Top Small Town Christmas Events to Experience in Tennessee

Few towns hold the charm of Bell Buckle, Tenn., especially at Christmas. Each weekend in December Bell Buckle features festivities, including the Old-Fashioned Christmas (Dec. 2, 9,16), A Quilted Christmas Quilt Walk (Dec. 1-2), Gingerbread House Contest, free sleigh rides with Santa, and more. Bell Buckle is as quaint as it gets, for Christmas nostalgia and Southern hospitality.

Check out these not-to-be-missed events taking place in some of Tennessee’s most inspiring small towns.

Uncle Nearest Winter Wonderland & Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Shelbyville

4 p.m. CST, Nov. 25

This family-friendly event includes live music, carolers, refreshments with the tree-lighting at 5:15 p.m. CEO Fawn Weaver and Master Blender Victoria Butler will lead the festivities.

City of Manchester Christmas Parade

6:30 p.m., Nov. 25

Celebrate the annual City of Manchester Christmas Parade, which begins near the Little Duck River on McMinnville Hwy. and ends at Fred Deadman Park. Celebrate the tree lighting in the square to immediately follow.

Centerville Christmas Tree Lighting & Festival

3 – 8 p.m. CST, Nov. 25

Experience the beautiful town square of Centerville, while enjoying local food, music and storytelling, leading up to a choreographed light and sound show as the tree is lit! Free horse carriage rides, gift shops, and carolers are part of the celebration.

Christmas Marketplace in Historic Wartrace

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST, Nov. 25 The historic town of Wartrace admonishes visitors to “fill your soul with the Christmas Spirit” on Nov. 25. The town square will feature arts, crafts, special vendors, food, music and holiday cheer.

Mingle Jingle & Tree Lighting in Pulaski

7 p.m., Nov. 30th

The annual Mingle-Jingle & Tree Lighting Ceremony features downtown shopping and open houses, along with the tree lighting. Don’t miss this special night in Historic Downtown Pulaski.

Tullahoma Christmas Parade

7 p.m. CST, Dec. 1

Thousands of spectators will enjoy the 67th Annual Tullahoma Christmas Parade, featuring more than 100 floats, music and iconic Christmas highlights. The parade begins at Tullahoma High School and ends at South Jackson Performing Arts Center.

Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

6 p.m. CST, Dec. 2 Columbia’s 37th Annual Night-time Christmas Parade lasts approximately 1.5 hours and concludes with the tree lighting around 7:30 p.m. Santa lights Columbia's 40-foot Christmas tree on the historic Courthouse Square.

“The More, The Merrier” Main Street Lewisburg Christmas on Downtown Square

2 p.m. CST, Dec. 2

The Rotary Club’s Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m., followed by the Marshall County Art Guild Christmas Crafts at the Dixie Theater from 3-5 p.m. Carolers are featured on First Presbyterian Church between 3-4 p.m. with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. CST.

Little Linden Christmas

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST, Dec. 2

Main Street Shops in the charming town of Linden will host A Little Linden Christmas. Local merchants, as well as other vendors, will be open for holiday shoppers, while enjoying Christmas music, and holiday festivities. The historic Commodore Hotel will serve Christmas Tea at 3 p.m.

Christmas in Lynchburg & The Jack Daniels Barrel Tree Lighting Dec. 2will take place at 5:30 p.m. The special 15-foot Jack Daniel's Barrel Tree is constructed from 50 Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey barrels. The event benefits "Operation Ride Home." Learn more about Operation Ride Home.

In addition, Cornersville hosts a Main Street Christmas Festival from 12 – 6 p.m., CST, Dec. 2 with Santa, carriage rides, vendors, games, live music and tree lighting. Chapel Hill hosts the Tennessee Christmas Parade at 3 p.m., Dec. 9.