Children laughing, people passing, dressed in raw denim style.

Nashville is rockin’ its Christmas best right now, y’all. From the Opryland lights to the eco-friendly infinity scarves wrapped around the neck of every single barista, the city is looking pretty beautiful. Wanna get out of the house and celebrate all the weekend has to offer (in addition to these 10 killer live shows)? Put down the figgy pudding (just for a second)…here are 10 of Nashville’s best happenings this weekend!

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Jon Lovitz

A Hilarious SNL Alum? Yeah, That’s The Ticket!

WHAT IT IS:

Jon Lovitz, a comedian with a pretty prestigious rap sheet (SNL, anyone?), performs his stand-up routine at Zanies Comedy Club. Here’s to hoping he creates elaborate lies and delivers his “Yeah, that’s the ticket” line and/or dances to “Ladies’ Night” with the creepy intensity of his character in The Wedding Singer.

GOOD FOR:

An outing with your best friend. You’re going to need a companion with whom you have very little personal boundaries to laugh with. It’s gonna get rowdy!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

Head across the street to Melrose Billiards. The dive-y spot has stiff drinks, tons of pool tables, and a jukebox.

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Nashville Christmas Parade

Fireworks, Mayor Tree Lightings, & An Abundance Of Christmas Cheer

WHAT IT IS;

If you think your holiday traditions have been around a while, they’ve got nothin’ on this. The Nashville Christmas Parade is in its 61st year (it existed in a pre-Vince Gill world, y’all), and it’s better than ever. A full-scale parade, Santas, Mayor Karl Dean lighting the Christmas tree…it just isn’t Christmas without it!

GOOD FOR:

Everyone. Seriously, everyone will love this – especially visitors!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

Stay festive and stop by the nearby Hermitage Hotel’s Oak Bar for a scotch (for the older crowd) and a steak (for any red-blooded American). The decorations will be up for all your picture-taking needs!

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LUMINOUS

Dance Your Face Off For A Cause

WHAT IT IS:

An art-music-community-charitable giving explosion! This is THE partay this weekend, and the best part is – you’ll be dancing the night away for a very worthy cause. LUMINOUS will be hosted by One Tree Hill alum and singer extraordinaire, Kate Voegele, and will benefit Invisible Children’s Legacy Scholar Program. We’ll also have The Jane Doze, Cardboard Kids, and Seryn bringing the tunes.

GOOD FOR:

A huge group text. You’ll probably see some people you know there already, but put your best foot forward and rally those troops (it’s easy to share the event in Wannado)!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

Take festive Christmas photos at The Parthenon, check out Whiskey Kitchen for dinner (the sangria pitcher always hits the spot, as does the beer cheese soup), and head on over to Marathon! It’s going to be a good one.

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Jingle Bell Run

Burn Those Extra Egg Nog Cals

WHAT IT IS:

Just the most cheerful run you will ever encounter. This holiday-themed run (or walk – no judgement) takes place in the super-picturesque downtown Franklin. Participants and encouragers always bring their Christmas costume A-game, so expect to see lots of cheerful, super-fit 55 year old women with jingle bells tied to their shoelaces (and they will probably beat your race time, sorry about it). When you run, you’ll be raising funds to help find a cure for arthritis!

GOOD FOR:

A bonding moment between you and the fam. Get the whole group to participate and encourage each other to make it to the finish line. Then, of course, celebrate with a cold glass of egg nog (or 10).

MAKE A DAY OF IT:

If the kids are with you, make a pit stop at Mellow Mushroom for some post-run pizza. If you and your gang are feeling really casual, stop at Smokin’ Thighs for some barbecue and moonshine – no one will judge you for being sweaty and in a ridiculous Christmas sweater. Finally, if you brought a change of clothes, hit the town with some grits and live music at Puckett’s!

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Nashville Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

You’d Be Nuts Not To Go

WHAT IT IS:

A worldwide Christmas tradition that will warm your heart and make you wish you stuck with those ballet classes after 3rd grade. Nashville Ballet shines this time of year in their own version of the holiday classic, telling the story of Clara and her magical Uncle Drosselmeyer. Outside of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, this thing pretty much defines Christmas.

GOOD FOR:

High-brow date night. Get a sitter (for either your kids or your helpless roommate who can’t cook EasyMac without starting a fire) and make it a romantic cultural evening!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

You’re going to need dinner to go with that show, Romeo. Check out Koto for some elegant sushi on a budget or try 417 Union for some southern-inspired dishes in a historic setting. If you still feel amorous post-show, walk through The Arcade nearby for some Christmas lights and romantic views.

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#InstameetOpryland

Get 5 Million Likes & See World-Famous Lights

WHAT IT IS:

Since it’s inception, Instagram has been bringing people together. Instead of sitting in your room double filtering your meal from three days ago, get out there with Nashville’s creatives and snap some pictures of the city’s world-famous Opryland lights. The hotel is decked out for the holiday, and entry is free. Wear your Christmas sweater best!

GOOD FOR:

Your artistic impulse. If all your friends are busy and you have to go to this one solo, you’re going to make ten new friends before the day is over!

MAKE A DAY OF IT:

Keep that ‘gram party going with an afternoon coffee at Crema (their Christmas wall is a work of art, and their Mariah Carey Christmas playlists never disappoint) and a walk on the Pedestrian Bridge to catch the sunset. Magic.

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Home Alone In HD At Nashville Symphony

Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals

WHAT IT IS:

Was there ever a kid cuter than 1990s Macauley Culkin? The Nashville Symphony is screening Home Alone with a full orchestra performing the John Williams score, taking us back to a time before Culkin wore meta t-shirts with pictures of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt with his face on it (mad respect). Channel that 90s simplicity and holiday spirit!

GOOD FOR:

Your brother or sister that just came through town for the weekend or your oldest friend. It’s childhood nostalgia with a grownup twist, y’all!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

Grab pre-film pizza at Two Bits and remember the magic of decades-old arcade games. It will get you in the mood!

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Lightning 100 Presents Festivus

A Festive Concert Marathon With Heart

WHAT IT IS: 

A concert put on by everyone’s favorite local indie radio station, Lightning 100! This shindig benefits Salvation Army’s “Forgotten Angels” and will feature performances from The Weeks, Mikky Ekko, The Whistles & The Bells, and Haerts. What a lineup!

GOOD FOR:

Your friends who are bummed they didn’t get to go to Bonnaroo/Austin City Limits/whatever other music festivals exist last year. Yes, this is on a smaller scale, but Nashville talent packs a punch!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

Start your hipster-approved night with the hippest of activities: grab a cocktail and get into some vintage bowling at Pinewood Social. Call ahead for reservations – this place gets packed (for things like Reese Witherspoon’s birthday party. That’s real.)!

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7th Annual Singles Benefit: Forbidden Frost

Bid On Nashville’s Most Eligible With A Frosty Cocktail In Hand

WHAT IT IS:

A night when Nashville’s most eligible get in one room and mingle for a cause! The Singles Benefit is in its 7th year, and the holiday tradition is in full force: wear your frosty blues, whites, and silvers (creativity encouraged) to meet all the fly ladies/fellas in town, participate in a date auction, and (if you’re a little too shy to hold up your hand and bid on that guy you think you had econ with freshman year) a silent auction. Proceeds benefit MEND, the YWCA’s program designed to put an end to domestic violence.

GOOD FOR:

All your single friends (so roughly half of Nashville).

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:

We think you’ve got most of what you need right here, but if you want to pre-game with some Prohibition-era cocktails and amazing truffle fries, check out Holland House!

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Holiday Cookie Extravaganza

Pour Some Sugar On These

WHAT IT IS:

The best thing in the world. Yeah, we love cookies. The Skillery is hosting a holiday cookie decorating party! In addition to on-site boozy cider and ready-made cookies and icing, you’ll be taking home dozens of cookies and a mini-recipe book. All you have to bring is an apron (and an appetite – as if that was even a question. COOKIES.)!

GOOD FOR:

You and your roommates. Home is where the heart is/cookies are.

MAKE A DAY OF IT:

Walk off all that extra frosting (we know you’re gonna sneak some, you’re only human) with a brisk walk through the gorgeous Shelby Bottoms Park. Cookie decorating and puppy watching? Best day ever.

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There you have it, Nashville! Get out in your city. See that show. Run that race. Eat that cookie. You deserve it! If you didn’t find anything that fit you like a glove, download Wannado and browse all that Music City has to offer. We’ve got you covered.