Murfreesboro Christmas Lights: Best Displays for 2026

The historic Public Square is the center of Christmas lights in Murfreesboro. For the 2025 season, Main Street Murfreesboro added new overhead Christmas string lights across the square, with funding from Middle Tennessee Electric and installation by the City of Murfreesboro Street Department. The lights run over the walkways and storefronts around the 1859 Rutherford County Courthouse.

The Rutherford County Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn is lit on the first Friday night of December, which falls on Friday, December 4, 2026. The tree lighting is free. In 2025, activities such as crafts, hot cocoa, carriage rides and choir performances started at 6 p.m., the stage program and tree lighting by Santa followed at 6:30 p.m., and free photos with Santa ran inside the courthouse from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Main Street had not posted the 2026 schedule as of October 7, 2026. See our Christmas on the Square guide for the full celebration.

Parking: on tree lighting night in 2025, parking on the square closed at 4 p.m.; the Civic Plaza and County Judicial parking garages are the closest alternatives. While you are there: the square is lined with locally owned shops and restaurants, so a lights walk pairs easily with holiday shopping downtown or dinner at one of the restaurants near the square. The Downtown After 5 Holiday Edition on November 6 and the Candlelight Tour of Homes on December 12 are two more evenings to see downtown dressed for the season.

Murfreesboro itself has no confirmed drive-through light show for 2026. Cannonsburgh Village has hosted free drive-thru lights in past years, but the city's 2026 listing is the walk-through A Charming Christmas on Friday and Saturday evenings, December 4 to 19 ($5, ages 5 and under free). The closest ticketed shows are:

• Holly Jolly Festival of Lights, Lucky Ladd Farms, Eagleville: a walk-through trail on select nights, November 27 to December 23. Tickets are $12 to $16 online for ages 2 and up and must be bought at least an hour ahead; gate prices are $19 to $23.
• Dancing Lights of Christmas, Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon: the nearest true drive-through, November 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027, $35 per family vehicle, including Santa's Village and a petting zoo.
• A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, Nashville: November 6, 2026 to January 2, 2027, with ICE! featuring Home Alone in more than 2 million pounds of carved ice.

Many Murfreesboro, Tennessee neighborhoods decorate for the season, and a slow evening drive after dark costs nothing. Displays are put up by individual homeowners, so they change every year and there is no official list or schedule. Most homes are lit by mid-December and stay on through Christmas week.

When you go, drive slowly with your headlights on low, don't block driveways or mailboxes, stay on the sidewalk if you get out to look, and keep noise down later in the evening. Know of a standout street? Send it through our contact page and we will check it for this guide.

Murfreesboro transforms into a festive holiday destination during the Christmas season. The historic Murfreesboro Public Square becomes the epicenter of holiday celebrations with Christmas on the Square, an annual tradition bringing the community together to celebrate the season with lights, decorations, and festive activities.

Throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods, residents and businesses display beautiful Christmas lights and holiday decorations that illuminate Murfreesboro's streets and yards. The holiday season in Murfreesboro offers something for everyone, from downtown celebrations to neighborhood light tours and seasonal events.

Whether you're a longtime resident or visiting Murfreesboro for the holidays, the city's festive atmosphere and numerous seasonal activities make it a magical time to experience Middle Tennessee's holiday spirit.

Beyond Christmas lights, Murfreesboro offers a variety of holiday activities that make the season special. Christmas on the Square typically features live music performances, holiday concerts, community gatherings, and family-friendly activities. Many events are free or low-cost, making the holidays accessible to everyone.

The holiday season in Murfreesboro also includes shopping opportunities at downtown boutiques and shops decorated with seasonal displays. Local restaurants and cafes offer holiday specials and festive dining experiences. Many businesses participate in the season with special promotions and events.

For those interested in traditional holiday experiences, Murfreesboro's neighborhoods offer classic seasonal traditions like home light displays, neighborhood caroling, and community light tours. The Murfreesboro Public Square serves as the focal point for community celebrations throughout the season.