Month guide · Nashville · United States
Nashville in December
What December is really like in Nashville: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 9.7 hours of daylight. Cold with festive lights at Opryland and Cheekwood; New Year's Eve on Broadway is one of the city's largest parties.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Nashville: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with November (16°C (61°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:51
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:34
- Daylight
- About 9.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold with occasional snow and ice, holiday lights and lower prices outside New Year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Holiday lights at Cheekwood (usually December)
- New Year's Eve concert and fireworks downtown (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Downtown and Lower Broadway
Frist Art Museum
An exhibition centre with no permanent collection, housed in the city's former Art Deco main post office, which shows touring exhibitions from major museums, plus a hands-on art studio for children.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Kids
Museum · Downtown and Lower Broadway
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
A good follow-on for music fans who have already done the Hall of Fame.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Downtown and Lower Broadway
Ryman Auditorium
Built in 1892 as a gospel tabernacle, the Ryman was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 and is known as the 'Mother Church of Country Music'.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
- Architecture
Experience · Music Valley
Grand Ole Opry
Check whether the show is at the Opry House or, during some winter weeks, at the Ryman.
- Time needed
- 2–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- After dark
- History
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 1°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Nashville?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Nashville in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Nashville?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold with festive lights at Opryland and Cheekwood; New Year's Eve on Broadway is one of the city's largest parties.
+How warm is Nashville in December?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nashville in December?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.