Dazzling holiday displays sparkle among the rolling hills and elegant gardens of Cheekwood’s 55-acre estate.
More than a million breathtaking lights invite visitors into a magical winter wonderland as they stroll along a one-mile path of seasonal joy. The awe-inspiring celebration of Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS is a quintessential Nashville tradition.
This year, for the 10th Annual Holiday LIGHTS, the holiday cheer begins on a special note, as a show-stopping surprise was added to the entrance of the show. Reaching 28 feet into the sky, the Pixel Pine tree shines bright and resplendent in the center of the Bradford Robertson Color Garden, surrounded by the fan-favorite Candy Cane Lane.
This shining beacon in the center of it all is more than meets the eye. It is a symbol that fills us with gratitude for the journey that began with a generous gift from the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation. As we celebrate one of our most cherished and well-attended events, all of us at Cheekwood are reflecting on a decade of extraordinary growth, vibrant programming, and community building.
It all began in 2013, when Cheekwood was on the cusp of a rebirth, positioning itself for a new era of development and community impact. At that time, the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation believed in Cheekwood’s potential as a multi-faceted cultural destination and made a transformative gift that ignited an exciting future. This was the beginning of remarkable expansion for Cheekwood, which has become a leader among cultural institutions in the Southeast.
Among many pivotal milestones, the AWC Family Foundation’s support allowed for the restoration of the Historic Mansion, bringing it back to 1930s authentic splendor. Their support also springboarded the inaugural Holiday LIGHTS, which was born in 2015. From there, a lasting tradition was dreamt, built, nurtured, and has blossomed into one of Nashville’s most anticipated events.
This year, the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation has come full circle with their support once again, with their gift of the Pixel Pine. This spectacular new outdoor installation was gifted especially to honor the 10th Annual Holiday LIGHTS. The marquee feature is a marvel of cutting-edge technology – a grand gesture and beautiful enhancement to one of Nashville’s brightest shows.
It is innovations like the Pixel Pine that have earned Holiday LIGHTS accolades as the best tourist and seasonal attraction, and best festival in Nashville year after year. It represents a new era of technology and lighting effects that have evolved since the show’s inception, ensuring that Cheekwood’s holiday light extravaganza remains avant-garde and among the brightest in the region.
The Pixel Pine punctuates the beloved array of returning favorites throughout the gardens, including the Peppermint Path, Enchanted Esplanade, Star Field, shimmering Tunnel of Light, icicle snowfall at Wisteria Arbor, and Dancing Lights of TRAINS!
As the third most-visited destination in Nashville, Cheekwood welcomes on average 400,000 visitors and 18,600 member households through its gates annually. As a provider of hands-on educational activities for experiential learning and a gateway for underserved communities to access art and nature, Cheekwood is a celebration of the seasons and an incubator for collective impact through partnerships.
The Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation has been a luminary lodestar for Cheekwood, providing invaluable support in our vision to be a home for history, gardens, and art — and for all those who value and seek to understand the human experience. Their contributions have made an everlasting impact and will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
Holiday LIGHTS is an experience of joy. Beyond the thrilling visuals and warm memories, what stays is the feeling that brings people to gather, year after year. We hope you find inspiration in the gardens aglow this season. We look forward to the next 10 years!