The new Christmas lights in Columbia this year are Garden Lights at the President James K. Polk Home on West 7th Street, open 5 to 9 p.m. on December nights. Downtown, the 40-foot tree on the square was set to be lit on Nov. 6, and the parade comes through on Dec. 5. For a drive-through show, FrankTown Festival of Lights in Franklin is about 30 minutes up the road and runs every night from Nov. 20 through New Year’s Eve.
Here’s where to go, with dates, hours and prices. We’ll add more displays as they’re announced.
Garden Lights at the Polk Home
The Polk Home is lighting its gardens for the first time this year, with holiday scenes and photo spots you walk through. Every ticket comes with a hot drink, and the money goes to preserving the home.
- Where: 301 W. 7th St., Columbia
- Hours: 5-9 p.m.
- Dates: The Polk Home lists Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 23. Visit Columbia lists it nightly from Nov. 25, so check the Polk Home’s page before an early-season visit.
- Cost: Tickets online; kids under 3 free.
The tree and the parade downtown
The tree on the courthouse square was scheduled to be lit at First Fridays on Nov. 6, so it should be glowing for any December evening downtown. The 40th Columbia Christmas Parade lights up West 7th Street on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. Parade route and parking are here.
Are the Columbia parks lit for Christmas this year?
We haven’t been able to confirm it for 2026. In past years the city’s Holiday Lights in the Park lit three parks from 5 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 31, for free:
- Woodland Park, 821 W. 9th St. (drive-through)
- Fairview Park, 871 Iron Bridge Rd. (drive-through)
- Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Dr. (walk-through)
We’ll update this once Columbia Parks and Recreation confirms this year’s plans.
Drive-through lights near Columbia
FrankTown Festival of Lights, Franklin (about 30 minutes). A 1.5-mile drive-through at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center, 4215 Long Lane, every night from Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m. On Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16, you can walk it from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (leashed dogs welcome) before the cars start at 7. This year’s price isn’t posted yet; last year was about $35 a car.
Worth the drive: Cheekwood in Nashville
Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (about an hour). A walk-through of the botanical garden at 1200 Forrest Park Dr., Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, 4:30-10 p.m. Adult tickets run $26-$32 and kids 3-17 are $20-$26, plus a $2 online fee per ticket and $5 parking. Weekends and Christmas week cost more and sell out, so book a time ahead.
Home light shows
Hoover Lights, Chapel Hill (about 30 minutes). A family’s light show at 1390 Neil Rd., synced to music on 107.1 FM and free, with donations going to Grace Ministries. It has run for years from late November through Dec. 31, from about 4:30 or 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Check the Hoover Lights Facebook page for this year’s dates.
Know a display we’re missing? Tell us and we’ll add it. For the rest of the season, see every Christmas event in Columbia.
Sources: James K. Polk Home, Visit Columbia holiday events, Columbia Main Street, Maury County Source: Holiday Lights in the Park, FrankTown Festival of Lights, Cheekwood, Nashville Parent.
Photo: Maury County Courthouse by Hmil6, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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