Wilson County’s Merriest Christmas Bucket List
Attention Wilson County Christmas-lovers: We’ve got a festive challenge for you! If you’re ready to light up the streets of Wilco with holiday cheer, we invite you to take on our Christmas bucket list. We’ve put together a list of local, magical activities that will leave you brimming with Christmas spirit. Bundle up in your ugly sweater and warm up your vocal cords for Christmas carols, because it’s about to be the merriest season ever!
1. Drive Through The Dancing Lights of Christmas & Chad’s Winter Wonderland
Every county has a street known for its dazzling Christmas lights. Wilson County is lucky enough to have two. Pile into your car with your loved ones and settle in for a joyful, holiday cruise. Start off your night with Tennessee’s largest light and music show: The Dancing Lights of Christmas. You’ll drive through twinkling, colorful lights, while listening to synchronized music. This has become an annual tradition for many families near and far!
Afterwards, turn up the Christmas carols and fly your sleigh to Chad’s Winter Wonderland. You’ll enjoy over 350 pieces of holiday scenery from a dancing snowman to the Christmas Train. Word in the North Pole is…Santa himself will be there giving away candy canes and gathering Christmas lists! Both displays are openly nightly seven days a week through New Years.
2. See a Christmas Movie at The Historic Capitol Theatre
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a heart-warming holiday movie night! Take a trip back to the 1950s for an authentic movie theatre experience at Lebanon’s Capitol Theatre. Recently renovated, you’ll enjoy all of the historic charm with the modern comforts you’ve come to love. Choose from upcoming films like Elf, The Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. And be sure to check out Christmas with the Doo Wops on December 18 at 2pm. You’ll want to get your tickets before this event sells out!
3. Get in The Spirit at One of Wilson County’s Three Christmas Parades
You don’t want to miss the exciting energy of Wilson County’s Christmas parades! Get swept up in the merry spirit as you experience creative costumes, holiday floats, marching bands and your favorite holiday songs.
Two of the parades have themes this year including “Home for the Holidays” and “A Golden Christmas.” Choose your favorite or attend them all for a tree-mendous time!
New this year: The Mt. Juliet parade will finish with the City Tree Lighting, along with music, food, games and awards for the Best Residential and Commercial Decorating.
- Lebanon – Sunday, December 4 at 2PM
- Mt. Juliet – Saturday, December 10 at 11AM
- Watertown – Saturday, December 3 at 3PM
- Gladeville – Sunday, December 11 at 2PM
4. Enjoy Holiday Shopping at Lebanon’s ‘Tis the Season’ Weekend Extravaganza
Nothing says Christmas like shopping with live reindeer in the streets! For the first time this year, the city of Lebanon has combined your favorite holiday activities for an unbeatable weekend. The events will kick off on Friday night with the Christmas tree lighting and go through Sunday afternoon with the Christmas parade.
It’s the perfect opportunity to support local businesses, while also savoring the enchanting feel of downtown Lebanon during the best time of year. Enjoy sweet treats and crafts, watch performances in the street, visit Santa or take a carriage ride to explore the festively decorated shops. For a full list of activities, check out the event flyer.
5. Make a Child’s Christmas by Donating a Toy to Wilson County Christmas For All
Like the moral of the classic story of The Grinch, the greatest joy comes from giving back to others. There are two wonderful nonprofits in Wilson County that provide toys at Christmas time to local underprivileged kids. They are Wilson County Christmas for All and Big Brothers of Mt. Juliet. Each year, they give toys to thousands of disadvantaged children.
You can choose to donate a toy or ‘sponsor’ a child and buy items directly from his or her Christmas wish list. You never know how much a small gift can mean to a child who has very little. After you check this one off your Christmas bucket list, take a minute to imagine the big smile you’re bringing to a child’s face.
Well, that’s a wrap. If you’re coming to town, make sure you check our Christmas Bucket List twice! You won’t want to miss out on any of these special Wilson County traditions.