Christmas time in Tennessee

 The 2012 holiday season in Tennessee promises holiday-themed fun for all ages. Mark your calendars for the following statewide events and find additional happenings in your region. Please visit www.tnvacation.com and click on Events for a complete listing of events happening statewide.

Speedway in Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway offers millions of holiday lights and hundreds of displays lining the route, and visitors get to drive on the legendary "World's Fastest Half-Mile."
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are shining bright with holiday decor and lights, now through Feb. 28. 23rd Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a holiday tradition for many visitors who return year after year. Also not to be missed is Dollyood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, with more than four million lights.
Ruby Falls in Chattanooga celebrates the season with Ruby Red Christmas, each Friday and Saturday night during December.

The 29th year of Gaylord Opryland’s “Country Christmas” brings the 2012 edition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes to Nashville. NEW this year is Lorrie Morgan's Enchanted Christmas Dinner & Show and Explore ICE!, featuring DreamWorks' Shrek the Halls.
In Memphis, experience Christmas at Graceland. See traditional lights and decorations including hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh and much more originally displayed by Elvis.
These events are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to holiday happenings in Tennessee. From holiday parades and festivals to shopping extravaganzas and holiday shows, there is something for everyone in Tennessee!
Below are additional holiday happenings in Middle Tennessee:

Through Jan. 5
Christmas on the Cumberland - Clarksville - Marvel at over a million lights along the Cumberland River beginning at 6 p.m. at McGregor Park. Activities include visits with Santa, card making and cookie decorating. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.christmasonthecumberland.com.

Nov. 30 through Dec. 16
“A  Christmas Carol” - Dickson - The Renaissance Players presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. at The Renaissance Center’s Anne Deason Performance Hall. Tickets are $15 for adults. For more information, visit www.rcenter.org.

Dec. 1
58th Annual Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade -  Lawrence - Observe the tree lighting on the Public Square at 5 p.m. Watch the Christmas parade as festive floats begin at Coleman Memorial United Methodist Church and end at First Street. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.selectlawrence.com.
“It was a Civil War Christmas” - Smyrna - The Sam Davis Home will host a Christmas living history event, showing the family Christmas traditions during the Civil War. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit www.samdavishome.org/events.php.
Christmas Parade - Lewisburg - The theme for this year’s Christmas Parade is “Christmas Melodies.” For more information, visit www.lewisburgtn.com.
Christmas Tree Decorating Party - Petersburg -  Decorate the community Christmas tree and enjoy crafts, snacks, Christmas music and much more from 1 to 5 p.m. at the town hall. For more information, visit www.townofpetersburg.org.
   Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes - Murfreesboro - See historic homes decorated for the holiday season from 4 to 8 p.m. by the Oaklands Historic House Museum. The tour will feature historic private homes and the Oaklands Mansion. For more information, visit www.oaklandsmuseum.org.

Dec. 8 - 9
Dickens of a Christmas - Franklin - Travel back in time 150 years to a simpler time 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, arts and crafts and costumed characters from Dickens’ famous Christmas tale. There is also a town sing at the community Christmas tree at 4 p.m. Dec. 9. For more information, visit www.historicfranklin.com.

Dec. 9
Annual Mountain Homecoming Christmas Parade - Van Buren - This year’s theme is “Celebrating Christmas Through Song.” The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the fairgrounds and ends at the high school ball field. For more information, call 931-235-7524. 

Dec. 15
Foster Family Holiday Party - Dickson -  A celebration to show appreciation to foster parents and their children will take place from 1until 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Center. For more information, e-mail Regina Cathey at Regina.Cathey@rcenter.org or call 615-740-6602.
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