Drive-thru holiday lights, Christmas parade: 6 events to attend in Franklin, Brentwood this December

The Franklin Christmas tree will be lit through the month of December. (Lindsay Scott/Community Impact Newspaper)

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By Wendy Sturges | 1:21 PM Nov 30, 2020 CST | Updated 1:21 PM Nov 30, 2020 CST

Although many traditional celebrations will not be held this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there are still a few holiday events to catch in the Franklin and Brentwood areas.

Citizen's Christmas Parade

Dec. 5

Following the cancelation of the Kiwanis Club's annual Christmas parade in downtown Franklin, local residents in Franklin have organized an alternate parade to be held at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. The parade will feature performances from local students and will be socially distanced, according to event organizers.

11 a.m.-noon. Free. 239 Franklin Road, Franklin. www.citizenschristmasparade.com

Festive Christmas Drive Through

Dec. 4-5

The city of Franklin will host a drive-thru event at Easter Flank Battlefield Park featuring Christmas lights, holiday characters and more. Families can drive through the park's paved path, entering from Lewisburg Pike.

5-8 p.m. (both nights) Free. 1368 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin. www.franklintn.gov

Brentwood Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting

Dec. 7

The city of Brentwood hosts a virtual event to kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library. The event will feature a reading of The Polar Express and performances from the Ravenwood High School Choir.

Attendees will not be allowed; however, the event will be livestreamed via the city's Facebook page, and families are encouraged to visit the library during the holiday season to take a family photo with the tree.

5:30 p.m. Free. www.brentwoodtn.gov

Franktown Festival of Lights

Through Dec. 26

Hosted by Franktown Open Hearts, this third annual drive-thru event will be held at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center and features a path filled with holiday lights, Christmas trees and more. Proceeds benefit Franktown Open Hearts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to help at-risk youth succeed.

5-9 p.m. daily. $25-$35 per car. 4215 Long Lane, Franklin. http://franktownsfestivaloflights.com

Live nativity scene

Dec. 11

The Historic First Presbyterian Church in downtown Franklin will host a live nativity scene in front of the church's sanctuary with shepherds, wise men and holiday music.

The event is part of Holiday Magic on Main, an initiative from the Downtown Franklin Association, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Visit Franklin and the city of Franklin.

5-6 p.m. Free. 435 Main St., Franklin

Santa neighborhood parades

Through Dec. 19

The city of Franklin and the Franklin Fire Department have scheduled visits from Santa to various neighborhoods throughout December. Santa will drive through more than 50 neighborhoods, escorted by the FFD on Dec. 2, 12 and 19.

Residents can find which day Santa will visit their neighborhood here.

10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Free. www.franklintn.gov

By Wendy Sturges

A Houston native and graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Wendy Sturges has worked as a community journalist covering local government, health care, business and development since 2011. She has worked with Community Impact since 2015 as a reporter and editor and moved to Tennessee in 2019.

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