Things to Do in Middle Tennessee: November 2026

November is when Middle Tennessee starts lighting up. The holiday displays open, small-town markets fill in, and every community has its own way of kicking off the season. Here is my roundup of the best things to do across Nashville and the surrounding towns this month, so you can plan a few good weekends.

Holiday Light Displays Opening in November

• A Country Christmas + ICE! (Opens Fri, Nov 6, Gaylord Opryland, Nashville). This year's ICE! is built around the house from Home Alone, carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice.
• The Dancing Lights of Christmas (Opens Sat, Nov 7, Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon). A drive-through show synced to music, with Santa's Village and a petting zoo. $35 per carload.
• Glow Wild (Opens Fri, Nov 13, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere). The zoo's brand-new light show, with an 85-foot musical tree, ice skating, and Santa from Nov 27.
• Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (Opens Fri, Nov 20, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens). A mile of lights through the gardens, plus  s'mores and a holiday marketplace. Closed Thanksgiving.
• The Rink Under the Giant Guitar (Opens Fri, Nov 20, Wedgewood Houston, Nashville). Free outdoor skating with $10 skate rental. An easy after-school outing.

Things to Do in Nashville This November

• Craig Morgan's Veterans Day 5K (Sat, Nov 7, Grand Ole Opry). Run or walk at the Opry to honor our veterans. Proceeds support Operation Finally Home, the USO, and more.
• Nashville's Christmas Village (Fri, Nov 13 to Sun, Nov 15, The Fairgrounds Nashville). The 65th year of the city's favorite holiday shopping tradition, with hundreds of vendors under one roof.
• The Boulevard Bolt (Thanksgiving, Thu, Nov 26, 8 a.m., Belle Meade Boulevard). Nashville's classic 5-mile Thanksgiving run or walk. Every dollar goes to ending homelessness locally.
• Nashville's Nutcracker (Opens Fri, Nov 27, TPAC, downtown). Nashville Ballet's holiday classic, set in Nashville, with live music from the Nashville Symphony.

Things to Do in Franklin & Spring Hill This November

• Family Day at Harlinsdale Farm (Sat, Nov 7, The Park at Harlinsdale Farm). Franklin Parks' free fall festival. Past years have brought hayrides, pony rides, and a petting zoo.
• Wine Down Main Street (Sat, Nov 7, 7 to 10 p.m., Historic Downtown Franklin). Taste your way down Main Street after dark, all benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs.
• Franklin Veterans Day Parade (Wed, Nov 11, Downtown Franklin to the Public Square). Flags, bands, and a whole town saying thank you. Get there early for a good spot.
• MADE SOUTH Holiday Market (Fri, Nov 20 & Sat, Nov 21, The Factory at Franklin). Handmade gifts from Southern makers. Friday's VIP night adds cocktails and live music.
• Turkey Trot Franklin (Thanksgiving, Thu, Nov 26, Cool Springs). A 10K, 5K, and kids' dash before the feast, benefiting GraceWorks.
• Spring Hill Turkey Burn (Sat, Nov 28, Spring Hill High School). Work off the leftovers with a half marathon, 5K, or kids' 1K for the Tennessee Children's Home.

Things to Do in Hendersonville & Gallatin This November

• Hendersonville Veterans Day Parade (Sun, Nov 8, Drakes Creek Park down Main Street). A heartfelt hometown parade that's great for kids to see.
• Tinsel & Treasures Weekend (Fri, Nov 13 to Sun, Nov 15, Downtown Gallatin). A 50-plus-year tradition with deals at 30-plus downtown shops and Small Biz Bucks giveaways.
• Yuletide at the Station (Fri, Nov 13 & Sat, Nov 14, The Station, Gallatin). The farmers market's holiday market, with artisan gifts and local songwriters. Free to attend.
• Winter House Concerts at Rock Castle (Sat, Nov 21 & Sun, Nov 22, Historic Rock Castle). Live music inside one of Middle Tennessee's oldest homes. 21+, very limited seats.
• Indian Lake Loop (Thanksgiving, Thu, Nov 26, 8 a.m., The Streets of Indian Lake). The 20th annual 5K and 5-mile race. Register ahead, there's no race-day sign-up.

Things to Do in Mt. Juliet & Lebanon This November

• Home for the Holidays (Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Charlie Daniels Park, Mt. Juliet). Mt. Juliet's holiday kickoff with vendors, music, and free photos with Santa.
• Mt. Juliet Christmas Tree Lighting (Sat, Nov 21, Time and spot to be announced). Watch the city light its tree and start the season with neighbors.
• CCRC Turkey Trot 5K (Thanksgiving, Thu, Nov 26, 7 a.m., Don Fox Park, Lebanon). A laid-back, low-cost Thanksgiving morning 5K.

Things to Do in Murfreesboro & Ashland City This November

• Sip, Shop & Stroll: Holiday Edition (Fri, Nov 6, 5 to 8 p.m., Downtown Murfreesboro Square). Shops dress up and stay open late. Easy stocking-stuffer shopping close to home.
• BioBlitz at the Discovery Center (Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring). Families help count the birds, bugs, and plants in the wetlands. No experience needed.
• Ashland City Holiday Market (Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Riverbluff Park). Local vendors along the Cumberland River on a Saturday morning.
• Mistletoe Trail (Sat, Nov 28 through Dec 31, Riverbluff Park, Ashland City). A walking trail of trees decorated by local families and businesses.

Planning a Move in the New Year?

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Middle Tennessee, or you are just curious what your home would bring right now, get a quick home value estimate here. I am always happy to talk through what is happening in your neighborhood. Call or text me at (615) 585-0022.

Event details come from organizers and can change. Please confirm dates and times before you go.