Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village.
Which Nashville-area cities have Santa events?
We list Santa events in 2 cities, including Nashville (2) and Murfreesboro (2).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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