Posted in Tennessee Winter October 19, 2022 by

8 Christmas Light Displays In Tennessee That Are Pure Magic

Do you ever find yourself Googling “Christmas lights near me” in Tennessee? You’re not alone! There’s something magical about the soft exuberance when Tennessee Christmas lights begin to shine. Strewn throughout the state, these eight displays perfectly encapsulate the stunning peace of the season with their glorious glow. We’ve got your new favorite tradition right here.

1. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - Nashville
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center / Facebook
The Opryland Hotel is known for its stunning Christmas light displays. You can walk through the Hall of Christmas Trees or wander the inner atrium, but no matter where your eye lands, you'll forever be in awe. Learn more about this year's festivities on theofficial website.
2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, USA
2. Speedway in Lights - Bristol
Speedway in Lights - Facebook
This is one of the largest holiday light shows in the whole of the south. You can see a drive-through route of four miles that will take you through the speedway grounds and snakes around the dragway track. Get all the important info on the official website.
Speedway Boulevard, Speedway Blvd, Bristol, TN, USA
3. Holiday Lights at Cheekwood - Nashville
Cheekwood/Facebook
Come see thousands of lights on the sprawling grounds of the Cheekwood Mansion. You can take a walk, indulge in hot chocolate from their snack bar, and even check out some reindeer that come to visit every holiday season. Going to see the Holiday Lights at Cheekwood is the perfect family holiday activity, and we're sure you'll agree that it's one of the best Christmas light displays near Nashville.
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205, USA
4. Truist ZooLights - Memphis
Memphis Zoo/Facebook
Enjoy a night out with zoo's 90-foot Ferris wheel, LIVE reindeer (they're real, kids!), camel rides, and even SNOW in the courtyard. This is all kinds of magic, folks. Learn more on the official ZooLights website.
2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112, USA
5. Christmas at Graceland - Memphis
Elvis Presley's Graceland/Facebook
Lights are put up all around the historic mansion and there is even a life-size nativity scene. You can also walk through the interior of the home, where some of the decorations were once used by Elvis. Visit the website to plan your Christmas adventure!
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, USA
6. Chad's Winter Wonderland - Lebanon
Chad's Winter Wonderland - Facebook
Located a stone's throw from Nashville, you can see over two MILLION lights and a life-sized nativity. The spot also features a drive-through Santa house, which is a definite must-see. Visit Chad's official Facebook page for all the details.
791 Old Laguardo Rd E, Lebanon, TN 37087, USA
7. Snowy Nights in My Big Backyard - Memphis
Memphis Botanic Garden/Facebook
Located in the Memphis Botanic Garden, themed lights are featured as well as icicle ornament decorations and a giant snow globe that, yes, you can play in. Score! Get all the important details on the official Snowy Nights website.
750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, USA
8. The Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park - Nashville
The Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park - Facebook
This is Middle Tennessee's largest drive-thru light and music show, and you can see hundreds of thousands of LED lights dancing to music played through your car radio. Pretty neat, hey?
1033 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087, USA

Are you still looking for a bit of excitement beyond Christmas lights in Tennessee? Still wondering about more Christmas lights near me in TN? How about a visit to some of these charming Christmas towns that have more than just Tennessee Christmas lights? Check out our Tennessee ULTIMATE bucket list if you want to feel inspired. How many have you visited? Tell us about your travels in the comments!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas Lights in Tennessee

November 07, 2021
Tori Jane

What is winter in Tennessee like?  

Tennessee is an interesting place, climatically speaking (okay, and everything-speaking). It tends to have hot, humid summers and mild-to-cold winters, though it doesn’t get crazy with the snowy stuff. January tends to be the chilliest month on average, with temperatures occasionally dipping down into the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit. The higher elevations, of course, are a bit colder and snowier than the rest of the state, sometimes seeing up to 80 inches of the white stuff on more active years. Western Tennessee sees the least amount of snow in the entire state, averaging about five inches per year, tops. The lowest recorded temperature in Tennessee thus far was recorded in 1933, when the mercury plunged down to an impressive (and freezing) -32 degrees. Talk about sweater weather!  

What are some must-do things to do in Tennessee?  

Tennessee isn’t usually one of those states that people think of right away when they think of places to visit on vacation (though some folks do love vacationing in places like Nashville), but we think it’s underrated. Some of our favorite must-do things to do in Tennessee include visiting the amazing Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has more than 900 miles of hiking and walking trails as well as incredible fall color when the time is right. Oh, and you definitely cannot miss a visit to Graceland – the home of THE Elvis Presley and easily one of the most popular destinations in Nashville. All of Nashville is worthy of a visit, we think. Don’t miss out on Memphis, either; whereas Nashville is all about the birth of country music, Memphis is all about the home of the blues. There’s also Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, where the 7th president lived from 1804 to 1845. History buffs in particular will love that one!