Candlelight Christmas an old-timey event
NORRIS — An annual holiday tradition, Candlelight Christmas, returns to the Museum of Appalachia the weekend before Christmas: Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21.
This festive celebration, from 4-9 p.m. EST daily, evokes the beauty and simplicity of an old-fashioned Christmas in Southern Appalachia. Traditional Christmas decorations will adorn the interiors of the Museum’s authentic log cabins—many of which will be festively lit for the occasion.
Candlelight Christmas will also feature musicians performing throughout the grounds and a variety of family-friendly activities, including wagon rides, popcorn stringing, Christmas storytelling, holiday arts and crafts, and a visit from Santa Claus.
The Museum of Appalachia is 16 miles north of Knoxville off Exit 122 on I-75. Visit museumofappalachia.org or contact museum@museumofappalachia.org or 865-494-7680 for more information.
Icy wonderland at Gaylord Opyland
NASHVILLE — Gaylord Opryland has been transformed into a festive Christmas oasis for its 41st annual A Country Christmas, open through Jan. 4.
Among the attractions in the 2,888-room resort are Ice! Featuring Frosty the Snowman, featuring 11 walk-through scenes with larger-than-life ice sculptures, five two-story ice slides and ice-carving demonstrations. A separate area is dedicated to a Nativity scene shaped of crystal-clear ice.
Dazzling decorations also include more than 5 million twinkling lights, 15,000 poinsettias, elaborately decorated Christmas trees with a 48-foot tree, 15 miles of green garland, and 10 miles of hand-tied ribbon.
Other features include entertainment, ice tubing, ice skating, cookie and gingerbread house decorating and carolers. Visit ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com for tickets and more information.