Santa Claus is coming to town. And in fact, he’s already here! Check out these local Santa meet and greets, whether you’re looking for the perfect Santa photo op with your kid, or planning to make some gift requests.
🎄 Holiday Lights + Santa
- Find Santa at Cheekwood during the day.
- Meet Santa at Zoolumination, in the barn behind the Grassmere historic home.
- Drive through the FrankTown Festival of Lights in Franklin, and snag a picture of Santa at the end. Don’t forget s’mores and hot chocolate.
- Take pictures with Santa and the Grinch at Chad’s Winter Wonderland in Lebanon. I recommend trying their cinnamon bread.
- Santa is also at The Dancing Lights of Christmas in Lebanon, where pictures and a petting zoo are included in admission. Carnival rides, mechanical reindeer, and inflatables cost extra.
- Take a day trip to Lucky Ladd Farms for cookies and cocoa with Santa, and stick around at night for its Holly Jolly Festival of Lights.
🧑🎄 Santa Pop-Up Events
- Visit the Tennessee State Museum and Nashville Farmers’ Market on Dec. 6 for a free holiday event that includes live music, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, and visits with Santa.
- Tour the Ryman on Dec. 6 for a visit with Santa AND his reindeer. There will also be carolers. Kids are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
- Get some holiday shopping done, plus hang out with Santa, on Dec. 6 at the Nashvillage Holiday Market. There will also be holiday crafts, face painting, and science experiments. Pictures with Santa cost $10, and include a print photo and digital copies.
- Have a Christmas brunch with Santa at the Stompin’ Grounds, inside JW Marriott, on Dec. 7, 14, and 21.
- Fifth + Broadway’s free 2nd Annual Howdy Holidays on Dec. 13 features live music, line dancing, and Santa. There will also be face painting, gift wrap services, and more.
- Learn about country music and visit Santa at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 20. Make sure to grab a young explorer kit. Local kids visit free, and up to two accompanying adults can receive 25% off.
🎁 Malls, Malls, Malls
- At The Mall at Green Hills, kids can take a picture with Santa, then check out his 22-foot-tall sleigh and play in a snow room. While reservations are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. Picture packages start at $39.99, and on Dec. 7, there’s a sensory-friendly Santa experience.
- Opry Mills Mall has a similar experience — same packages and sensory-friendly day — located between Coach and Ann Taylor. If that price point is a bit steep, head to Bass Pro Shop and get a free 4x6 photo with Santa instead. If you want something a bit different, eat breakfast with scuba-diving Santa and mermaids at the Aquarium.
- At Cool Springs Mall, packages start at $39, and that’s just for digital pictures. On select dates and times, Black Santa will be there for pictures.
🧑🎄 Our Interview With Santa
