Dec. 4 – Movie Night and Photos with Santa
Join friends and family at Daymar College (415 Golden Bear Ct.) for Movie Night and Photos with Santa Friday, Dec. 4, with pictures taken from 5–6:30 p.m. and the movie Polar Express beginning at 6 p.m. Enjoy a coloring contest with gift card prizes; hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies will be served throughout the evening. For more information, call (615) 217-9347
Dec. 4 & 5 – Hollyday Marketplace
Celebrate 11 years of Christmas shopping at Hollyday Marketplace with the Junior League of Murfreesboro at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B W. Thompson Ln.) with Mistletoe and Martinis on Friday, Dec. 4, presented by E. Allen from 6–9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, will bring Breakfast with Santa presented by Chick-fil-A from 8–10 a.m., Santa Snapshots with Kim Linville Photography from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and Santa’s Workshop presented by Faithful Strokes from 2–4 p.m. For more information, visit hollydaymarketplace.weebly.com.
Dec. 4 – Murfreesboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 4 – Murfreesboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Enjoy the Murfreesboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the east side of the Rutherford County Courthouse, Public Square at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with performances, Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Courthouse.
Dec. 5 – 5th Annual La Vergne Parade of Lights
The nighttime Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 5, begins at Veterans Memorial Park in La Vergne (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr.), travels down Murfreesboro Rd. and ends at City Hall. For more information, contact jwilson@lavergnetn.gov or (615) 793-3224, or visit lavergnetn.gov.
Dec. 5 – Christmas at Cannonsburgh
Enjoy pictures with Santa at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.
Dec. 5 – 5th Annual SAVE Craft Fair
Support the 5th Annual SAVE (Sustaining A Village Everyday) Craft Fair, a local teen-led nonprofit in Murfreesboro featuring over 75 vendors, a bake sale from Gigi’s Cupcakes and a huge silent auction featuring a set of Titans tickets and more at Lane Agri-Park (315 John Rice Blvd.) from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. For more information, visit teensave.org.
Dec. 5 – Candlelight Tour of Homes
Welcome the holiday season with an enchanting dinner with food trucks along The Oaklands Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes from 4–8 p.m. Enjoy meals from Gee Ma’s Kitchen, Sweet T’s BBQ, Demos’ Restaurant and Julia’s HomeStyle Bakery all of whom will be donating a portion of their profits to the preservation and education for future generations. Enjoy a live nativity provided by Southeast Baptist Church’s Bethlehem Marketplace outside Oaklands Baptist Church, 530 N. Maney Ave. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmansion.org.
Dec. 5 – A Victorian Christmas
Enjoy local craft vendors at Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd.) selling handmade merchandise perfect for holiday gift giving, Christmas themed tours through the historic home, a Christmas favorite film short, booths for craft making and food vendors and pictures with Santa. Admission is $5 for guests age 6 and up. For more information, please call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.
Dec. 5, 12 & 26 – Rocktail Hour at Stonekeepers
Stonekeepers, 111 E. Lytle St., hosts Rocktail Hour with Chip, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 26. Participants can sample three different gemstone water elixirs (non-alcoholic, of course!) at no charge. Each blend is handcrafted to achieve specific purposes based on the stone properties. All are welcome to come socialize and learn more about how you can incorporate stones into your everyday life. For more information, find Stonekeepers on Facebook or call (615) 849-1792.
Dec. 5, 12 & 19 – Santa in the Courthouse
Bring your own camera and take a photo of Santa with the kids in the historic Rutherford County Courthouse from noon–4 p.m. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 5 & 6 – Joy to the Boro
Joy to the Boro comes to Family Worship Center (3045 Memorial Blvd.), Dec. 5 and 6 featuring free performances at 6 p.m. by Jaci Velasquez and Nic Gonzales alongside a Christmas FWC Worship. An offering will be taken to benefit the Salvation Army of Murfreesboro. For more information, please visit familywc.com.
Dec. 6 – Smyrna Christmas Parade
The 41st Annual Smyrna Christmas Parade invites you to “Miracle on Lowry Street: Experience the Miracle” with floats, bands, classic cars, Clydesdales, riding clubs, dancers and Santa Claus beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. For more information, call (615) 267-5003 or visit townofsmyrna.org.
Dec. 5 & 6 – Overnight Backpacking Hike
The Tennessee Trails Association will host a winter backpacking experience Dec. 5 and 6 at Small Wild on Fiery Gizzard Trail. This is a starter hike of only 4.4 miles round-trip on fairly level ground. Participants will be testing their winter outdoor skills on this easy hike to Small Wild back-country campsite. Small Wild has one of the best overlooks in the Savage Gulf Area. For more information, call Andy Meeks (813) 447-1224 or visit tennesseetrails.org.
Dec. 8 – Trails Association Holiday Potluck
The area chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association will have its holiday potluck at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Barfield Crescent Wilderness Station. Invite your family and friends, and bring a covered dish to share. Chapter will provide utensils, plates, napkins and beverages. RSVP to Sara Pollard at (615) 714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Dec. 8–10 – Toys for Tots Pre-Registration & Giveaway
This year the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department is celebrating 32 years of helping children through its Toys for Tots program. Volunteers will register children Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 8–10 at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 907 E. Main St. from 5–7 p.m. Anyone wishing to register for toys for their children may bring with them photo ID, proof of address, each child’s birth certificate, proof of guardianship and proof of hardship (evidence of government assistance or free and reduced lunch program, etc.) The giveaway will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19. Pre-registration is required for all children receiving gifts in the 2015 Toys for Tots giveaway. To volunteer or for more information about the giveaway, email toysfortotsrc@gmail.com. To donate new, unwrapped toys bring them to any of the nine Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Stations.
Dec. 10 – Branches Christmas Open House
Branches Counseling Center says “thank you” to everyone for their support with refreshments, music and a tour at the Christmas Open House (1102 Dow St.) from 5–7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. For more information, call (615) 904-7170 or visit branchescounselingcenter.com.
Dec. 11 – The Boro Art Crawl
The Boro Art Crawl supports and draws recognition to the ’Boro’s artistic talent from 6–9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. For more information, visit boroartcrawl.com.
Dec. 12 – Hotcakes and Holly
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at “Breakfast with Santa,” an addition to the Rotary Club of Murfreesboro’s 13th Annual Hotcakes and Holly fundraising breakfast, at Middle Tennessee Christian School (100 MTCS Rd.) held from 7–10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $8 for the regular breakfast. Breakfast with Santa is $20 from 8–10 a.m. Children who attend the special Santa breakfast will receive a free picture with Santa and a copy of The Night Before Christmas donated by Ingram Content Group. Get photos and autographs from MTSU’s women’s basketball team. Enjoy musical entertainment by Middle Tennessee Christian School Choir, Johnny B and the Balladeers, Larry and Gay Pinkerton, and actors from the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts. For more information about Rotary Club of Murfreesboro, visit murfreesbororotary.com or facebook.com/murfreesbororotary.
Dec. 12 – Downtown Holly Trolley Shopping Tour
Dec. 12 – Downtown Holly Trolley Shopping Tour
Join the annual Downtown Holly Trolley Shopping Tour at locally owned stores and restaurants in beautiful historic Downtown Murfreesboro from 12 noon–8 p.m. In addition to the one-of-a-kind items in over 25 participating downtown shops, the day will include activities and entertainment. Come dressed in your most festive garb! Enter prize drawings and catch a free trolley ride around downtown Murfreesboro. For more information, visit shopdowntownmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 12 – Frosty Fun Run
Run through the Stones River Country Club Golf Course the morning of Saturday, Dec. 12, as the Frosty Fun Run offers both 2-mile and 4.5-mile fun run options. The run begins at 7 a.m. and will be followed by post-race waffles and coffee provided by Waffle House. There will be no timing system—just a fun run! Raffles and prizes will also be part of the day, with all proceeds going to Court Appointed Special Advocates and Bob Parks Christmas for the Children. For more information, call (615) 494-3141 or email krista@fleetfeetmurfreesboro.com.
Dec. 12 – Girls Night Out with Chippendales Dancers
Chais Music Hall, located at 101 Spring St. in Wartrace, Tenn., will host the hottest, sexiest ladies-night-out show in the country when members of the world famous Chippendales dancers come to Middle Tennessee for a Saturday, Dec. 12 performance. For more information, call (931) 389-7050, email chaismusichallandhotel@gmail.com or visit girlsnightouttheshow.com.
Dec. 12 & 13 – Bethlehem Marketplace
Dec. 12 & 13 – Bethlehem Marketplace
Bethlehem Marketplace is a walk-through drama at Southeast Baptist Church (708 Minerva Dr.), a presentation of how the village of Bethlehem might have appeared the morning after the birth of Jesus. View Roman soldiers, prisoners, tentmakers, weavers, merchants in shops, census-takers, and more with live camels and other animals at 5 p.m. No admission or reservations are required. For more information, call (615) 896-0940.
Dec. 13 – Murfreesboro Christmas Parade
The annual Murfreesboro Christmas Parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, with this year’s theme being “Christmas Around the World.” The parade starts at the intersection of East Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard, continues down East Main and around the historic square onto West Main and slides down the chimney on North Walnut Street. This year is the 31st year WGNS has sponsored the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade. Enjoy five high school bands, floats, antique cars, dancers, schools, marchers, social groups, church groups, costumed characters, Boy and Girl Scouts and more.
Dec. 17 – Murfreesboro Symphony Concert: Sounds of Christmas
Enjoy a Rutherford County holiday tradition featuring Murfreesboro soprano Katherine Sandoval Taylor and the Murfreesboro Symphony Chorus performing beloved Christmas music at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.) at 7:30 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (615) 898-1862 or visit murfreesborosymphony.com.
Dec. 17 – The Connection, Business Networking at Mayday
The Connection: an Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming will be from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at Mayday Brewery, 521 Old Salem Rd. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small-business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Robert Ritch, a successful entrepreneur and business consultant, will lead an open roundtable discussion encouraging participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month. For more information, contact ceo@robertritch.com.
Dec. 18 – Coffee with the Veterans
Join Operation Adopt a Hero at Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) from 7:30–9 a.m. on the third Friday of each month for Coffee with the Veterans, an informal, social networking event designed to foster friendships between local veterans and their community.Enjoy coffee, pastries and the chance to meet and mingle with our service members and their families. For more information, call (615) 893-6565.
Dec. 18–20 – Winter Solstice Celebration
Stonekeepers’ Winter Solstice Celebration and Back Room Mineral Show will be held Dec. 18–20. Join Stonekeepers as the shop celebrates the changing seasons. Enjoy delicious snacks and refreshing Rocktails. Help decorate the community goddess to reflect the energies of winter. Also, Stonekeepers has dug through its closets to find hidden treasures to share; many unique crystals and minerals that haven’t made it to the shelves will be available for purchase. Stonekeepers is located at 111 E. Lytle St. For more information, find Stonekeepers on Facebook or call (615) 849-1792.
Dec. 19 – Hike Along Cordell Hull Lake
The Tennessee Trails Association will host a 5.6-mile, moderate-to-difficult hike along the shoreline of Cordell Hull Lake (near Carthage) on Saturday, Dec. 19, passing waterfalls, old home sites and rocky overlooks. Participants will start at the Defeated Creek campground area and hike to the Tater Knob Overlook. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended. To register, contact Sara Pollard at (615) 714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Dec. 26–Jan. 3 – 153rd Anniversary Programs
Join rangers and volunteers for a variety of walks, talks, tours and living history demonstrations at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) that will tell the story of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Stones River. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.
Jan. 1 – Start the New Year with a Hike
All are invited to start the New Year off right with an invigorating hike and traditional New Year’s Day lunch along with the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park. The adage is that what you do on the first day of the year, you will continue to do all year long. Meet at the covered picnic shelter #1 at the lower part of the Marina parking lot at 10 a.m. to drop off food. The hike will be on the 2.5 mile Millennium Trail, the trail is classified as moderate in difficulty. After the hike everyone will return to the picnic shelter for hot chocolate and lunch, featuring traditional New Year’s Day dishes such as ham, black eyed peas, and collard greens. Just bring your favorite New Year’s dish to share; there will be a roaring fire going to help keep the chill at bay. After lunch those who wish may also hike the two-mile (moderate but hilly) Highland Rim Nature Trail. For more information contact Fount or Anna Bertram at fwbertram@dtccom.net or (615) 765-5357.
