Christmas lights near Franklin with a toddler: drive-through and walk-through

Christmas lights are one of the few evening outings that work with a toddler, especially the drive-through kind, where they can stay buckled in with a sippy cup and pajamas on. These are the 2026 light shows in and around Williamson County, with what each one costs and how it works with little kids.

FrankTown Festival of Lights, Franklin

Williamson County Ag Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane. The biggest light show I found in the county, and a drive-through.

November 20 to December 31, 2026, 5 to 9pm every night. The route is a mile and a half, with light displays set to music you play on your car radio. There are free photos with Santa, a food truck, and s'mores at the fire pits. Proceeds go to FrankTown Open Hearts.

Walking Wednesdays are November 25 and December 2, 9 and 16, from 5 to 6:30pm. You walk the route instead of driving it, the ticket price is the same, and leashed dogs are welcome. Cars go back through at 7pm. With a stroller and an early bedtime, those walking nights are the ones I'd pick.

FrankTown hasn't posted 2026 ticket prices yet. When they go on sale, buy through franktownsfestivaloflights.com.

Worth the drive

Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood, Nashville

1200 Forrest Park Drive. A walking route through the gardens, November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Entry is timed every 30 minutes from 4:30 to 8:30pm, and it closes at 10.

Adults are $26 to $32 and youth 3 to 17 are $20 to $26. The price depends on the night, and adding the mansion costs a little more. Kids 2 and under are free. The path is a little over a mile, paved and barrier free, which makes it an easy stroller push. Fridays, Saturdays and the week before Christmas are the peak nights. Parking is $5 for non-members, and it's closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Glow Wild at the Nashville Zoo

November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, 5 to 9pm. It's $27 a person, and kids under 2 are free but still need a ticket. Santa is there from November 27 to December 24. Parking is $10.

Zoolumination isn't running this year. The zoo canceled it for 2026, so if an older guide lists it, Glow Wild is the zoo's light show now.

Holly Jolly Festival of Lights at Lucky Ladd Farms, Eagleville

4306 Rocky Glade Road. A mile-long walk-through trail, on select dates November 27 to December 23. Tickets for ages 2 and up are $12 to $16 online or $19 to $23 at the gate, kids under 2 are free, and parking is free. Online tickets have to be bought at least an hour before you go.

Santa is there every night from 6 to 8pm for photos. There's also a playground, animals in Habitat Hall and campfires, with character visits on Fridays and Saturdays. Pony rides and s'mores cost extra. The farm closes for bad weather on the day of, so check before you drive out if it's been raining.

A few tips with little kids

Go early. Every one of these opens around dark, and going right at opening gets you home by bedtime.

For a toddler who won't sit still in a car seat, a walk-through with a stroller is easier than a long line of cars. For a baby who falls asleep in the car, the drive-through is the winner.