Last updated November 2024 by Thomas Myers
Whether you are visiting town for the holidays or hosting all the family at your home this year, there are plenty of things to keep everyone entertained in Clarksville, Tennessee this Thanksgiving Weekend. Here are eight activities we suggest you include in your family's itinerary.
Christmas on the Cumberland
1. Experience Christmas on the Cumberland
Grab your jackets and head down to the Cumberland RiverWalk at McGregor Park for one of Clarksville locals' favorite Christmas traditions. Christmas on the Cumberland is the perfect spot to snap some festive photos with over one million lights displayed along the river’s edge. The lights begin on Saturday, November 23.
2. Head to the Roxy Regional Theatre
Get into the Christmas spirit with a live performance of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol at Clarksville's very own regional theatre. Equal parts humorous and sentimental, with a rich musical score, this behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Dickens' immortal classic is sure to bring holiday cheer to audiences of all ages!
3. Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show
Load up the car with your loved ones and plenty of snacks and head to the Clarksville Speedway for a Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show. Enjoy over one mile of three million lights from the comfort and warmth of your car. The show opens on Tuesday, November 26.
Mildred and Mable's
4. Shop Small Business Saturday
Instead of getting into the Black Friday madness, spend the day eating leftovers, watching movies, and playing board games. Then, head into town on Saturday to support local businesses and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Several shops in Historic Downtown Clarksville, along with many other stores across Clarksville, will be hosting holiday open houses.
5. Appreciate Nature
Clarksville certainly has no shortage of trails, parks, and outdoor recreation. Check out the complete list of things to do and plan some time outdoors with your family. Children will especially enjoy the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park. With Clarksville's temperate climate, visitors can experience their favorite outdoor activities like disc golf, hiking, and rock climbing year-round.
6. Find the Perfect Tree and Enjoy Winterfest
Pick out the perfect Christmas tree for your home at Erin’s Farm. Join us on Saturday, November 30, for the farm’s annual Winterfest! Enjoy local food trucks, artists, and makers, along with free kids’ crafts and hayrides. While it’s a good idea to bring straps to secure your tree, you can also purchase them at the farm
The City Forum
7. Make it a Competition
Is there any better way to bond as a family than some good old-fashioned competition? See who can solve all the clues at Excape Games, who has the best aim at The Rage’N Axe, and who comes out on top on the battle beams at Sky Zone Clarksville. Spend a fun-filled afternoon at The City Forum with go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, an arcade, and a bowling alley all under one roof.
8. Learn About Local History
Explore one, or several, of our local museums and interpretive centers to learn about Clarksville's rich history. The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center features exhibits on Clarksville's history, artwork, a newly renovated children's floor, and one of the largest model train exhibits in the region. Head to Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center to see a preserved earthenworks fort, hear stories from the Civil War, and learn about the war's impact on Clarksville. Check out the As the River Flows Museum at McGregor Park to learn about our river history before walking through the lights at Christmas on the Cumberland.
Bonus: Complete a Challenge Trail
Explore Clarksville with the Visit Clarksville App Challenge Trails. Complete any or all of the 18 trails to earn collectible pins. With 18 different Challenge Trails, there is something for every interest including public art, architecture, coffee lovers, music heritage, international cuisine, and much more. All you have to do is download the app and check in at the stops along the trail. Be sure to take photos along your journey and tag #ClarksvilleTrailChallenge.
For more things to do, check out our event calendar.
