Nashville’s classic holiday tradition returns to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens with stunning new decorations courtesy of a world-famous florist, an additional creative light display on the Mansion lawn, and the familiar twinkling lights guests have enjoyed for more than a decade.
Former Chief Floral Designer for the White House, Laura Dowling, returns to Cheekwood
for the second year in a row to create elaborate custom decorations inside the Historic
Mansion that will delight guests and spread holiday cheer. This year’s theme is “Sweet
Dreams,” and is inspired by visions of sugarplums, candy-colored hues and chestnuts
roasting over an open fire.
The festive scenery begins at the front gates with elegant and creative light displays
guests are accustomed to seeing at Holiday LIGHTS. A 28-foot Pixel Pine Tree, which
features eye-catching three-dimensional custom light designs, returns to the center of
the Bradford Robertson Color Garden to welcome visitors on their journey through a
winter wonderland.
A one-mile walking path throughout the gardens will be aglow with over one million
lights. Each turn reveals a surprise, from the classic Peppermint Path with candy-cane
trees, to the stunning Bejeweled Bridge and Enchanted Esplanade. The new Sparkling
Serpentine display will dance across the Mansion lawn with 600 linear feet of
mesmerizing color. Cheekwood’s TRAINS! exhibit also sparkles with holiday magic that
will delight the young and young at heart.
Guests can also warm up with hot cocoa and seasonal libations, roast s’mores by a fire,
and shop for the perfect gift at the Holiday Marketplace.
“For over a decade, Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS has been a cherished tradition, offering
Nashville residents and visitors an elegant and timeless holiday experience,” said Jane
MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood. “We are delighted to welcome guests once
again to enjoy the beauty and magic of over one million twinkling lights and festive
decorations that define this beloved community event.”
Holiday LIGHTS opens to the public November 21 and runs until January 4. A media
preview is scheduled for November 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Holiday Décor in the Mansion
The holiday cheer continues indoors at the Cheekwood Mansion. With the theme of
“Sweet Dreams,” Laura Dowling will re-imagine the holidays at Cheekwood with new
color schemes, special vignettes and charming features including a woodlands-inspired
allée and harlequin trellis niche, cozy fireside table settings, and a breathtaking winter
wonderland display, complete with glittery handmade snowflakes. All the décor is
designed to complement the architecture and interiors at Cheekwood and create a
warm and welcoming ambiance for guests.
Guests are welcome to tour the Mansion during the day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or in
the evening from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. during Holiday LIGHTS.
Holiday Afternoon Tea
Festive holiday-inspired afternoon tea will be served in Cheekwood’s Café 29 from 1:30
p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from December 2 until January 2
except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Enjoy tableside service with seasonal
holiday teas and delicious sweet and savory bites. Reservations can be made for parties
of 2 or 4. Tea service is $50 per person for Cheekwood members and $50 plus the cost of
a Gardens and Mansion admission ticket for non-members. Reserve tickets at
https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-teas/
S’mores Stations and Seasonal Libations
While out exploring the luminous landscape, guests can stop by one of the kiosks to
warm up with hot cocoa or festive holiday cocktails. S’mores kits will be available to
purchase at the Holiday Marketplace to roast at the stations behind the Frist Learning
Center. S’mores and bar kiosks are only open in the evenings during Holiday LIGHTS.
Food is also available at Café 29, and guests can bring your own food and snacks from
home.
Daytime Visits with Santa
Saturdays & Sundays | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Families can visit with Santa in the Historic Stable and Tack Room located in the Frist
Learning Center and bring letters to put in Santa’s mailbox.
Dog Visits with Santa
December 7 & 21 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Bring your four-legged family member to join the merriment and pose for photos with
Santa in the Frist Learning Center courtyard.
Holiday Marketplace
Cheekwood has three shopping destinations for the holiday season, each featuring
different specialty merchandise. The Holiday Marketplace returns to the Frist Learning
Center Great Hall with one-of-a-kind keepsakes, décor, ornaments, and enchanting gifts.
In addition, thoughtfully curated items at the Garden Shop and Museum Shop will help
you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Truist Holiday Gift Drive
During Holiday LIGHTS, Cheekwood is hosting a Holiday Gift Drive for military families in
collaboration with Truist Bank. Guests can purchase items from Cheekwood’s three shops
to donate. At the conclusion of the event, Truist volunteers come to Cheekwood to wrap
all the presents for families, children and adults, and deliver the gifts to local military
families.
Seasonal Workshops
Holiday-themed hands-on art workshops for adults offer an additional way to get
inspired for the season and learn something new. Designed for the beginner, these
workshops will give guests a taste of a variety of art forms and crafting techniques and
encourage them to keep creating long after the class has ended. Topics include stained
glass and live greenery wreaths. These classes and workshops are for participants 18
years and older. Advance reservations are required. For a full list of offerings and to
register visit https://cheekwood.org/learn/adult-education-programs/seasonal-
workshops/
Winter TOTS!
November 25 and December 2, 9, 16, 30
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cheekwood’s popular program for toddlers and their guardians gets a new seasonal
spin. Throughout Holiday LIGHTS, drop-in style hands-on activities will be featured
indoors at the Crumbo Family Studios. Storytime will also be held at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
and 11:30 a.m. Each week’s theme will be inspired by the changing seasons and will
ensure guests of all ages get into the holiday spirit.
Holiday LIGHTS Tickets
The seasonal festival is open from 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., seven nights a week, except for
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Timed-entry tickets must be purchased online in
advance. A ticket pre-sale for Cheekwood members is already underway. Tickets go on
sale to not-yet members on October 14.
Late Night Lights offers a discounted ticket price for those who wish to experience the
displays later in the evening. These discounted tickets are available on select Monday –
Thursday nights for 8:30 p.m. Gardens Only entry. Price is $20 for non-members (adult or
youth) and $17 for member adults and $13 for member youth.
The Merry & Bright package returns this year with two adult Gardens and Mansion
admission passes valid on any night at any time, parking for one vehicle, two drink
vouchers, two s’mores kits and a 10% discount at the Holiday Marketplace. The package
costs $130 for members and $155 for not-yet members.
Cheekwood is pleased to offer Military Mondays on select Monday evenings throughout
the festival. Active duty and retired military personnel along with up to five people
receive 50% off Gardens Only tickets on Monday nights. Advance reservations are
required. To learn more about Holiday LIGHTS and to purchase tickets, visit
https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-lights/
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