Things To Do
Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square
Date: Friday, December 5th, 2025 Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM (Performances begin ~6:40PM, with tree lighting ~7:15PM) Location: Downtown Square, 109 Third Avenue South Franklin, TN 37064 Enjoy the tree lighting, Christmas market and live music, with five-time GRAMMY nominee Matthew West as the headliner. Check the website linked for road closures/parking availability.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
A ticketed event reservation (i.e. ICE! featuring "A Charlie Brown Christmas") is required to go on site after 3PM CT. If you do not want to go to a ticketed event, you can arrive before 3PM to walk around the resort.
Where to Eat in Franklin
Here are some local favorites, all near downtown Franklin: Gray’s on Main – Southern food and live music in a historic building 55 South – Southern comfort food with a New Orleans twist Culaccino – Upscale Italian with house-made pasta and wood-fired pizza Puckett’s Grocery – Classic Southern dishes and live music Merridee’s Breadbasket – Cozy spot for breakfast, pastries, and lunch Bonus Coffee Spots: Frothy Monkey - A downtown Franklin favorite with fun seasonal lattes, creative espresso drinks; serves breakfast and lunch Honest Coffee Roasters – Great coffee in The Factory at Franklin
Where to Eat in Nashville
If you're exploring Nashville during the weekend, here are some of our favorite spots: Pelato – Cozy and modern Italian with incredible pasta and small plates Hawkers – Flavor-packed Asian street food and cocktails in a fun setting Butcher & Bee – Bright, seasonal dishes with Middle Eastern flair — perfect for sharing Rolf & Daughters – (Doug's favorite) Handmade pasta in Germantown Sunda – Asian restaurant near the Gulch with sushi, noodles, and more Saint Añejo – A favorite Mexican spot close to Downtown O-Ku – Upscale sushi bar with Japanese small plates in Germantown Bonus Coffee Spots: Elegy (Germantown) - We go every Sunday after church. If you go - ordering the Honey Bear is a must. Barista Parlor (inside the W Hotel) – One of our favorite coffee shops and where we had our first date.