Waiting for Christmas Day can seem like it takes an eternity, so keep yourself and the kids busy this holiday season and the big day will be here before you know it.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in community holiday activities, either for free or for a minimal charge, so get in the Christmas spirit, Murfreesboro!
1 Deck the Halls! It’s time to hang the stockings and put up the tree. Visit one of Valley Growers’ local greenhouses for some live trees and decorations.
2 Check out “The Jazz Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. in MTSU ’s Wright Music Building. Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn transformed the familiar piece into a nine-movement work for jazz orchestra.
3 Murfreesboro’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. on the east side of the Courthouse. The event will include musical performances by local schools and churches, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to hear children’s wishes in the Courthouse, and vendors will offer hot chocolate and cider.
4 A day of holiday celebration in Woodbury kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the Woodbury Lions Club Building. The Parade begins at noon, and the Lions Club tour of homes begins at 5 p.m.
5 The Smyrna Parade rolls up Lowry Street beginning at 2 p.m. From 4–8 p.m. groups taking the Candlelight Tour of Homes meet at Oaklands Mansion.
6 Raphael Bundage directs the Middle Tennessee Choral Society and the MTSU Concert Choir performing Handel’s seasonal classic “The Messiah.”
7 Load up the family and Check Out Some Christmas Lights. For a real treat, hit the house on Hamilton Drive and join the line to see a nice colorful display synced with holiday music.
8 Do your Christmas shopping on the Murfreesboro Public Square and enter to win $100 in Downtown Dollars from the downtown merchants good for use in any of the shops on the Square. Prize drawings will be held Dec. 3, 10 and 17.
9 The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Joseph Hermann present its holiday program at First United Methodist Church. The evening will include Christmas carols, some classics, an appearance by the Riverdale High School Singers and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.”
10 Take a Free Carriage Ride on the Murfreesboro Public Square and then catch a production of “Scrooge the Musical,” a musical adaptation of Dickens’ ghosts, at Center for the Arts.
11 Southeast Baptist Church (709 Minerva Drive) will present Bethlehem Marketplace, A Live Reenactment, including camels and other animals, of how Bethlehem may have appeared during the birth of Christ.
12 Murfreesboro’s Parade begins at 1 p.m. at the Bell Street parking lot on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and travels down Main Street to the Square.
13 Enter to Win The Pulse’s ’Tis the Season Giveaway at BoroPulse.com. Keep the winnings for yourself, or spread the joy and give it to a loved one.
14 Kick it in Nashville for an evening and take in a show of what’s becoming an annual Nashville tradition, the Radio City Rockettes at the Grand Ole Opry House.
15 Bake some cookies—or better yet, try our recipe for Coffee Mug Cakes—to give as gifts.
16 Download Murfreesboro band Root Road’s catchy holiday melody “Christmas Time” for free at noisetrade.com/rootroad.
17 The public is invited for a night of Free Bowling, Shoes and Food as HobNob Murfreesboro’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaway program culminates from 6–8 p.m. at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a holiday mixer and food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Bradley Academy Food Pantry at La Siesta on Greenland near MTSU on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
18 Hundreds of children from low-income families will receive Christmas gifts thanks to Toys for Tots. Those interested in donating toys can drop those in boxes at local Dollar General stores, many of the area bank branches or the Rutherford County Homebuilders Association, located at 730-A Middle Tennessee Blvd. For more information or to Volunteer Passing Out Toys on Dec. 18, call (615) 890-8224.
19 “The Sanders Family Christmas,” a dinner theater presentation filled with faith, family and fun, plays throughout December at the Arts Center of Cannon County. Five Senses owner and chef Mitchell Murphree prepares the meal.
20 Watch a Christmas Special or Movie. There’s nothing like turning out all of the lights (besides the Christmas tree) and curling up with your family or date with a nice hot chocolate, coffee or cider for a viewing of Charlie Brown, The Grinch or Elf.
21 Help the Less Fortunate. Bring some gifts, supplies or money to Room at the Inn homeless shelter, 640 W. Main St.
22 Visit Santa at Stones River Mall or Walmart one last time, just to make sure he’s checked his list twice.
23 Though many areas of Opryland Hotel were underwater just months ago, the opulent facility is back and better than ever for another breathtaking Christmas display.
24–25 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; Wait for reindeer to bring Mr. Claus, and hang out with the family.
