Throughout Dec. – Rockin’ Christmas Lights
Throughout Dec. – Rockin’ Christmas Lights
The home at 5710 Citadel Ct., Rockvale, will be rockin’ the Christmas lights this December. Rockin’ Christmas Lights is a synchronized display provided at no charge (but donations to support The Alzheimer’s Association will be accepted). Catch the show, which features computerized lights dancing to Christmas music, Sundays–Thursdays from 6–9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 6–10 p.m. through the first week of January.
For more information on this production, visit facebook.com/rockinchristmaslights.
Throughout Dec. – Click with Ol’ Saint Nick
Enjoy pictures with Santa Nov. 15-Dec. 24 at Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy) from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Break: 1:15-2 p.m.). For more information here http://www.stonesrivermall.com/event/click-with-ol-saint-nick/2145444037.
Additionally, the home at 1918 Hamilton Drive, Murfreesboro, will be all lit up in its spectacular holiday tradition. Here, viewers can pull up to the front of the house, tune their radio to the special FM station set up to compliment the flashing lights, sit back and enjoy another show provided free to the community in the Christmas spirit.
Fridays and Saturdays in December – Santa in the Courthouse
Bring your own camera and take a photo of Santa with the kids in the historic Rutherford County Courthouse (1 Public Square) on Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from noon–4 p.m. and on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 6–8 p.m. Photos by Shacklett’s Photography also available. Call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 1–13 – Cat Nips Helping Local Animals
Bring in a bag of cat, dog, kitten or puppy food to Cat Nips Women’s Fashions (517 Cason Ln.) for donations to the Rutherford County Tennessee Lost and Found Animals (facebook.com/RutherfordCountyTennesseeAnimals). All customers will receive 20% off any item and for each bag of food donated you will be entered in a drawing for a gift card. Call (615) 439-6072 or visit followthekitty.com.
Dec. 1–31 – Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation Christmas
Take a special tour of the Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) decorated for an 1860s Christmas. Tours are conducted Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.
Dec. 1, 8 and 15 — Paws & Claus
Dec. 1, 8 and 15 – Paws & Claus
Bring your furry friends to have photos taken with Santa at Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) from 6–8 p.m. Dogs and cats only. Pets must be on a leash at all times. Call (615) 896-4486.
Dec. 2 – Gingerbread Workshop
Yum! Enjoy Gingerbread Workshop at Smyrna Town Centre (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy, E., Smyrna). Cost is $5 per gingerbread house. Call (615) 459-9773.
Tommy and Jeanne Bragg
Dec. 4 – YMCA Humanitarian Breakfast
Each year, the Rutherford County Family YMCA honors a special person who has devoted their life to serve the Rutherford County community. This year’s honorees are Tommy and Jeanne Bragg. The breakfast will be held at New Vision Church (1750 N. Thompson Ln.) from 7–9 a.m. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will be used to support the Rutherford County Family YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign. Call (615) 895-5995.
Dec. 5 – Murfreesboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Enjoy the beautiful Murfreesboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, along with musical performances and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, at the east side of the Rutherford County Courthouse (Public Square) at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 5 – Downtown Carriage Rides
This holiday season, enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides through Historic Downtown Murfreesboro each Friday leading up to Christmas from 5:30–9:30 p.m. Call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 6 – Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village
Come out for pictures with Santa, hayrides, vendors and holiday music in the Gazebo featuring Emilie Burke from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.). Call (615) 890-0355.
Dec. 6 – La Vergne Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting Ceremony
This nighttime light parade travels down Murfreesboro Road and ends at City Hall. Following the parade, the official tree lighting ceremony is at Veterans Memorial Park (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr., La Vergne). Admission is free. Call (615) 793-3224 or visit lavergnetn.gov.
Dec. 6 — Candlelight Tour of Homes, Oaklands Mansion
Dec. 6 – 31st Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes
Welcome the holiday season with this tour of historic, festively adorned private homes in the district of Murfreesboro as well as Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) from 4–8 p.m. Living history demonstrations will be presented on the lawn of the mansion. Other homes on the tour include:
Mr. and Mrs. William Patterson & family, 332 E. Main St.
Ms. Linda Parks, 401 E. Main St.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sims, 537 E. Main St.
Dr. and Mrs. Eric Egli, 602 E. Main St.
Ms. Jane Blakey, 223 N. Academy St.
Mr. and Mrs. Chip Hoover, 330 E. Lytle St.
Central Christian Church, 404 E. Main St.
Contact (615) 893-0022 or info@oaklandsmuseum.org, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.
Dec. 6 – A Victorian Christmas
Travel back in time as the Davis family prepares their home for Christmas in 1861 at the Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Jane Simmons Davis entertains guests as the young ladies in the household prepare for an evening out at a Christmas ball. Visit with young Sam Davis and his brothers as they load their muskets to shoot down mistletoe for the traditional front-hall Christmas decoration. Parents can take their own Santa photos with the bearded one between 10–11:30 a.m. and 3–4 p.m. Professional photos are available from noon until 3 p.m. by Rylan’s Riches Photography. Visit the museum theater for a special viewing of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and enjoy carolers, craft vendors and demonstrators onsite! Admission is $5. Call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.
Dec. 6 – Holiday Open House and Festival of Trees. Jeff Crossan reads his book I Ate A Cicada Today at 11 a.m.
Dec. 6 – Holiday Open House and Festival of Trees
Enjoy Holiday Open House at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (502 S.E. Broad St.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Meet and take pictures with Santa from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. (members only 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.), create a Christmas craft, eat a holiday snack and explore cultures around the world through the Festival of Trees. Jeff Crossan reads his book I Ate A Cicada Today from 11 a.m.–noon. Admission is free. Call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.
Dec. 6 – Breakfast with Santa
Enjoy breakfast and a pajama party with Santa at Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) from 8–10 a.m. in the Food Court, with activities including cookie decorating, art activity stations, balloon animals, face painting and more. Tickets are $5 each with proceeds benefiting Beesley Animal Foundation. Space is limited; tickets must be purchased in advance. Call (615) 896-4486.
Dec. 6 – Hollyday Marketplace
Visit Hollyday Marketplace, a boutique-style craft show at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.) from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. spotlighting local vendors from the Middle Tennessee area. This year’s event features vendors selling handcrafted items including candles, jewelry, adult and children’s clothing, furniture, holiday decorations and more. Proceeds benefit local charities supported by the Junior League of Murfreesboro.
Events include: a health and wellness Family Fun Zone, Space Walk Bounce Houses, breakfast with Santa, cookie and ornament decorating, photo packages and more. Follow on Instagram @HollydayMarketplaceJLM.
Dec. 6 – Santa Shoppe at Cedar Grove
Santa Shoppe at Cedar Grove presents Vendors Village with more than 60 vendors and local businesses offering gift ideas for the whole family at Cedar Grove Elementary School (354 Chaney Rd., Smyrna) Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Children create an ornament for their tree, eat cookies and drink hot chocolate. Get a picture with Santa and visit the elf shop to select gifts for parents, siblings, friends and other family members. Grownups can shop for one-of-a-kind handmade crafts or for products from well-known companies. Call (615) 355-6565.
Dec. 6 and 7 – 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Cedars
Park rangers and volunteers present an array of programs commemorating the last battle at Murfreesboro, which set the stage for the climactic Battle of Nashville one week later at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. Call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.
Dec. 7 – Smyrna Christmas Parade
The 40th annual Smyrna Christmas Parade is a great way to begin the month with the theme A Storybook Christmas. Witness the arrival of floats, drill teams, classic vehicles, bands and Santa. The parade route is on Lowry Street from Mayfield Drive to Nolan Drive (running north) at 2 p.m. Call (615) 459-2553.
Dec. 7 – Toys for Tots Drive
Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) hosts a Toys for Tots drive in conjunction with the December Market at the Mall Dec. 7 from noon–4 p.m. Please bring an unwrapped toy and help give back this season. Donations can be taken to the Stones River Mall booth during Market at the Mall. Call (615) 896-4486. Sam’s Sports Grill, located at Stones River Mall, will also be collecting toys for Toys for Tots all month long.
Dec. 8–18 – Holidays with the Maneys
Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) is decorated for the holidays and ready to welcome students. Children can explore the sights and smells of a Victorian Christmas as they embark on a guided tour through the elegant mansion, listen to a popular Christmas poem written in the early 1800s and make a period craft or ornament to take home. Reservations required. Admission charged. Contact mb@oaklandsmuseum.org or (615) 893-0022, or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.
Dec. 10 and 11 – Commodity Food Distribution at Allen Chapel AME Church
The Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency is distributing non-perishable food at Allen Chapel AME Church (224 S. Maney Ave.) from 9–2 p.m. Food boxes include diced tomatoes, macaroni, instant potatoes, beef stew, peanut butter, grape juice, green beans, pinto beans and tomato juice. Call (615) 893-8938 or visit midcumberland.org.
Dec. 11 – Rock N Roll Toy Drive
This multi-act benefit show sponsored by 102.9 The Buzz will be at Exit/In (2208 Elliston Place, Nashville) from 7:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 11; doors at 6:30 p.m. The concert is open to all ages and aims to collect toys for children in need in Middle Tennessee. Adult admission is $8 (ages 16 and up), but if you bring a new unwrapped toy, admission is only $3. Children 15 and under get in free with parent or guardian. Bands include Jeff Labar (from Cinderella) and Jasmine Cain, Killing Grace, Noisecult, Black Whiny Cats and Natural Born Thrillers. Call (615) 782-6858.
Dec. 12 – Holiday Lock-In
Ages 8–15 are invited to spend the night at Sports*Com (2310 Memorial Blvd.) from 7 p.m.–7 a.m. and enjoy a night of fun and games like swimming and sports as parents have a night to shop. Registration begins Dec. 1 at Sports*Com. Contact (615) 895-5040 or bfite@murfreesborotn.gov. Cost is $20.
Dec. 13 – Holly Trolley Christmas
Hop on the Downtown Holiday Shopping Trolley from 1–5 p.m. to visit unique shops and businesses downtown. Enjoy special offers, featured products, in-store drawings, and special Christmas refreshments. View Downtown Deals and Trolley Tour dates at shopdowntownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 13 – Movie Under the Winter Stars
Take a break from shopping and bring your little princesses and princes to watch Frozen at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) at 6:30 p.m. Bring mittens, hats and scarfs to stay warm. Some refreshments will be available for purchase. Contact (615) 893-2141 or msewell@murfreesborotn.gov. The event is free.
Dec. 13 and 14 – Bethlehem Marketplace
Enjoy the re-enactment of how the village of Bethlehem might have appeared just after the birth of Jesus. Watch Roman soldiers, live camels and other animals, tentmakers, weavers, carpenters and merchants in period costumes, all presented by members of Southeast Baptist Church (708 Minerva Dr.). Admission is free. Call (615) 896-0940 or visit sebaptist.org.
Dec. 14 – Rutherford County Christmas Parade
Dec. 14 – Rutherford County Christmas Parade
The annual Rutherford County Christmas Parade is slated for Sunday, Dec. 14. It will start at 2 p.m. on the MTSU Campus near the president’s home, and travel down Main Street towards the Public Square. Families are invited to line Main Street and take in the fun as creative entries of all sorts pass by. The theme of the Christmas Parade is “All I want for Christmas is . . .” The fee to enter a float, vehicle or group in the parade is $12. To register for the parade or for more information, visit wgnsradio.com.
Dec. 14 – Big Bang Family Holiday Show!
The Big Bang (114 N. Church St.) partners with Toys for Tots for a fun, all-ages family holiday event from 3–5 p.m. for an afternoon of singing, dancing and holiday fun. Enjoy a kids craft area, holiday refreshments and a visit from a very special North Pole guest. The Big Bang dueling piano players provide the entertainment with a family-friendly sing-along show. Admission is $5, or the donation of one new, unwrapped toy. Kids under 12 are free. Call (615) 900-1043 or visit thebigbangbar.com/tn/murfreesboro.
Dec. 18 – Murfreesboro Symphony Concert: Sounds of Christmas
The December Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra concert features Murfreesboro soprano Katherine Sandoval Taylor and the Murfreesboro Symphony Chorus at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.) at 7:30 p.m. with everyone’s favorite Christmas music. Call (615) 898-1862 or visit murfreesborosymphony.com.
Dec. 19 – Santa’s Splash and Dash
Children and youths aged 7 through 13 are invited to join the lifeguards at the pool for water-based Christmas cheer activities at Patterson Park Indoor Pool (521 Mercury Blvd.) from 6–10 p.m. while parents get some last-minute shopping in. Enjoy pizza, dessert, crafts, fun and games. Santa’s Splash and Dash will be a good time for all who attend! Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Contact (615) 893-7439 or kgoss@murfreesborotn.gov. Admission is $5 for preregister and $7 day of.
Dec. 22 – OHS Rudolph’s Revenge Golf Tournament
The OHS Rudolph’s Revenge Golf Tournament is a fun and challenging tw0-man scramble at Cedar Crest Golf Course (7972 Mona Rd.). Cost is $50 per player or $100 per team. Breakfast and registration is from 8–9 a.m., shotgun start at 9:30 a.m., and lunch immediately following. Call (615) 355-6565.
Dec. 26–Jan. 3 – 152nd Anniversary Programs
Join rangers and volunteers for a variety of walks, talks, tours and living history demonstrations that tell the story of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Stones River at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). The highlight of the programs will be a series of living history demonstrations Dec. 27–28. Admission is free. Call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.
Dec. 27 and 28 – Nashville Cat Club CFA Cat Show
The Nashville Cat Club hosts its annual CFA Cat Show at the Sheraton Music City (777 McGavock Pk., Nashville) on Saturday, Dec. 27, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 28, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy the many different breeds of pedigreed cats as they compete for ribbons and titles. There will also be household pets competing for ribbons and titles as well as pedigreed kittens for sale and rescue cats for adoption. Be a part of judging, vendors, raffles and food. Contact judeharper@comcast.com or (214) 418-4811.
Dec. 31 – Countdown to Noon
Dec. 31 – Countdown to Noon
Enjoy Countdown to Noon from 10 a.m.–noon at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (502 S.E. Broad St.). Admission is $6. Call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.
Earth Lab
Ongoing – Earth Lab at the Wilderness Station
The Earth has many amazing creatures to learn about and study, and now kids ages 4–9 can enjoy exploring these topics in our Earth Lab located at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy., Murfreesboro). The Earth Lab is free and open to the public on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday–Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The topic for December is Animals in Winter, the topic for January is Geology Rocks and February will be Birds of Prey. For more information, please contact Rachel Singer at 217-3017 or email rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov.
