Free and Cheap Holiday Happenings in and Around Nashville, TN

This year it seems like everyone's Christmas festivities are spread a little thin. Looking for some great holiday events that won't break the bank? Look here for a detailed list of free and cheap events and more for the holidays in Nashville and surrounding areas. These ideas for getting out and about to enjoy the holidays are sure to please even the stingiest scrooge!

Family and Kid Oriented Events:

Barnes & Noble bookstore in Cool Springs offers a special Christmas story time event this year. The Polar Express Pajama Story time event will be held on December 19, 2008 at 7 pm. featuring a special reading of the popular Christmas story the Polar Express read by the Conductor himself. The event is free to audiences of all ages though you must buy a copy of the book to obtain an autograph from the conductor. The store is located at 1701 Mallory Lane in Brentwood, TN just outside of Nashville and holds special story time events and book signings for kids every month. Call 615- 377-9979 for details and a list of scheduled events such as story readings, book signings, magic shows, puppet shows and more. The bookstore also has several free holiday concerts scheduled as well as caroling and cocoa sessions throughout the month.

Movies at the Main presents a free showing of A Nightmare Before Christmas on December 11, 2008 at 5:30 pm. Open to all ages the film will be shown in the auditorium at the Nashville Main Branch Public Library located at 615 Church St. in downtown Nashville. Movies at the Main is a monthly event held throughout the year. Call 615-862-5800 for a schedule of free movie showings and other special events at the library.

Fairytales Bookstore and More located at 1603 Riverside Dr. in Nashville/Goodlettsville, TN holds weekly story times for kiddies and adults alike. This months Holiday schedule include a reading and signing by renowned children's author Donna Getzinger of her most recent book Saving Christmas Spirit on December 6th at 10:30 am and a special reading, book singing and performance event by Debi Derryberry of her new book Baby Banana and the Licorice Tree. The sing along concert is designed for kids ages 2-6 and will be held on December 6th at 2 pm. Both events are free and open to the general public, all ages welcome. Call 615-915-1969 for more information and a list of other scheduled events for adults and children.

Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre will present a special holiday children's matinee every Tuesday through Saturday from Dec. 9 to Dec. 20. Lost Claus, a holiday performance for children by Nate Eppler will open at 10 am with the show starting at 11 am. Tickets are $8 per person. One of Nashville's most popular dinner theatres, the Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre is located at 8240 Hwy. 100 in Nashville, TN. Call 615-646-9977 for full details or listings for other theatre performances.

The Belmont Mansion presents Christmas with the Acklens, a free celebration event on Dec. 13th 2008 between 10 am and 3 pm. The festivities will feature Victorian Christmas traditions observed by the Acklen Family the historic owners of the mansion. There will be Victorian era themed games, crafts, activities and food. Children will enjoy making snow globes, Christmas cards, pinecone Christmas trees and Victorian fans while listening to live holiday music. Traditional Victorian era refreshments will include popcorn balls, ginger snaps and hot cider. The Belmont mansion is located at 1900 Belmont Boulevard in Nashville, TN. call 615-460-5459 for more details.

The mystery of the Christmas star will be presented at the Renaissance Center of the Jackson Foundation at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, TN. Just a half hour drive from downtown Nashville, the event will be held in the Renaissance Center Planetarium. The event allows audiences to travel back in time over 2000 years to explore the science behind the star of Bethlehem with a modern retelling of the story of the nativity. The event will run from Dec. 15-Dec. 20 2008 on Saturdays at 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $5 for general admission, $4 for military personnel, $3 for Seniors 55+ and for children under 13.

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the Nashville Aquarium Restaurant on Saturday Dec. 13th and the 20th from 8:30 to 10:30 am. Join Sharkey the aquarium mascot and Santa Claus for breakfast and watch Santa swim with the fish. Tickets are $10.99 fore adults and $6.99 fore kids ages 3 - 12. Kids under 3 are admitted for free and the tickets include breakfast meals. The Aquarium Restaurant is located at 516 Opry Mills Dr. In Nashville, TN. Call 615-986-5293 for more details.

Adults only Entertainment, nightlife and parties:

Country music enthusiasts will enjoy this free film screening of the Johnny Cash Show Christmas Special 1970 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 14th, 2008 at 2 pm. The museum is located at 222 5th Ave. South in Nashville, TN. This special episode aired on Dec. 23, 1970 and features a host of special guest singers such as the Carter Sisters, the Statler Brothers, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison and more. The show runs about 50 minutes. Call 615-416-2001 for details on this and other events at the Museum.

Outloud! Bookstore and REVIVE Coffeehouse present two free movie nights oriented towards the GLBT scene. Victor's free movie nights are on Tuesdays with various men's oriented films and Victoria's free movie nights are on Wednesdays with various women's oriented films. Viewings and admission to both nights are free. The bookstore and coffee house is located at 1703 Church Street in downtown Nashville, TN. Call 615-340-0034 for listings, plot summaries and hours of showing. This venue also offers free comedy nights with various special guest standup comedians.

Light up the Christmas Tree on Dec. 6 2008 at Blue Gene's bar located at 1715 Church Street in Nashville, TN. The party is sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association, admission is free and Blue Genes will donate all profits made during the party to a fundraiser for the SMRA held by the association. Drinks will be specially priced for the party running from 9 pm until midnight. Blue Genes is located at 1715 Church Street in downtown Nashville, TN.

Outloud! Bookstore and REVIVE Coffeehouse will hold its 6th annual Community Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 6th. The official party will be from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. This venue is geared towards the GLBT community. The event will feature live music entertainment and participants are encouraged to buy or make an ornament to add to the tree. The event is held in conjunction with the Tennessee Equality Project and OutCentral. 10% of all sales this night will go towards to the TEP which will have representatives available to update the community on their special events and political action plans for the coming year. Admission to the event is free and everyone is invited to join in. Call 615-340-0034 for full details of the event.

The Global Education Center located at 4822 Charlotte Ave. in West Nashville, TN will host a holiday Dance party "La Gran Holiday Milonga".on Dec. 12th, 2008. Tango lovers will enjoy dancing and live performances by Tango Nashville Dance troupe while listening to a selection of Argentine Tango music. This event is strictly 21+ and is BYOB. Tickets are $12 for non Tango Nashville members, $8 for members and students and seniors get a 50% discount with a valid ID. Call 615-367-3878 for details.

The Bluebird Cafe will hold its 26th Annual Bluebird Christmas Bash on Dec. 16th, 2008 starting at 6 pm. Feature performers include the Jay Patten Band, special guests Jonell Mosser, Roberto Bianco, Jimmy Hall, Laura Bell Bundy, Roger Cook, Michael Johnson, Frank Sheen and more. Proceeds will go to benefit The Happy Endings Animal Rescue association. Tickets are $10 per person. The Bluebird Cafe is one of Nashville's favorite musical venues, located at 4104 Hillsboro Rd. in Nashville, TN.

The Basement will hold its 2nd Annual Christmas show on Dec. 18th at 9 pm. special guests include David Mead, Warren Pash and more. Highlights of the event include a viewing of 12 minutes of Christmas inside the Human Snowglobe. Tickets are $7 each and proceeds for the night will go to The Second Harvest Food Bank. The Basement is one of Nashville's premier comedy clubs located at 1604 8th Ave. South. in downtown Nashville, TN. Call 615-254-8006 for more details.

Christmas Traditions

Where to see the Toy Trains: A favorite Christmas pastime, view toy train sets and collections at the following locations:

The Music City Toy Train Show will be held on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on Dec. 13, 2008. The annual Christmas Toy Train Show sponsored by the Music City Chapter of the Train collectors Association will feature operating train layouts, workshops and demonstrations, hard to find parts, a drawing for two complete Lionel Trains sets and door prizes. Parking is free and tickets are $6 per person. The Tennessee State Fairgrounds are located at 625 Smith Avenue in Nashville, TN. The Show will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Call 615-758-6003 for details.

See Model Trains Every Sunday at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in Clarksville, TN. About a half hour drive from metro Nashville, The customs house is located at 200 South Second Street in Clarksville, TN. The model train show runs every Sunday until Dec. 28th 2008 from 1 to 4 pm. The show is free for all ages. Free parking is available for Museum visitors at the top of the hill behind the Museum off South Second Street. Call 931-648-5780 for details and directions.

Christmas parades: Join Middle Tennessee's cities in celebrating the holiday spirit and enjoy the many city and town annual Christmas parades scheduled in the area this year:

Nashville's Christmas Parade: Dec. 5th at 7 pm. Kicks off at 7th and Broadway and runs east to 2nd Ave. and then across the Woodland Street Bridge to the LP Field.

The Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade and annual Christmas in the park will be Dec. 6th with the parade starting at noon and running from West Wilson Middle School to Industrial Drive in Mt. Juliet, TN. The parades will also collect canned goods along the route and other donations from bystanders on the route to give the Mt. Juliet Help Center.

More parade listings:

SATURDAY DECEMBER 6, 2008

Gallatin. Noon

Fairview 1 pm

Franklin 2 pm

Hendersonville Lighted Boat Parade 6 pm.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 7, 2008

Lebanon 2 pm

Portland 2 p.m.

Hendersonville 2:30 pm

FRIDAY DECEMBER 12, 2008

Donelson 7 pm

SATURDAY DECEMBER 13, 2008

Hartsville 10 am

Christmas and Holiday festivals:

A Dickens of a Christmas is an annual street festival event held by The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County on Dec. 13th and 14th from 10 am to 5 pm. About a half hour drive from metro Nashville, step back into time as the festival transforms historical downtown Franklin into a Victorian Era main street. Over 200 volunteers in period dress participate as characters from Dickens's stories and Victorian Era street performers. Highlights of the festival include dancers and street musicians, violinists, harpists, hand bell choirs, pianists and a water harmonica player all performing live in the streets in Victorian era attire, authentic Victorian Era specialty foods such as puddings, roasted chestnuts, turkey legs and sugar plums, A holiday bazaar and crafts area and horse drawn carriage rides. The festival is free to the general public. Call 615-591-8500 for full details.

An Old Fashioned Christmas in the Park will be held in White House, TN. About a 20 minute drive from North Nashville, the event will be held on Dec. 5th and 6th from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The event is sponsored by the White House Chamber of Commerce and Operation Andrew and hosted by the Church at Grace Park. The event will be held at 506 Hester Drive behind the Cracker Barrel in White House, TN. Highlights of the festival include carriage rides, a live nativity scene, pictures with Santa, live musical entertainment, a Christmas Mall, Games for kids, a Tea room, a Candy Shoppe, hay and train rides ad bonfires with free cocoa or cider. Concessions will be available. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and children under 3 are admitted free. There is also free parking available. The festival has a rain date on De. 7th for bad weather. Call 615-672-3937 for more details.

Walk through Bethlehem on Dec. 14th at the Woodmont Christian Church. Step back through time to view the reenactment of the nativity story. Over 200 players will recreate the sights and sounds of Bethlehem as it was during the time of Jesus. The scene will be created at 3601 Hillsboro Rd at the corner of Woodmont Blvd. Parking will be available at the church as well as nearby Calvary United Methodist Church and Woodmont Baptist Church. Visitors may also park at the Boy Scouts of America building. The event is free

and will run from 1 pm to 7 pm.

Hendersonville HolidayFest -T'was the Night Before Christmas Breakfast with Santa.

Santa comes to Hendersonville, TN on Dec. 6, 2008. Join him for a happy holiday breakfast along with special guests, Mrs. Clause, Cinderella and News Channel 5's Snowbird. Face painting and free gifts will be handed out and local dignitaries will read aloud from the Night before Christmas. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids with special discounts for groups of more than 6 children and include breakfast. The event will be held at the Streets of Indian Lake Tent on Indian Lake Blvd. in Hendersonville, TN about 15 minutes from Nashville proper. Call 615-824-8112 for details.

Where to see the Nutcracker: What would Christmas be without the time honored tradition of this Christmas Classic. Catch a performance of the Nutcracker at these locations:

The Mini-Nutcracker: A family tradition wrapped in the Spirit of Christmas will be performed by the Centennial Youth Ballet on Dec. 5th through Dec. 7th 2008. The event will be held at the Harpeth Hall School located at 3801 Hobbs Rd. in Nashville, TN. tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. Call 615-862-8439 for more details.

The Cookeville Drama Center and Dogwood Pavilion located about a half hour drive from metro Nashville at 10 East Broad Street in Cookeville presents The Nutcracker on Dec. 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Call 931 528-1313 for directions and parking information.

Make the holidays a fun filled and eventful time with these great ideas. There's sure to be something for everyone in Music City U.S.A. (look for more free and cheap Nashville events from this author including: free Christmas Concerts in Nashville,TN, cheap Christmas themed plays, Dinner and a show for under 30 bucks in Nashville, TN, Free and fun educational activites in and around Nashville, TN and more)