In New York, you do the outdoor ice-skating rink under the giant tree at 30 Rock. In Chicago, it’s tea at the Walnut Room and some hand-warming hot glögg at the Christkindlmarket. Here in Nashville, the Christmas tradition is an outing to Cheekwood, where the monthlong “Holidays at Cheekwood” festivities range from a visit from Santa (the real one, we’re assured) to the annual Trees of Christmas exhibit. Among the attractions is the Museum Concert Series every Saturday and Sunday afternoon through Dec. 23. This Saturday, the featured performers are the Nashville Caroling Company, the popular seasonal quartet here to deck your winter wonderland with silent silver bells; Sunday brings a visit from Music City Baroque, Nashville’s foremost practitioners of “Historically Informed Performance” on period instruments. Admission is $12 adults, $5 ages 3-17; for a full list of “Holidays” activities, see cheekwood.org.
— Jim Ridley