Winter in Nashville is a magical time of year, especially for families with young children. From holiday festivals and tree lightings to cozy indoor adventures, there is no shortage of cold weather fun to enjoy together. With so much to choose from, The Gardner School has made a winter bucket list full of recommendations for our favorite activities that preschoolers and their families can enjoy this winter in Nashville.
Zoolumination
Visit the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival at the Nashville Zoo from November 17 through January 7. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment with nightly performances from Chinese acrobats while taking in the magical scenes of more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns. The zoo also hosts a North Pole Village from November 24 through December 24. Visit Santa, check out the holiday lights, festive trees, and more seasonal fun!
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood
This classic holiday tradition features real reindeer and gardens lit with over one million lights. S’mores stations and mobile bars are set up on the one-mile walking path that leads to a 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the historic Cheekwood mansion. Be sure to buy tickets before you go, as advanced entry reservations are required. Check out Cheekwood’s website for a closer look at the holiday event.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Holiday festivities at the resort are back again this year with a brand new exhibit. Christmas at Gaylord Opryland’s signature attraction “ICE!” will feature scenes from The Polar Express that are hand-carved from more than 2-million pounds of ice. You can also enjoy classic winter activities like ice skating and ice tubing, as well as gingerbread decorating and photos with Santa.
Tennessee Central Railway Museum
Enjoy a holiday excursion on board one of the museum’s vintage-style passenger trains. The holiday-themed trips often sell out fast, so if you miss the opportunity this year, there is a long list of several other excursions to choose from. You can also opt out of a ride altogether and just take in the museum’s massive collection of Tennessee Central Railway artifacts. It’s the perfect trip for toddlers who love trains!
Head to the Theater
Music City has a lot to offer audiences with family-friendly venues like Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Nashville Children’s Theatre (to name a few). Check out TPAC’s winter schedule to find ticket information for shows like A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. The Nashville Symphony will perform the score from Home Alone live as the movie plays at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in December. The Nashville Children’s Theatre is the oldest children’s theatre in the country and puts on wonderful stage performances! This non-profit organization also runs a variety of childrens’ programs that include acting classes and camps.
Get Outdoors
Bundle up and head outside to one of Nashville’s great hiking trails! Radnor Lake State Park has a beautiful walking trail where you’re sure to spot some local wildlife. The path is great for a short stroll with younger children on foot, or pack your stroller and hit the paved path for a scenic walk around the lake. A few more of our favorite hikes include Harpeth Woods Trail in Edwin Warner Park and Mossy Ridge Trail Loop in Percy Warner Park. Also be sure to check out Shelby Bottoms Nature Center as you hike along the greenway.
Adventurous Learning in Every Season
The Gardner School of Nashville offers an exciting, hands-on curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our caring teachers engage children’s curiosity while helping them build a strong educational foundation. To learn more about our preschool, contact us to set up a tour.