Our guide for Williamson County holiday lights, parades and events

Chris Gadd, Nashville Tennessean
·5 min read
People fill downtown Franklin for Dickens of a Christmas Saturday, December 14, 2019.
People fill downtown Franklin for Dickens of a Christmas Saturday, December 14, 2019.

The holidays are here. So are Christmas lights, parades and more.

Below is a list of Williamson County events to get you and your family out of the house and into the holiday spirit.

Brentwood

  • Saturday, Dec. 3

Morning with Santa, 9 a.m. to noon at John P. Holt Brentwood Library

Admission is free to all events, but tickets are required for the magic show. They may be picked up at the children’s services desk beginning Monday, Nov. 14. Santa Claus will be in attendance. Visitors can enjoy refreshments, write a letter to Santa, make or take Christmas crafts, draw for prizes, use a photo booth, figure out puzzles and more. Magician Bruce Amato will present two showings of a special Christmas magic show, 9:30 am and 10:15 am. Located at John P. Holt Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Road in Brentwood.

Doneisha Wells, owner of Risque Regards.
Doneisha Wells, owner of Risque Regards.

Monday, Dec. 5

  • Brighten Brentwood: 24th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30 p.m. at John P. Holt Brentwood Library

Comments by city leaders, a performance by the Brentwood Academy Singers and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Hot cocoa will be served. Indoor activities at the Brighten Brentwood Event will include 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. readings of The Polar Express by Brentwood’s train conductor, Steve Burgin. All guests will receive a Santa’s sleigh bell as a memento of the evening. Located at John P. Holt Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Road in Brentwood.

Tickets for the Polar Express reading are limited and will be available Monday, Nov. 14 at the Brentwood Library Children Services Desk.

Saturday Dec. 10

  • Brentwood Luminaries in neighborhoods

Dusk until 9 p.m. on the second Saturday evening in December is the official night to display luminaries in your neighborhood. The city sets the date, but each homeowner association plans details.

Franklin

Friday, Dec. 2

  • Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Public Square in Franklin

The City of Franklin will host its annual Christmas tree lighting on Public Square from 6-8:30 p.m. The evening event will feature performances by the Freedom Intermediate School Honors Choir and Grammy-nominated Christian music artist Matthew West.

Saturday, Dec. 3

  • Franklin Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Franklin

The Kiwanis Club of Historic Downtown Franklin and Williamson County Schools Fine Arts Club will host a Christmas parade along Main Street from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3, to celebrate Christmas traditions and welcome Santa to town.

More information on the parade can be found at franklinis.com/events. More information on the Christmas tree lighting can be found at franklintn.gov/our-city/christmas-tree-lighting-on-the-square.

John Kitson, center, dresses up as ghost Jacob Marley, interacts with people during the 34th annual Dickens of a Christmas in downtown Franklin Dec. 8, 2018.
John Kitson, center, dresses up as ghost Jacob Marley, interacts with people during the 34th annual Dickens of a Christmas in downtown Franklin Dec. 8, 2018.

Saturday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Dec. 11

  • 37th Annual Dickens of a Christmas, 5 p.m. both days in downtown Franklin

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County's 37th Annual Dickens of a Christmas in historic Downtown Franklin, is a Victorian-themed outdoor street festival. The festival recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. A variety of musicians, dancers and Dickens characters will fill the streets. Expect to see and interact with Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children. The event is hosted by the Downtown Franklin Association – A Division of the Heritage Foundation.

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Nolensville

Sunday, Dec. 4

  • Nolensville Hometown Holiday Parade, 4 p.m.

The Nolensville Hometown Holiday Parade starts on Johnson Industrial Blvd. and ends at Nolensville Town Hall. Following the parade, citizens are invited for a magical evening at Town Hall with a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, the Nolensville High School Choir and the town tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. In partnership with the Nolensville Food Pantry and Mill Creek Middle School, the Town of Nolensville is accepting non-perishable items, household items and personal goods.

Over eight miles of cable and 25,000 smart pixels light the fixtures of Holiday Wonders at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview.
Over eight miles of cable and 25,000 smart pixels light the fixtures of Holiday Wonders at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview.

Fairview

Saturday, Dec. 3

  • Christmas Tree Lighting, Holiday Marketplace and Tinsel Tree Trail, 4:30pm at Fairview City Hall

The City of Fairview will hold its Christmas Tree lighting, Holiday Marketplace and Tinsel Tree Trail. There will be vendors and food trucks on site. The Tinsel Trail will feature decorated trees from local businesses and nonprofits. The event will be 2-6 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony to begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Richard Ross at rross@fairview-tn.org or 615-387-6140.

Saturday, Dec. 10

  • Fairview Christmas Parade, 4:30 p.m.

The Fairview Christmas Parade starts at Westwood Elementary School and ends at SFEG business. For more information, go online to fairview-tn.org.

Nov. 25-Dec. 10, Thursday-Saturday

  • Holiday Wonders at Bowie Park, 6-9 p.m., Bowie Nature Park, main entrance at 2268 Fairview Blvd.

Tickets are $25 per car, including tax. Tickets will be sold online, at the gate and at city hall. Tickets are valid any day and time the show is open. Holiday Wonders at Bowie Park is an immersive drive-through light, video, laser and sound show. The show is an ELS production in partnership with the City of Fairview as a service to the people of Fairview and surrounding communities. For more information, go online to fairview-tn.org/2022/11/holiday-wonders-at-bowie-park/.

Spring Hill

Wednesday, Dec. 7

  • City of Spring Hill’s annual tree lighting ceremony, 5:30 p.m. the city’s Harvey Park.

The City of Spring Hill’s annual tree lighting ceremony will be at the city park and city staff members are stringing lights and hanging seasonal decorations, including on and around Main Street.

Thompson's Station

Sunday, Dec. 4

  • Santa's Christmas Tree Lighting, 3-5 p.m., Sarah Benson Park

Visit with Santa Claus, listen to holiday music and warm up at the hot cocoa bar, all part of the Thompson's Station Christmas tree lighting.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Williamson County holiday lights, parades and events 2022