Looking for holiday cheer? Things to do this season in Rutherford County
Here are some of Rutherford County's best and brightest events. Email degennaro@dnj.com if you'd like to add yours.
NOTE: Bethlehem Marketplace will not be held for 2021 due to COVID-19.
Winterfest
Fountains at Gateway, 1500 Medical Center Parkway, hosts Winterfest through Jan. 30, 2022. Enjoy ice skating, seasonal festivities and treats.
Hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, 12-10 p.m. Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays. During winter break, Dec. 20-Jan.3, hours are 1-9 p.m. Sundays, 12-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is $12 for ages 4 to 12, and $15 for 13 and older. Visit fountainswinterfest.com/ for more details.
More: Entertainment: Where to go, what to do in November
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and $10 for children 12 and younger and are available online at mtchoralsociety.org/product/handels-messiah-2/ and at the door. MTSU students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with current IDs.
Christmas lights drive-thru
For the second year, Cannonsburgh Village is hosting a drive-thru Christmas Lights event. Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St. in Murfreesboro, will come to life with a Christmas light display on the first three weekends in December.
Hours are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19. Donations will be accepted. For more information call 615-890-0355.
Discovery Center
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St. in Murfreesboro, will host a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Admission is free and open to all ages. See Santa and enjoy lots of festive entertainment and activities.
Time for holiday fun! Learn how others celebrate around the world, take a picture with Santa, decorate the giant gingerbread house, and so much more. Free and open to the public.
'Elf: The Musical'
"Elf: The Musical" will take the stage Dec. 3-19 at Center for the Arts, 110 W. College St. in Murfreesboro. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday each weekend, and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. The Dec. 12 show has only wheelchair and/or specifically held seats available.
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for military and seniors, and $14 for students. Call 615-904-2787 or visit boroarts.org.
'Best Christmas Pageant Ever'
An ordinary nativity play takes on a life of its own when the Herdman siblings show up
and take over. Christmas will never be the same in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," on stage at Springhouse Theatre, 14119 Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and 10-11, and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for military and seniors, and $12 for students. Purchase online at springhousetheatre.com/ or call 615-969-9273.
'Christmas Carol'
"From Charley: A Christmas Carol" will be on stage Dec. 3-18 at The Arts Center of Cannon County, 1424 John Bragg Highway in Woodbury. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Dec. 5.
Based off the classic Charles Dickens tale, "From Charley: A Christmas Carol" offers a new spin to the same story. This tale shows a different perspective through Charles Dickens’s eyes as he writes the legendary tale.
Tickets are $13 for seniors, military and students, and $15 for adults. Visit artscenterofcc.com/ or call 615-653-2787.
Santa Splash
Santa Splash and Dash is set for 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Patterson Park Community Center pool, 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Enjoy playing in the indoor pool, make a craft, and enjoy pizza and treats.
For ages 8-14. Just because it's cold that doesn't mean you can't join us for a holiday pool party! Celebrate the holiday season with an ornament craft, a meal, and lots of swimming. It will be a holly jolly good time for all! Space is limited to the first 40 participants. Cost is $5 if you preregister or $7 at the door, if there is space. Visit murfreesborotn.gov to register or call 615-893-7439.
Christmas concert
The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Belle Aire Baptist Church, 1307 N. Rutherford Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at tnphil.org/tickets. For more information, call 615-893-1862.
'Lion, Witch, Wardrobe' on stage
Consider This Theater Company, 7120 Old Nashville Highway in Murfreesboro, presents "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" on stage. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and 17-18, and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. Tickets are $12 online at \considerthisinc.com.
Front Street festivities
Downtown Smyrna comes alive for the holidays at the annual Front Street Christmas festivities, set for 5-9 p.m. Dec. 11. There will be hot drinks and s'mores, carriage rides and free photos with Santa. Admission for this holiday tradition is free. Call 615-459-9773 for more information.
Eagleville parade
The 18th annual Eagleville Christmas parade steps off at 5 p.m. Dec. 11. The theme is "'Twas The Night Before Christmas." The parade goes south on Main Street and left onto old Highway 99, ending at Eagleville School. For more information, call Eagleville City Hall at 615-274-2922.
Parade of Lights
The annual Parade of Lights is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 11, but this year the parade will start at City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road, and end at Veterans Memorial Park, 115 Floyd Mayfield Drive.
This year’s theme is "Who Stole Christmas?" with the La Vergne Grinch serving as the grand marshal. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at the park immediately following the parade along with Christmas caroling.
The Winter Festival also kicks off at 5 p.m. with arts and crafts vendors selling special gifts for the holiday season as well as snack vendors. Santa’s Village will also be set up at the park for pictures with Santa. Fireworks will close out the festival at 8 p.m.
New this year is an ice skating rink. Families will be able to get skates and about 45 minutes of skate time with a canned food or toy donation. Registration on lavergnetn.gov is recommended but not required.
Through Dec. 11, the skating rink will be open from 4-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Murfreesboro parade
The Murfreesboro Christmas parade steps off at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and starts at the intersection of Middle Tennessee Boulevard and East Main Street. The route continues down East Main around the Public Square. Theme is "The Spirit of Christmas." Deadline to enter is Nov. 29. Visit murfreesborotn.gov for details.
Midnight at Noon
Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway, is set for 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 31 Play New Year Bingo, go on a scavenger hunt, write a New Year wish and make a fun party craft. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults and $4 for youth and seniors. Visit townofsmyrna.org for details.
WHERE IS SANTA?
Santa downtown
See Santa and Mrs. Claus in downtown Murfreesboro inside the historic Rutherford County Courthouse. Around 7:30 p.m., following the tree lighting, they will be on hand for photos and visits. The remainder of the month, hours are 12-4 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Bring your own camera.
Notes Lounge: Black Santa
Deco Boutique presents “A Christmas Pop-Up” shopping experience from 12-5 p.m. Dec. 11 at Notes Lounge, 2349A S. Church St. in Murfreesboro. There will be unique gifts for sale, a toy drive for children in need, Christmas entertainment, food and drinks, and giveaways. Text 615-801-7556 for more details.
Santa at Martin's
Santa will visit Martins Home & Garden, 1020 N.W. Broad St. in Murfreesboro, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 4. Share your Christmas wishes and be sure to bring your own camera to capture the moment. There is no charge.
Santa at The Avenue
The Avenue Murfreesboro, 2915 Medical Center Parkway, hosts free visits with Santa this holiday season.
From 8-10 a.m. Dec. 4, children with special needs and their families can experience the magic of season. During this event children will be able to take a photo and interact with Santa and receive special Christmas gift. This event has limited reservations. Visit theavenuemurfreesboro.com to reserve a spot.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4-5, bring your own camera for photos with Santa.
Feeling down in the grumps? Get your photo made with the Grinch between 2-4 p.m. Dec. 18. Stick around to watch a free showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Santa at the mall
Santa is in residence at Stones River Town Centre, 1720 Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro, through Dec. 24.
Hours are 12-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, with extended hours starting Dec. 12. He'll be on hand from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24.
Reservations are strongly encouraged with walk-up visits available as space allows throughout the day. Register online at photosshoots.as.me/santa.
Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Christmas, holiday things to do in Smyrna, La Vergne and Murfreesboro
