One of Nashville’s most famous and popular holiday traditions is the spectacular Christmas light display at Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort. At one time, only the lights and decorations adorned the hotel during the holiday season, but over the years, the celebration has grown to include a schedule of events sure to please any family. Visitors will certainly see plenty of lights, though. Nearly two million lights create the backdrop for “A Country Christmas.”
This year’s events include Ice!, featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Merry Madagascar. Santa and his reindeer have crashed on the island of Madagascar and the story of how Alex the Lion and friends save Christmas is told in colorful ice sculptures. Ice! is located in the all-new 40,000-square-foot Gaylord Opryland Events Center. Four Nativity scenes placed throughout the resort tell the story of the birth of Christ in a variety of media: in ice, as part of Ice!; a living Nativity, included in the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular; and in scenes in the Delta Garden and on the front lawn. Horse-drawn carriage rides around the property are a beautiful way to view the lights. The DreamWorks Holiday Shrektacular brings DreamWorks characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, and Madagascar to the stage for a merry time in the Delta Atrium. Daily gingerbread decorating opportunities are offered daily in the Ryman Hall. The always stunning Radio City Rockettes perform daily excluding Mondays with weekend matinees. To see a uniquely beautiful view of Nashville from the Cumberland, the General Jackson showboat sets sail twice daily, providing entertainment by Steve Hall and Shotgun Red during the midday cruise and Country Music USA in the evenings.
As if all those amazing events weren’t enough, country music artist Louise Mandrell hosts a Christmas Dinner Party daily, excluding Tuesdays. Louise’s party starts with a traditional holiday meal followed by performances by Louise and her band, along with special guest Christy Sutherland. Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort offers something for everyone during “A Country Christmas.” To compare packages, visit Gaylord Opryland’s website.
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