Enchanting Nights: A Festive Journey through Cheekwood’s Annual Holiday Lights Exhibit

By Lloyd McDonald • Photo by Caitlin Harris. Courtesy of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

From Now November 18 – January 7 Cheekwood is hosting their annual Holiday Lights exhibit nightly.

They have decorated the gardens and mansion to bring in all the joy and festiveness of the season. The experience starts even before entering the gardens with the sounds of festive holiday music. Once inside the gardens, the first stop is the bar kiosk, where they have a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available, complete with two delicious signature drinks for the hot chocolate or apple cider-loving adult (I tried them both and declare them a tie — you can decide which you like better on your trip).

On this is a walking tour (about one mile) along the paved paths on the gently sloping hills of Cheekwood’s gardens and with the shuttle to the front doors of the mansion and elevators inside, the entire exhibit is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations. While strolling the grounds showcases several exhibits including the Robinson Family Water Garden, The Literary Garden, The Mansion, Howe Garden, Burr Terrace Garden, Carell Dogwood Garden, Herb Study Garden and Turner Seasons Garden (and all of the grounds in between) are decorated with over one million lights and sounds of the holiday.

The history buffs, art enthusiasts, and admirers of architecture (as well as the rest of us) are all certain to enjoy the mansion, which is decorated appropriately for the period, including late 19th-century/early 20th-century tablescapes, gingerbread room, candy cane tree, and all the coziness and intimacy anyone would expect to see in a personal library this time of year. The art galleries are also open, and they currently feature the work of Sarah Nguyen. Most of her art uses paper and light/shadows to create recognizable and abstract works that are as intricately made as they are whimsically light.

After leaving the mansion, the next stop is at the Holiday Marketplace. It is a great place to take a breather and make some s’mores before finishing the tour through the grounds. After taking in the lights complete with the twinkling lights of Downtown Nashville in the background, the train station is the last highlight before completing the tour. This can’t-miss stop features Cheekwood’s famous trains, completely decorated with more sights of the season and lights that are choreographed to the sounds of the season.

The Holiday Lights at Cheekwood has enough sights and sounds of the season that even the Grinchiest Grinch’s heart is sure to grow three sizes while the young and young at heart are enchanted by this beautiful light display.

Learn more and reserve tickets at https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holiday-lights/.