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There is nothing like Christmas in Tennessee. The small-town holiday charm, the lively Smoky Mountains, the state’s history, live music, and tons of local holiday markets all make Tennessee a must-see at Christmas.
If you’re seeking local markets and fairs to visit in Tennessee at Christmastime, here is our list of the 10 best Christmas markets and fairs in the state. Let the holiday festivities begin!
Looking for more inspo? Check out our list of festive fairs and events in Tennessee, along with our full list of dates for Christmas markets in the USA.
1. Christmas Village – Nashville, TN
An annual tradition in Nashville for over 60 years, Christmas Village at the city’s fairgrounds has brought generations of holiday shoppers to this festive Christmas market in Tennessee. Over 250 merchants from around the country provide guests with ample holiday gift ideas.
Plus, the proceeds from ticket sales for the market go directly to various nonprofits in the state. What’s better than holiday shopping for a good cause?
Get your Christmas shopping done early at this festive kickoff to Christmas in Tennessee.
2. SpiritFest – Clarksville, TN
Located in historic downtown Clarksville, SpiritFest provides family-friendly festivities to guests anticipating Clarksville’s annual Christmas parade.
This free festival provides ice skating, live music, visits with Santa, food truck vendors & free hot chocolate, kids’ activities, and a live nativity scene.
In addition, holiday shoppers will love the Art & Gift Market for Christmas gift ideas, as well as all the downtown shops nearby.
Afterwards, guests can enjoy a front row seat to Clarksville’s Christmas parade full of local holiday cheer.
3. Chattanooga Holiday Market – Chattanooga, TN
The Chattanooga Market, which provides local art, handcrafted goods, and food peddlers to the community throughout the year, gets into the yuletide spirit with its Holiday Market on weekends in December.
Visitors can find unique gifts for the holidays throughout this lively market with over 200 local vendors. Plus, live holiday music and a special cast-iron cookoff make this holiday market a festive gathering place.
While you’re there, the city of Chattanooga provides lots of great things to do at Christmas, including its famous Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Rock City, and other local treasures.
4. Smoky Mountain Winterfest – Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, & Gatlinburg, TN
A holiday extravaganza lasting from November until February each year, Smoky Mountain Winterfest provides a plethora of fun holiday things to do for an epic Christmas in the Smoky Mountains.
A multitude of live Christmas shows, festive shops and restaurants, live music, and holiday lights await for all seeking an abundance of holiday spirit. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and local Christmas parades also make this beloved region merry and bright.
Be sure to check out Winterfest’s Great Smoky Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival while you’re there to find unique local handcrafted goods for the perfect Christmas present.
5. Dickens of a Christmas – Franklin, TN
Every holiday season, Main Street in historic downtown Franklin will make you feel like you’re in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Boutique shops and local restaurants provide great opportunities to seek holiday gifts.
Downtown Franklin kicks up its holiday spirit with its beloved annual Dickens of a Christmas festival in December.
Main Street becomes an open-air market of artisan vendors, festive food trucks and warm holiday drinks, street performers, and festival-goers dressed in Dickensian Christmas costumes.
Afterwards, warm up to a classic Christmas movie showing in the historic Franklin Theatre to round out this festive small-town holiday experience.
6. Christmas in Lynchburg – Lynchburg, TN
Countless visitors make the pilgrimage to Lynchburg to see Jack Daniel’s Distillery and its famous Tennessee Whiskey each year. But for the holidays, visitors come for a more festive kind of spirit, Christmas in Lynchburg.
This annual holiday festival includes an open-air craft market and the popular cookie sale (the cookies run out quickly!). Guests also come for a unique souvenir – the town’s special holiday postmark only available during the festival.
Plus, visitors can enjoy a Christmas tree decorating contest, pet costume contest, breakfast with Santa, holiday buggy tours and more festivities. Be sure to stay for the Christmas parade and lighting of the Barrel Tree!
7. A Victorian Christmas at Rugby – Rugby, TN
Historic Rugby, Tennessee’s famous Victorian-era village, gets into the 1880s Christmas spirit each December with Christmas at Rugby, an immersive Victorian Christmas festival and market.
This old-fashioned holiday festival includes Christmas carolers & storytellers, period costumes, visits with Father Christmas, and candlelight tours of historic Victorian homes and buildings.
Guests can enjoy a Christmas market with local art and homemade goods and peruse the unique shops in the village. Shop for the perfect gift while you step back in time!
8. Speedway in Lights & Christmas Village – Bristol, TN
Millions of fans have flocked to the famous Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN over the years to see the glory and pandemonium of NASCAR races. In December, fans flock to this track for a different reason – the festive Christmas celebration called Speedway in Lights.
Visitors can experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas market and light show for a memorable and unique holiday.
A tradition for over 25 years, fans get to take a lap around the “world’s fastest half-mile” and experience a wonderland of over 2 million festive Christmas lights.
After driving 4 miles of lights, visitors will want to go to the Christmas Village at the raceway’s infield for a Tennessee Christmas market with local vendors, holiday arts and crafts, and festive photo ops. Do some Christmas shopping you truly won’t forget!
9. Bell Buckle Olde Fashioned Christmas & Night Market – Bell Buckle, TN
Seeking some small town charm in Tennessee at Christmas? Consider visiting historic Bell Buckle and experience its spirited Olde Fashioned Christmas & Night Market this December.
Known for southern treasures RC Cola and Moon Pies (be sure to have some when you visit), guests can experience Bell Buckle’s popular Night Market in the town pavilion, with local crafters, food vendors, and the town’s popular shops open late.
In addition, the Quilt Walk, a Bell Buckle Christmas tradition, allows festival-goers to tour historic homes in town and see their famous quilts. Sleigh rides with Santa, christmas caroling, and a pet parade round out this cozy Christmas festival.
10. Christmas in Olde Jonesborough – Jonesborough, TN
Tennessee’s oldest town, Historic Jonesborough fully embraces the Christmas spirit each weekend during the holiday season with Christmas in Olde Jonesborough, a town-wide Christmas celebration.
A festive holiday market with local crafts, as well as extended hours for downtown’s cute holiday shops will bring delight to any Christmas shopper seeking gift ideas. Don’t miss out on Santa Mart, a special holiday market just for kids!
The town’s famous holiday progressive dinner, visits with Santa, the annual Holiday Tour & Tea, and a Christmas tree lighting and parade make this town festival a must-see on your Tennessee Christmas market list!
Looking for more US travel inspiration?
Check out these guides on the best places to visit in…
Have we missed any of your favorite Christmas Markets in Tennessee?
Let us know in the comments so we can update our list!